Mr. Tarbill, who was in the stern, near Captain Spark, arose and started forward. As he did so a wave, larger than any that the boat had previously encountered, careened the craft a bit.
"Oh, I'm going overboard!" exclaimed Mr. Tarbill.
He made a frantic clutch at the air, and really did almost go over the side, but it was due more to his own awkwardness than to anything else. Then he slipped down into the bottom of the gig, but as he did so his arm shot out and something bright and shining was knocked from the after locker over the gunwale into the sea, where it fell with a little splash.
"Now you have done it!" cried the captain, standing up and making a vain grab.
"Done it? Done what?" asked Mr. Tarbill.
"You've knocked overboard the only compass we had! How we're going to find the island now is more than I can tell! This is a serious loss."
CHAPTER XXIV
DAYS OF HOPELESSNESS
The captain's announcement struck terror to every heart. Even Bob, with the little knowledge of the sea he possessed, realized what that meant. They would have to "go it blind" now, and the chances of finding a comparatively small island in that vast ocean were little indeed.
"Did I knock the compass overboard?" asked Mr. Tarbill.