aking
and groaning of the timbers was far more noticeable. It seemed to the
lads that the vessel was being torn asunder by every billow.

"I wonder what weather the old 'U-13' is making of it about now?" said
Frank, as the boys grouped themselves about the little table.

"She's in smoother water than this, I'll venture to say," put in Jimmie,
clutching the edge of the table in an effort to support himself.

"If they are not in better water than this," remarked Harry, "they're
getting shaken up some! I'd like to be under water right now!"

"Why, Harry," spoke up Ned, "you shouldn't say that!"

"I mean in a tight little submarine!" explained Harry.

"I wish we had the Sea Lion over here!" cried Jimmie. "We could have more
fun than we had when we tried to rescue the papers out of that ship in
the Gulf of Tong King with Moore and his nosey son butting in!"

"That was sure some fine boat!" declared Ned. "Just as easy to ride in as
a rocking chair. And it was always smooth and--"

The boy's speech was cut short by a violent roll of the vessel. All the
lads were thrown in a heap to the cabin floor. Directly the schooner
righted herself, but began pitching with a violent motion. From the
sounds the boys knew that the captain had hove to, bringing the vessel
into the wind. Apparently he intended riding out the storm.

Waves were breaking over the bows, falling with tremendous blows upon the
forward deck. The scuppers were not able to release the flood.

Suddenly a terrific crash sounded directly beneath the cabin floor. The
stern seemed to lift bodily into the air. A shudder ran through the
fabric. Again the boys fell to the deck.

CHAPTER X

SHIPWRECK AND RESCUE

Above the noises of the tempest and the straining timbers sounded cries
from the deck that told of confusion amongst the crew. Von Kluck's hoarse
voice was bawling out orders mixed with great sea oaths. He was driving
the men to some duty.

The tramping of feet above the boys sounded for a moment, then ceased.
Judging from the sounds they thought the men had gathered in the waist of
the vessel. Puzzled, they looked at each other in fear.

"What's up?" inquired Jimmie, attempting to rise to his feet.

Ned steadied himself at the table as he tried to peer out of the little
skylight overhead. He could see nothing.

"We just about struck something!" declared Jimmie.

"Maybe we hit another vessel," ventured Harry.

"Or a rock, perhaps," continu