just what the creature wanted. On shore the upset turtle was quite
helpless; but the mischievous seals saved him. For as soon as he
touched the water, he was able to turn and right himself, which he
promptly did. Then he raised his head above the water and asked:

"Is it peace or war, Muffruff?"

"Whichever you like," answered the Seal indifferently.

Perhaps the turtle was angry, for it ran on shore with remarkable
swiftness, uttering a shrill cry as it advanced. At once all the
other turtles awoke to life and with upraised heads joined their
comrade in the rush for the seals. Most of Chief Muffruff's band
scrambled hastily down the rocks and plunged into the water of the
sea without waiting for the turtles to reach them; but the chief
himself was slow in escaping. It may be that he was ashamed to run
while the mermaids were watching, but if this was so he made a great
mistake. The turtles snapped at his fins and tail and began biting
round chunks out of them so that Chief Muffruff screamed with pain
and anger and floundered into the water as fast as he could go. The
vengeful turtles were certainly the victors, and now held undisputed
possession of the island.

Trot laughed joyously at the incident, not feeling a bit sorry for
the old seal who had foolishly begun the battle. Even the gentle
queen smiled as she said:

"These quarrels between the turtles and the seals are very frequent,
but they are soon ended. An hour from now they will all be lying
asleep together just as we found them; but we will not wait for