As quickly as possible, Ira Small turned over the wheel of the motor boat. Then the craft arose to the top of a wave and the next instant crashed into several good-sized spars and some other wreckage that floated on the water.
The shock was such that several of the lads were thrown off their feet, and for the moment all of them thought the Fancy was going to upset. But Ira Small, bareheaded and with his scant locks flying in the wind and rain, kept manfully at the wheel, and soon the wreckage was left behind and the Fancy once more rode on an even keel.
“I’ll say that was some bump,” remarked Spouter, when he could catch his breath. “Gosh, I thought we were going to the bottom, sure!”
“You fellows better see if we’ve sprung a leak,” called out the lanky sailor. “Sounded like a bad smash to me.”
As well as the bobbing boat permitted, Ralph and Jack crawled forward and made an examination of the bow. They found a bad crack just below the water line through which the water was coming in a thin but broad stream.
“We’ll have to plug it up, somehow!” cried Jack. “Here, take this waste! Hold it over the hole until I can get a knife.”
Jack crawled back into the cabin, and soon returned with an ordinary table knife, and with this Ralph started to plug the waste into the crack through which the ocean was pouring. It was hard work, and while Ralph was at this Jack looked for more openings. He found one on the other side of the motor boat, a small hole into which he presently pounded one of the bottle corks with the hatchet.
“Looks bad, Ralph,” remarked the young major, when they returned to the cockpit.
“I don’t know how we’re going to get through the night,” was the doubtful reply.
Half an hour or more passed, and the storm seemed to grow wilder and wilder. There was not so much rain, but the wind came in fierce gusts that blew the spray all over the motor boat and its occupants. To stand up was impossible, and the lads crouched low, wondering what would happen next. Ira Small was still at the wheel, and now Ralph went to his assistance.