midnight
In spite of the milk , he was still filled with a desire to escape , though his efforts were not as frantic and unreasoning as they had been . Experience had taught him that it was futile to jump and tug at the end of his leash , and now he fell to chewing at the rope . Had he gnawed in one place he would probably have won freedom before morning , but when his jaws became tired he rested , and when he resumed his work it was usually at a fresh place in the rope . By midnight his gums were sore , and he gave up his exertions entirely . Humped close to the tree , ready to climb up it at the first sign of danger , the cub waited for morning . Not a wink did he sleep . Even though he was less afraid than he had been , he was terribly lonesome .