holding his breath , he dropped his head below the rim and peered deep into the darkness . the sun had just risen and the birds were singing their morning song . his limbs worked in furious conjunction , his spare hand grabbing her by her hair , his free foot slamming onto her back , driving her to her knees , then her belly . the muscles in my thigh burned as i used my left leg alone to push myself up a little , until i could get my other foot under me and onto her other shoulder . 