B94 ADVENTURES WITH THE BROWN BEAR. 
out detection. Bears are nearly as careful of their comfort as cats, and take the greatest 
pains to prepare a soft and warm bed, in which they lie at ease during their long sleep 
The flooring of their winter-house is thickly covered with dried leaves and all kinds of 
similar substances, the smaller branches of the pine-tree being in great request for this 
purpose. In the Swedish language this moss-house is known by the name of “ Kore.” 
Heavy and unw ieldy as the Bear may seem to be, it 1s poss ssed of marvellous activity, 
and when disturbed in its den rushes out with such astonishing rapidity that it will 
baffle the aim of any but a cool and experienced hunter. One writer, who witnessed the 
sudden issuing of a Bear from its den and its escape from its pursuers, compares the 
animal to those children’s toys that are popularly called “ skip-jacks,” and which execute 
somersaults by means of a twisted string, a wooden lever, and a little shoemakers’ 
wax, 
If captured when young, the Brown Bear is readily tamed, and is capable of mastering 
many accomplishments. It is a very playful animal, and seems to have a keen sense of 
the ludicrous, which sometimes causes it to overpass the bounds of good breeding. To 
its owner it displays a great affection, and can be trained to follow him about like a dog. 
Two of these animals belonging to Ma. Lloyd, and which he had tamed, were very game- 
some in their disposition, although, as they increased in size and strength, their frolicsome 
disposition became rather annoying. They were extremely fond of their master , and would 
seek him on every occasion. If he fastened the door of his room against his troublesome 
pets, they would clamber up the side of the house, and gain access by the window. It is 
said that if domesticated Bears be permitted to remain in a secluded place they will pass 
the winter in a torpid state. 
The affectionate nature of the Brown Bear is not only exercised towards human 
friends, but towards each other. Two of these animals which were born in England were 
exceedingly attached to each other. One of the two was sold and removed from its 
companion, which immediately became uneasy at the protracted absence of its playfellow. 
So deeply was its affectionate heart wounded by the separation, that it became nearly 
mad, and at last contrived to make its escape from its place of confinement, evidently 
with the intention of searching after its lost friend. It was captured and replaced in its 
cage, but its health became so seriously affected that its owners were obliged to 
repurchase its companion and restore it to its disconsolate relation. 
Savage as is the Bear when attacked, it is naturally of a kind and playful disposition, 
seldom inflicting injury except when urged by fear or hunger. Mz, Atkinson, in his 
valuable work on Siberia, relates a curious and interesting anecdote of the gentleness 
which naturally actuates the Brown Bear. 
Two children, of four and six years of age, had wandered away from their home, and 
were after a little time missed by their parents, who set out in search of their offspring. 
To their horror and astonishment they found their children engaged in play with a large 
Bear, which responded to their infantine advances in a most affectionate manner. One of 
the children was feeding its shagey playfellow with fruit, while the other had mounted 
on its back and was seated on its strange steed strong in the fearlessness of childish 
ignorance. The parents gave a terrified scream on seeing the danger to which their 
children were exposed, and the Bear, on seeing their approach, quietly turned away from 
the children and went into the forest. 
The same writer records a curious adventure with a Bear, which partakes largely of 
the ludicrous. A woman had lost her donkey, and after a long and fatiguing search she 
at last came on the missing animal. Being very much irritated with the truant for his 
misconduct, she fell to scolding and beating him with the handle of a broom which she 
happened to be carrying. Her vituperation and castigation were however suddenly checked 
by the discovery that the animal which she was beating so unceremoniously was not her 
donkey, but a great Brown Bear. The astonishment ‘of the two seems to have been 
mutual, for the Bear was evidently as much confused by the unwarranted assault as was 
the woman by the sight of her antagonist ; so that after looking at each other for a few 
moments, the Bear turned tail and ran aw ay as fast as his legs would carry him. 
It is but seldom that the Bear will make an unprovoked attack on a human being, 
