shed into the sailboat, cutting
a great gap in her.

The force of the shock threw most of the midshipmen into the water.
The rest jumped.

Now, the "Duncan" responded to her engine by backing off. But
the motor boat, too, had received her deathblow. Ere she had
backed off a hundred and fifty feet she began to fill rapidly.
Owner and engineer had only time to adjust life-preservers
and leap overboard. Then the "Duncan" went down.

At the moment of collision there was a crash of spars and a snapping
of cordage. The sailing craft's mast had gone by the board, though
not much before the sailboat itself had filled.

Dave himself was pitched headlong. He sank below the water, but
had no fear for himself, for he was wholly at home in the water.

Yet, as he found the water closing over him, Dave Darrin felt
a great thrill of terror for others run through him.

"My boat crew is the poorest in the class in swimming!" he gasped,
with a throb of agony. "Not more than half of them know how
to take care of themselves! And I, as captain, am responsible
for their safety!"

CHAPTER XX

IN THE LINE OF DUTY

As his head shot above the water a Dave barely paused to expel the
water from his mouth.

"Boat's crew close together, to stand by the poor swimmers!" he
yelled hoarsely.

The water being barely ruffled, Darrin was able to count eight heads
besides his own.

That meant that five men had still failed to come up.

Midshipman Driscoll, an instant later, shot up beside Dave.

"Help!" sputtered Driscoll.

"Float on my arm, sir," ordered Dave, swimming with lusty strokes
until he had thrust his left arm under Driscoll's chest.

Then the young crew captain shouted:

"Who can get here first to support Mr. Driscoll."

"Here!" called another midshipman, overtaking the pair with lusty
strokes.

"Keep Mr. Driscoll up," called Dave, as he swam away. "I've got
to count heads fast."

Another midshipman came above water, and Dan Dalzell was at him,
like a flash, supporting the new arrival, who was one of the poor
swimmers.

That left three men to be accounted for.

Further down the stream still another head appeared. Only for
a moment or two, this midshipman succeeded in keeping his head
above water.

"I'll get that man," cried Farley, as he and another midshipman
started with powerful strokes after the man who was going down
for the second time.

"There's a seat floating!" shouted Dalzell.

Darr