To creep along like a turtle. (See SNAPPER, 1796, where “mud tortles” are mentioned).
1836. I am now on my journey, and have already tortled along as far as Little Rock on the Arkansas.—‘Col. Crockett in Texas,’ p. 33 (Phila.).
1837. You must tortle off, as fast as you kin. If your tongue wasn’t so thick, I’d say you must mosey; but moseying is only to be done when a gemman’s half shot; when they’re gone cases, we don’t expect ’em to do more nor tortle.—J. C. Neal, ‘Charcoal Sketches,’ p. 13–4.
1844. Get up and tortle home the straightest way there is, and think yourself confounded lucky that you didn’t get spanked this very night.—J. C. Neal, ‘Peter Ploddy,’ &c., p. 148 (Phila.).
1848. I jest told the marman I was ready, and tortled quietly over the boat’s side into the blue transparent sea.—W. E. Burton, ‘Waggeries,’ p. 19 (Phila.).
1856. Under cover of this immense multitude I delapse into the entry, and ‘tortle off.’—Knick. Mag., xlvii. 407 (April).
1856. As we tortled along over the sand I began to notice, &c.—Id., xlviii. 284 (Sept.).
