be able to change our clothes."
The others agreed, and when the worst of the lightning and thunder
had passed they set off once more, two rowing and the third steering
the boat and bailing out the water, which came in faster than was
desirable.
"When it rains in the tropics, it rains," observed Tom. "Puts me in
mind of that storm we met when we were in Africa. Do you remember, Sam?"
"Indeed, I do," answered his brother. "I thought we'd all be killed
by the trees that fell in the jungle."
"Have you been in Africa?" came from Captain Blossom in astonishment.
"Yes," answered Tom. "Our father got lost there once, and we went in
search of him," and he gave a few of the particulars, as already
related in another volume of this series, entitled "The Rover Boys
in the Jungle."
"Well, you boys have had some ups and downs," said the captain. "But
I reckon you weren't cast away before like this."
"Not like this," answered Sam. "But we were left on a lonely island
once in Lake Huron," and he related a few particulars of their exciting
experiences with the Baxters while on the Great Lakes.
Another downpour of rain cut off the talking, and Tom was kept busy
bailing out the row-boat. With three persons and the two dead goats
the craft was pretty heavily loaded, and more than once the rising
wind swept some water over the bow.
"I'd give a little to be ashore again," said Tom presently. "It seems
to me that the rain is shutting out everything."
"We'll have to land again, lads," put in the captain, with a grave
shake of his head. "This wind is growing worse. We don't want to be
swamped."
They turned to what they thought must be the direction of the nearest
shore, but though they pulled with might and main for nearly quarter
of an hour no land appeared.
"We're mixed," cried Sam. "The storm has twisted us up."
By this time the wind was blowing a regular gale on the bay. It took
off Tom's cap, and in a twinkle the headgear was out of sight.
"My cap's gone!" groaned the youth.
"The water is coming in over the bow!" came from Sam. "We will be
swamped!"
"We must throw the goats overboard," said the captain, and overboard
went the game, much to the boys' sorrow.
This lightened the craft a little, but still the waves swept over
the gunwale, and now both Sam and Tom set to bailing, while the
captain took both oars. Then came another blast of wind, worse than
before.
"I see land!" cried Sam.
"We are go
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