The boat was on the inside of the huge whirlpool and we were going round in circles at great speed. I saw clearly that there were other objects in the whirlpool-trees and barrels. I noticed that the heavier objects went down more quickly than the smaller,lighter ones. So I tied myself to a barrel to help me float, I tried to make my brother understand, but he was terrified and stayed in the heavy boat. Without waiting, I dived into the sea to try and escape. As you can see,I did escape. I will bring my story quickly to a conclusion. Some time after I left the boat, with my brother in it, it sank into the bottom of the whirlpool. Soon afterwards,the whirlpool became less violent. Then the sky was clear, the wind calmer and the moon was shining. I was still tied to the barrel and the waves soon carried me to an area where the other fishermen were. In the end,a boat picked me up. I was very tired. The fishermen were my old friends. but they were unable to recognize me. When I told them my story, they did not believe it. Now I have told you, and I cannot expect you to believe me more than the fishermen did. (Adapted from A Descent into the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe)