52 WILD BROTHER 



his nose, in an absurdly grotesque manner, he be- 

 gan, as if on a pivot, to turn round and round like 

 a kitten when chasing its tail. 



After this exercise had continued for a minute 

 or two, he would stop suddenly and, wagging his 

 head up and down, would rush straight ahead for 

 a few yards. Then again he would pause, wheel 

 about, and run like mad in the opposite direction. 

 These capers he repeated several times ; then sud- 

 denly he would pick up a small stick or a chip of 

 wood, and, holding it in his mouth, would curl 

 himself into a round brown ball and roll head over 

 heels down the mossy incline, sometimes not stop- 

 ping till he bounced with a splash into the cold 

 water of the brook. This climax to his act always 

 brought great applause from the lumbermen, who 

 swore that Bruno was surely going to be a river- 

 driver of great merit. 



Before our outing was over, we called once more 

 at Bruno's home, and again I tried to buy the little 

 bear; but as before Mrs. Weldon would not con- 

 sider parting with him. 



"If he becomes cross or rough when he grows 

 larger, and Ursula should be in danger, I will let 

 you know," she said ; " and then, if you want to buy 

 him, I will give him up," 



