“Two minutes later we were close to the whirlpool’s mouth. We went round and round it for about an hour. Each time, our boat went closer to the terrible mouth. When I was close to death, my fear left me. I had no hope now, and I became almost calm. I began to think that this was a good way to die. You can believe me or not, but I wanted to see the inside of the whirlpool.
“My brother did not feel the same way. When we came close to the whirlpool, he attacked me like a madman. He was very scared and wanted to hold onto the metal ring. I left it for him, because it could not save us. I went to the back of the boat and held onto a water barrel.
“Seconds later the boat was swept into the whirlpool. We fell, and I closed my eyes. I was ready to die immediately.
“Seconds passed. I was still alive!
