Once or twice the King's weight threatened to drag both the boy and the goat into the well, to keep Rinkitink company.

But they pulled sturdily, being aware of this danger, and at last the King popped out of the hole and fell sprawling full length upon the ground.
For a time he lay panting and breathing hard to get his breath back, while Inga and Bilbil were likewise worn out from their long strain at the rope; so the three rested quietly upon the grass and looked at one another in silence.
Finally Bilbil said to the King: "I'm surprised at you.

Why were you so foolish as to fall down that well?
Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to do?
You might have broken your neck in the fall, or been drowned in the water." "Bilbil," replied the King solemnly, "you're a goat.

Do you imagine I fell down the well on purpose ?" "I imagine nothing," retorted Bilbil.

"I only know you were there." "There?
Heh-heh-heek-keek-eek! To be sure I was there," laughed Rinkitink.