Jack and Mark started to gather up as many of the eggs as they could in their hats. While they were thus engaged they heard a call from the ship and looked up to see coming toward them, all of the ship's company except Washington.
"I wonder if anything could have happened," spoke Mark.
He and Jack dropped the eggs and started on a run toward the stranded ship. They were reassured, however, when they saw the professor waving his hand at them. When he got within hailing distance the inventor called:
"It's all right, boys. We're just taking a little walk, before breakfast, for an appetizer. It's been some time since we were on land. Washington says he'll have some fine fried ham for us in a little while."
"And here are the eggs to go with it," spoke Jack.
"Have you found a hen house?" asked Mr. Henderson in some wonder.
"No, but we discovered a turtle, which is just as good," replied Mark. The professor agreed with him, and called for Washington to come and get the eggs.
"Wall I 'clare to goodness!" exclaimed the colored man as he gathered the product of the turtle up in his cook's apron. "Dis suttinly am a queer contraption of a country to find eggs growin' in de sand."
He shuffled back to the ship, while the others walked up and down on the beach. In about half an hour the professor suggested that they return.
"Washington must have breakfast ready by now," he said, "and I, for one, am hungry enough to enjoy it."