Instead of feeling choked, I had a pain in my legs, and it seemed to me that I had been shut together like an opera-glass.

Still I knew that I must be dead, and I kept very quiet until the sound of little screams and gurgles of--what ?--_laughter_, smote my ears! Then I opened my eyes and looked about.

I was not dangling in the air overhead, but standing on the threshing-floor, with a bit of broken halter about my neck.

The rope had played traitor and given way without even chafing my throat.
[Illustration: "I STOOD READY FOR THE FATAL LEAP."] I dare say the sight of me, standing there with my eyes closed and looking fully convinced that I was dead, must have been vastly amusing to the two young ladies, who had followed Aunt Jerusha to the door.

They laughed as if I had been the prince of clowns, and had just performed a most funny trick in the ring.