vancing without any visible means of
locomotion.

"This is a queer country," remarked Jack, getting ready to run in case
the strangely moving cocoanut might be a warning of danger.

"Look! There's a whole lot of them moving," cried Mark.

Sure enough a dozen or more of the nuts began to advance toward the
lads. The boys were not so much afraid as they were surprised. But a few
seconds later the reason for the strange sight was made plain.

As they looked they saw one of the nuts roll down a little mound of
sand. Then they noticed that a big land crab was on the tiny hill and it
was evident that the nut had fallen from his claws.

"It's the crabs!" exclaimed Mark. "I remember reading about them now.
They come ashore from the water where they live part of the time and get
the cocoanuts. Then they smash the shells by pounding the nuts on a
stone and eat the white meat inside. They are called cocoanut crabs."

"I was beginning to think we were in some enchanted land," spoke Jack.

"Well, it certainly looked queer," agreed Mark.

For some time the boys watched the strange sight. Then they walked along
the beach, seeing several large star fish, and some big horse-shoe crabs
that had been stranded by the tide.

"Look at that immense turtle!" exclaimed Mark, as one of the creatures
scuttled over the sand toward the sea. "I'll bet she's been laying
eggs!"

"Perhaps so."

They made a rush for the tortoise but were not quick enough, for she
slid into the water and made off.

"Here's her nest, anyhow," called Jack, as he pointed to some eggs,
thinly covered with sand. "Let's go back and take them with us. I've
heard they are good eating."

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