I can say the same for you. Bob. Well, never mind about George.
Leave him to his book. We'll amuse ourselves better."
As Robert was playing he caught sight of his uncle on his way to the tavern. He knew, therefore, that he could return home without danger of annoyance, and he excused himself to Herbert. As it was doubtful whether he could get anything to do in the village and as the boat would not be in use, he concluded to go out and see if he could not catch a few fish for his aunt's dinner.
"Well, come and play with me again very soon, Bob," said his friend.
"I will, Herbert. Thank you for inviting me."
"Oh, I do that on my own account! I like your company."
"Thank you!"
Robert went home and spent a short time with his aunt before setting out on his fishing trip. He only meant to go out a short distance and there was plenty of time before noon.
He was just getting out the boat when, to his dismay, he heard a familiar but unwelcome voice hailing him.
"Where are you going?"
"I am going a-fishing. I thought you were not going to use the boat."
"Well, I am," said the fisherman shortly. "Are you ready to give me that money?"
"No, uncle," said Robert firmly.
"I have a right to it."
"You don't need it and aunt does," answered our hero.
"Well, never mind about that now. You can go out with me."
Considerably surprised at getting off so easily, Robert jumped into the boat with his uncle and they pushed off.
"Pull for Egg Island," said John Trafton.
Egg Island, so called from its oval shape, was situated about three miles from the cliff on which the fisherman's cabin stood and probably did not comprise more than an acre of surface. It was rocky, partly covered with bushes and quite unoccupied.
Robert was puzzled, but did not venture to ask his uncle why they were going to this island.
In due time they reached the rocky isle and the boat was rounded to shore.
"You may jump out and get me a good-sized stick," said the fisherman.
Robert obeyed, though he feared the stick was to be used on his back.
He had scarcely scrambled up the bank than he heard the sound of oars, and, looking back hastily, he saw his uncle pushing off from the island.
"I'm going to leave you here, you young rascal, till you agree to give me that money," said John Trafton triumphantly. "I'll let you know that I won't be defied by a boy."
Already the boat was several rods distant.
Robert sat down on a rocky ledge and tried to realize his position. He was a prisoner on Egg Island and there he must stay till his uncle chose to release him.
CHAPTER IX
ALONE ON AN ISLAND
Of course our hero's position was not to be compared with that of one left on a lonely island in the Pacific, but it was not agreeable. He was only three miles from the mainland, but there was no chance to cross this brief distance. He had no boat, and though he could swim a little, he would inevitably have been drowned had he undertaken to swim to shore.
Robert had read "Robinson Crusoe," and he naturally thought of that famous mariner on finding himself in a similar position.
He had never been on Egg Island before and he knew it only as he had seen it from the mainland or from a boat.
"That's a mean trick of Uncle John," said Robert to himself. "If I had suspected what he was after I wouldn't have got out of the boat."
Just then he saw the boat turn, the fisherman pulling for the island.
Robert felt relieved. He was not to be left on the island after all. He sat still and waited for the boat to approach.
"Well, how do you like it?" asked Trafton when he was within a few rods.
"Not very well," answered our hero.
"You wouldn't care to stay here, I suppose?"
"No."
"I will take you back into the boat if you will promise to give me that money."
It was a tempting proposal, and Robert was half inclined to yield. But, he reflected, his uncle had no claim to the money, and, if he secured it, would spend it for drink, while his aunt would lose the benefit of it. He summoned all his courage and answered:
"You have no right to the money, uncle. I can't give it to you."
"If you don't, I will row away and leave you."
"Then you will be doing a very mean thing," said Robert with spirit.
"That's my lookout. Just understand that I am in earnest. Now, what do you say?"
"I say no," answered our hero firmly.
"Then you may take the consequences," said his uncle, with a muttered curse, as he turned the head of the boat and rowed rapidly away.
Robert watched the receding boat, and for an instant he regretted his determination. But it was only for an instant.
"I have done what I thought to be right," he said, "and I don't believe
I shall have cause to repent it. I must see what is best to be done."
He got up and set about exploring his small island kingdom.
It was very rocky, the only vegetation being some scant grass and some whortleberry bushes. Luckily it was the height of the berry season and there was a good supply on the bushes.
"I shan't starve just yet," he said cheerfully. "These berries will keep me alive for a day or two, if I am compelled to remain as long."
There was this advantage about the berries, that, in a measure, they satisfied his thirst as well as his hunger.
Robert did not immediately begin to gather berries, for it was yet early, and too short a time had elapsed since breakfast for him to have gained an appetite. He wandered at random over his small kingdom and from the highest portion looked out to sea.
Far away he saw several sails, but there was little chance of being rescued by any. If he were seen, it would not be supposed that he was confined a prisoner on an island so near the mainland. Still Robert did not feel that he was likely to be a prisoner for a long time.
There were other fishermen, besides his uncle, at Cook's Harbor, and by next morning, at the farthest, he would be able to attract the attention of some one of them as he cruised near the island.
But it would not be very pleasant to pass a night alone in such an exposed spot.
Not long before a sloop had been wrecked upon the southwest
