I could perceive absolutely nothing by which to shape a course, the sky above, and the water beneath being equally black.

Not a star glimmered overhead, and no revealing spark of light appeared along either shore, or sparkled across the river surface.

The only sound to reach my ears was the soft lapping of water against the side of the boat to which I clung.

The loneliness was complete; the intense blackness strained my eyes, and I constantly felt as though some mysterious weight was dragging me down into the depths.

Yet the struggle to keep afloat was no longer necessary, and my head sank in relief on the hands gripping at the boat's stern, while we floated silently on through the black mystery.
I know not how long this lasted--it might have been for hours, as I took no account of time.