“No doubt you are right,” said the captain, when he had heard further details.
“Quartermaster, order my boat away.”
“You are going ashore, sir?” inquired the officer of the deck.
“Yes. I must get those lads out of this difficulty at once.”
The captain went to the Governor-General, before whom he laid the case. The Governor-General happened to be a good-natured man and when Captain Dunham had told him of one or two of the boys’ pranks, he ordered their release forthwith.
“But, in order to uphold discipline, I must ask you not to allow them ashore again during the fleet’s stay here,” he said. “If they came on the rock again it would look as if the officer who caused their arrest was being flouted.”
“That seems rather an arbitrary ruling,” remarked Captain Dunham, “but I will see that it is carried out.”
“Thank you. I shall meet you at the official dinner to-night”; and the two dignitaries bowed ceremoniously and parted.
Some time later Ned and Herc were approached in their cell by a sentry.
“A patrol has come for you from the ship,” he said.