A man of the name of Driver kept many boats for hire, and he offered now to accompany the young party and show off the beauties of the place.
This, however, Mabel would not hear of.

They must go alone or not at all.

Loftus did not like to own to his very small nautical experience; the sea was smooth and shining, and apparently free from all danger, and the little party embarked gayly, and put out on their first cruise in high spirits.
Miss Peters and Mrs.Butler watched them with intense interest from their bay window.

Miss Peters had possession of the spy-glass.

With this held steadily before her eyes, she shouted observations to her sister.
"There they go! No, Dan Driver is _not_ going with them! Any one can see by the way that young man handles the oar that he doesn't know a great deal about the water.