﻿THE IBEX. 



119 



An ibex was once tamed by a family of Swiss peasants, living far 

 up on the side of Mount Rosa. It would come regularly every moi fl- 

 ing to receive its food from the hands of its friends, unless a stran- 

 ger was there. Then it would keep away, altogether out of sight, 

 It is supposed that its sense of smell warned the animal of the pres- 

 ence of an enemy, as nothing could tempt it within sight during the 

 visit of a stranger. The next day, however, if the coast was clear. 



\ x -^v c v.^ / y^ 



\\N "' "\ \N *~~ 



\*. \ \\\ 



it would come as usual, just as though nothing had happened. Ef- 

 forts were made to cheat the animal, by setting up an effigy with a 

 gun near the house. The sagacious beast, however, took no notice 

 of it, but came fearlessly for several days. At length, a peasant from 

 a neighboring village was dressed up to appear as much like the 

 figure as possible, and put in its place, but Mr. Ibex was not to be 

 fooled, and did not appear. His sense of smell was a match for the 

 cunning of man. 



Has one served thee ? Tell it to many. Hast thou served many 

 Tell it not. 



\ 



