The four boys continued on their journey in search of Schmendrick.  They were very happy that Alexander had warned them to go in a different direction.  While they walked through the woods, the boys came upon a beautiful lake with one of the most unique and beautiful trees they had ever seen.  They knew that Schmendrick was near.  He loved to change the color of the leaves on the trees.  Schmendrick knew that Donnie's favorite color was purple.

"How will we cross the lake to get to the tree?"  Bobby asked.

"I do not know how to swim."  Danny lied.  He just did not want to get his clothes wet.

"I just sink to the bottom."  Doug said.

Before they gave up hope, four large turtles swam to the bank of the lake and then turned around.

"Do you think they want us to ride them?"  Bobby asked.

"Sure."  Donnie said.  "That's what they want us to do."

"You go first."  Danny looked at Donnie.

Without hesitation, Donnie climbed on the back of the turtle.  He knew that Schmendrick knew that Donnie loved turtles even more than the color purple.  Bobby got on the second turtle.  Doug hesitated to get on the turtle because he was over weight but the turtle seemed to be fine.  Danny was the last to get on.  As soon as Danny got on his turtle, the four turtles swam gracefully towards the beautiful tree.  When they reached the other side and got off, they thanked the turtles for the ride.  The turtles smiled.  Yes, they actually smiled.  Before you knew it, they took a dive into the deep dark blue lake.

After reaching the other side nice and dry, the boys decided they wanted to swim in the lake.  It was a hot summer day.  The boys stripped down to their boxers and jumped in the cool lake.  Donnie and Bobby tried to dive to the bottom of the lake in search of the turtles.  They were no where to be found and the lake was too deep.  After swimming for an hour or two, the boys sat under the shade of the tree and fell asleep.