Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/59

 Some of the Lynx family seem to prefer living in the mountains to the forests, and seldom come down to the valleys unless badly pressed by hunger. Lynx are often found far above the snow-line, which averages ten thousand feet in height.

On one occasion a hunter had been trying for several hours to get near a lynx whose form he had made out with his glass as it was stealthily moving over the rocks in search of food. The lynx had not seen the hunter, or it would have made off to a place of safety but it appeared to be uneasy, as though it felt some danger was near, for perhaps a whiff of the dreaded small of man had reached it.

Suddenly the hunter noticed that the lynx stiffened like a coiled spring, as if it had sighted some prey. All thought of its man enemy was forgotten, and the hunter crept up closer and closer without causing the animal the least alarm. From the high elevation which the hunter had reached he finally saw what was exciting the lynx. Not a hundred yards away stood a fine Ibex watching over its mate and little one who were feeding close by. The lynx moved forward until it reached a slight elevation, from which, without making a sound, it sprang, fastering its claws in the neck of the mother ibex, who promptly rushed away, trying to shake off her foe.

Now an old ibex is by no means a coward, and he has an ugly pair of horns to fight with. This the lynx soon found out, for the ibex sped after its mate, who was running almost in a circle, and with one butt of its horns knocked the lynx off head over heels. Not content with this, it followed up its advantage with a second blow, which sent its enemy rolling over and over down the slope. The lynx got on its feet at last, but too late, for the ibex had returned to its mate and little one.

In the interest of the scene the hunter had forgotten to use his rifle, and so lost a chance at getting some fine game.

It is not often that an ibex has such good luck, but on this occasion the lynx evidently had not gotten a good hold. Once a lynx gets its claws fairly in, it hangs on like grim death, and although its enemy may bring it against the rocks or even take it under water, it will not give up until its victim's strength gives out and it drops dead.

A lynx prefers to attack a single ibex, for then its work is naturally easier. Most of the mountain goat tribes, however, go in small herds, or families, and if a lynx sees a flock of them with a number of horned males, it leaves them alone, as an attack would simply scare the flock and the lynx might get badly mauled. The lynx knows enough to await its chance.