Tom and Bud wore swiming trunks under their slacks. Unfortunately the girls had forgotten to bring their suits. When the Sunspot reached the center of the lake, the boys hove to, stripped down to their trunks, and dived overboard.
Meanwhile, the girls sun-bathed on deck. Soon it was time for WALL OF WATER! 59
the picnic lunch, and all four ate with healthy young appetites.
“Jeepers!” Sandy whispered to Phyl with a giggle. “After a feast like this, we’ll have to go on a diet!”
“Don’t say it,” Phyl warned, “or Tom and Bud will use that as an excuse for never taking us out ag-”
She broke off with a gasp.
“What’s wrong?” Tom asked.
Breathless with fright, Phyl pointed off to starboard. The others paled. An enormous wave was sweeping across the lake, straight toward the ketch!
“Jumpin” jets!” Bud gulped. “It’s like a tidal wave!”
The boat was already rocking under the swells that preceded the oncoming huge breaker.
“Quick!” Tom yelled. “Grab life jackets while I start the engine!”
The four leaped into action. Every instant the terrifying wave rushed closer!
By now it was a twelve-foot wall of water!
Tom and the others had just put on the jackets and the engine had barely gunned into life when disaster struck. The mammoth wave swept up the Sunspot and heeled it far over into the trough like a toy bark. The next instant a cataract of water poured over the deck with stunning force I 60
THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
“We’re going under!” Phyl screamed.
All four were swept overboard in the maelstrom! Under the smashing impact of the water, the ketch’s mainmast bent and groaned. A moment later came a crack like a gunshot. The mast broke off, hung teetering by shreds, then toppled into the water. As it fell, the mast struck Sandy a grazing blow on the head!