"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.
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.