"Never felt so well before in my life and am getting my strength back fast."
"Then vacation ends for you and Ned to-day. To-morrow morning you will take the train for the North, where you will have about two weeks to spend with your mother. I will wire her from Miami about our arrangement, which I am sure she will approve, and tell her when she may expect you. Very soon you will receive your instructions.
You and Ned will be together, work the same, pay the same, and both of you have my perfect confidence that you will justify every hope I have of you."
"Mr. Barstow, I haven"t any words--"
"Don"t say anything, d.i.c.k, I understand it all, my boy. Just go ahead and make good, both for yourself and me."
[Ill.u.s.tration: "HE TOOK THE BABY CROCODILE IN HIS ARMS"]
In the morning Ned and the captain distinguished themselves by waking up a dealer, buying some lumber, hustling it aboard and having the two crocodiles boxed up for transportation North in time for the train of that day. How much of a feat that was requires a residence in South Florida to appreciate.
The _Irene_ was run up the river to the railroad dock, where the crocodiles were put on the cars and the boys took their train for the North. When the good-byes were said, the captain carried Tom across the dock on his shoulder and d.i.c.k"s last act before leaving was to formally present him to Molly.
THE END