But with all that stuff on him and the dirt and grass
sticking to his fur, I just sort of felt as if nobody has a right to make
an animal look like that.
So I took the rope and made a lasso knot in it and let myself down the
trunk as far as I dared. I have to admit I was sort of scared, but you have
to be decent when you win. You have to be, even if it's only a wild animal.
I tried two or three times to get the noose over his head, but I couldn't,
because he wasn't still enough. But after a couple of minutes I managed it
and then I tied the other end of the rope to the tree. After that I climbed
away out to the end of the lowest branch and it bent down with me and I
dropped to the ground.
First I thought I'd go over and touch him to see how he felt, but I just
didn't dare to. I was scared of him even then. So I just started off along
the path, going scout pace, and when I got a little way off so I _knew_ I
was safe, I looked back and said, "You stay where you are and don't get
excited, and I'll fix it for you."
Because anyway, I hadn't done my good turn yet and it was pretty near dark.
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