iced it.

"Looking for the pilot, youngster?"

"Yes."

"Oh, he came and run us in while you two were asleep, and you don't look
as if your eyes were unbuttoned yet."

"It's of no use, Cinder," said Mike, as they turned away: "Jacques don't
want us to see how it's all done; but only wait till we get away, and
we'll find out somehow."

That was a busy day for every one but the boys; who, quite feeling their
helplessness about escaping, quietly settled down to think of their
strange position: as the crow flew not above a mile from home, but
powerless to make their presence known.

The captain never left the deck, and the boats were going to and fro
constantly; but they took nothing ashore, and it was evident that the
smuggler meant to clear out the cavern, whose stores were far greater
than the boys could have believed. The boats came back loaded down
almost to the gunwale; but they were managed with wonderful dexterity,
and as soon as they were made fast alongside, the men sprang aboard and
their cargoes were rapidly transferred to the hold, which seemed to
swallow up an enormous quantity of the contraband goods. So well shaped
were the packages and so deftly packed below that they fitted into their
places like great bricks in a building, so that by night the lugger was
well laden, and it seemed evident that they would sail again when the
tide suited.

It was just after dark; all the boats were hanging from the davits, and
the tired men busy over a meal the cook had prepared, while the captain
was walking thoughtfully up and down the deck, his dark eyes watchful
over everything, and the boys, as they leaned over the bulwarks, talking
softly together about how well the various little currents were made to
work for the smugglers, knew that every motion they made was watched.

"It's of no use, Ladle," Vince said cheerily. "This isn't the place to
try and get away. We've tried it, and we know. If it was, I'd say,
jump in and swim for it!"

"Pst! a boat," whispered Mike.

Vince turned sharply round, to see that a small boat had suddenly glided
out of the darkness, to be borne by the current up against the lugger's
side; and the next minute Daygo climbed in, painter in hand, the captain
going up to him at once, and then returning to where the boys were
standing together.

Dark as it was, they could see a mocking smile upon the man's face, but
before he could speak Vince forestalled him.

"All right," he sai