'How are we to do that, when the roots have made a deep hole, and
above that is a high bank?' replied a fourth. 'No; the only way
I can think of, is to burn a large hole in the trunk.' And this
they did, but the trunk was very thick, and would not burn
through.

'It is no use, we must give it up,' they agreed at last. 'After
all, nobody need ever know! We have been away such a long while
that we might easily have had all sorts of adventures.' And so
the whole company turned homewards again.

They took even longer to go back than they had to come, for they
were tired and footsore with their journey. When they drew near
the camp they plucked up their courage, and began to sing a war-
song. At this the villagers came flocking to see what spoils the
turtles had won, but, as they approached, each turtle seized some
one by the wrist, exclaiming: 'You are our spoils; you are our
prisoners!'

'Now that I have got you I will keep you,' said the leader, who
had happened to seize his betrothed.

Everybody was naturally very angry at this behaviour, and the
girl most of all, and in her secret heart she determined to have
her revenge. But, just at present, the turtles were too strong,
so the prisoners had to put on their smartest slippers and their
brightest clothes, and dance a war dance while the turtles sang.
They danced so long that it seemed as if they would never stop,
till the turtle who was leading the singing suddenly broke into a