Dan made a grab for his companion just as Sam's heels were disappearing over the side of the basket. Davis missed the heels, then he followed Hickey, while the basket was smashed with terrific force against some solid object. The boys shot from the basket, turning somersaults in the air as they plunged downward.
They did not cry out, but each lad believed that his time had come.
CHAPTER XVII
ON THE BLUE MEDITERRANEAN
The boys landed with great force, then shot down the slope that led from the lower landing stage.
The basket, in striking the landing, had been shattered, and it was when the crash came that the Battleship Boys were fired overboard.
By a lucky chance, they had sustained nothing more serious than black and blue spots, torn uniforms and dirty faces.
Dan sprang to his feet, after lying on his face a few seconds.
"Sam! Sam!"