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Walking alone on a remote beach in southwest Florida, I was startled to hear splashes and a deep sigh coming from the water just offshore. As Isquinted（斜视）in the direction of the sounds, the rounded gray back of a sea creature rose amid a redfroth（泡沫）, rolledturbulently（汹涌澎湃地）at the surface, then sank back into the Gulf. Moments later a broad nose emerged and exhaled（呼气，发出） in a great snuffling breath. It was amanatee（海牛）, and by the looks of the reddish-colored water and the way it was thrashing, it was in trouble. I had often watched manatees in these warm coastal waters, but I'd never seen one act like this before. Usually just their bignostrils（鼻孔）appeared for a gulp of air as they foraged on sea grasses or swam slowly to greener underwater pastures. But I also knew how common it was for these lumbering giants to be gashed by boat propellers or entangled in crab traps. I wanted to help, but what could I do? There was no one else on the beach, and the nearest phone to call the Marine Patrol was miles away. Tossing my beach bag onto the sand, I began wading toward the animal, who continued towrithe（翻滚，蠕动）as if in distress. I was still only waist deep when I came close enough to make out the bristly whiskers on the manatee's muzzle as it thrust up out of the sea. Then, to my surprise, a second muzzle, much smaller, poked up beside it. I pushed on through the shoal water, but now the manatees were also moving toward me. Before I knew what was happening, I was in chest-deep water encircled by not one or two, but at least three blimplike bodies. I feltelated（兴高采烈的）and slightly dizzy like the kid who is 'it' in a schoolyard game. | 
