The craft was making good speed ahead, with the big screw revolving in the tunnel and spurting the water from the rear, when there came a sudden jar, and everyone nearly toppled over from the quick stopping of the Porpoise. At the same time the forward end seemed to go up in the air.
"What has happened? Are we sinking?" cried Mrs. Johnson.
"I think we are going up," spoke the professor in cool tones.
"In the air?" asked the lady.
"On the land," answered the inventor. "I think we have struck shore and slid up on a beach."
He ordered the engine stopped and hurried to the conning tower to make an observation. He turned on the searchlight and looked carefully at what the beams showed. Then he came back to the cabin.
"Well, what is it?" asked Mrs. Johnson.
"We have gone ashore, just as I supposed," said Mr. Henderson.
"And whereabouts are we?"
"On the coast of South America."