A sudden something gripped the catamaran and flung it downstream violently against the bank.

The abrupt stoppage almost whipped us off into the water.

The catamaran was tied to a tree by a rope of twisted roots.

This we untied before shoving off again.
By the time we had paddled well out into the current, we had drifted so far downstream that we were in full view of the Fire People's abiding-place.

So occupied were we with our paddling, our eyes fixed upon the other bank, that we knew nothing until aroused by a yell from the shore.