Oh, why didn't I make him lie down by me? an' then he'd
be alive now; an' how glad he'd be to know that we was getting out of
the woods at last!"

But the man who had caused Toby this sorrow talked to him about other
matters, thus taking his mind from the monkey's death as much as
possible, and by the time the boy reached the village he had told his
story exactly as it was, without casting any reproaches on Mr. Lord, and
giving himself the full share of censure for leaving his home as he did.

Mr. Lord and Mr. Castle had remained in the town but one day, for they
were told that a boy had taken the night train that passed through the
town about two hours after Toby had escaped, and they had set off at
once to act on that information.

Therefore Toby need have no fears of meeting either of them just then,
and he could start on his homeward journey in peace.

The young man who had caused the monkey's death tried first to persuade
Toby to remain a day or two with him, and, failing in that, he did all
he could toward getting the boy home as quickly and safely as possible.
He insisted on paying for his ticket on the steamboat, although Toby did
all he could to prevent him, and he even accompanied Toby to the next
town, where he was to take the steamer.

He had not only paid for Toby's ticket, but he had paid for a state-room
for him; and when the boy said that he could sleep anywhere, and that
there was no need of such expense, the man replied, "Those men who were
hunting for you have gone down the river, and will be very likely to
search the boat, when they discover that they started on the wrong
scent. They will never suspect that you have got a state-room; and if
you are careful to remain in it during the trip, you will get through
safely."

Then, when the time came for the steamer to start, the young man said to
Toby, "Now, my boy, you won't feel hard at me for shooting the monkey,
will you? I would have done anything to have brought him to life; but,
as I could not do that, helping you to get home was the next best thing
I could do."

"I know you didn't mean to shoot Mr. Stubbs," said Toby, with moistening
eyes as he spoke of his pet, "an' I'm sorry I said what I did to you in
the woods."

Before there was time to say any more the warning whistle was sounded,
the plank pulled in, the great wheels commenced to revolve, and Toby was
really on his way to Uncle Daniel and Guilford.

It was then but five o'clock in