Possible Clues:

• Superhero holds old gondolier
• Servant hugging old fellow on the river?
• Officer’s servant engaging old person in row, perhaps?
• Servant without love — one who likes to row?
• Bantam knocked around ring by one of those earning a living in a crafty way?
• Charon, e.g
• Superhero saves old gondolier
• Sailor showing snake, beginning of nasty atmosphere aboard
• See 12 down
• Sailing guy