the
Irishman sprang over the side, followed by his comrades, who regarded
the expedition in the light of a "good spree."

The party had to wait some time, however, for the anticipated sport. It
was near sunset when they landed, but turtles are not always ready to
deliver themselves up, even though the honour of being eaten by London
aldermen sometimes awaits them! It is usually night before the
creatures come out of the sea to enjoy a snooze on the beach. The men
did not remain idle, however. They dragged the boat a considerable
distance from the water, and then turned it keel up, supporting one
gunwale on several forked sticks, so that a convenient shelter was
provided. This look-out house was still further improved by having a
soft carpet of leaves and grass spread beneath it.

When these preparations had been made, those men, who had never seen
turtle-turning performed, were instructed in their duties by an
experienced hand. The process being simple, the explanation was short
and easy.

"You see, lads," said the instructor, leaning against the boat and
stuffing down the glowing tobacco in his pipe with the point of his
(apparently) fireproof little finger--"You see, lads, this is 'ow it is.
All that you've got for to do is to keep parfitly still till the
turtles comes out o' the sea, d'ye see?--then, as the Dook o' Wellin'ton
said at Waterloo--Up boys an' at 'em! W'en, ov coorse, each man fixes
his eyes on the turtle nearest him, runs out, ketches him by the rim of
his shell an' turns him slap over on his back--d'ye understand?"

"Clear as ditch wather," said Larry.

"Humph!" said Muggins.

"Well, then, boys," continued the old salt with the fireproof little
finger, "ye'd better go an' count the sand or the stars (when they comes
out), for there won't be nothin' to do for an hour to come."

Having delivered himself thus, he refilled his pipe and lay down to
enjoy it under the boat, while the others followed his example, or
sauntered along the shore, or wandered among the bushes, until the time
for action should arrive.

Will Osten and his two friends availed themselves of the opportunity to
retire and hold an earnest consultation as to their future prospects and
plans. As this was the first time they had enjoyed a chance of
conversing without the fear of being overheard, they made the most of
it, and numerous were the projects which were proposed and rejected in
eager earnest tones--at least on the