CHAPTER VIII
ROBERT BECOMES A PRISONER
One of the most tasteful houses in Cook's Harbor was occupied in summerby the family of Theodore Irving, a Boston lawyer, who liked to have hiswife and children in the country, though his business required him tospend a part of the hot season in the city.
The oldest son, Herbert, was about a year younger than Robert, a livelyboy, fond of manly sports and thoroughly democratic in his tastes. Hehad scraped acquaintance with our hero, making the first advances, forRobert was not disposed to intrude his company where he was not sure itwould be acceptable.
When Robert came to the village to avoid meeting his uncle. In passingby the house of Mr. Irving he attracted the attention of Herbert, whowas sitting on the edge of the piazza.
With him was another boy of about his own age, a cousin named GeorgeRandolph. He had come to Cook's Harbor to spend a fortnight with hiscousin, but the latter soon found that George was very hard toentertain.
He was seldom willing to engage in any amusement selected by his cousin,but always had some plan of his own to propose. Moreover, he was proudof his social position and always looked down upon boys whose dressindicated a humbler rank than his own.
The two cousins were sitting on the piazza doing nothing. Herbert hadproposed croquet, but George pronounced it too warm. He also declinedball for a similar reason.
"It seems to me you are very much afraid of the sun," said Herbert.
"I don't care to get tanned up. It looks vulgar," said George.
"I like to have a good time, even if I do get browned up," said hiscousin.
"Then I don't agree with you," said George in a superior tone.
Just then Robert was seen approaching.
"There's a boy that will play with me," said Herbert, brightening up.
"What boy?"
"There--the one that is just coming along."
"That boy? Why, he isn't dressed as well as our coachman's son!"
"I can't help that; he's a nice fellow. Bob, come here; I want you."
"You surely are not going to invite that common boy into the yard?"protested George hastily.
"Why not? He has been here more than once."
By this time Robert had reached the gate.
Herbert jumped up and ran to open it.
"I am glad to see you, Robert," said Herbert cordially. "Are you in ahurry?"
"No, Herbert."
"Then come in and have a game of croquet."
"All right, but you'll easily beat me."
"Never mind; you'll learn fast. Bob, this is my cousin, George Randolph.George, this is my friend, Robert Coverdale."
George made the slightest possible inclination of the head and did notstir from where he was sitting.
"He doesn't look very social," thought Robert, greeting his friend'svisitor politely.
"Here, Bob, select a mallet and ball. Shall I start first?"
"If you please. Won't your cousin play?"
"I'm very much obliged, I'm sure, for the invitation," said George, "butI'd rather not."
"George is afraid of being tanned by exposure to the sun," explainedHerbert. "I hope you are not."
"I don't think the sun will make me any browner than I am already," saidRobert, laughing.
"I agree with you," said George in a sneering tone.
Robert looked at him quickly, struck by his tone, and decided that hehad no particular desire to become any better acquainted.
The game of croquet proceeded and Herbert was an easy victor.
"I told you I should be beaten, Herbert," said Robert.
"Of course; I am much more used to the game than you. I will give youodds of half the game. You shall start from the other stake on thereturn course and I will try to overtake you."
He came near succeeding, but Robert beat him by two wickets.
After three games Herbert proposed ball, and Robert, who felt more athome in this game, agreed to it.
"You'd better join us, George," said his cousin.
"No, I thank you. I have no inclination, I assure you."
"I don't see what fun there can be in sitting on the piazza."
"You forget that I have an opportunity of witnessing your friend'ssuperior playing."
His tone made it clear to Robert that this was a sneer, but he had toomuch self-respect and too much regard for Herbert to take offense atit.
"You mean my awkwardness," he said. "You are quite welcome to theamusement it must afford you."
George arched his brows in surprise.
"Really this ragged boy is talking to me as if he considered me hisequal," he thought. "It is Herbert's fault. He should not treat him sofamiliarly. I really don't care to be in such company."
"You must excuse me, Herbert," said George, rising with suitabledignity. "As you are provided with company, you can spare me. I will gointo the house and read for a while."
"Very well, George."
"I hope I haven't driven your cousin away, Herbert," said Robert.
"I don't care whether you have or not, Bob," said Herbert, "I'm awfullydisappointed in him. Papa invited him to visit us, thinking he would becompany for me, but, instead of that, he objects to everything Ipropose. I find it very hard to entertain him."
"He doesn't appear to fancy me," said Robert.
"Don't mind him, Bob. He's a mean, stuck-up fellow, if he is mycousin."
"Perhaps he is not to blame. I am only a poor boy, belonging to afisherman's family. I am afraid I am not a suitable associate for you orhim," said Robert with proud humility.
"No more of that talk, Bob," said Herbert. "You're suitable for me,anyhow, and I like you twice as much as my cousin. I don't care how youare dressed, as long as you are a good fellow."
"At any rate, you are a good fellow, Herbert," said Robert warmly. "Iliked you the very first day I saw you."
"And I can say the same for you. Bob. Well, never mind about George.Leave him to his book. We'll amuse ourselves better."
As Robert was playing he caught sight of his uncle on his way to thetavern. He knew, therefore, that he could return home without danger ofannoyance, and he excused himself to Herbert. As it was doubtful whetherhe could get anything to do in the village and as the boat would not bein use, he concluded to go out and see if he could not catch a few fishfor 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 outon his fishing trip. He only meant to go out a short distance and therewas plenty of time before noon.
He was just getting out the boat when, to his dismay, he heard afamiliar 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 thatmoney?"
"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 theboat 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 threemiles from the cliff on which the fisherman's cabin stood and probablydid not comprise more than an acre of surface. It was rocky, partlycovered with bushes and quite unoccupied.
Robert was puzzled, but did not venture to ask his uncle why they weregoing to this island.
In due time they reached the rocky isle and the boat was rounded toshore.
"You may jump out and get me a good-sized stick," said the fisherman.
Robert obeyed, though he feare
d 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 theisland.
"I'm going to leave you here, you young rascal, till you agree to giveme that money," said John Trafton triumphantly. "I'll let you know thatI 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. Hewas a prisoner on Egg Island and there he must stay till his uncle choseto release him.