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 coul