cooking galley, a powerful motor, complete fittings and everything
that the most exacting motor boat enthusiast could desire.

"There she is!" cried Mr. Marlin. "There's the surprise, Bet. I got
her for you! I named her the Gem-- for she is a gem. Aside from an
ocean steamer there's no better boat built. I saw to it myself. I've
been planning that for you for years. And there you are. The Gem is
yours. I want you girls to take a cruise in her, and if you don't have
a good time it will be your own fault. There's the Gem for you, Betty.
Let's go aboard and see if that rascally mate has grub ready. There's
the Gem!" and he led the way toward the beautiful boat. The girls
simply gasped with delight, and Betty turned pale-- at least Grace
said so.

CHAPTER VI

READY FOR A CRUISE

"What a pretty cabin!" cried Mollie.

"And see the places to put things!" exclaimed Betty.

"Places to put things!" fairly snorted Mr. Marlin, or to give him his
proper title, Captain Marlin. "Places! Huh! Lockers, young ladies!
Lockers! That's where you put things. The aft starboard locker, the
for'd port locker. You must learn sea lingo if you're to cruise in the
Gem."

The girls were still aboard the new motor boat. They could not seem to
leave it since Betty had been told that it was a gift from her uncle.