The Americans were struggling in the water, with shells screaming and exploding all about them.
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER THE GOLD-STARRED FLAG.
As the boat sank under them, Ned struck out for the General Barrill. He was a strong, swift swimmer, and almost as much at home in the water as on land or the deck of a battleship. To his intense relief, as he gazed about him, he saw the heads of his three companions bobbing up on the water near at hand. All were safe then.
“Swim on your backs,” Ned cried.
It was well they heeded his warning, for at that instant there came a shout from Stanley.
“Duck!”
That was all, but they instinctively obeyed. Even under the water they could feel the jar of the exploding shell which the sharp-eyed man-of-war’s man had spied coming toward them from the fort.