I had risen.

Then reason came to my help, and I began to strike out slowly and swam
to the side of the great stone chamber, passing one hand along the slimy
wall trying to get some hold, but finding none; and then swimming
straight across to the other side and trying there, for I dared not
approach the wheel, which looked horrible and dangerous, and I felt that
if I touched it the great circle would begin to revolve, and perhaps
take me down under the water, carry me up on the other side, and throw
me over again.

It looked too horrible, all wet, slimy, and dripping as it was, or
possibly I might have climbed up it and reached the edge of the dam, so
I swam right beyond it and felt along the other side, but without avail.
There was nothing but the slimy stonework, try where I would, and the
chill of horror began to have a numbing effect on my arms.

I swam on to and fro beneath the doorway, with the little platform
hanging by one end far above my had, and once as I swam my foot seemed
to touch something, which might have been a piece of the sunken wood or
iron work, but which made me shrink as if some horrible monster had made
a snatch at me.

I shouted, but there was only the hollow echoing of the stone chamber
and the lapping and whispering of the water; and, knowing that I was
alone locked in the works, the terrible idea began to dance before me
that I was going to die, for unless I could save myself I need not
expect help.

The thought unnerved me more and more and made me swim more rapidly in
the useless fashion I was pursuing, and once more I stared in a
shrinking way at the great wheel, which, innocent enough in itself,
seemed a more terrible engine than ever. I knew it would move if I swam
across and clung to it, and I really dared not go near.

There was always something repellent and strange even in a big water
cistern in a house, and as a mere boy I have often started back in
terror at the noise made by the pipes when the water was coming driving
the air before it with a snorting gurgle, and then pouring in, while to
climb up a ladder or set of steps and look down into the black watery
place always gave me a shudder and made me glad to get away.

It is easy to imagine, then, what my feelings were, suddenly cast into
that great stone-walled place, with I did not know what depth of water
beneath me, and inhabited as I knew by large twining eels.

I daresay the eels were as much afraid of me as I wa