Teddy fancied he heard a muffled cry of agony; but just at that moment he could think only of saving his own life, and there was no time to so much as glance around.
The boat was shot suddenly forward with the water dashing above the stern and sides, and Jake shouted:
"Over with you now!"
At the same instant that the boat struck the boys leaped, and during several fearful seconds it was doubtful whether they could hold their own against the treacherous under-tow.
By clinging to the sides of the craft, and straining every muscle, the attempt was successful, and as the wave receded the little tender lay across a sharp piece of coral, almost a total wreck.
"Take hold and shove her further up!" Jake shouted. "Work now as you never did before, or we shall lose all our stores!"
During the next half minute the three struggled to the utmost of their power, and then the fragments of the boat and the goods which had been brought from the Sea Dream were high upon the beach beyond reach of the next wave, which swept in with a yet louder roar as if enraged at having been deprived of its prey.
Not until this had been done was it possible to look around for the sailors, and Teddy cried as he gazed seaward without seeing any living creature:
"Where are they?"
Jake watched the boiling waters several seconds before he replied mournfully: