in the light , temeraire saw he had sunk into the earth , nearly up to his breastbone ; the folded edges of his wings were plunged deep and his tail was half-submerged , his legs wholly so - `` but i was only sleeping , '' he protested , and tried to rear out , but he could not pull his forelegs free , though he exerted all his strength : one would come a little way out , rising , wet sand dribbling from his hide as he pulled , but the effort required grew , and grew , until he could not continue , and sank forward again .