“Weain’tfighting，weareonlywrestling，“answeredDan，leavingoffreluctantly。
“Itlooksverymuchlikeit，andfeelslikeit，hey，Jack？“saidMr。
Bhaer，asthedefeatedgentlemangotuponhislegswithdifficulty。
“Catchmewrestlingwithhimagain。He’smostknockedmyheadoff，“
snarledJack，holdingontothatportionofhisframeasifitreallywaslooseuponhisshoulders。
“Thefactis，webeganinfun，butwhenIgothimdownIcouldn’thelppoundinghim。SorryIhurtyou，oldfellow，“explainedDan，lookingratherashamedofhimself。
“Iunderstand。Thelongingtopitchintosomebodywassostrongyoucouldn’tresist。YouareasortofBerserker，Dan，andsomethingtotusslewithisasnecessarytoyouasmusicistoNat，“saidMr。Bhaer，whoknewallabouttheconversationbetweentheboyandMrs。Jo。
“Can’thelpit。Soifyoudon’twanttobepoundedyou’dbetterkeepoutoftheway，“answeredDan，withawarninglookinhisblackeyesthatmadeJacksheeroffinhaste。
“Ifyouwantsomethingtowrestlewith，IwillgiveyouatougherspecimenthanJack，“saidMr。Bhaer；and，leadingthewaytothewood-yard，hepointedoutcertainrootsoftreesthathadbeengrubbedupinthespring，andhadbeenlyingtherewaitingtobesplit。
“There，whenyoufeelinclinedtomaltreattheboys，justcomeandworkoffyourenergieshere，andI’llthankyouforit。“
“SoIwill；“and，seizingtheaxethatlaynearDanhauledoutatoughroot，andwentatitsovigorously，thatthechipsflewfarandwide，andMr。Bhaerfledforhislife。
Tohisgreatamusement，Dantookhimathisword，andwasoftenseenwrestlingwiththeungainlyknots，hatandjacketoff，redface，andwrathfuleyes；forhegotintoroyalragesoversomeofhisadversaries，andsworeatthemunderhisbreathtillhehadconqueredthem，whenheexulted，andmarchedofftotheshedwithanarmfulofgnarledoak-woodintriumph。
Heblisteredhishands，tiredhisback，anddulledtheaxe，butitdidhimgood，andhegotmorecomfortoutoftheuglyrootsthananyonedreamed，forwitheachblowheworkedoffsomeofthepent-uppowerthatwouldotherwisehavebeenexpendedinsomelessharmlessway。
“WhenthisisgoneIreallydon’tknowwhatIshalldo，“saidMrs。Jotoherself，fornoinspirationcame，andshewasattheendofherresources。
ButDanfoundanewoccupationforhimself，andenjoyeditsometimebeforeanyonediscoveredthecauseofhiscontentment。AfineyounghorseofMr。Laurie’swaskeptatPlumfieldthatsummer，runninglooseinalargepastureacrossthebrook。Theboyswereallinterestedinthehandsome，spiritedcreature，andforatimewerefondofwatchinghimgallopandfriskwithhisplumeytailflying，andhishandsomeheadintheair。Buttheysoongottiredofit，andleftPrinceCharlietohimself。AllbutDan，henevertiredoflookingatthehorse，andseldomfailedtovisithimeachdaywithalumpofsugar，abitofbread，oranappletomakehimwelcome。Charliewasgrateful，acceptedhisfriendship，andthetwolovedoneanotherasiftheyfeltsometiebetweenthem，inexplicablebutstrong。Inwhateverpartofthewidefieldhemightbe，CharliealwayscameatfullspeedwhenDanwhistledatthebars，andtheboywasneverhappierthanwhenthebeautiful，fleetcreatureputitsheadonhisshoulder，lookingupathimwithfineeyesfullofintelligentaffection。
“Weunderstandoneanotherwithoutanypalaver，don’twe，oldfellow？“
Danwouldsay，proudofthehorse’sconfidence，and，sojealousofhisregard，thathetoldnoonehowwellthefriendshipprospered，andneveraskedanybodybutTeddytoaccompanyhimonthesedailyvisits。
Mr。LauriecamenowandthentoseehowCharliegoton，andspokeofhavinghimbrokentoharnessintheautumn。
“Hewon’tneedmuchtaming，heissuchagentle，fine-temperedbrute。
Ishallcomeoutandtryhimwithasaddlemyselfsomeday，“hesaid，ononeofthesevisits。
“Heletsmeputahalteronhim，butIdon’tbelievehewillbearasaddleevenifyouputiton，“answeredDan，whoneverfailedtobepresentwhenCharlieandhismastermet。
“Ishallcoaxhimtobearit，andnotmindafewtumblesatfirst。Hehasneverbeenharshlytreated，so，thoughhewillbesurprisedatthenewperformance，Ithinkhewon’tbefrightened，andhisanticswilldonoharm。“
