The wind was favourable, but we advanced slowly, the floating mass that we had to tug retarding us.

Fritz had been some time regarding a large object in the water; he called me to steer a little towards it, that he might see what it was.

I went to the rudder, and made the movement; immediately I heard the whistling of the cord, and felt a shock; then a second, which was followed by a rapid motion of the boat.
"We are going to founder!" cried I."What is the matter ?" "I have caught it," shouted Fritz; "I have harpooned it in the neck.

It is a turtle." I saw the harpoon shining at a distance, and the turtle was rapidly drawing us along by the line.

I lowered the sail, and rushed forward to cut the line; but Fritz besought me not to do it.