Suddenly something dark and menacing loomed up before them. The next instant the Fancy struck the object with terrific force. Then the bow of the motor boat seemed to be split into several pieces. The craft turned over, and the next instant everybody on board found himself struggling in the ocean.
CHAPTER XIV
ALONE ON THE OCEAN
The upsetting of the motor boat came so swiftly and unexpectedly that nobody aboard had an opportunity to save himself. All were flung out into the dark and turbulent water and several were hit by the object with which the Fancy had collided.
As Jack went overboard something struck him in the side, all but winding him. He floundered around helplessly for several seconds, and had it not been for the life-preserver he had donned it is possible that he might have gone under never to rise.
The force of the waves speedily separated the boys and the lanky sailor, and when Jack was able to comprehend what had happened he found himself practically alone on the bosom of the heaving ocean.
“Hi, fellows! Where are you?” he managed to call out.
But only the wind and the slishing of the waves answered him. Then he strained his eyes to the utmost, but not a soul seemed to be in sight. Close at hand was a short and thick spar, and to this the young major clung mechanically.
His heart was filled with horror. Was it possible that the others had either been killed by the collision or drowned? The thought was agony, and fervently he prayed that the others might be spared.
As the spar mounted to the top of a wave, Jack looked around again, and this time saw the dim outline of some dark object in the hollow just below him. Thinking it might be the wreck of the motor boat, he struck out feebly, and presently gained the object, to find it a mass of wreckage, evidently a part of the forecastle or cabin of some small sailing ship.