186 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



" Who could it have been ? " asked Dick. 



" I propose we find out/' said Tom, bravely 

 picking up his gun. 



" We'd better all go," said Long John. " It's 

 five to one, and I reckon we kin take him." 



He then picked up his grains, which was 

 perhaps a habit, the others took their shot-guns, 

 and the little army moved off up the beach, led 

 by General Tom, presenting a decidedly warlike 

 appearance. 



It did not take them long to reach the open- 

 ing in the bush, and as they drew near the spot 

 Tom pointed triumphantly to the impressions of 

 feet in the sand, and then a cavity a foot or 

 more deep. 



" Something has been here, surely," remarked 

 the doctor. 



"Looks that way, sartin," replied Long John, 

 examining the sand carefully. "You're sure it 

 wasn't a turtle ? " turning to Tom. 



"A turtle wouldn't stand up and walk off, 

 would it ? " asked the latter. 



"No, it wouldn't, that's true," admitted Long 

 John. 



