"Oh, he says that, does he?" asked Brandon, showing his teeth again, but in a less good-natured manner. "I should like to know where he's going to get it from. Do you know how much this boat cost?" "No." "It cost fifty dollars," said Brandon, in an important tone. "Is that a good deal of money?" "I should say it was. It'll be years before Dean Dunham sees as much money as that." "Dean is a nice boy!" said Tommy, surmising that his favorite was spoken of slightingly. "Oh, he's well enough in his place, but he's a poor working boy." "My mother says he's awful good to work," asserted Tommy. "Well, that's what he's made for. But here we are at the island. Wouldn't you like to land, Tommy?" "Oh, yes—Mr. Bates." "All right, then! Jump out." Tommy jumped out, and scrambled up the bank. Then he turned round, expecting Brandon to follow. But Brandon instead pushed off from shore till his boat rode twenty feet away. Then he turned a laughing face towards his young passenger. "Ain't you comin' too, Brandon?" asked the little boy, in surprise. "What did I tell you?" "Mr. Bates." "No, I'm going back." "Wait for me." "No, I'm going to leave you here a little while. You'll have fine sport," and Brandon burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh, take me off!" exclaimed Tommy, in dire alarm. "I don't want to stay here." "You'll be like Robinson Crusoe. You'll have a fine time." "I don't know Crusoe—I want to go home." "It's the best joke I ever heard of," said Brandon, laughing heartily. "You will be king of the island, Tommy—King Tommy the First." But Tommy did not enjoy the joke. He begged and entreated Brandon to take him away, but the hard-hearted boy, by way of answer, impelled his boat vigorously, and poor Tommy, sitting down on the bank, and digging his fists into his tear-stained eyes, felt that he was without a friend in the world. "How the little chap roars!" said Brandon, turning with a smile to watch the forlorn cast-away. It did not take him long to reach the boat-house, where he coolly proceeded to put up his boat. He was just hauling it on shore when Dean Dunham made his appearance. "What are you laughing at?" he asked. Brandon pointed over to the island, where poor Tommy was still mourning his captivity. "Look there!" he said. CHAPTER IV. TOMMY BOYLE IS RESCUED. "Who is that?" asked Dean, quickly. "It is Tommy Boyle." "How did he get there?" "I carried him in my boat." "And left him there?" "Yes," answered Brandon, with an amused laugh. "Didn't he want to come back?" "Of course he did. He's awfully frightened to be left there alone. I told him he would make a good Robinson Crusoe, but the little beggar never heard of him." "Why did you do such a mean thing, Brandon Bates?" demanded Dean. "That's my business, Dean Dunham," answered Brandon, in an offended tone. "Then I'll make it my business," said Dean, sternly. "Get right into your boat and go after Tommy."