d 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
ear