Odysseus and his warriors encountered a wild whirlpool in the seas, which was controlled and guarded by Charybdis. Odysseus raised his hand to fight with them, but he and his companions were powerless against them. The vortex of the boat engulfed them. "paddle Row with all your might Row in the name of the gods" Odysseus said. All three people rowed with all their strength until they finally passed that deadly vortex and reached the open water.