So I closed with him and dragged him down to the bottom of the boat, and there we two struggled, till I thought that the end was come.
The boat plunged and listed, and once was nearly over, but at that new strength came to me, and at last I forced his shoulders under the midship thwart, and held him there so that he could by no means rise.

Then all his fury went, and he became weak, so that I reached out with one hand for the line and bound him easily, hand and foot.
I set him back in his place, and the water washed over his face as he lay, for we had shipped a good deal in the lurches our struggle caused.

Then he was still, and as on the first night, seemed to sleep, breathing very heavily.
So I left him bound, and bailed the water out.

Then knew I how weak I was.

Yet I held on, steering from wave to wave as though I could not help it.
Once, towards morning, there came a booming in my ears, and a faintness, for I was all but done.