It took all the Indian's grit to hold on to that knife-edged war club.

He dropped his tomahawk, then with his other hand swung the rope to catch the turtle's head, but it lurched so quickly that the rope missed again, slipped over the shell, and, as they struggled, encircled one huge paw.

The Indian jerked it tight, and they were bound together.
But now his only weapon was down at the bottom and the water all muddied.

He could not see, but plunged to grope for the tomahawk.

The snapper gave a great lurch to escape, releasing the injured hand, but jerking the man off his legs.