They inspected every part, turned the wheel, daintily touched the
shining motor, and even tried the bunks.

"There is room for five in the cabin," said Betty, looking about. "If
we wanted to take another girl with us we could, when we go cruising."

"Or a chaperone," added Grace. "We may have to do that, you know."

"Well, we can," admitted Betty. "The question is, shall we go on a
cruise?"

"Ask us!" exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. "Just ask us!"

"I do ask you," retorted the little captain of the Gem. "Girls, you
are hereby invited to accompany me on a cruise to go-- Oh, where can
we go?"

"To Rainbow Lake, of course," said Grace, promptly. "We can go down
the river into the lake, motor about it, go out into the lower river
if we want to, camp on an island or two, if we like, and have a
general good time."

"That's the way to talk!" cried Captain Marlin. "And I'll come with
you part of the time. There's some extra bunks back here maybe you
didn't see," and he showed them three folding ones in the cockpit back
of the trunk cabin, where awnings could be stretched in stormy
weather, enclosing that part of the craft.

"But what makes the boat go?" asked gentle Amy.