I felt an irresistible temptation to gasp; my nose smarted, and the water round my head seemed like lead.

As quickly as possible I turned my hands up, and struck out for the surface.
What ages it seemed before I reached it! A second--half a second longer, and I should have shipped a mouthful, perhaps a chestful of water.

I reached the surface at last, and, once above water, felt all right again.

I looked about anxiously for my duck.

But he was still down below.