"What's the matter?" cried the General.
"We can't possibly be in Prora already?" questioned the President.
At that instant all were struck as by an electric shock, as a peculiar, hollow, grinding sound grated harshly on their ears. The keel had scraped over the sand-bank without grounding. A shrill signal, a breathless stillness for a few seconds, then a mighty quake through the whole frame of the ship, and the powerful action of the screw working with reversed engine!
The precaution which a few minutes before would have prevented the accident was now too late. The ship was obliged to go back over the same sand-bank which it had just passed with such difficulty. A heavier swell, in receding, had driven the stern a few inches deeper. The screw was working continuously, and the ship listed a little but did not move.
"What in the devil does that mean?" cried the General.
"There is no real danger," said Else with a flash.
"For Heaven's sake, my dear young lady!" interjected the President, who had grown very pale.
"The shore is clearly in sight, and the sea is comparatively quiet," replied Else.
"Oh, what do you know about it!" exclaimed the General; "the sea is not to be trifled with!"