“I want to share some news with you,” the Maharajah says over the chugging of the diesel engines of his boat. “I just got word over the radio that a terrible day has arrived for us on our earth. A bomb of fire, as hot as the flames on the sun, was dropped on the Japanese City of Hiroshima. The city is destroyed and thousands upon thousands are dead. Nothing like this has ever happened. Japan no doubt will surrender and the World War will end. I thought you would like to know.”
The little boat of people rocks quietly in the water. In the boat no one knows what to do. Should they cheer? Finally, Freddie speaks up, “Thank you, Your Highness. It was very kind of you to remember us, your obedient subjects.”
The Brahman priest is beckoned to the Maharaja’s side. He hands over the box he’s carrying to the ruler. The Maharaja, holding onto his dark glasses, leans over the bulwark of his yacht with the box and drops it down into Freddie’s hands. “That is just something for you and your fine crew,” he says.
It’s a box of American Mars bars. “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, very much,” says Freddie bowing. “Imagine a whole box! God bless you, Your Majesty.”
The Maharaja gives the victory sign.
The yacht powers up and slowly backs away from the small crowded boat, before it gently swings around. Edward leans over and calls to his dog: “Rover, Rover, my boy, I miss you so much. Get back to the fort before that tin pot they call a boat sinks.”
Then, Amelia stands up in the boat.
“Don’t get into a fight with him, Mum,” says Paddy, walking in the boat toward his mother.
“I need to talk to him, my son. Edward, my darling,” Amelia calls out. “I''m sorry for all the grief I''ve caused you through these years. Please come back home to me. I love you, Edward!”
Rover barks loudly and rears up, placing his paws on the side of the boat, shaking the craft.
“Don’t you even think of it,” Amelia commands the dog. But Rover does not heed her. He hesitates for a moment and then jumps overboard. The small craft rocks wildly. The women scream. Rover starts swimming to his master on the Maharaja’s yacht.
Paddy, holding onto his mother shouts to the dog, “Rover, Rover. Come back. Come back. The crocodiles will get you.” The dog, unheeding, swims on against the strong current.
“No, Rover, no,” Edward shouts from the big boat. “Go back, Rover. Go back!”
Rover hesitates as the Maharaja’s boat slowly backs away, leaving him bobbing in the heavy wake. He gives up and turns back, swimming to Freddie’s boat.
“Good boy, good boy,” Paddy encourages. “Come on, Rover.”
The dog swims silently, only his black shiny head visible in the deep green water of the river. Timmy and Johnny lower their oars and start rowing toward the dog. Freddie hands the box of chocolates to Thai at his side, and leans over the water as the prow nears the animal and reaching down grabs the big dog and heaves him over into the boat where he lands next to Amelia and Katie. The dog slips, but quickly regains himself, and shakes vigorously, dousing the women and Birdie.
Amelia is crying, but she throws her arms around her faithful dog and kisses him. Paddy, at her side, brushes back his tears. "This dog has such love and devotion fo