ing for, and which he would certainly lose if he ran
away, warded off his blows, and, by careful management, now dodging, now
striking, kept his brother at bay, and avoided coming to such close
quarters as to subject himself to Bruin's hug: for he knew, if he once
felt that embrace, there was not much chance of his having any appetite
left with which to complete his half-finished breakfast.

The noise of the combat had now, however, roused the family. Mrs. B. was
the first to make her appearance, and she was soon followed by the rest.
Explanations ensued, although the facts of the case were sufficiently
clear, and Bruin's character was well known. Old Ursus Major drew
himself up, and, for once in his life, assumed a dignified demeanour.
The ill-tempered bear stood abashed before his parents, although he
moved his head to and fro in an obstinate manner, as though rejecting
all interference.

It is a pity I cannot relate to you what was said upon this occasion,
for Old Bruin is reported to have made a very eloquent discourse on the
horrible effects of ill-temper and greediness; and good advice is worth
having, whether uttered by a bear or any other animal. Suffice it, that
after lecturing his son on the enormity of his offences,--which probably
he was himself partly the cause of, through not punishing many of his
previous errors,--he bid him quit for ever his paternal roof, and seek
his fortune elsewhere; cautioning him at the same time, that if he ever
expected to get through the world with credit to his name, and even
comfort to his person, he must be honest, good-tempered, and forbearing.

Bruin took this advice in most ungracious part; and without exchanging a
word with any of the family, although it was evident his poor old mother
longed to hug him in her arms, he growled out some unintelligible words,
and set forth upon his travels.

UPON HIS TRAVELS.

There is no denying that when Bruin had got clear of the old familiar
path, and lost sight of the dwelling where he had hitherto spent his
days, he felt most particularly uncomfortable; and if he had had the
power of recalling the past, he would, in his present state of feeling,
no doubt have done so. For the first time in his life, the sense of his
ill-temper struck him in all its ugliness; and as he sat down on a huge
tree which was lying across his road, he looked such a picture of
disconsolateness, that it was evident he would have felt great relief if