Chapter 14
Stolen Leave
''HELLO! YOU'RE one of the lucky ones! You don't have to wait until, you get ashore!" laughed Saunders softly.
He stood before Noel Carter and the startled girl, with Skuthorpe and Nolan beside him. The idea that Skuthorpe had been restored to his authority, occurred to Carter.
''Well, you've caught me," he said resentfully. "The girl means no harm to the ship, I'll stake my .soul on that! What are you going to do?"
"Tush, son! We're not hostile— only envious of your good luck," said Saunders. "It was Skuthorpe's idea, coming up to have a look at you. He had an idea you had someone with you here last night.""
"We don't want to put you away," put in Nolan, and approaching the rail he looked over. "Where's the canoe?"
"There's no canoe," said Carter, "Mahariri
