I could swim as easily as George Day, only I was not moving my hands, while the water was bearing me up and carrying me round as in a whirlpool just once, and then I was swept into the tide-way with the water thundering in my ears, a horrible strangling sensation in my nostrils, and a dimness coming over my aching eyes.
I could never remember much about it, only that it was all a confusion of thundering in my ears and rushing sounds.

I kept on beating the water with my hands as I had seen a dog beat the surface when he could not swim, and I seemed to throw my head right back as I gasped for breath.

But I do not remember that it was very horrible, or that I was drowning, as I surely was.

Confusion is the best expression for explaining my sensations as I was swept rapidly down by the tide.
What do I remember next?
I hardly know.

Only a sensation of some one catching me by the wrist, from somewhere in the darkness that was closing me in.