The launch was over.

A boat now came from the shore, bringing the builder, Mr. Watson; and at the same time a steamer appeared, rounding a point up the river, and approaching them.

“Do you want to go to St. John, Bart?”

“Not just yet, sir,” said Bart.

“Because if you do you can go down in the ship.  The steamer is going to take her in tow at once.  But if you don’t want to go, you may go ashore in the boat.  I’m sorry I can’t stay here to show you the country, my boy; but I have to go down in the ship, and at once, for we can’t lie here in the river, unless we want to be left high and dry at low tide.  So good by.  Go to the house.  Mrs. Watson’ll make you comfortable as long as you like; and if you want to take a drive you may consider my horses your own.”

With these words he shook hands with all the boys for good by, and after seeing them safely on board the boat, he waited for the steamer which was to tow the Sylph down the bay.  The boys then were rowed ashore.  By the time they landed, the steamer had reached the ship, a stout cable was passed on board and secured, her anchor was weighed, and then, borne on by steam, and by the tide, too, which had already turned, the Sylph, in tow of the steamer, passed down the river, and was soon out of sight.

Bart then went to see Mrs. Watson, with all the boys.  That lady, like her husband, was an old acquaintance, and in the true spirit of hospitality insisted on every one of them taking up their abode with her for an indefinite period.  Finding that they could not do this, she prepared for them a bounteous breakfast, and then persuaded them to go off for a drive through the country.  This invitation they eagerly accepted.

Before starting, they encountered Captain Corbet.

“Don’t hurry back, boys,” said he, “unless you very pertik’l’ry wish to go up to Moncton by the arternoon tide.  Don’t mind me.  I got several things to occoopy me here.”

“What time could we start up river?”

“Not before four.”

“O, we’ll be back by that time.”

“Wal.  Ony don’t hurry back unless you like.  I got to buy some ship-bread, an I got to fix some things about the boat.  It’ll take some time; so jest do as you like.”

Being thus left to their own devices, and feeling quite unlimited with regard to time, the boys started off in two wagons, and took a long drive through the country.  The time passed quickly, and they enjoyed themselves so much that they did not get back until dusk.

“It’s too late now, boys, to go up,” said the captain, as he met them on their return.  “We’ve got to wait till next tide.  It’s nearly high tide now.”

“All right, captain; it’ll do just as well to go up river to-night.”

“Amen,” said the captain.

But now Mrs. Watson insisted on their staying to tea, and so it happened that it was after nine o’clock before they were ready to go on board the Antelope.  Going down to the shore, they found the boat ready, with some articles which Captain Corbet had procured.