And, indeed, the poor creature was on the point of springing into the creek which separated him from the forest, and his legs were bent for an instant as if for a spring, but almost immediately he stepped back, half sank down, and a large tear fell from his eyes.
Et, en effet, le pauvre être fut sur le point de s'élancer dans le creek qui le séparait de la forêt, et ses jambes se détendirent un instant comme un ressort... mais, presque aussitôt, il se replia sur lui-même, il s'affaissa à demi, et une grosse larme coula de ses yeux!