(^etn^ (Boob ^o (§t(xxs 



often got tangled with sticks, grass, or bushes. 

 Sometimes the cubs showed impatience, but usu- 

 ally they carefully examined the chain, then, tak- 

 ing it in their fore paws, stepped this way and that 

 and generally made the very move needed to extri- 

 cate or unwind it. While doing this they appeared 

 almost comical because of their serious and con- 

 centrated attention. 



One morning Johnny climbed to the top of the 

 pole fence to which he was chained. With happy, 

 playful activity he galloped atop the pole to the 

 end of the chain ; then, like an engine, he reversed 

 his direction without turning and went hippety- 

 hop back again. This was a favorite exercise of 

 Johnny's, a game which I had encouraged; but this 

 morning while having a beautiful time he tumbled 

 off backward. The chain caught in a knot and 

 Johnny found himself hung. Grizzly bears resent 

 being hung by the neck. Johnny quickly kicked 

 himself out of his collar. Finding himself free, and 

 thinking himself abused, I suppose, he ran away. 

 After three days this runaway boy concluded to 

 come home. I saw him come out of the woods into 

 an opening on the mountain-side. Even at a dis- 

 tance I could see that he no longer possessed the 



113 



