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 with great reluctance, coming 

 out immediately, lifting their long colorless 

 stalked eyes as if to see if the persecution Avas 

 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. 



