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 well knew, but I was fast asleep and did not hear.

"Oh, oh! I am strangling, I shall die," groaned Fan. At this, Master Frisky barked fiercer than before, but no master came. "Can't you help me?" groaned the poor horse.

"I would if I could," said Frisky, as he felt real frightened about Fan, for they were not really as bad friends as they had made believe.

Then a bright idea came to Frisky.

"I might gnaw the rope," he said.

"Do," groaned the choking horse.

"But you might kick me; you said you would if I came near you."

"Oh, no, I won't," said Fan; "do help me."

"You broke my paw," said Master Frisky, doubtfully.

"I didn't mean to," said Fan; "and I will never step on you again."

Then Master Frisky climbed over the prostrate horse, and began at the rope. He had just sharpened his teeth that morning on a hard bone; and in a very few seconds the rope gave way, and the frightened and half-strangled horse scrambled to her feet.

"I think you saved my life," she said to Frisky, as soon as she could speak.

"I am very glad I thought to gnaw the rope," he replied.

"Thank you ever so much," said Fan; "let's be better friends; we ought to, you know, we sleep together."