Mice are natural swimmers, but the current was so strong that it swept him to the middle of the river and slammed him against the rocks. It took everything Pipper had just to keep his head above water. The cold began to sap his strength, and he could no longer feel his fingers. He tried to swim to the shore, but he was merely a plaything for the currents. He caught a glimpse of Julia, who had reached the other bank, before his head went under again. He tumbled underwater, head over heels, and was slammed into a rock. The impact forced all the air out of his lungs, and the world went black.