"He just hatched it out," said Tom.

"I suppose you think that sounds chic," joined in Dick. And then there
was a laugh in which all but Hans Mueller joined. The German youth
looked blankly from one to another of his companions.

"Vos dot Robinson Rooster a choke?" he demanded. "Of it vos let me in
by it kvick."

"Oh, you couldn't climb in on a gangway and a step-ladder combined,"
answered Tom.

"Put vos you Robinson Roosters or vos you not Robinson Roosters?"

"Oh, we were Robinson Roosters right enough," answered Tom, when he
could control his laughter.

"Den vot you vos giggling apout, hey?"

"Nothing, only it was so funny to be a Robinson Rooster and live on a
big island with nobody but lions, buffaloes, snakes, and `cannonballs,'"
added the fun-loving youth.

"Cannonballs?" queried Larry

"That's what Aleck Pop calls 'em, Larry. He said it was a wonder the
'cannonballs' hadn't eaten us up," and then came another laugh, during
which Hans was as mute as ever.

"Vos dere lions, snakes, and buffaloes py dot island on?" went on the