He was soon on his feet again, and helped to break the fall of Hugh, who lost his hold and footing at the axle, and would have hurt himself greatly, had not Rupert caught him, both boys falling with a crash in the bottom of the wheel.
They were some little time before regaining their feet, for both were much hurt.

Their movements were, however, accelerated by the water, which fell in a heavy shower from above, through the leaks in the buckets of the wheel.
"Are you hurt much, Master Rupert ?" "I don't think I am broken at all, Hugh, but I am hurt all over.
How are you ?" "I am all right, I think.

It's lucky the inside of this wheel is pretty smooth, like a big drum." The position was not a pleasant one.

A heavy shower of water from above filled the air with spray, and with their heads bent down it was difficult to breathe.

The inside planks of the wheel were so slimy that standing was almost impossible, and at the slightest attempt at movement they fell.