I told my Companion to STAY while I tried to meet the Water Spirits at night. When I paddled back, he was floating, dead, in the rapids.
I hired another Companion. He was grievously injured by a Njerp, crippled, and dragged himself back to a shelter. When I crossed the rapids in a punt, he, too, drowned while following.
Is there a better way to make these guys STAY? These guys ruined my perfect record for returning Companions safely to their villages!
Btw, I hired a vagabond while traveling and he left me after we'd reached my homesite. It seems he can't leave the general area, due to the rapids? Anyway, I keep running into him 1 hex from where he left me. He's even returned and walked around in my cabin! He won't re-hire, not yet anyway.
Post Script: I've managed to drown another one. I guess the rule is that if they swim, which they must, there is a limit to their endurance and they'll drown if the raft trip is too long. Bah... Now I'm concerned about my animals drowning!