My First Summer 



webs are spread upon, immediately bounce 

 themselves up and down on their elastic 

 threads so rapidly that only a blur is visible. 

 The wild Indian power of escaping observa- 

 tion, even where there is little or no cover 

 to hide in, was probably slowly acquired in 

 hard hunting and fighting lessons while try- 

 ing to approach game, take enemies by sur- 

 prise, or get safely away when compelled 

 to retreat. And this experience transmitted 

 through many generations seems at length to 

 have become what is vaguely called instinct. 

 How smooth and changeless seems the 

 surface of the mountains about us ! Scarce a 

 track is to be found beyond the range of the 

 sheep except on small open spots on the sides 

 of the streams, or where the forest carpets are 

 thin or wanting. On the smoothest of these 

 open strips and patches deer tracks may be 

 seen, and the great suggestive footprints of 

 bears, which, with those of the many small 

 animals, are scarce enough to answer as a kind 

 of light ornamental stitching or embroidery. 



[72 1 



