224 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



ready as dead as Dinosaurs. The increasing num- 

 bers of wild-life reservations and the enlarged 

 numbers of people who have met bears and wolves 

 face to face will, ere long, cast animal superstitions 

 and the divine right of kings into the scrap heap of 

 models that have had their day. 



Many wild animals appear to have courage, con- 

 science, and common sense. Often they triumph 

 over the unexpected, quickly they readjust to new 

 conditions, sometimes they welcome reform, and 

 often they cooperate and combine for the general 

 welfare. 



Why make the wilderness a fearful place, full of 

 ferocious beasts and dangerous forces.? No na- 

 tion has fallen for fostering outdoor life. Indoor 

 excesses have covered the outdoors with supersti- 

 tions and closed doors against the enjoyment of 

 invigorating storms and snows. Every season 

 has its advantages. Forgetting that change and 

 winter of temperate zone gave vigour and courage 

 to the race, the exclusive indoor peoples have 

 missed and lost much that is good. The changes 

 that challenge and compel growth and keep us fit 

 and growing, these give the required and necessary 

 morale for those in life's front ranks. At times the 

 Old Acquaintance has been stern, but it raised 

 and conducted our distinguished ancestors to us, 

 and for those who don't forget there is renewed 

 health and hope — the world is young once more. 



The wild wonderlands give to every child that 



