He uttered a soft growling sound like the satisfied purr of a bear eating its food.
The comical bear rose a little higher on his hind paws, and looked in astonishment at the motionless figure that uttered sounds so familiar.
Yet the figure was not familiar.

He had never seen a human being before, and the shape and outline were very strange to him.

It might be some new kind of animal, and he was disposed to be inquiring, because there was nothing in these forests which the black bear was afraid of until man came.
He advanced a step or two and growled gently.

Then he reared up again on his hind paws, and cocked his held to one side in his amusing manner.
Henry, still motionless, smiled at him.

Here, for an instant at least, was a cheery visitor and companionship.