“Good,” said Panton. “Why not net one of the big pools?”
“First reason, because we have no drag-net, sir. Second, because there are things in those pools that would tear any net to pieces and take the men who used it as bait.”
“Yes, there are crocodiles, I know.”
“Yes, sir, and a kind of sea-serpent thing in plenty.”
“What!” cried Panton, with a laugh.
“Oh, I don’t mean sea captains’ sea-serpents, sir; but fellows of five, six, or seven feet long. There are plenty of them out in these seas, and some are poisonous, too. No, I don’t think we’ll try the pools, for did we catch any fish I’m afraid they’d be sickly and unwholesome. I propose getting the lines and going to the shore, rowing out to one of those patches of rock just at the opening of the reef; and trying our luck there.”
“I’m ready,” said Oliver, “and we might perhaps get hold of a turtle. We ought to slip a noose round one of the flippers if we see one again.”
“That’s right, sir, we will. A good turtle would be worth having now.”
“When do you propose going?” asked Panton.
“To-day, if you are all willing,” said the mate.