"We've hit something!" exclaimed the professor, shutting down the engines with a jerk of the lever. CHAPTER IX A PRICE ON THEIR HEADS On board the _Porpoise_ there was great excitement. Washington, with Andy, Tom, Bill and Jack came running from the engine room. "What is it?" cried Jack. "I don't know," answered the professor as calmly as he could. "We'll soon see, however." He switched on the searchlight and peered from the conning tower. "Can you see anything?" asked Andy, anxiously. "I can," announced the inventor. "What?" "Land," replied Mr. Henderson. "We've hit the coast." "I hope we ain't done no damage," put in Washington. "Do you mean to the coast or to us?" asked the professor, with a smile. "I guess there isn't much danger in ramming the shore excepting to the _Porpoise_. However, we do not seem to be in any immediate trouble." He tested various wheels and levers, and announced that, aside from the jar, which might have started some of the machinery, the _Porpoise_ was unharmed. The cover of the man-hole was loosened and, one after another, the adventurers crawled out on the small deck or platform. It took them a little while to become accustomed to the darkness, but soon they were able to make out that they had run on the muddy bank of the ocean beach. The tide was low and the _Porpoise_ had rammed her nose well into the soft muck, which accounted for the lack of damage. "Well, I guess there is nothing to do excepting to wait for morning," said Mr. Henderson. "It doesn't look like a very lively neighborhood about here. I don't believe we'll be disturbed." Save for the splash and lapping of the waves and the sound of the wind, it was as quiet as the proverbial graveyard. Not a light showed on shore, and the gleam from the search lamp of the _Porpoise_ cut the darkness like a small moonbeam. "If there's nothing to do I'm going to turn in," said Andy. "I'm tired." The professor said this was a good suggestion, and, leaving instructions that Washington and Bill were to divide the night's watch between them, the inventor sought his bunk. The boys remained on deck a few minutes longer. "We certainly are getting our share of adventures," remarked Jack. "I should say so," answered Mark. "Gollyation yes!" exclaimed Washington. "You-uns done most been eat by dat air koslostrous specimen ob a parralleledon! I'm glad I didn't go. But I'se brave enough!" "What's that?" asked Mark suddenly, pointing to an object floating on the water. Washington turned to behold something white drifting along. "Oh my good land ob mercy! It's a ghost!" the colored man yelled. "It's a ghost! Land a' massy! Hide me some where, quick!" Washington fell on his knees and stretched up his clasped hands in supplication. The boys gazed curiously at the white object that was slowly floating toward the stranded ship. It rose and fell on the waves, with an odd motion. "I wonder what it is," said Mark.