to get back to the shore
I had left; instead of this, by following up my first purpose of
crossing, I quickly got into a stronger part of the current, and was
sent whirling more quickly downward. Holding my pole, I balanced myself
as well as I could, prepared for any emergency. The river was four or
five hundred yards wide at least, and I saw that I could not hope on
this part to reach the opposite or northern shore. The river seemed
free from rocks, and as there was no particular danger that I saw to be
apprehended, it occurred to me that I was prosecuting my journey in a
far more expeditious and pleasant way than I had expected.

I was congratulating myself on this circumstance, when I became suddenly
conscious that the noise of the rushing water had greatly increased.
Looking ahead down the river, the water seemed to bubble and foam more
than where I was, while a cloud of mist hung over the spot. The
dreadful conviction forced itself on me that I was approaching a rapid,
or perhaps a waterfall, down which I should be whirled hopelessly, and
dashed to pieces. Again I plunged my pole to the bottom, but it only
made the raft whirl round--I had no power of guiding it. On it went.
The raft began to tumble and pitch; it was in a rapid of considerable
length. The additional rush of water hid many of the rocks; now and
then, however, I saw their black tops rising out of the mass of foam
which surrounded them. I prayed that I might not strike one. I looked
anxiously ahead with compressed lips. The water roared, and foamed, and
hissed about me. I might have been proud of my raft-making skill; had
not my ark been well built it would soon have gone to pieces.

Before long my fears were with reason increased. Before me rose a line
of black rocks. There seemed scarcely room for the raft to pass between
them. I could no longer keep my feet. I sat down, holding my pole.
The raft was driving directly down upon a rock. It swerved a little. I
shoved my pole against the rock, and it glanced clear. On it went--but
numerous other dangers appeared. I was whirled by the rocks, the foam
dashed from them, flying over me. I felt a dreadful blow; the raft
quivered. I thought all was over with me, but it floated clear of the
rock against which it had struck, and on I went. Suddenly the jerking
motion of the raft ceased. I was clear of the rapid. I tried again to
pole towards the shore, but the water was so deep, and the c