Mukoki followed close behind and preparing himself with a long breath Rod hurried into this new experience.

For a moment he was conscious of a smothering weight upon him and a thunderous roaring in his ears, and he was borne irresistibly down.

There was still air in his lungs when he found himself safely through the deluge so he knew that its passage had taken him only a brief but thrilling instant.

For a time he could see nothing.

Then he made out a dark form drawing itself up out of the water.