The Two Crabs

　　Two Fellows were travelling together through a wood, when a

　　Bear rushed out upon them. One of the travellers happened to be

　　in front, and he seized hold of the branch of a tree, and hid

　　himself among the leaves. The other, seeing no help for it, threw

　　himself flat down upon the ground, with his face in the dust. The

　　Bear, coming up to him, put his muzzle1 close to his ear, and

　　sniffed2 and sniffed. But at last with a growl3 he shook his head

　　and slouched off, for bears will not touch dead meat. Then the

　　fellow in the tree came down to his comrade, and, laughing, said

　　"What was it that Master Bruin whispered to you?"

　　"He told me," said the other,

　　"Never trust a friend who deserts you at a pinch."