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.