hat they
had better do. It was evident that an attempt to regain possession of
the ship, with their small force and only one weapon, was out of the
question.

"We've got to use strategy," said Andy. "If we could play some trick on
the savages we might scare them away. Otherwise I don't see what we are
to do."

"It's a bad state of affairs," replied professor Henderson. "Even if we
got the ship we might find it so badly damaged that it would be
impossible to run it. It is a terrible thing," and he heaved a deep
sigh.

The hours passed with no change in the situation. The savages remained
in possession of the submarine, and did not seem inclined to quit the
vessel. Most of them were inside, but quite a number paddled about the
stranded craft in their canoes.

There was nothing for the adventurers to do but to await developments.
With no chance of attacking the force of natives, they might consider
themselves lucky if the savages did not come ashore to give battle.

The sun was high in the heavens when, in the shade of a big tree where
they had all taken refuge from the heat, Nellie again announced that she
was hungry.

"I guess the boys will have to provide another meal," said Mr.
Henderson.

Jack and Mark said they guessed they could find some more turtle eggs,
and Washington volunteered to accompany them. As they were looking for a
nest in the sand they saw one of the tortoises scurrying down to the
ocean.

"Git her, quick!" cried the colored man. "Turn her ober on her back!"

The boys did so, though they did not know what Washington's object was.
The big animal lay bottom side up, vainly moving its flippers. In a few
minutes Washington had killed the turtle and cut it out of the shell.

"Now we'll hab turtle soup!" he exclaimed.

Soon the fire was again blazing in the improvised stove, and a little
later an appetizing smell filled the air. Washington had made the soup,
and, in addition, had cooked a number of the turtle eggs.

Big clam shells again served for dishes and a better meal than the
breakfast was served.

"Now if we only had some dessert," spoke Mr. Henderson in a joking
tone, "we wouldn't want much more. But I suppose dessert is out of the
question."

Jack and Mark looked at each other and, without a word went off toward
the woods. In a little while they came back, their arms filled with
cocoanuts.

"How will these do for dessert?" asked Jack.

"Fine!" cried Mr. Henderson.

The fruit