It was a quiet, and rather still pool, and was reputed
to contain many fine, large fish.
"I--I think I have a nibble," whispered Alice.
"Be careful--don't jerk up too soon," warned Paul. "Yes, there is one
after your bait. See your cork float bob up and down."
"Does that show he's sampling it?"
"Something of that sort, yes. Now, pull in!"
Alice was a bit slow about it, for she had not fished much. Paul,
fearing the fish would get away, reached over toward her, and took
hold of the pole himself.
As he did so he felt the part of the shelving bank on which they were
sitting give away.
"Look out! Throw yourself back!" he cried to Alice. But it was too
late, and the next instant they both found themselves sliding down in
a little avalanche of earth and stones--into the deep eddy.
"Hold your breath!" Alice heard Paul cry as a last direction, and she
obeyed.
The next instant she felt herself in the water, and it closed over
her head.
Alice could swim, and, after the plunge into the stream, she did not
lose her head. She knew she would come up in a second, even though
hampered by her clothes. Her only fear was lest she be entangled in
the fish-line. And in another second she knew this was the case. She
could feel her feet bound together. But her hands were free, and she
had seen expert swimmers make their way through the water with their
feet purposely bound.
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