[CHAPTER V]
THE PROFESSOR’S TRICK
The boys looked to where the scientist pointed. Some large shape could be seen just under the surface of the water, which was being churned into foam by the action of the creature’s flippers.
“How did that get hold of us?” asked Bob. “Has it got us in its mouth?”
“The anchor got loose and dangled over the side,” explained Jerry as he made a hasty examination. “One of the flukes must have caught under the turtle’s shell after we rammed it. Now the creature is carrying us out to sea!”
“Cut the rope!” cried Ned. “He’ll swamp us!”
“No! No!” shouted Jerry. “We can’t afford to lose our anchor. We’ll need it later on.”
“But how are we going to get rid of the turtle?” asked Bob. “He’ll swamp us if he gets us away out in the rough water.”
The situation was indeed a grave one. The turtle, doubtless imagining it had the best of some enemy, was increasing its speed. With the anchor caught under a forward flipper, where it offered no impediment to swimming, the big creature was towing the Dartaway as easily as it might a piece of driftwood.