He had spun round twice in the air and shot feet foremost through the chill waters of the moat, and down until his toes came in contact with a less yielding substance, yet yielding nevertheless.

Marvelling that he should have retained until now his senses, he realized betimes that he was touching mud--that he was really ankle deep in it.

A vigorous, frantic kick with both legs at once released him, and he felt himself slowly re-ascending to the surface.
It has been often said that a drowning man in his struggles sees his whole life mirrored before him.

In the instants of Garnache's ascent through the half stagnant waters of that moat he had reviewed the entire situation and determined upon the course he should pursue.

When he reached the surface, he must see to it that he broke it gently, for at the window above were sure to be watchers, looking to see how he had fared.