"I am to remain behind, holding one end of this rope, so that if you are drawn toward the maelstrom I can pull you back.

Understand ?" "Yes--but you.

How--" "Oh, I'll swim!" said Wabi in rank bravado.

"I don't mind a little whirlpool like that at all!" Mukoki chuckled in high humor, and Roderick asked no more questions, but at Wabi's command dug in his paddle and kept at it until the birch bark safely made the point of land beyond the rock.

When he looked back Wabi had tied the rope around his body and was already waist deep in the water.