Page:They who walk in the wilds, (IA theywhowalkinwil00robe).pdf/195

 the other hand she liked well what he was doing. It seemed at once to establish a claim upon her. She was a very big and healthy bear, who in her previous essays in maternity had always achieved twins; and now this one rather puny offspring of hers was not fully absorbing her superabundant milk. McLaggan's greedy demands were comfortable to her. And he was so obviously harmless and friendly. She adopted him complacently. She licked the back of his head for a few seconds, so vigorously that she pushed his cap off; and McLaggan, waking just sufficiently to think he was in a propitious but preposterous dream, clutched her fur more securely and renewed his blessed meal.

Still dimly puzzled, but too drowsy to consider the matter further, the bear gave a satisfied woof and settled back to sleep again.

When McLaggan, after hours of deep slumber, woke up again, his first conscious thought was that he felt quite well and strong, but somewhat wearied by dreams. By this time it was night in the world, and the darkness of the cave was absolute. At first McLaggan thought he was in his bunk at the camp. Feeling his face and hands buried in warm, breathing fur, he decided that he was still dreaming, and he lay very quiet, with his eyes shut, striving to keep his hold upon such a curious and interesting dream that he might remember