THE WAPITI 267 



do more than inflict bruises. The only danger comes 

 when the beaten party turns to flee. The victor pursues 

 at full speed. Usually the beaten one gets off ; but if by 

 accident he is caught where he cannot escape, he is very 

 apt to be gored in the flank and killed. Mr. Baillie- 

 Grohman has given a very interesting description of one 

 such fatal duel of which he was an eye-witness on a moon- 

 light night in the mountains. I have never known of the 

 bull trying to protect the cow from any enemy. He 

 battles for her against rivals with intense ferocity; but 

 his attitude toward her, once she is gained, is either that 

 of brutality or of indifference. She will fight for her 

 calf against any enemy which she thinks she has a chance 

 of conquering, although of course not against man. But 

 the bull leaves his family to their fate the minute he 

 thinks there is any real danger. During the rut he is 

 greatly excited, and does not fear a dog or a single wolf, 

 and may join with the rest of the herd of both sexes in 

 trying to chase off one or the other, should he become 

 aware of its approach. But if there is serious danger, 

 his only thought is for himself, and he has no compunc- 

 tions about sacrificing any of his family. When on the 

 move a cow almost always goes first, while the bull brings 

 up the rear. 



In domestication the bulls are very dangerous to 

 human beings, and will kill a man at once if they can 

 get him at a disadvantage; but in a state of nature they 

 rarely indeed overcome their abject terror of humanity, 

 even when wounded and cornered. Of course, if the man 

 comes straight up to him where he cannot get away, a 



