"Close up the deck!" ordered Oscar, hurriedly. "And, Marken, get some sort of cover for that broken window."
Then the young captain turned to the old engineer.
"We must take advantage of that wave when it strikes us," he said. "We are lying stern to the ocean. If we get afloat, start her backward with all power."
"Aye, aye!" answered George Dross.
Soon the sea could be heard rushing up the sand and then they found the new Holland rocking from side to side. But the water only came up to her windows and the submarine craft did nothing but slip a dozen feet closer to the Pacific.
"Left!" muttered Andy, in disgust. "That wave was not strong enough."
"Another is coming!" cried Oscar. "By Jove, look!"
Far out to sea they saw the ocean becoming white with foam, while a very mountain of water loomed up. It had struck the Chinese cruiser and that ship had keeled over and lay a wreck in the boiling sea.
Then the mighty torrent rushed up the beach, bringing with it driftwood and fish innumerable. It reached the new Holland, raised her up and whirled her around and around like a top.
"No use to use our power!" yelled Oscar, that George Dross might hear him. "We are being carried further inland!"