"We have struck! We are on the rocks!" came a shrill cry from the
deck, and immediately there was an uproar.
The Rover boys were thrown to the floor from their berths, and it
was several seconds before they could realize what had happened.
"We have struck something, that is sure!" gasped Sam.
As quickly as they could they donned their clothing and made their
way to the large state-room occupied by the girls.
"Oh, what a shock!" came from Nellie.
"Are you safe?" asked Tom.
"I am, but poor Grace struck her head on the wall, and is unconscious."
Without ceremony Tom picked up the unconscious girl, wrapped her in
a blanket, and, aided by Sam, carried her to the deck, the others
following. A minute later Grace revived.
On deck they found all in confusion. The bowsprit of the _Golden Wave_
was gone, and also the main topmast, while a mass of the rigging
littered the forecastle. It was also announced that the rudder was
broken and the vessel was pounding helplessly on the rocks, with a
big hole in the bow directly below the waterline.
"Who changed the course?" demanded Captain Blossom. "We should be
fifty miles away from these rocks."
"The first mate made me change the course," said the man who had been
at .the wheel. "I told him you had said southwest by south, and he
made it south by west."
"He don't know what he's talking about!" howled Jack Lesher. The
shock had partly sobered him.
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