Ferocious in aspect as is the long hairy-skinned buffalo--or properly
the bison--of America, and savage when attacked, yet it is capable of
devoted affection towards its own kind.
A party of hunters were riding on the prairies, when two fine
buffalo-bulls were seen proceeding along the opposite side of a stream.
One of the hunters took aim at the nearest buffalo, which was crossing
with his haunches towards him. The ball broke the animal's right hip,
and he plunged away on three legs, the other hanging useless. The
hunter, leaping on his horse, put spurs to its flanks, and in three
minutes he and his companions were close on the bull. To his
astonishment, and the still greater surprise of two older hunters, the
unhurt bull stuck to his comrade's side without flinching. He fired
another shot, which took effect in the lungs of the first buffalo. The
second sheered off for a moment, but instantly returned to his friend.
The wounded buffalo became distressed, and slackened his pace. The
unwounded one not only retarded his, but coming to the rear of his
friend, stood with his head down, offering battle.
Here indeed was devotion! The sight was, to all three of the hunters, a
sublime one. They could no more have accepted the challenge of this
brave creature, than they could have smitten Damon at the side of
Pythias. The wounded buffalo ran on to the border of the next marsh,
and, in attempting to cross, fell headlong down the steep bank. Not
till that moment, when courage was useless, did his faithful companion
seek his own safety in flight. The hunters took off their hats, and
gave three parting cheers, as he vanished on the other side of the wood.