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
muzzle close to his ear, and sniffed and sniffed. But at last with a
growl 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.”