[Rolf In The Woods by Ernest Thompson Seton]@TWC D-Link bookRolf In The Woods CHAPTER 22 3/4
"Good place for steel trap, bime-by," was Quonab's remark. From time to time they disturbed deer, and in a muddy place where a deer path crossed the creek, they found, among the numerous small hoof prints, the track of wolves, bears, and a mountain lion, or panther.
At these little Skookum sniffed fearsomely, and showed by his bristly mane that he was at least much impressed. After five hours' travel and work they came to another stream joining on, and near the angle of the two little valleys they found a small tree that was chewed and scratched in a remarkable manner for three to six feet up.
"Bear tree," said Quonab, and by degrees Rolf got the facts about it. The bears, and indeed most animals, have a way of marking the range that they consider their own.
Usually this is done by leaving their personal odour at various points, covering the country claimed, but in some cases visible marks are added.
Thus the beaver leaves a little dab of mud, the wolf scratches with his hind feet, and the bear tears the signal tree with tooth and claw.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|