"You mean that you are not going back to the yacht?" "Not right away." "Then I shall stay with you." "That will interfere with my plan." "How?" "If we stay away from the yacht very long it is certain to alarm the girls." "It might." "I want you to go back and tell them I have discovered signs of game here and have stayed to see if I can't bag it. You need not say what sort of game. Then I want you to get Hodge and bring him with you, taking three of the guns and sufficient ammunition. As you will be going out for game, that will create no alarm. Leave Diamond and Dunnerwust to guard the girls and Miss Gale. I will remain here till you return, and you might bring me something for lunch. Tell them it is likely to take some time to bag our game, and caution them not to be alarmed if we do not return before nightfall." "But I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone," protested the big Yale man. "There is no telling what may happen." Frank laughed softly. "Don't worry about me," he said. "I shall not venture into the old boarding house alone, and it is not likely I'll not be able to defend myself here on open ground." Bruce hesitated. "How are you feeling now?" he asked. "All right." "Strong?" "As ever." "That crack on the head----" "Oh, I am all over that now. Go on, old man, and don't worry about me. You know that, as a rule, Frank Merriwell is able to take care of himself." "That is a fact," nodded Browning. "But you are not armed. Here, you must take this revolver." He held the weapon out to Merry. "But then you will not have a weapon." "I am all right," declared Bruce. "I can handle two or three ordinary fellows without a gun." Fully aware of the giant's extraordinary strength, Frank knew he spoke the truth, and so he accepted the revolver. "Now I have an idea," said Merriwell, "that you had better not return to the yacht by the path." "Why not?" "It is likely that path is watched, and it may be well enough not to let the watchers know one of us has remained here. If they think we are gone, they may betray themselves by their movements. "How am I to go back, then?" "Go round the island the other way. You can keep in this fringe of woods the most of the time, so that you will not be seen. It may be a bit harder traveling, but I fancy it is the best thing to do." "All right. Take care of yourself, Merriwell. Keep your eyes open, and do not get another crack on the head." "Don't worry about that. Take your time." So Bruce started off, leaving Frank there where he could watch the boat. Not until Browning had disappeared and Frank was quite alone did he realize the loneliness of the place. The water washing against the rocky shore made the only sound to be heard, unless it was the occasional cry of a wheeling gull.