Buffalo 279 



dead. We watched the chase with the interest always felt for 

 the weak; and had there been a saddled horse at hand, he 

 would have fared better." 



In both cases the mother seemed to be missing. Some the 

 observers think her negligent of her duties. There is, indeed, 

 great individual variation in this respect; but, ordinarily, she 

 is the best protector the little one can have and is afraid of 

 nothing when the calf is threatened. Yet many times she 

 acts in a dumb, cowed way, especially when the assailant of 

 the youngster is a man. 



James K. Darnell, of Breckenridge, related to me that in 

 the early 70's, when he was cow-punching on the Plains, the 

 Buffalo were very plentiful. He often amused himself by 

 roping the calves. When one was caught he would jump off, 

 remove the lasso, and hold it with his hands. The mother 

 would stand at a distance of 100 yards gazing anxiously, 

 neither cow nor calf making any sound. As soon as he let the 

 calf go, the mother seeing it was free, knew it would take care 

 of itself, and turning tail, went off at full gallop, without even 

 looking behind. 



Had the calf by bellowing made it clear to his mother 

 that he was in peril of his life, I fancy it would have made a 

 profound change in her demeanor. 



In proof of this is an experience recorded in Buffalo 

 Jones's Adventures," while on his last expedition to capture 

 Buffalo alive. It shows that the cow Buffalo is no respecter of 

 persons when once her dull wit has grasped the idea that they 

 are unworthy of respect: 



When the last calf was lassoed its mother rushed furiously 

 to the rescue. After the horseman had vainly tried to drive 

 her off, Colonel Jones very unwillingly drew his revolver and 

 shot her dead. 



Nor does the maternal instinct suffer when the animal is 

 tamed and taught a less distrust of man, as Jones expressly 



says : *** 



"Adv. BuflFalo Jones, 1899, p. 135. ^ Ibid., p. 235. 



