"Go we should by boat," says th'woman't got swallowed by th'snake. "The way through the forest is dangerous."

Can't say I disagree. Feel more comf'rt'ble'n th'water anyway. Th'girl who took th'gear....Zann, tha's'er name, I know't somehow...says we c'n use hers. Well, best t'go 'long wit' th'crowd, I guess, but I don't get inta th'boat. "'ll follow along," I says, an' throw m'skin back over m'shoulders. Know't's gonna hurt, annit duz...th'skin sinks 't's way inta me like'a plant takin' root, flattens m'tits, crushes m'arms, fuzes m'legs. This low, bark'a pain rips outta m'throat's m'face's crushed 'n reformed, m'eyes stretchin' wide an' wet. An'en't's done, an'm pushin' m'self inta th'shallows, an' th'water closes over me like a blessin'.