The water was now so deep that the children could not get out without danger, and they became dreadfully frightened, and began to cry out as loud as they could, "We are drowning! Mamma! Battiste! Trine! We are drowning!" Then they no longer used any words, but simply screamed, quite beside themselves with terror.

Schnurri barked and howled in sympathy, but Philomele scratched and bit at everything within reach.

Now the true character of the two animals showed itself.

The cat would not go out of the tub into the water, and would not stay quietly in it, either, but fought like a mad creature.

But when the faithful dog found that, in spite of all the screams and howls, no one came to their aid, he jumped into the water, swam to the door, shook himself vigorously, and ran away.