"Our boat is sinking.
Help!" And Tom soon joined in the cry.

They had caught hold of the overturned boat, but the craft, for some reason, failed to support them.
Captain Blossom was close at hand, and he advised them to strike out for the shore.
"It's in this direction," he said, and led the way.
"I--I can't swim very far with my clothes on," gasped Sam, yet he struck out as best he could.
"Hullo! Who calls ?" came a cry from the shore, and, looking up, they saw Dora standing there, with Nellie and Grace Laning close beside her.
"It's Tom and Sam!" cried Nellie.
"And Captain Blossom," added Grace.
"Perhaps we can throw them a rope," came from Dora, and she ran to get the article she had mentioned.
But by the time she returned the three swimmers had reached a point where they could touch bottom with their feet, and, watching for a favorable opportunity, they rushed ashore, almost into the arms of the girls.
"Oh, Tom, how glad I am that you are safe!" cried Nellie, while Grace caught hold of Sam and asked if he was all right.
"Yes, I am--am all right, but--but pretty well fagged out," gasped Sam.
"It was a close shave," said Captain Blossom.

"And our guns are gone." "We had two dead goats, too," put in Tom.

"They went overboard first, and--goodness gracious--is that really Dan Baxter ?" "Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Sam, and even Captain Blossom stared in amazement.
"I see you've had a rough time of it," said Baxter, coming forward coolly.

"How are you ?" He shook hands with Captain Blossom, while the Rover boys continued to stare at him.
"Are you alone ?" asked the master of the _Golden Wave_.
"No, Jack Lesher is with me, and we left nine of the sailors on another island." "Is that so?
Where is Lesher now ?" "In the house, asleep." "He is intoxicated," said Nellie.