could come ashore, even should there be
a heavy sea running outside.

It was further decided that Joe Durgan would show a light in a window
of one of the smaller cabins if the coast was clear.

In order to draw off the revenue cutter men from the spot, they
proposed also to set afire two small hay ricks which stood near.
By so doing, they hoped that the crew of the _Petrel_ would try to
extinguish the flames, so as to prevent the fire spreading inland to
an extensive grove of valuable cypress trees. As this was sure to be
no easy work, the smugglers calculated to run the cargo and carry the
goods into the cellar of the cabin.

"Didn't know this hang-out had a cellar," said Branks. "Why don't
we-----"

"Shut up!" interrupted the cross-eyed man, holding up a grimy finger
which he pointed at Hugh. "Did you say cigar, Branks?" he added
craftily in a louder tone, so that Hugh might hear.

"No, I said cel-----"

"I won't sell one, but I'll give you one," again interposed the other.
"Here, take it!" And he added under his breath with an ugly oath,
"You double-dyed fool!"

Hugh lay still, breathing deeply and heartily wishing the men would
go away. He began to fear they would spend the day there in hiding.
Presently, however, they rose from the table and went out, closing
and locking the door behind them. He was a prisoner! He sprang up
and rushed over to the door.

"Let me out!" he cried, beating on it with clenched fists. "You
crooks'll have to pay for this when you're caught!"

A loud laugh was the only answer.

CHAPTER VI

THE PLIGHT OF THE "_ARROW_"

Hours later, when the _Arrow_ was finally clear of the bar, she
veered around and made down the coast, passing the little bay where
the canoe had landed. So occupied with the distressing problem of
Hugh's disappearance had her crew been,---for not one of the party
could believe him drowned,---and so busy in trying to keep the sloop
from being pounded to pieces by the waves while stranded, that no one
aboard had noticed the canoe on its return trip across the strait.

When sailing order had been restored and Captain Vinton had ceased
to rage and swear at the mischance, his one idea was to return to
the waters where he knew the _Petrel_ was cruising. Strange to say,
he was the only one who guessed that Hugh had fallen into the hands
of "coast-prowlers" as he called them,---with adjectives too lurid to
mention!---and was, being held captive l