CHAPTER XVI. FRIENDS IN ADVERSITY.
During his brief career as a cadet at the United States Naval Academy, Clif had not been placed in many very startling and dangerous situations, but he was a youth of natural coolness of character, and one quick to act in cases of emergency.
In the present situation all his coolness was needed.
When the sudden and entirely unexpected crash came, Clif and the other members of the crew were bending all their energies forward, forcing the launch back to the practice ship.
With head bent low and arms tugging at the oar he worked away, knowing full well that their very lives depended upon their reaching the Monongahela before the sudden gale increased.
Clif heard Joy and Trolley talking, then came the lieutenant’s fierce interruption, and then chaos seemed to come, and overwhelm boat and crew in one mighty crash.
The lieutenant’s warning cry came too late for preparation. Clif felt himself thrown headlong from his seat upon the man in front. There was a wild scramble, then the waters of the ocean rolled up and engulfed all.
When Clif regained the surface he at once instinctively struck out. In no general direction, but with a natural desire to keep afloat.
He heard cries about him, and a splashing and floundering as if a score of men were making a desperate fight for their lives. And mixed in with the hubbub was the keen whistling of the growing gale.