There were no breakers; there was no phosphorescent sparkle of seething waters, and no whiteness of foam.

I thought that I was on the brink of some tremendous cataract a thousand times deeper than Niagara; some fall where the waters plunged into the depths of the earth; and where, gathering for the terrific descent, all other movements--all dashings and writhings and twistings--were obliterated and lost in the one overwhelming onward rush.

Suddenly all grew dark--dark beyond all expression; the sky above was in a moment snatched from view; I had been flung into some tremendous cavern; and there, on my knees, with terror in my heart, I waited for death.
The moments passed, and death delayed to come.

The awful plunge was still put off; and though I remained on my knees and waited long, still the end came not.

The waters seemed still, the boat motionless.
It was borne upon the surface of a vast stream as smooth as glass; but who could tell how deep that stream was, or how wide?
At length I rose from my knees and sank down upon the seat of the boat, and tried to peer through the gloom.