THE TURTLES OF SAND-KEY ISLAND. 219 



my astonishment at seeing, at the corner of Park 

 Place, and before the door of a celebrated restaurant, 

 a turtle exactly resembling that which Downing had 

 given rae, and which, if Johnny was to be believed, 

 had fallen into the sea. 



^' I beg your pardon," said I to the bar-keeper, 

 "have you any objection to tell me how you became 

 possessed of that splendid turtle at the door?" 



"Not the slightest," said he; "just as we were 

 shutting up last night, two sailors brought it here 

 and sold it me for six pounds. And I thought I 

 made a very good bargain." 



" By Jove ! so you did ; and I, from whom that 

 very turtle was stolen, and to whom it really belongs, 

 will give you the money to have my own again." 



I then explained to the bar-keeper what had 

 happened to me ; but as he had taken an order for 

 a very fine dinner to the Aldermen of New York, 

 which was to take place on the following day, he felt 

 obliged to refuse to do me the justice I required. I 

 complained to the chief of the New York police, 

 but got laughed at for my pains. Full of choler, I 

 rushed on board the steamer Rainhow, determined 

 to have my revenge out of Johnny, but he had 

 started that very morning for Boston, So I was fain 

 to swallow my grievance in silence, and to swear, 

 though somewhat too late, that if ever I had another 

 turtle for a travelling companion, I would have it 

 taken to my cabin and feed it myself. 



