Missouri River steamboat pilot Joe LaBarge was a friendly man who wanted to give his ship’s mate John, an Englishman, a taste of American adventure. So when his steamboat puffed near a herd of buffalo, Joe ushered John into a rowboat and set out to capture one of the huge beasts as they swam across the river. John had never lassoed an animal before, so he was thrilled when his rope settled over one of the animals’ heads. The buffalo, however, had other ideas.