“Aye, even so, my kind and worthy neighbours. I perceive your astonishment; you are doubtless much surprized to see these sheep, but I will explain the whole business. You noticed the white foaming spray when you plunged me into the water? Now you must understand, that there is a little enchantment in the case, for—thanks to the violence with which you soused me in, the cask broke, and on my catching at the foam, it turned to sheep, and very fine sheep they are—many thanks, therefore, to you; and to prove to you, my gratitude, I would advise you, one and all, to enrich yourselves in the same manner.”
No sooner had they heard this, than each determined forthwith, to make the experiment, after having before them such a convincing proof of its success. Away, therefore, they scampered back to the water: the foremost jumped in at once, the others directly after him; but although they made foam and froth enough with their plunging about, no sheep appeared; on the contrary, they buffetted each other about
Y 2
