u," Bud declared. "If the prisoner left any traces behind
him at all, we're likely to find them on that island in there."

"Is there any way we can get in?" Hal inquired. "Too bad we haven't a
small rowboat or canoe with us."

"We'll investigate and see what we can find in the way of a water passage
into the interior," Mr. Perry announced.

"That means a little more circumnavigating," Bud inferred.

"Right you are," said Cub. "Me to the pilot house again."

Accordingly he resumed his position at the wheel and the boat was put in
motion again. His father followed him and cautioned him against too much
speed in such places.

Slowly the Catwhisker crept around the island-surrounded island until
they discovered a passage somewhat wider and apparently deeper than
others they had seen thus far in the outer rim.

"It looks as if we might get through there," suggested Hal. He and Bud
had followed into the pilot house soon after Cub and his father repaired
to that place.

"It does look a little that way," replied Mr. Perry.

"We might creep in there slowly, and if we find the passage obstructed so
as to block our way, we could back out," Hal continued.

"We have some long fender poles," Cub amended. "We could feel our way
with them and probably keep out of serious trouble."

"All right, let's make the attempt," said Mr. Perry. "I'd very much like
to get in there with this boat."

Cub started the engine and the Catwhisker began slowly to nose its way
through the passage. In a few minutes the little craft was alongside a
ledge of rock that projected as a sort of forehead from the top of a
perpendicular short front, and the pilot brought her to a full stop.

CHAPTER XI

The Deserted Camp

Both the inner island and the surrounding rim of elongated isles were
covered with a thick growth of trees and bushes, a condition that caused
Hal to exclaim:

"I bet this is the place."

"What makes you so certain of that?" inquired Mr. Perry, looking sharply
at the boy.

"Because it's an ideal place for a Crusoe to be hidden so that passing
ships could not see him," Hal replied.

"But might he not swim over to one of these surrounding islands and
attract attention from there?"

"Yes, if there's a place to get ashore after swimming across," said Cub.

"There's nothing but high steep banks all along here, so far as I can
see," Bud remarked.

"That's a good line of observation," was Mr. Perry's commendation. "Now