It was not a pleasant thought. But Johnnie Green soon had a happier one: why not turn the old scamp over upon his back?
Johnnie had heard that a turtle was helpless when upset in that way. And he had already made up his mind to flop this one over when he realized that even with his captive upside down there was still a certain difficulty.
To be sure, Mr. Turtle couldn't walk away. But he could bite just the same. And how was a boy going to carve his initials on anybody's back, when that person was lying on it?
Johnnie Green saw that that plan wouldn't do at all. But he turned Timothy[p. 68] over, just for fun, upsetting him neatly by lifting him on the stick—for Timothy had not sense enough to let go of it in time to save himself.
Johnnie stayed there only long enough to make sure that Timothy Turtle was unable to move. And he soon decided that the savage old rascal would have to lie on his back until somebody came along and tipped him over. Then Johnnie Green scampered away.
To be sure, Mr. Turtle wriggled his legs, and twisted his neck about. But all his wiggling and twisting were of not the slightest help to him.
It was the first time in his long life that he had ever found himself in that position on land. And he was both frightened and angry.
Old Mr. Crow, who had a way of knowing when there was anything unusual going[p. 69] on, arrived in time to hear Timothy's remarks. And what he said about boys—and especially about Johnnie Green—made Mr. Crow catch his breath.