Luke's trial went more smoothly after that.
Of course, the prosecutor was not happy.
He objected loudly, but the judge shut him up.
Bob got on the witness stand and told everyone what really happened.
Luke, Boggs, and Mendoza had been looking for gold.
One day, Luke came across a large rock that turned out to be gold.
When he showed it to Boggs and Mendoza, they wanted the gold for themselves.
The next day, Boggs accidentally dropped his hat in the well.
"Let me down the well," he said to Luke.
So Boggs climbed into the bucket while Luke held tightly to the rope.
At that point Mendoza walked by.
"Aha, this is my chance!" he said to himself.
He pulled out a gun and crept quietly toward Luke.
Bob tried to warn his master.
But all Luke's attention was on watching Boggs and holding the rope tight.
Mendoza got closer and closer.
Bob barked and barked, but Luke didn't hear.
Bob knew Luke's life was in danger!
So he opened his jaw and bit down hard on Luke's leg.
Luke shouted in pain and let go of the rope.
"Bad dog! Bad dog!" Luke scolded Bob.
Mendoza quickly hid his gun.
"What happened?" he asked innocently.
They both looked down the well.
Boggs was gone.
Luke was upset, but Mendoza was sly.
"If you don't give me the gold," he said, "I will tell everyone that you killed Boggs on purpose."
So Luke gave the gold to Mendoza.
The courtroom was silent.
Some people even began crying.
"Poor Luke," they said, "it wasn't his fault!"
Even the judge wiped a tear from his eye.
The next day, Luke stood before the judge.
"You are not guilty," he declared.
Everyone jumped up and clapped loudly.
Dr. Dolittle and Tommy ran up to Luke.
He smiled at them and said simply, "Thank you."
Luke's trial delayed their trip for a few days, so they were busier than ever.
"You were incredible," Tommy said with awe.
"No, Tommy, Bob was the one who saved Luke," the doctor corrected.
"He was very loyal and brave."
A man wearing clean clothes and a big smile walked up to them.
"Dr. Dolittle?" he called out.
Tommy could not believe his eyes.
It was Luke!
He looked completely different.
Luke and Dr. Dolittle spoke for a few minutes.
"I'm very sorry, but I won't be able to join you on your voyage," Luke said.
"That's quite all right," replied the doctor.
"But I do want to give you something," said Luke.
Luke let out a loud whistle.
Bob, Jip, and Sweetie arrived, pulling a large wagon.
Dr. Dolittle uncovered the wagon.
It was filled with all kinds of food.
"Oh, Luke! Just what we need for our trip!" the doctor exclaimed.
"Mendoza had to return my gold rock," Luke said shyly.
"So now I have lots of money."
Just then Polynesia came by with an unexpected visitor.
"Dr. Dolittle!" she cried out.
"Guess who I met?"
Dr. Dolittle rubbed his eyes.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Is that the prince of Jolliginki?" he said.
It was indeed.
Years ago, the African prince had helped Dr. Dolittle escape from his father's prison.
"I am a university student now," explained the prince.
"When I heard you were living here, I had to come and see you."
"Well, I'm so glad you did," said the doctor.
They spoke a while about the prince's family.
Suddenly the doctor asked, "Would you like to travel with us?"
The prince answered immediately, "I would be delighted!
I am on my summer holidays at the moment."
"That's wonderful!" the doctor said.
"Now we're ready for our voyage!"
"But, Doctor," interrupted Tommy, "we need three people to sail The Curlew.
Who is the third man?"
"You are, Tommy," said the doctor, and he winked.