Master Frisky/Chapter 4
Fan was our sober, steady-going old horse; and being of so sedate a turn of mind, she had little liking for Master Frisky, who was full of pranks and capers. At night he occupied the empty stall next to her; and many were the disputes that they had about their speed, Master Frisky claiming that he could go faster than Fan, which greatly angered the horse.
"If I was a dog," old Fan would say with a scornful snort, "I would not always have my tail full of burrs; see my coat, how shiny it is."
"That is no credit to you," Frisky would reply; "it is because our master is always scraping and brushing you. If I was a horse I wouldn't always be hitched up by the head, and have to stand one way."
"That is better than running away as you do," old Fan would retort.
When Master Frisky felt mischievously inclined, he would circle about Fan, teasing and barking in a manner that greatly irritated and disturbed her. During one of these pranks she brought her hoof squarely down upon his paw. It was badly crushed, and it was many a day before its owner could touch it to the ground.
A comical picture he made going about on three legs, and holding up his paw for sympathy and inspection. After that he did not bother the horse any more, but they were no better friends for the occurrence.
One night old Fan came in late from a long hard drive; and after rubbing her down and giving her a good feed, I went to bed. She was feeling quite cross from her long day's work, and paid little attention to Master Frisky's inquiry as to where we had been. Finally she lay down and went to sleep; and Frisky, seeing that no more conversation was to be had with her, did the same.
He had been sleeping but a short time, when he was awakened by a strange noise. At first he thought it must be a bear; although, as he had never heard one except in his dreams, of course he was not sure, but when he got fairly waked up, he discovered that it came from old Fan's stall.
"What is the matter?" he asked.
"Oh, I am cast, and the halter is choking me to death," groaned Fan. "Call master, that's a good dog, quick." Master Frisky thought of his broken paw, and at first did not; but seeing that the horse was in real distress, he barked loud and imperatively, a note that I 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."
"All right," said Frisky. "I am sorry I barked at you and made you nervous and I won't do it any more."
"I will not strike at you any more," said Fan; "let's rub noses." So they did, and then the new friends lay down and went to sleep.