'
`We could tie a long rope around the sow's neck,' Fritz now proposed,
`and throw her without ceremony into the sea. Her immense bulk will be
sure to sustain her above water, and by the rope, we can draw her after
the boat.'
`An excellent idea,' I replied, `but unfortunately it is of no use but
for the pig;* and she is the one I care least about preserving.' In
fact, I had an idea how to proceed, but I desired to allow Fritz to
invent a solution.
* In fact all of the animals would have been able to float,
though swimming against the strong current would have been
difficult. The solution chosen does not address this problem
at all.
`Well,' said Fritz, `I can think of nothing else, unless indeed we make
them such swimming-belts as you made for the children.'
`Really, my boy, that idea is worth having. I am not joking, indeed,' I
continued, as I saw him smile, `we may get every one of the animals
ashore in that way.'
So saying, I caught a fine sheep, and proceeded to put our plan into
execution. I first fastened a broad piece of linen round its belly, and
to this attached some corks and empty tins; then with Fritz's help, I
flung the animal into the sea--it sank, but a moment afterwards rose
and floated famously.
`Hurrah!' exclaimed Fritz, `we will treat them all like that.
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