But all this time
he heeded the advice given him and remained in his room, where he
could see and not be seen; and it was well for him that he did so,
for at one of the, landings he saw both Mr. Lord and Mr. Castle
come on board the boat.
Toby's heart beat fast and furious, and he expected every moment
to hear them at the door, demanding admittance, for it seemed to
him that they must know exactly where he was secreted.
But no such misfortune occurred. The men had evidently only boarded
the boat to search for the boy, for they landed again before the
steamer started, and Toby had the satisfaction of seeing their
backs as they walked away from the pier. It was some time before
he recovered from the fright which the sight of them gave him; but
when he did his thoughts and hopes far outstripped the steamer,
which, it seemed, was going so slowly, and he longed to see Guilford
with an impatience that could hardly be restrained.
At last he could see the spire of the little church on the hill, and
when the steamer rounded the point, affording a full view of the
town, and sounded her whistle as a signal for those on the shore to
come to the pier, Toby could hardly restrain himself from jumping
up and down and shouting in his delight.
He was at the gangplank ready to land fully five minutes before
the steamer was anywhere near the wharf, and when he recognized
the first face on the pier what a happy boy he was!
He was at home! The dream of the past ten weeks was at length
realized, and neither Mr.
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