tarrapin

Well, I'm no water-dog, Dave; I can't swim no better than a tarrapin with its legs cut off, but I sloshed around some in the surf, and then I took a walk to dreen off and see the sights.

Heart of the Sunset Rex Ellingwood Beach 1913

None ob yer airish, stuck up folks, like a tarrapin carryin 'eberything on its back.

Iola Leroy, Or Shadows Uplifted. 1892

You go off for tarrapin, an 'taters, an' oysters, an 'peddles 'em aroun' Prencess

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

If ye think it's wicked to ketch tarrapin, why, I want 'em caught.

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

One night when we hadn't nothin 'to eat at home, mother and me, an' she was a sittin 'there with tears in her eyes wonderin' what we'd do next day, I ree-collected, Levin, that there was four tarrapins down in the cellar, -- black tarrapin, that had been put there six months before.

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

"Mr. Johnson, I never ketched tarrapin of a Sunday befo ', but I reckon tain't no harm."

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

"He's got the ager," remarked Levin Dennis, "them's the shakes, comin 'on him by to-morrey, ef I know tarrapin bubbles!"

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

"And now, my pals," Joe Johnson said, turning to Levin Dennis and Jack Wonnell, "we will all three go down to the bay and I'll pervide the lush, and pay the soap while you ketch the tarrapin, an 'let me sleep my nazy off."

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877

As for the drill among the niggers, I reckon I'll make him open his eyes wider than ever any tarrapin lying on the flat of his back, and the water biling fast for him to thicken.

The Sword and the Distaff: Or, "Fair, Fat, and Forty." A Story of the South, at the Close of the Revolution by the Author of "The Partisan," "Mellichampe," "Katharine Walton," Etc. Etc. 1852

"I caught 'em an 'biled 'em, an' as we sat there eatin 'stewed tarrapin without no salt, or sherry wine, or coffee, or even corn-bread, we heard somethin' like paper scratchin 'on the window, an' mother fell back and clasped her hands, an 'said,' There, do you hear the ghost? '

The Entailed Hat Or, Patty Cannon's Times George Alfred Townsend 1877