Johnny Bear 



covering me ; and, except for one or two brief 

 quarrels, there was nothing very exciting to note. 

 But about three in the afternoon it became 

 more lively. 



There were then four large Bears feeding on 

 the heap. In the middle was Fatty, sprawling 

 at full length as he feasted, a picture of placid 

 ursine content, puffing just a little at times as 

 he strove to save himself the trouble of moving 

 by darting out his tongue like a long red ser- 

 pent, farther and farther, in quest of the tidbits 

 just beyond claw reach. 



Behind him Slim Jim was puzzling over the 

 anatomy and attributes of an ancient lobster. 

 It was something outside his experience, but 

 the principle, " In case of doubt take the trick," 

 is well known in Bearland, and settled the 

 difficulty. 



The other two were clearing out fruit-tins 

 with marvellous dexterity. One supple paw 

 would hold the tin while the long tongue would 

 dart again and again through the narrow open- 

 ing, avoiding the sharp edges, yet cleaning out 

 the can to the last taste of its sweetness. 



This pastoral scene lasted long enough to be 

 sketched, but was ended abruptly. My eye 



151 



