Accompanied by Andy, Ellerton and Quexo, he descended the steep and rugged path.
All at once Mr. McKay burst into a hearty laugh, his companions joining in as soon as they perceived the cause of his mirth. A huge turtle had crawled across the beach and was digging a hole in the sand with its flippers. This had set the alarm bell ringing.
A HUGE TURTLE HAD CRAWLED ACROSS THE BEACH
AND HAD SET THE ALARM BELL RINGING
As the larder needed filling, the turtle was dispatched and dragged up to the house.
It was late in the forenoon of the next day ere the inmates turned out of their beds, for the previous night's diversion had deprived them of a fair share of their accustomed sleep.
"Buck up and fill the kettle, Quexo," shouted Andy "I'm right hungry."
The mulatto, taking a can in his hand, set out for the stream, but hardly had he stepped outside the door when he returned with consternation written all over his face.
"Massa! Massa!" he gasped. "Canoes! Heap, plenty, much, great canoes!"