Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/182

 Freckles slipped in beside his pony friend and felt for the halter rope, but in his haste he pulled the rope the wrong way, and instead of having it come untied with almost a single pull, it tightened into a hard knot.

Frantically Freckles worked at the knot, but it was very persistent.

Some one was shouting and calling from the doorway for him to come out.

When he had nearly despaired of ever getting the rope untied, the knot yielded and Sir Wilton was free.

Then Freckles remembered that the groom had said Dapples was as stubborn as a mule. He had often read of horses that would not let their best friends lead them from a burning building until they were blindfolded. Would Sir Wilton fail him now he had risked so much?

He did not think so, but he would take no chances. So he slapped the little horse in a friendly way that he had when he wanted immediate and prompt obedience