The agile inhabitant of the lofty Alps--the graceful chamois--shows the
greatest affection for her young.
A Swiss hunter, while pursuing his dangerous sport, observed a mother
chamois and her two kids on a rock above him. They were sporting by her
side, leaping here and there around her. While she watched their
gambols, she was ever on the alert lest an enemy should approach.
The hunter, climbing the rock, drew near, intending, if possible, to
capture one of the kids alive. No sooner did the mother chamois observe
him, than, dashing at him furiously, she endeavoured to hurl him with
her horns down the cliff. The hunter, knowing that he might kill her at
any moment, drove her off, fearing to fire, lest the young ones should
take to flight.
He was aware that a deep chasm existed beyond them, by which he believed
the escape of the animals to be cut off. What was his surprise,
therefore, when he saw the old chamois approach the chasm, and,
stretching out her fore and hind-legs, thus form with her body a bridge
across it!
As soon as she had done this, she called on her young ones, and they
sprang, one at a time, on her back, and reached the other side in
safety! By a violent effort, she sprang across after them, and soon
conducted her charges beyond the reach of the hunter's bullets.
Trust your mother: she, in most cases, will find means to help you out
of trouble.