The superior was the next person to come to the railing, peering at the two small children looking rather pathetic. When he asked for papers, their permission to sail, Sinbad gave him a look that was convincingly ignorant.

"My daddy has those things. I mean, we took the boat out without permission. If we don't hurry back, we're going to be in a lot of trouble. Please let us go? I don't want to be punished. My friend and I were hoping just to sneak back before he noticed. We even damaged the ship."

His lower lip quivered.

"Do you know how to fix it?"