“Iwonderwhathewoulddo，“saidDantohimself，asMr。LauriewentawaywiththeProfessor，andCharliereturnedtothebars，fromwhichhehadretiredwhenthegentlemencameup。
Adaringfancytotrytheexperimenttookpossessionoftheboyashesatonthetopmostrailwiththeglossybacktemptinglynearhim。Neverthinkingofdanger，heobeyedtheimpulse，andwhileCharlieunsuspectinglynibbledattheappleheheld，Danquicklyandquietlytookhisseat。Hedidnotkeepitlong，however，forwithanastonishedsnort，Charlierearedstraightup，anddepositedDanontheground。Thefalldidnothurthim，fortheturfwassoft，andhejumpedup，saying，withalaugh，­；
“Ididitanyway!Comehere，yourascal，andI’lltryitagain。“
ButCharliedeclinedtoapproach，andDanlefthimresolvingtosucceedintheend；forastrugglelikethissuitedhimexactly。Nexttimehetookahalter，andhavinggotiton，heplayedwiththehorseforawhile，leadinghimtoandfro，andputtinghimthroughvariousanticstillhewasalittletired；thenDansatonthewallandgavehimbread，butwatchedhischance，andgettingagoodgripofthehalter，slippedontohisback。Charlietriedtheoldtrick，butDanheldon，havinghadpracticewithToby，whooccasionallyhadanobstinatefit，andtriedtoshakeoffhisrider。Charliewasbothamazedandindignant；andafterprancingforaminute，setoffatagallop，andawaywentDanheelsoverhead。Ifhehadnotbelongedtotheclassofboyswhogothroughallsortsofdangersunscathed，hewouldhavebrokenhisneck；asitwas，hegotaheavyfall，andlaystillcollectinghiswits，whileCharlietoreroundthefieldtossinghisheadwitheverysignofsatisfactionatthediscomfitureofhisrider。PresentlyitseemedtooccurtohimthatsomethingwaswrongwithDan，and，beingofamagnanimousnature，hewenttoseewhatthematterwas。Danlethimsniffaboutandperplexhimselfforafewminutes；thenhelookedupathim，saying，asdecidedlyasifthehorsecouldunderstand，­；
“Youthinkyouhavebeaten，butyouaremistaken，oldboy；andI’llrideyouyet­；seeifIdon’t。“
Hetriednomorethatday，butsoonafterattemptedanewmethodofintroducingCharlietoaburden。Hestrappedafoldedblanketonhisback，andthenlethimrace，andrear，androll，andfumeasmuchasheliked。
AfterafewfitsofrebellionCharliesubmitted，andinafewdayspermittedDantomounthim，oftenstoppedshorttolookround，asifhesaid，halfpatiently，halfreproachfully，“Idon’tunderstandit，butIsupposeyoumeannoharm，soIpermittheliberty。“
Danpattedandpraisedhim，andtookashortturneveryday，gettingfrequentfalls，butpersistinginspiteofthem，andlongingtotryasaddleandbridle，butnotdaringtoconfesswhathehaddone。Hehadhiswish，however，fortherehadbeenawitnessofhisprankswhosaidagoodwordforhim。
“Doyouknowwhatthatchaphasbendoin’lately？“askedSilasofhismaster，oneevening，ashereceivedhisordersforthenextday。
“Whichboy？“saidMr。Bhaer，withanairofresignation，expectingsomesadrevelation。
“Dan，he’sbenabreakingthecolt，sir，andIwishImaydieifheain’tdoneit，“answeredSilas，chuckling。
“Howdoyouknow？“
“Wal，Ikinderkeepaneyeonthelittlefellers，andmostgen’llyknowwhatthey’reupto；sowhenDankepgoingofftothepaster，andcominghomeblackandblue，Imistrustedthatsuthingwasgoin’on。Ididn’tsaynothin’，butIcrepupintothebarnchamber，andfromthereIseehimgoin’throughallmannerofgameswithCharlie。Blestifhewarn’tthrowedtimeandagin，andknockedroundlikeabago’meal。Butthepluckofthatboydidbeatall，andhe’pearedtolikeit，andkeponasefboundtobeat。“
“But，Silas，youshouldhavestoppedit­；theboymighthavebeenkilled，“saidMr。Bhaer，wonderingwhatfreakhisirrepressibleswouldtakeintotheirheadsnext。
“S’poseIoughter；buttherewarn’tnorealdanger，forCharlieain’tnotricks，andisasprettyatemperedhorseaseverIsee。Factwas，I
couldn’tbeartospilesport，forefthere’sanythingIdoadmireit’sgrit，andDanischockfullon’t。ButnowIknowhe’shankerin’afterasaddle，andyetwon’ttakeeventheoldoneonthesly；soIjustthoughtI’dupandtell，andmaybeyou’dlethimtrywhathecando。Mr。Lauriewon’tmind，andCharlie’sallthebetterfor’t。“
“Weshallsee；“andoffwentMr。Bhaertoinquireintothematter。
