Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-05

ing up close enough on the unsus-
pecting bear to focus his camera at
short range and. once or twice. al
most to touch his fur. Proper re-
gard for direction of the wind ana
care in approaching were necessary
to accomplish these dangerous sal
lies. he explained.
This old fellow, apparently on an
Individual foraging expedition, was
tickled to death with himself and
the world generally" said Mr.. Mills.
focusing his eyes in retrospect In a
manner characteristic of him. Bears.
when left to themselves, are as
frolicksome and carefree as a kit
ten. but when they suspect the pres
ence nearby of some other animal
they instantly assume that staid.
sedate attitude familiar to zoo visit
ors. This grizzly, on one OF the days
I was following him, came upon
long, steep incline down hillside
on which was a thick layer of snow.
Coming to halt and glancing
cautiously around, as though to make
sure no spectators were about, he
deliberately and slowly sat down on
his launches. at the edge of the de-
cline, gave himself several starts
with his paws and coasted in this
erect posture the entire length of the
grade. On reaching the bottom he
arose methodically. shook his heavy
frame to loosen the accumulated
snow and slowly retraced his de-
scent to the starting point far up
the slide.
Then, appearing still to have his
taste for fun unsatisfied, the ungain-
ly beast took a third slide in an
amusing rough tumble fashion,
rolling and humping with abandon,
sometimes with all feet in the air,
again on his side. or backwards or in
other positions, such as an unbalanced
barrel might take in a similar trip
down the hillside
MR.. MILLS told of further antics
A'A of the same animal a day or SO
later. The bear was confronted with
deep stream racing between high.
slanting banks. He came to the bank.
paused. evidently in contemplation of
some original way of descending into
the water, and then turned a COM
plete somersault down the bank. land
ing with a great splash in the cur
rent. Not content with this and
scorning the adoption Of customary
methods of swimming in beardom,
the old grizzly proceeded to cross
the stream in a series Of dives. back
lashes, somersaults and other
strokes designed to create much
commotion in the water.
Asked what he would have done
had this giant grizzly caught sight
Of and started after him. Mr.. Mills
smiled and countered:
What could have done? But I
was careful not to let him see me,
although I took many chances. He
had claws perhaps six inches long.
one sweep Of which would have cut
a man to shreds. Grizzlies. however,
attack their enemies by hugging them
to death in their strong embrace.
Once in this grip. there is no hope
for the unfortunate captive"
The naturalist took occasion at this
juncture to tell Of small black bear
cub which he adopted and raised to
'bearhood" in his home. The cub was
discovered in a den at the point Of
starving because OF the death or cap
ture Of both parents some time previ-
Gus. About the size Of ialf-grown
airedale. the cub made instant friends
with his rescuer and became a play
full household pet and stanch
friend and protector.
In fact, the grown-up pet became so
stanch a friend and protector that no
person but Mr.. Mills or his wife could
approach the cabin without endanger-
ing his life. and eventually the faithful
bear had to be turned over to a zoo.
The example of devotion and self-sacri-
fee for mis- master set by this bear ex-
ceeded even the most famous stories of
canine trustworthiness, according to Mr..
Mills He was 50 Jealous Of his masters
affection and 50 solicitous Of his well
fare that visitors were menaced.
r X X \
HOWEVER. this apparently INDY
IL ing attachment to his master could
easily have been turned to resentment
and antipathy, Mr.. Mills stated. All
that would have been necessary to incite
the pet to fury would have been an un-
warranted punishment, such as kick
or slap. SCATTERING the misplaced con-
fidence of pet bear is risky business,
for once his feelings are hurt and his
anger aroused he will attack q former
friend with relentless ferocity, Mills
found.
Mills love Of animals and his under
standing Of their fears and likes and
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