Jerry pushes himself to physical limits as he passes through the tunnel.
After experiencing what he perceives as humiliation by the older boys, who "swam back to the shore without looking at him," Jerry vows to be able to accomplish what they have done by swimming under the water and through the secret passage of the huge rock. So, he asks his mother for swimming goggles, and then he begins to secretly condition himself to be able to hold his breath for enough minutes to be able to swim underwater and pass through the tunnel.
First, he must locate this passage. After repeated attempts, Jerry finally puts his feet forward in the water and finally encounters no obstacle, now discovering the hole through which the big boys have swum. Then, Jerry enters the hole, but can see nothing, but "it was enough." Because he knows he must learn to hold his breath for an extended time, Jerry lets himself sink to the floor of the sea and counts as he holds his breath, beginning his conditioning.
After a couple of days, Jerry has strengthened his lungs enough so that he can hold his breath for over two minutes. Before he and his mother must return home, Jerry goes to the wild bay and makes his attempt to pass through the tunnel. He adjusts his goggles tightly upon his face so that no water will seep inside. Although his hands shake nervously, Jerry fills his lungs twice with air as he looks up at the sky; then, he submerges himself and, counting as he does so, Jerry pulls himself inside the great rock by wriggling his shoulders. While the water pushes him upward against the roof of this rock, Jerry uses his legs to propel himself forward. Still, sometimes he strikes his head sharply on this rock, but courageously he continues and bears the pain in his head.
There was no strain on his lungs. He felt like an inflated balloon, his lungs were so light and easy, but his head was pulsing.
Unfortunately, Jerry's head continues to bump against the rock until he gives a kick in panic while ducking his head as he swims. Soon, he feels himself moving freely, so Jerry believes the rock has widened. But, because he is moving more quickly, Jerry is worried about again banging his head. Further, as he moves, the water does not appear as dark; Jerry senses victory ahead. Now, however, his lungs are starting to ache, and he suddenly realizes that the lighter water is due to a crack in the rock where sunlight can filter. There is more tunnel yet, and Jerry must move forward or he will drown. "His head was swelling, his lungs cracking." Feebly, he clutches at the rock and pulls himself forward, feeling as though he is dying. At last, "the darkness cracked with an explosion of green light"; Jerry has made it through the tunnel. He kicks with his feet and propels himself into the open water. Gasping for air, Jerry suddenly fears that he will sink and drown. Moreover, he worries that if he can swim, he still will not be able to reach the rock where he can hold on and rest. But, somehow he makes it to the rock and pulls himself up on its surface where he can rest.
He tore off his goggles and a gout of blood went into the sea. His nose was bleeding, and the blood had filled the goggles.
Jerry washes the goggles and his face with the sea's water. After a while, his heart beats normally and he is able to sit up. He has been victorious, and now he has no interest in the bigger boys; he only wants to go back to the villa and lie down. Jerry has completed his rite of passage and is proud of himself.
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