Danownedupatonce，andproudlyprovedthatSilaswasrightbyshowingoffhispoweroverCharlie；forbydintofmuchcoaxing，manycarrots，andinfiniteperseverance，hereallyhadsucceededinridingthecoltwithahalterandblanket。Mr。Lauriewasmuchamused，andwellpleasedwithDan’scourageandskill，andlethimhaveahandinallfutureperformances；
forhesetaboutCharlie’seducationatonce，sayingthathewasnotgoingtobeoutdonebyaslipofaboy。ThankstoDan，Charlietookkindlytothesaddleandbridlewhenhehadoncereconciledhimselftotheindignityofthebit；andafterMr。Lauriehadtrainedhimalittle，Danwaspermittedtoridehim，tothegreatenvyandadmirationoftheotherboys。
“Isn’thehandsome？anddon’themindmelikealamb？“saidDanonedayashedismountedandstoodwithhisarmroundCharlie’sneck。
“Yes，andisn’theamuchmoreusefulandagreeableanimalthanthewildcoltwhospenthisdaysracingaboutthefield，jumpingfences，andrunningawaynowandthen？“askedMrs。BhaerfromthestepswhereshealwaysappearedwhenDanperformedwithCharlie。
“Ofcourseheis。Seehewon’trunawaynow，evenifIdon’tholdhim，andhecomestometheminuteIwhistle；Ihavetamedhimwell，haven’tI？“andDanlookedbothproudandpleased，aswellhemight，for，inspiteoftheirstrugglestogether，Charlielovedhimbetterthanhismaster。
“Iamtamingacolttoo，andIthinkIshallsucceedaswellasyouifIamaspatientandpersevering，“saidMrs。Jo，smilingsosignificantlyathim，thatDanunderstoodandanswered，laughing，yetinearnest，­；
“Wewon’tjumpoverthefenceandrunaway，butstayandletthemmakeahandsome，usefulspanofus，hey，Charlie？“CHAPTERXVIICOMPOSITIONDAY
“Hurryup，boys，it’sthreeo’clock，andUncleFritzlikesustobepunctual，youknow，“saidFranzoneWednesdayafternoonasabellrang，andastreamofliterary-lookingyounggentlemenwithbooksandpaperintheirhandswereseengoingtowardthemuseum。
Tommywasintheschool-room，bendingoverhisdesk，muchbedaubedwithink，flushedwiththeardorofinspiration，andinagreathurryasusual，foreasy-goingBangsneverwasreadytilltheverylastminute。AsFranzpassedthedoorlookinguplaggards，Tommygaveonelastblotandflourish，anddepartedoutthewindow，wavinghispapertodryashewent。Nanfollowed，lookingveryimportant，withalargerollinherhand，andDemiescortedDaisy，bothevidentlybrimfulofsomedelightfulsecret。
Themuseumwasallinorder，andthesunshineamongthehop-vinesmadeprettyshadowsonthefloorasitpeepedthroughthegreatwindow。OnonesidesatMr。andMrs。Bhaer，ontheotherwasalittletableonwhichthecompositionswerelaidassoonasread，andinalargesemicirclesatthechildrenoncamp-stoolswhichoccasionallyshutupandletthesitterdown，thuspreventinganystiffnessintheassembly。Asittooktoomuchtimetohaveallread，theytookturns，andonthisWednesdaytheyoungerpupilswerethechiefperformers，whiletheelderoneslistenedwithcondescensionandcriticisedfreely。
“Ladiesfirst；soNanmaybegin，“saidMr。Bhaer，whenthesettlingofstoolsandrustlingofpapershadsubsided。
Nantookherplacebesidethelittletable，and，withapreliminarygiggle，readthefollowinginterestingessayon“THESPONGE
“Thesponge，myfriends，isamostusefulandinterestingplant。Itgrowsonrocksunderthewater，andisakindofsea-weed，Ibelieve。Peoplegoandpickitanddryitandwashit，becauselittlefishandinsectsliveintheholesofthesponge；Ifoundshellsinmynewone，andsand。
Someareveryfineandsoft；babiesarewashedwiththem。Thespongehasmanyuses。Iwillrelatesomeofthem，andIhopemyfriendswillrememberwhatIsay。Oneuseistowashtheface；Idon’tlikeitmyself，butI
doitbecauseIwishtobeclean。Somepeopledon’t，andtheyaredirty。“HeretheeyeofthereaderrestedsternlyuponDickandDolly，whoquailedunderit，andinstantlyresolvedtoscrubthemselvesvirtuouslyonalloccasions。“Anotheruseistowakepeopleup；Ialludetoboyspar-tic-u-lar-ly。“Anotherpauseafterthelongwordtoenjoythesmotheredlaughthatwentroundtheroom。“Someboysdonotgetupwhencalled，andMaryAnnsqueezesthewateroutofawetspongeontheirfaces，anditmakesthemsomadtheywakeup。“Herethelaughbrokeout，andEmilsaid，asifhehadbeenhit，­；