The provisions had been brought in twenty medium-sized market-baskets, and one large clothes-basket that belonged to George and Harry, and seven pails.  There was, also, a small bag filled with lemons, which had been brought by Charles Sheldon.

The boys stood for some time looking at them without speaking.  At length, Thomas Benton said,

“You will have to carry them, Frank.  They will make too large a load for either of the other boats.”

“I know that,” said Frank; “but we must make the coast-guards think that the Alert is going to carry them.”

“How can we manage that?” inquired George.

“Have you got three or four market-baskets, a clothes-basket, one or two pails, and a salt-bag?” asked Frank, without stopping to answer George’s question.

“I guess so,” said Harry.  “I’ll go up to the house and see.”

He led the way, followed by three or four of the smugglers, and the articles in question were soon brought into the boat-house.

“Now, Bill,” said Frank, “you take this salt-bag, if you please, and fill it with smooth, round stones, about the size of lemons.”

“All right,” answered William, who began to see through the trick.

“Now,” continued Frank, “we want some pieces of cloth, large enough to tie over the tops of these baskets and pails.”

These were speedily procured, and, in a few moments, William returned with the salt-bag filled with stones.

“Now, tell us what you intend to do,” exclaimed Harry, whose patience was well-nigh exhausted.

“We are making some sham provisions,” said Frank.

“Oh, yes, I thought so,” said Thomas; “but we haven’t got pails and baskets enough.”

“Oh, that’s nothing,” said Frank.  “We’ll fill half a dozen of these old bags with shavings, and, as soon as it grows dark, we’ll pull the Alert alongside the wharf, and tumble these sham provisions into her; then we will cover them up with that piece of sail, as if we wanted to keep them dry.  We’ll be sure to fool the men-o’-war.”

“I don’t exactly see it,” said Thomas.

“Why,” said Harry, “as soon as we are out of sight, their spies, who are, of course, watching every movement, will go and tell Charley Sheldon that we have got the things stowed away in the Alert.”

“That’s very well, as far as you go,” said Ben; “but suppose they should mistrust that something is in the wind, and should go to work and examine the provisions?”

“What if they do?” said Frank.  “It will be too dark for them to make much of an examination; and, if they put their hands into the boat, they will feel the baskets and pails there, and will go away satisfied.”

The boys now saw through the trick, and there was no longer any feeling of doubt in their minds.  They were now as certain of success as they had before been of being captured.

In a few moments the “sham provisions,” as Frank had called them, were all completed, and, placing them where they could be easily taken out, they locked the door, to prevent surprise, and started for the house.