WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY 
had any fear of mankind in their infancy, they, on be- 
coming adult and assuming their natural habit of using 
their horns during the rutting season, fail then to dis- 
tinguish the hand that fed them, and, as war is in the 
nature of the creatures, they attack friends and foes un- 
mercifully. Hence the danger of keeping horned pets. 
My discovery of this was made after introducing to my 
children an unfortunate lamb a few days old. This 
motherless, harmless, pretty creature at once became a 
most beloved and darling pet. The most devoted affection 
was bestowed upon it, and everything was done for its 
welfare and comfort. It prospered and did well, and the 
pride of the whole family was to think what kindness and 
attention had accomplished for this poor, deserted, and 
neglected creature. But, as time went on, the harmless 
little lamb got larger and stronger, and began to exhibit 
signs of independence, gradually but, undoubtedly, feeling 
able to take his own part — for it was of the male per- 
suasion, as Mark Twain says — and consequently had no 
fear and less gratitude, so that he occasionally made a 
rather unpleasant butt at the only and best friends he 
ever had, or was likely to have, and with very disagreeable 
results. His banishment soon followed. He was con- 
signed to a large field, and he became a terror to passing 
travellers who incautiously crossed the field. With a hop, 
skip, and jump he was behind any one in an instant ; with 
one good spring, the unfortunate traveller was on his 
hands and knees if not on his face. For this disagreeable 
and vicious habit the only cure that presented itself was 
the butcher, who ended the life of the pet lamb. This 
is my experience with nearly all tame-reared ruminants, 
whether oxen, stags, sheep, antelopes, or goats. 
Doubtless, individual differences occur, but, as a rule, 
there can be no question that these tamely-reared rumin- 
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