"Yes, Ruddy is a good dog, and we all like him very much," said Mrs. Dalton.
"And I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble in taking him away," concluded the sailor, as he picked up his valise and was about to travel on.
"Oh, we had fun camping out, and I'm going to be a Boy Scout," said Rick. "And Ruddy's going to belong, too!"
"That'll be fine!" said the sailor. "Well, now having said all I'm going to, I'll haul up my anchor and get under way. Good-bye!" he added. "Good-bye to you, lady, and to you, boy and you, Ruddy, the red dog! I'll never trouble you again! I'm off on a long voyage!"
And with a wave of his cap toward Mrs. Dalton, he swung his valise up on one shoulder while, with the parrot perched on the other, he walked slowly down the street.
"Good-bye! Oh, my eye! Ho! Ho! The stormy winds do blow!" cried the green bird.
And that was the last Rick saw of the sailor and his parrot for a long time.
"But now you're mine, Ruddy! Mine forever!" cried the boy, and then he threw a stick far down the street and the setter raced after it.
Chot came out of his yard with Tom. The two boys saw the leaping dog.
"Ee-o, Ruddy! Ee-o!" they cried.