They looked at it with dismay , and the oldest among them put their heads together to see what was to be done . ` Ca n't we manage to get past by the top ? ' asked one . ` Why , it would take us YEARS , ' exclaimed another . ` Just look at all those tall green branches , spreading in every direction . If once we got entangled in THEM , we should never get out again ! ' ` Well then , let us go round by the bottom , ' said a third . ` 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 , XXXXX the prisoners had to put on their smartest slippers and their brightest clothes , and dance a war dance while the turtles sang .
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