All the boys were thrown toward the forward end of the vessel, where Jimmie was located. Ned and Jack lost their footing. They rolled awkwardly to the forward bulkhead. Harry and Frank managed to remain upright by hurriedly grasping at parts of the machinery or at stanchions. Their progress was undignified as well as sudden.
“What’s up?” sharply questioned Jimmie, regaining his feet.
“The stern’s up!” facetiously replied Jack, also struggling to a standing position. “Is anybody hurt?” the boy continued.
A brief examination disclosed the fact that beyond a few minor bruises none of the boys had been seriously injured. Their first care was for each other. All were glad to find no one badly hurt.
“What on earth can have happened to us?” asked Ned, peering from a port light on the starboard side. “Did we collide with something?”
“I don’t believe we did,” returned Harry. “There wasn’t any bump as if we’d run into another object. We just stopped!”
“And then the stern went up into the air and stayed there!” put in Jack. “Something’s got us by the stern and won’t let go!”
“I think I know what it is!” announced Frank. “What is it they call these fishermen with a big net dragging around?”
“Fishermen!” answered Jimmie, with a grin.
“Stop your nonsense!” ordered Frank, administering a friendly punch to his red-headed comrade. “I mean the fellows with a big drag net!”