Bob felt new responsibilities now, and made any number of good resolutions.
"Ahoy, my hearties!" called the bluff, cheerful voice of Captain Spark. "Heave up the anchor, brace around the yards, for we've got a good wind, a free course and a fair sky!"
And with a chorus of good-bys the two started off toward the depot.
The trip was begun.
CHAPTER XI
THE "EAGLE" SAILS
Bob had often been on railroad journeys, so there was nothing especially interesting about the first part of his trip. But his mind was so taken up with what was to follow that even the familiar scenes as the train sped on out of the village seemed full of delight to him.
"Well, I s'pose you've been pretty steady since I've been gone, haven't you, Bob?" asked the captain, following a rather long pause.
"Well, pretty good, I guess. I only played one joke."
"What was It?"
Bob related the circumstances of the step-ladder, the cook and the hired man.