296 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
have been two heifers or colts of the same age. I never harnessed 
them afterwards. They are undoubtedly as strong as a horse of 
the same size, and are much more natural trotters than the horse, 
and with training, I think, would fully equal him in speed and 
endurance, and would, when fully adult, probably surpass him in 
both. The Elk has not the weight for heavy draught, but seems 
well adapted for light, quick work. I confess I have too long neg- 
lected this practical question. 
THE MULE DEER. 
The disposition of the Mule Deer presents a study of more in- 
terest than that of any of the others. In some respects they 
are worse and in others better than either of the other species. 
The adult bucks when brought up by hand are wicked during 
the rutting season, and seem to take a positive delight in threat- 
ening if not in attacking their best friend, so that it is never safe 
to venture very near to them without a good club during the 
rut. The old does, too, are treacherous at all seasons, and are 
liable to attack children whenever they find them unprotected ; 
at the same time they are the greatest cowards alive. IJ had an 
old doe, almost as large as a small elk, that would even attack 
women if she met them alone in the park, while she would be 
very complacent to a man whom she thought able to defend him- 
self; still she was so great a coward that the smallest Virginia 
deer would drive her wherever it pleased. I have been vastly 
amused in observing the little Acapulco doe chasing an adult 
Mule doe around the grounds. The little thing does not appear 
to be actuated by malice, but does it rather for amusement. The 
Mule Deer would be following me through the park, and when- 
ever it would happen to get a little way from me the little one 
would dash in between us and run it off, while the Mule Deer 
would make a circuit and as soon as possible run to me for pro- 
tection, when the little tease would stop a little way off and 
look as if it would enjoy a hearty laugh. This was repeated 
many times during a single walk. The larger one is fully three 
times the size of her tormentor, but I have never seen it offer 
the least resistance to these attacks. I have often seen her chase 
a Mule buck, which was two years old, in the same way. 
The Mule Deer is the only one I have ever seen manifest a 
clear and decided disposition to play. This they do something 
after the manner of lambs, by running courses and gamboling 
about and running up and down the bluffs manifestly for amuse- 
