The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-27

from the, clouds, and the next it was near
their feet, and by a thought it came from
all sides.
Suddenly it struck Mike that it was a
herd of wild beasts of some kind. but
thought it strange that there was no bark
ing or growls-nothing but the incessant
rumbling and cracking. The strain was
becoming too intense, and Mike concluded
to hitch up and be ready to leave. He
threw several sticks on the fire, and then
went for the horses while Jack got the
harness in shape.
The animals were anxious to go, but be-
fore the harness was over their backs
Mike heard branch crack just behind
him. He pulled his revolver and fired
where the sound came from. This only
increased the roaring sound until it was
deafening, and an occasional hiss could be
heard
Let us hurry and get out of this, " was
all each man chould say to the other as
they backed the horses into position, but
it 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 convin-
ced him that they were mountain terra
pins. He had seen them before. but singly,
and looked upon them as harmless.
But here was new side to the ami
mails nature, for these were ferOcious
and of extraordinary size. Those gener-
ally seen on the desert of Arizona are
seldom over two feet long, but many of
these would measure four. The creatures
come up from the Gulf of California, and
often spend years in the desert. They
carry water with them like camel and
after IL Is gone they seem to be able to
get along without it. They have been
seen 200 miles from the gulf, and they
frequently be years away from their ele-
ment
These were the animals that now
threatened the two men, and in an instant
it went through Mikes mind that they
were different from those he had generally
seen, They were surely older, and had
very likely come from the gulf in a com
pany and got lost Now they were hunt
ing and were angry and hungry.
At any rate. it was a serious fix The
horses became frightened and ierked
away from the wagon and started off
They ran to the edge of the circle of
ugly heads, and then ran around looking
for way out while the turtles snapped
at their legs. There was no way out, and
at last both horses made bold dash over
the creatures, their hard hoofs crashing
over the shells for several minutes and
then ceased suddenly, 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 to climb into the
wagon to keep out of their way The
turtles crowded around the wagon. and
the wagon was the only place of refuge.
Mike thought the turtles might move on,
and did all he could to brighten them by
shooting at them 1t was almost dark, as
the fire had been burning low, and as
Mike could not aim none of the bullets
took effect on the turtles backs They
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 TO move and was
forced to one side until the hind wheels
were broken. There was no hope Of es-
cape except to do as the horses had done,
and the chances were very slim. But
they had TO do it, and started as soon as
the wagon broke.
Jack landed squarely on turtles back
but Mike slipped in bewteen two of tn EN-
and il was several moments before he
was ready to start. Then they jumped
from one turtle TO another for some time,
and 1t seemed to the men as if they COW
cred the earth But they kept on and
knew that unless they fell they were
safe
Soon there began to be little space
between the turtles, and it appeared as if