He seemed astonished and looked down into the well, thinking the pail was caught in a stone.

I could not resist the temptation to go down and inspect the thing.No.The bucket was full and lying in the middle of the round sheet of water at the bottom of the well.

The man tugged, while the Brahmin never took his eyes, now bright and fiery, off him.

I went back to where they all stood.

The thing had lasted five minutes.
Then the priest's lips moved silently.
Instantly the strain was released and the stout water-carrier fell headlong backwards on the grass, his heels in the air, jerking the bucket right over the edge of the well.