The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-22

Lets hurry and get out Of this" was
all each man could say to the other as
they backed the horses in position. But
il was too late.
Before they could realize what had
happened the cracking and roaring was
Just beside them. Mike looked all around
and on every side he saw dozens Of strange
creatures. A close look convinced him
that they were mountain terrapins. He
had seen them before, but generally
sIngly, and 50 looked upon them as harm
less.
But there was new side to the ami
mails nature. For these were ferocious
and of extraordinary size. Those gener-
ally seen on the deserts Of Arizona are
seldom over two feet long, but many Of
these would measure four. The crea-
lures come up from the Gulf of Califor-
mia, and often spend years in the desert.
They carry water with them like a camel.
and after il is gone they seem 70 be able
to get along without il. They have been
seen 200 miles from the gulf. and IL is ey-
ident they must frequently be years away
from their element.
These were the animals that now
| threatened the two men, ana in an in
slant it went through Miles, mind that
they were different TO those he had
generally seen. They were surely older
and had very likely come from the gulf in
a company and got lost. Now they were
hunting a way back. and were angry and
hungry.
At any rate it was a serious fix. The
horses became frightened and ierked
away from the wagon md started OF
They ran to the edge of the circle Of ugly
heads and then ran around looking for a
way out, while the turtles snapped at
their legs.
There was no. way out. and az last both
horses made a Bold dash over the crea-
lures backs. The TWO men could hear
their hard hOOfs crashing over the shells
for several minutes and then suddenly
cease, showing that they had reached the
other side and. very likely. were safe.
Nearer and nearer the turtles came.
and Mike and Jack soon had 10 climb into
the wagon 20 keep out of their way. All
the trees near BY were TOO large 20 climb.
and the wagon was the only place Of
refuge. Nike thought the turtles might
move on. and did all he could 10 frighteu
them by shooting at them 1t was al
most dark as the fire had burned low.
and as Mike could not aim none Of the
{ bullets took effect on the hard shell
The turtles crowded around the wagon
and soon began climbing over one another
in their efforts TO get at the men. AT
last there was such a number all around
that the wagon commenced 10 move and
&
wheels were broken.
There was now no hope Of escape ex-
cept 10 DO as the horses had done, and the
chances were very slim But they had %
do il, and started as soon as the wagon
broke. Jack landed squareIy on one OF
the turtles back, but Mike sliDned in
between two of them, and it was several
moments before he was ready 70 start
They jumped from one turtle to another
/ for some time, and it seemed TO the men
as if they covered the fearth. But they
kept on, and knew that unless they fell
they were safe.
Soon there began 10 be a little spaCe be
tween the turtles. and il appeared as If
they were getting 70 the edge Of the herd.
/ but they discovered that the turtles
were going in the same direction they
were. StIll there was nothing else 20 be
done. SO they kept ON
10 was hardly possible % see. but the
two men were both aware that they were
getting out Of the pine forest, though the
direction they were travelling was uu-
known TO them. Suddenly Mike. who
was IN the lead, stepped onto a rock that
he mlstsook Tor turtle aud fell forward