"Excuse me Mr. Turtle," Rosie asked, turning her attention to her host, "but what did you have to think about back there?"

The big turtle blew out a stream of bubbles across the surface of the water and muttered, "It took me all night to get up here from down river and I had to think about doing it all over again. And the name's Tyler Rosie. Mr. is Bert's father."

Rosie felt embarrassed about asking the turtle to go all the way back down the river and told him so. Meanwhile Gil flew in a wide circle above them, clapping his wings together.

"Looks like you're on your way Rosie. Good luck."

Rosie smiled and waved, thrilled that she would soon be home. "Oh thank you Gil, thank you for all you did and for staying with me. I hope we see . . ."

Gil stopped circling and dipped down beside Rosie. "What is it? What's wrong Rosie?"

She pointed toward the bank with her umbrella. "We don't seem to be getting anywhere very fast.

At this rate I won't be home for a year." And she began to sniffle.

"I'm doing the very best I can," came Tyler's voice, a little upset, "I'm not a passenger boat you know! I just finished telling you how long it took me to get here."

Rosie sniffled louder and Tyler complained louder, loud for him anyway.

"Screeeek! Hang on you two. I think I've got an idea. Rosie you just hang on tight to Tyler and open your wing up. I'll be back shortly." And away Gil soared, high up into the sky.

"Where do you think he's going Tyler." Rosie asked as she opened her umbrella and took a firm grip on the big turtle's shell.

"My best guess," Tyler sighed, "would be to see Mr. Gusty." then he brightened and smiled, "This might be a quick trip after all."

And sure enough they both felt the umbrella catch a bit of a breeze, pulling them down the river at a nice quick pace. Rosie laughed happily and looked up to see Gil flapping one wing goodbye.

"Thank you Gil," she cried, "I guess Mr. Gusty isn't so bad after all."

Gil performed a daring loop and disappeared into the sky with his usual screech. Rosie felt sad for a moment, Gil had been a good friend and she missed him already but now she was sailing home and would soon be back with her real friends - her family.

Down the river they sailed, Tyler steering around rocks and fallen branches, occasionally spinning around in a few of the river's little eddies. It was a long journey and Rosie held on for dear life, both to Tyler and her new umbrella. The big turtle didn't say much. She thought he slept most of the way and the fact that they didn't run into anything was pure luck. Pretty soon she could see the rooftops of some houses and then the spire on the town's church.

"Tyler! I see my town. Look there by the next bend, that's my house! That's my house Tyler. Pull over to the bank."

Tyler sighed and struggled to aim toward the shore. "You'll have to close your wing Rosie or we'll sail right on by." She quickly folded up her umbrella and they glided safely into the bank with a gentle thump. Rosie jumped off Tyler's back, gave him a big hug on the shell and thanked him over and over. "Best get up to your house now," Tyler drawled, "I see people on the lawn looking this way."

Rosie hugged him again and watched as he paddled slowly around and began his trip back up the river.

Quickly she turned and ran up the bank to her house. "Mommy! Mommy, I'm back." Rosie's mother and father jumped excitedly and ran toward her waving their arms. Even Officer Tim looked relieved as he hurried along behind.

"Rosie! Where have you been? What happened? Why are you here by the river, you know . . ." Rosie's mother gathered her up and squeezed her so hard it hurt. "Oh Rosie," she cried, interrupting her father, "I'm so glad you're all right. Your daddy and I have been frantic. Even Officer Tim was beginning to doubt ever seeing you again."