“Can’t we have a chance to straighten up?” he asked.
“No; my orders are to send you aft at once.”
“Very well.”
Feeling anything but “very well,” the boys marched aft and presently the orderly was announcing them to the captain.
“Come in, my lads,” was what they heard, and in they marched and stood stiffly at attention, after saluting.
“Let me give you lads some good advice,” said the captain kindly. “I’m not rebuking you, but it is best when ashore in foreign countries to be careful of hurting other nations’ feelings or trespassing on places which they regard as sacred and private. I want you to be more careful in the future.”
“We will, sir,” said Ned.
“We sure will, sir,” blurted out Herc.
The captain had to pass a hand over his face to conceal a smile.
“I suppose that promise holds good till the next time,” he thought to himself.