The Last of the Plainsmen 



gripping were the unvarnished details that I was 

 spellbound. 



&quot; Considering what appears the impossibility of 

 capturing a full-grown buffalo, how did you earn 

 the name of preserver of the American bisop?&quot; 

 inquired Wallace. 



&quot; It took years to learn how, and ten more to cap 

 ture the fifty-eight that I was able to keep. I tried 

 every plan under the sun. I roped hundreds, of all 

 sizes and ages. They would not live in captivity. 

 If they could not find an embankment over which 

 to break their necks, they would crush their skulls 

 on stones. Failing any means like that, they would 

 lie down, will themselves to die, and die. Think of 

 a savage wild nature that could will its heart to 

 cease beating! But it s true. Finally I found I 

 could keep only calves under three months of age. 

 But to capture them so young entailed time and 

 patience. For the buffalo fight for their young, and 

 when I say fight, I mean till they drop. I almost 

 always had to go alone, because I could neither coax 

 nor hire any one to undertake it with me. Some 

 times I would be weeks getting one calf. One day I 

 captured eight eight little buffalo calves! Never 

 will I forget that day as long as I live ! &quot; 



&quot; Tell us about it,&quot; I suggested, in a matter of fact, 

 round-the-campfire voice. Had the silent plainsman 



52 



