The keepers
were going to search his pitiable hiding-place. They knew, what he did
not, that there was no outlet from the premises: so now, having hunted
every other corner and cranny, they came by what is called the exhaustive
process of reasoning to this tank; and when they got near it, something
in the appearance of the tree caught the gardener's quick eye. Alfred
quaking heard him say, "Look here! He is not far from this."
Another voice said, "Then the Lord have mercy on him; why there's seven
foot of water; I measured it last night."
At this Alfred was conscious of a movement and a murmur, that proved
humanity was not extinct; and the ladder was fixed close to the tank, and
feet came hastily up it.
Alfred despaired.
But, as usual with spirits so quickwitted and resolute, it was but for a
moment. "One man in his time plays many animals;" he caught at the words
he had heard, and played the game the jackal desperate plays in India,
the fox in England, the elephant in Ceylon: he feigned death; filled his
mouth with water, floated on his back paddling imperceptibly, and half
closed his eyes.
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