The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-08-25

ThlS time, surprised on the
natural element.
The children had put q cord
ground its neck which was coming
out Of its shell, trying to hold back
che vigorous animal. It continued
70 diSplace itself and, though II
did not move quickly, it did pull
with irresistible force, dragging
ell the crowd behind it. jenkins
had put Costar on the top Of the
Ghell; and Dole, astrlde behind
pim, held on to the little boy
chose Shrieks of terror became
more piercing as the tortoise got
closer to the sea.
Hold on! Hold on!, Costar!'
warned Gordon.
"And take care that your horse
doesn't take the bit In itSGeeth!
shrieked Service.
Briant could not help laughing
for there was no danger. AS Soor
as Dole should let go Of CoStar, the
child would only slide off.
But they should capture the tor
toise even if they were not strong
enough to more than slow up its
Flooding progress. 1t was neceS
sary to change its course before
it disappeared to safety under the
water.
The revolvers, which Gordon
and Rriant had taken before leaV
ing the schooner, were Of little use
against the shell Of the tortoise, il
it had been attacked with g
Ratchet it would have drawn its
head and paws inside, safely out
reach.
There's only one way" said
Gordon. 1--WE must turn it on its
back"
"And how?" queried Service
"ThiS tortoise weighs at least three
hundred pounds and we'll never
"Spars! Spars!" ordered Briant
Followed by Moko, he ran back tc
the Slough.
The tortoise was only about 80
feet from the sea. Gordon TOOL
Costar and Dole off the shell
Then, taking hold Of the cord
they. all pulled on it as much as
they could, but without being able
to stop it's march.
Fortunately, Briant and Moko
returned before the tortoise
reached the sea.
Two sparS were put under it,
breastrplate. By means Of these
levers they were able, not without
great effort, to turn it on its back
This done, it was definitely a pris
oner, for it was impossible for the
shelled monster to get back on its
paws.
Moreover, at the moment wher
it was drawing in its head, Brlant
struck it with Ratchet, and the
creature died almost instantly.
"Well, CoStar, are you still
afraid Of the big, bad turtle?'
Briant asked.
mo, no: it's dead now"
"That's all right" cried Serv
ice, "but I'll bet that you'll no
like to eat it."
Can you eat that?"
"Certainly."
"Then I'll eat some, If it,
good" replied CoStar. licking hi
lips.
tits excellent" declared Moko
who was not saying too much
for the flesh Of the tortoise i
delicious.
The turtle furnished more thai
so pounds of meat. which pei
mitted them to save on the re
sources of the yacht.
March came to an end unde
such conditions. On April l l
became evident that the weathe
would soon modify. There wer
unmistakable symptoms Of com
ing calm, which might be Of lon
duration. a circumstance in ia
vor Of an exploration in the In
terror. Preparations were mad
for the expedition.
The preparations were sool
completed. Four days food. fou
guns. four revolvers. two litu
hatchets, a pocket compass,
powerful telescope, some trave
ing blankets and flint and stee
and matches comprised the outfit
The boys knew the expedition
was not without danger. Briant
Doniphan, Service and Wilco
would have to advance. witt
great precaution and withou
ever separating.
Gordon knew that his preSenc