198 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



containing at least five thousand buffaloes, thinking it 

 might be among them. When she could not find it, she 

 fled over the plains in a crazed state, and uttered piteous 

 calls for her darling at intervals; but no answer came 

 back to her until she had disappeared over a hill in the 

 horizon. Whatever may be said about their affection, it 

 is certainly true that they are very careless mothers; for 

 they leave their young without any hesitation in exposed 

 situations, where they are liable to be attacked at any mo- 

 ment by wolves, and in this way many of them are destroy- 

 ed annually; for the lupine prowlers are always vigilant, 

 ready to eat at all hours of the day or night, and miss no 

 opportunity of killing a young one even though they are 

 not hungry. The calves themselves seem also to be very 

 stupid creatures; for, instead of dashing off to join the 

 herds and claim their protection, they frequently, especial- 

 ly if a little tired, merely poke their nose into a bunch of 

 grass, and because they themselves cannot see, they fancy 

 they are perfectly concealed from all foes. This idea is 

 soon rudely banished, however, by the sudden onslaught 

 of ravenous wolves, or the rifle and lariat of the hunter. 



Lassoing calves is most interesting sport, as the creatures 

 run well, course like a hare, and, when hard pressed, boldly 

 charge the horses or riders, and even attempt to pierce 

 them with their sharp but tiny horns; and, even when 

 captured, they buck and plunge so violently that the at- 

 tempt to lead them to a rendezvous is most amusing. 

 Calves not older than a month or two will readily follow 

 a horseman if they are separated from their dams; but 

 when they get beyond that age they are too knowing not 

 to distinguish the difference between their own kindred 

 and the steed. Hunters who wish to obtain calves for 

 menageries or private persons often resort to this method 

 of capture, as the animals are more likely to live than if 

 they were driven hard for several miles before being las- 

 soed ; and it is said that if a person breathes into their 

 nostrils when they are caught they become tame at once, 

 and will follow his horse for several miles like a dog. I 



