“No, not an alligator,” said Mr. Martin, with a smile. “There are none of those creatures in these waters. But something is towing us all right.”
“Maybe it’s river pirates,” suggested the Curlytop boy. “You know Mr. Teeter said river pirates once took this boat.”
“It isn’t pirates,” declared Mr. Martin. “They would have to use a boat to tow us away and there isn’t a boat in sight. No, something has hold of our anchor rope beneath the water. See?”
He held the flashlight on the hemp cable. Ted could see where it went down into the water, and just ahead of it were little ripples such as are caused when a stick or a rope is dragged through the water.
“What do you suppose it is, Daddy?” asked the lad.
“Some sort of fish, or other water creature, has got caught in our anchor,” decided Mr. Martin. “It’s towing us.”
“Maybe it’s a big turtle,” said Teddy. “A big mud or snapping turtle.”
“Maybe,” agreed his father. “I’m going to see. Here, Ted, you hold the flashlight and I’ll haul up on the anchor rope.”
The Curlytop boy focused the rays of the powerful little electric torch on the rope extending into the water and Mr. Martin, taking hold of the cable, near the deck cleat around which it was wound, began to pull up. It was hard work, but finally he managed to get some slack, and then Ted cried:
“Oh, I see! It’s a big turtle!”