Laertes has a destination in mind--the little pier he's been building near the cabin, still half-finished. As they approach the thick piles that Laertes and Sagramore have sunk into the lakebed, Laertes pulls harder, kicks harder, intent on reaching them first.

Lancelot is a strong swimmer, and Laertes's delay has cost him dearly; Lancelot's coming up close behind, now and then almost near enough to reach out and catch Laertes by the ankle. (A part of him wants to be caught.)