"No, but if we didn't some one passing might think the boat deserted and—come aboard to take things."
"I hope they don't take us!" cried Mollie. "I'm going to hide my new bracelet," and she looked at the sparkling trinket on her wrist.
"Amy, want to steer?" asked Grace, after a while, and the girl of mystery agreed eagerly. But she nearly came to grief within a few minutes, A canoeist rather rashly crossed the bows of the Gem at no great distance.
"Port! Port!" cried Betty, suddenly, seeing the danger.
"Which is port—right or left? I've forgotten!" wailed Amy, helplessly.
"To the left! To the left!" answered Betty, springing forward. She was not in time to prevent Amy from turning the wheel to the left, which had the effect of swinging the boat to the right, and almost directly toward the canoeist, who shouted in alarm.
But by this time Betty had reached the wheel, and twirled it rapidly. She was only just in time, and the Gem fairly grazed the canoe, the wash from the propeller rocking it dangerously.
"We beg your pardon!" called Betty to the young man in the frail craft.
