Otter seized the handle of the windlass and began to wind.

He was naked, and it was a wonderful sight to see the muscles starting out in knots on his huge but dwarfish frame as he strained at the weight of the bridge.
Presently it was up, and, leaning on the handle of the wheel, Otter chuckled aloud.
"Now we are safe for a time," he said, "and I will dress myself.

Let the Baas forgive me for appearing thus before him--I, who am so ugly." "Tell us the tale, Otter." "It is short, Baas," the dwarf replied, as he put on his robe and turban.

"When I left you I watched, I who can see in the dark, and in a little while I saw the guard come down the steps and sit by the edge of the water.

He was sleepy, for he yawned and lit a roll of paper to smoke it.