This narrowed rapidly and the lad got out from his boat into the water, as the coracle could proceed no further between the lines of rushes.

The water was knee-deep and the bottom soft and oozy.

At the end of the creek it narrowed until the rushes were but a foot apart.

They were bent over here, as it would seem to a superficial observer naturally; but a close examination would show that those facing each other were tied together where they crossed at a distance of a couple of feet above the water, forming a sort of tunnel.

Two feet farther on this ceased, and the rushes were succeeded by lines of strong osier withies, an inch or two apart, arched over and fastened together.