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 could 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.