Then, nearing the burning boat, they halted their own, and began using
a chemical extinguisher-- the only safe thing save sand with which to
fight a gasoline blaze. The fire did not have a chance to get much
headway, and it was soon out, another boat coming up and lending aid.

The man who had jumped was taken aboard this second boat, and his own,
rather charred but not seriously damaged, was towed to shore. Later
the girls learned that there had been some gasoline which leaked from
his tank. He had been repairing his motor, which had stalled, when a
spark from the electric wire set fire to the gasoline. There was a
slight explosion, followed by the fire.

"And it came just in time to stop me from telling what might have
spoiled your plans, Grace," said Mollie, when they went back to gather
up their lunch baskets.

"Well, I haven't any plans. I am going to let father or Will make
them, after I send the information," she answered, "But I think it
best to let the two young men remain in ignorance, for a while."

"Oh, I do, too!" exclaimed Betty. "They will probably not refer to it
again, being so busy over the regatta."

There was a busy time for the girls, too. They finally decided to
convert the Gem, as nearly as possible under the circumstances, into a
Venetian gondola. By building a light wooden framework about it, and
tacking on muslin, this could be done without too much labor. Betty
engaged the help of a man and boy, and with the girls to aid the work
was soon well under way.