FABLES. 



303 



THE HORSE AND THE STAG. 



Ix antient times, when the Horse and the Deer 

 ranged the forest with uncontrolled freedom, it 

 happened that contentions arose between them 

 about grazing in particular meadows. These dis- 

 putes ended in a conflict between them, in which 

 the Deer proved victorious, and with his sharp 

 horns drove the Horse from the pasture. Full of 

 disappointment and chagrin, the Horse applied to 

 the Man, and craved his assistance, in order to 

 re-establish him in the possession of his rights. 

 The request was granted, on condition that he 

 would suffer himself to be bridled, saddled, and 

 mounted by his. new ally, with whose assistance he 

 entirely defeated his enemy; but the poor Horse 

 was mightily disappointed when, upon returning 

 thanks to the Man, and desiring to be dismissed, 

 he received this answer: No, I never knew before 



