A hero is an individual of unusual gifts and achievements. Whether itbe man or animal, this definition applies; and it is the histories ofsuch that appeal to the imagination and to the hearts of those who hearthem.
In this volume every one of the stories, though more or less composite,is founded on the actual life of a veritable animal hero. The mostcomposite is the White Reindeer. This story I wrote by Utrovand inNorway during the summer of 1900, while the Reindeer herds grazed insight on the near uplands.
The Lynx is founded on some of my own early experiences in thebackwoods.
It is less than ten years since the 'Jack Warhorse' won his hero-crown.Thousands of "Kaskadoans" will remember him, and by the name Warhorsehis coursing exploits are recorded in several daily papers.
The least composite is Arnaux. It is so nearly historical that severalwho knew the bird have supplied additional items of information.
The nest of the destroying Peregrines, with its owners and their young,is now to be seen in the American Museum of Natural History of NewYork. The Museum authorities inform me that Pigeon badges with thefollowing numbers were found in the nest: 9970-S, 1696, U. 63, 77, J.F. 52, Ex. 705, 6-1894, C 20900. Perhaps some Pigeon-lover may learnfrom these lines the fate of one or other wonderful flier that has longbeen recorded "never returned."
"M-e-a-t! M-e-a-t!" came shrilling down Scrimper's Alley. Surely thePied Piper of Hamelin was there, for it seemed that all the Cats in theneighborhood were running toward the sound, though the Dogs, it must beconfessed, looked scornfully indifferent.
"Meat! Meat!" and louder; then the centre of attraction came in view—arough, dirty little man with a push-cart; while straggling behind himwere a score of Cats that joined in his cry with a sound nearly thesame as his own. Every fifty yards, that is, as soon as a goodly throngof Cats was gathered, the push-cart stopped. The man with the magicvoice took out of the box in his cart a skewer on which were pieces ofstrong-smelling boiled liver. With a long stick he pushed the piecesoff. Each Cat seized on one, and wheeling, with a slight depression ofthe ears and a little tiger growl and glare, she rushed away with herprize to devour it in some safe retreat.
"Meat! Meat!" And still they came to get their portions. All were wellknown