Of Pepper, I knew nothing at first.  I had all I could do to keep on my legs; and was overjoyed, when he appeared beside me.  He was wading manfully along.  He is a big dog, with longish thin legs, and I suppose the water had less grasp on them, than upon mine.  Anyway, he managed a great deal better than I did; going ahead of me, like a guide, and wittingly—­or otherwise—­helping, somewhat, to break the force of the water.  On we went, step by step, struggling and gasping, until somewhere about a hundred yards had been safely traversed.  Then, whether it was because I was taking less care, or that there was a slippery place on the rocky floor, I cannot say; but, suddenly, I slipped, and fell on my face.  Instantly, the water leapt over me in a cataract, hurling me down, toward that bottomless hole, at a frightful speed.  Frantically I struggled; but it was impossible to get a footing.  I was helpless, gasping and drowning.  All at once, something gripped my coat, and brought me to a standstill.  It was Pepper.  Missing me, he must have raced back, through the dark turmoil, to find me, and then caught, and held me, until I was able to get to my feet.

I have a dim recollection of having seen, momentarily, the gleams of several lights; but, of this, I have never been quite sure.  If my impressions are correct, I must have been washed down to the very brink of that awful chasm, before Pepper managed to bring me to a standstill.  And the lights, of course, could only have been the distant flames of the candles, I had left burning.  But, as I have said, I am not by any means sure.  My eyes were full of water, and I had been badly shaken.

And there was I, without my helpful gun, without light, and sadly confused, with the water deepening; depending solely upon my old friend Pepper, to help me out of that hellish place.

I was facing the torrent.  Naturally, it was the only way in which I could have sustained my position a moment; for even old Pepper could not have held me long against that terrific strain, without assistance, however blind, from me.

Perhaps a minute passed, during which it was touch and go with me; then, gradually I re-commenced my tortuous way up the passage.  And so began the grimmest fight with death, from which ever I hope to emerge victorious.  Slowly, furiously, almost hopelessly, I strove; and that faithful Pepper led me, dragged me, upward and onward, until, at last, ahead I saw a gleam of blessed light.  It was the entrance.  Only a few yards further, and I reached the opening, with the water surging and boiling hungrily around my loins.

And now I understood the cause of the catastrophe.  It was raining heavily, literally in torrents.  The surface of the lake was level with the bottom of the opening—­nay! more than level, it was above it.  Evidently, the rain had swollen the lake, and caused this premature rise; for, at the rate the ravine had been filling, it would not have reached the entrance for a couple more days.