to
obtain a better view.

When, in turn, it was explained to him that a bear also could
climb
a tree, he remembered he had left his oven door open. His
departure
reminded other servants of duties they had neglected, and one of
the guests, also, on remembering he had put in a long-distance
call, hastened to the house. Jackson suggested that perhaps they
had better all return with him, as the presence of so many people
might frighten the bears. At the moment he spoke, Ikey emitted a
hideous howl, whether of joy or rage no one knew, and few
remained
to find out. It was not until Herrick had investigated and
reported
that Ikey was still behind the bars that the house party
cautiously
returned. The house party then filed a vigorous protest. Its
members, with Jackson as spokesman, complained that Herrick was
relying entirely too much on his supposition that the bears would
be anxious to enter the forest. Jackson pointed out that, should
they not care to do so, there was nothing to prevent them from
doubling back under the wagon; in which case the house party and
all of the United States lay before them. It was not until a
lawn-tennis net and much chicken wire was stretched in intricate
thicknesses across the lower half of the gate that Herrick was
allowed to proceed. Unassisted, he slid back the cage door, and
without a moment's hesitation Ikey leaped from the wagon through
the gate and into the preserve. For an instant, dazed by the