1 8 The Black Bear 



spiteful slaps with their little paws, they would clinch 

 and bite and claw each other in earnest. Usually they 

 would break away from these clinches quite suddenly 

 and resume their tramp; only, however, to reopen 

 hostilities at an early date. Ben, although the smaller 

 of the two, always seemed to get the better of his broth- 

 er in the boxing bouts and wrestling matches. He en- 

 tered into each with an earnestness that seemed to put 

 the larger cub to flight; and yet in spite of the fact that 

 as they grew older their battles seemed to grow more 

 fierce, we thought nothing of the matter, but looked on 

 and laughed at the Lilliputian struggles. But one day 

 when we returned to camp we found George dead in 

 the little trail that circled the stake to which they were 

 tied, while Ben in his rounds stepped over the body 

 of his dead brother at each turn. George's face and 

 nose were chewed beyond identification and he had 

 been dead several hours. 



Ben had now no companions except ourselves and 

 one of the dogs which I had brought along and whose 

 name was Jim; but in spite of this, or because of it, he 

 grew more friendly and playful each day. He would 

 coax Jim to come and romp with him and they would 

 chase each other about until the dog was tired out. 

 Ben seemed to be tireless and would never quit play- 

 ing until chained up, or until the badgered dog turned 

 on him in earnest. Even then the bear used not to 

 give up hope immediately. After the first really angry 



