Notice these words and expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.

Explanation

Treacherous - unpredictable danger, not dependable or trustworthy
subdued my pride - to lower or restrain the intensity of self-respect and confidence
flailed at the surface - to strike or lash out vigorously at the surface of the water in trying to come out
fishing for landlocked salmon - to go fishing for a specific variety of salmon available in certain lakes
misadventure - an incident that turns out to be a disaster
bob to the surface like a cork - to float or show the characteristics of buoyancy as a cork in water
curtain of life fell - to indicate that life has ended or a near-death experience
back and forth across the pool - to swim across the swimming pool from one side to the other