228 THE MINDS AND MANNERS 



the most numerous. A hundred pairs of eyes, a hundred 

 noses and a hundred pairs of listening ears increase about ten 

 times the protection of the single individual against surprise 

 attacks. The solitary elephant, bison, sheep or goat is far 

 easier to stalk and approach than a herd, or a herd member. 

 A wolf pack can attack and kill even the strongest solitary 

 musk-ox, bison or caribou, but the horned herd is invincible. 

 A lynx can pull down and kill a single mountain sheep ram, but 

 even the mountain lion does not care to attack a herd of sheep. 

 It is due solely to the beneficent results of this clear precept, 

 and the law of defensive union, that any baboons are today 

 alive in Africa. 



The grizzly bear loves mountain-goat meat; but he does 

 not love to have his inner tube punctured by the deadly little 

 black skewers on the bead of a billy. It is the Mountain 

 Goats' Protective Union that condemns the silvertip grizzly 

 to laborious digging for humble little ground-squirrels, instead of 

 killing goats for a living. The rogue elephant who will not 

 behave himself in the herd, and will not live up to the herd 

 law, is expelled; and after that takes place his wicked race is 

 very soon ended by a high-power bullet, about calibre .26. The 

 last one brought to my notice was overtaken by Charles 

 Theobald, State Shikaree of Mysore, in a Ford automobile; 

 and the car outlived the elephant. 



The Fifth Law. Absolute obedience to herd leaders and 

 parents is essential to the safety of the herd and of the individual; 

 and this obedience must be prompt and thorough. 



Whenever the affairs of grown men and women are domi- 

 nated by ignorant, inexperienced and rash juniors, look out for 

 trouble; for as surely as the sun continues to shine, it will come. 

 With an acquaintance that comprehends many species of wild 

 quadrupeds and birds, I do not recall even one herd or flock 

 that I have seen led by its young members. There are no 

 young spendthrifts among the wild animals. For them, youth- 

 ful, folly' is too expensive to be tolerated. The older members 



