Wondering what their friend was about to do the boys watched him select a strong line from the supply they had brought along. Next the professor fastened on a large hook, using a strong wire snell.
“Got any meat aboard,” was the scientist’s next question.
“Some canned stuff,” replied Bob, who could be depended on to know what was in the larder.
“That will do. Get me a large firm piece.”
Bob opened some corned beef, and soon the professor had baited the hook. Then he took his position in the bow and, with the rod extended at the end of which dangled the line, hook and meat, he prepared to put his trick into operation.
Fortunately the rope to which the anchor was attached had caught on a cleat after paying out a little as the turtle fouled the fluke. This permitted the creature to go but a short distance ahead of the Dartaway which it was towing. Otherwise the scientist might have been unable to do as he did.
While the boys watched him Uriah Snodgrass lowered the bait into the water, just ahead of the little ripples that indicated where the turtle’s head was located.
“He’s surely going to try to catch the turtle,” said Bob in a low voice. “I hope he does. I’ve heard that turtle soup and steaks are fine eating.”
“Can’t you let up on eating at a time like this?” demanded Jerry in a sharp whisper.
The professor was leaning forward in an expectant attitude. It did look as though he hoped to catch the turtle as one angles after a wary fish. To a certain extent, that was what happened. The big creature saw the bait dangling in front of it. The rush of the water through which it was gliding swept the meat nearer. It liked the smell of the canned corned beef, though probably it was a new item on the turtle’s bill of fare. At any rate the matter of towing that troublesome object, which persisted in following it need not interfere with a meal. The turtle decided to take the meat.