Page:Adrift in the Pacific, Sampson Low, 1889.djvu/56

 chelonians that are usually met with floating on the surface of the sea. This time it had been surprised on the beach, and was seeking to regain its natural element.

In vain the boys, who had slipped a string round its neck, were trying to keep the animal back. He kept moving off with irresistible strength, dragging the whole band behind him. For a lark Jenkins had perched Costar on the back, with Dole astride behind him; and the youngster began to scream with fright as the turtle slowly neared the water.

"Hold on! Hold on, Costar!" said Gordon.

"Take care your horse doesn't get the bit between his teeth!" shouted Service.

Briant could not help laughing; for there was no danger. As soon as Dole let go, Costar had only to slip off to be safe.

But it was advisable to catch the animal; and if Briant and the others united their efforts to those of the little ones, they might stop him; and they must put a stopper on his progress before he reached the water, where he would be safe.

The revolvers Gordon and Briant had brought with them from the schooner were useless, for the shell of a turtle is bullet-proof; and if they attacked him with the axe, he would draw in his head and paddles and be unassailable.

"There is only one way," said Gordon; "we must turn him over!"

"And how?" said Service. "He must weigh at least three hundredweight, and we can never — "

"Get some spars! Get some spars!" said Briant. And followed by Moko, he ran off to the schooner.

The turtle was now not more than thirty yards from the sea. Gordon soon had Costar and Dole off its back, and then seizing the string, they all pulled as hard as they could, without in the least stopping the advance of the animal, which could have dragged all Charman's school behind it.