“Well, boys,” said George, “you must all come and sleep at our house to-morrow night.  Some of us will be sure to wake up early, and, I think, we shall have no trouble in getting the start of the coast-guards.”

The boys spent some time in talking over their plans, and, finally, reluctantly separated, and started for home.

CHAPTER IX.

The Coast-guards Outwitted.

About three o’clock in the afternoon of the following day, Frank bade his mother and sister good-by, and he and Brave got into the Speedwell, and sailed slowly down the creek.  He found the Champion already moored at Mr. Butler’s dock, and the smugglers were all waiting for him.  As soon as he landed, Ben.  Lake said,

“Frank, it is a gone case with us.  I know we shall be caught.”

“You think so, do you?” asked Frank, as if not at all concerned.

“Yes, I’m certain of it.  I overheard some conversation among the coast-guards, this afternoon, and one of them said that Charley Sheldon would have the whole fleet anchored before the mouth of the creek at half-past two to-morrow morning.”

“Besides,” said William Johnson, “they are all going to sleep in their boats to-night, and the North Star and Sampson are to act as police.”

“And I heard Charley Sheldon say,” chimed in Harry, “that strict watch must be kept of the Speedwell, and no attention paid to the other boats.”

“That’s all right,” said Frank.  “I’m glad of it.”

“Why are you?” asked George, in surprise.  “You know, we agreed to carry the provisions all in one boat, and yours is the only one that will hold them all.”

“I tell you, Frank, we’re gone suckers,” said Ben.

“You fellows seem to be pretty well posted as to the coast-guards’ intentions,” said Frank.

“Yes,” said George; “we’ve been spying about and playing eavesdroppers all day.”

“I have learned one thing to-day,” said Frank, “that pleased me very much, and that is that the coast-guards intend to keep spies about the boat-house all night.”

“Why does that please you?” inquired Harry.  “Do you want them to discover all our plans, so that they may be ready for us?”

“By no means.  I’ll risk good deal that they will not learn more than we want them to know.  I’ve thought of a way to set them on the wrong scent, and, from what I have heard, I think it will work first-rate.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll show you in half a minute,” said Frank, “All we have got to do is to fool the spies; then we are all right.”

At this moment several boys, belonging to the blockading squadron, entered the boat-house, bringing their refreshments, and this, of course, put a stop to all further conversation between the smugglers.

By six o’clock the last basket of provisions had been brought in, and the coast-guards took their departure, after repeatedly assuring the smugglers that their capture was certain.