Much to his relief, the topic was changed. The return trip was quite as pleasant as the other had been, and at nine o'clock the Skylark landed her passengers at the steamboat wharf, in good order and condition, and very much delighted with the excursion. The skipper received the eight dollars for the trip, and paid off his crew. It was Saturday night, and Monkey wanted to buy some provisions and groceries for his mother with the money he had earned; but he proposed to return before ten, and sleep on board, as usual. Bobtail told him he had better spend Sunday at home, for he could not pay him when the yacht did not go out. The Darwinian was willing to sleep on board without pay.
"Did you see Colonel Montague, Robert?" asked Mrs. Taylor, as he went into the house.
"Yes, I saw him; and he promised to be at the examination next Tuesday."
"What did he say?"
"He said he knew where you got the money, and that it would be all right; but I told him you didn't send me to him."
"What else did he say?" inquired Mrs. Taylor, anxiously.
"That's about all. He took me into the house, and treated me like a lord. That's the handsomest house I ever went into;" and Bobtail described the glories and the beauties of the mansion.
"Of course, after what you have done, they feel very grateful to you."
"I suppose so; but, mother, I can't keep that confounded bill out of my head," continued Bobtail. "I conclude, if Colonel Montague knows where you got it, he gave it to you himself."
"He must explain that himself."