A TURTLE TURN. 237 



or climbing upon the low branches of the bay- 

 cedar. As they came out upon the beach the 

 spirit-crabs dashed in every direction. They 

 were as white as the sand itself, and their name 

 well suited them, as they appeared and disap- 

 peared in a most ghostly manner. They were 

 continually tempting the boys to a race, and it 

 was very difficult to catch them, as they scurried 

 about this way and that, most successful dodgers. 

 They only took to the water when closely 

 pressed, and then w r ith great reluctance, coming 

 out immediately, lifting their long colorless 

 stalked eyes as if to see if the persecution was 

 to be continued. The beach was tunneled every- 

 where with their holes, showing that they were 

 successful and experienced miners. After a stroll 

 along the beach, picking up shells, sponges, and 

 fans, the boys returned to the anchorage, where 

 Long John had built a fire, upon which some 

 mullets were giving out savory odors. 



" You've seen floating coral and brain coral, 

 but here's pepper coral," said Long John, hand- 

 ing Tom a piece of coral with very fine pores or 

 cells. 



