throwing water
over the blaze, others in patrolling the beach. Evidently the
bonfire was burning too high and casting too much light to suit their
purposes.

"Who are they?" queried Alec in a whisper.

"I don't know," answered Norton as quietly.

"Look!" Billy exclaimed softly. "There are three mulattoes in that
bunch over by the dune. And see that tall, skinny, dark man with
the oilskin coat over his left arm? That must be Captain Bego."

"He certainly looks like Vinton's descriptions," Norton observed.

"And he's giving orders as if he-----"

"Hark! What's that noise?"

Breathlessly they waited and listened.

After another full minute they again heard the sound---a low rumbling,
like distant thunder.

"Gee! it sounds dangerous," said Billy.

"I wish we knew what it was."

"I can make a pretty good guess," Norton added, still whispering.
"It's a-----"

In the middle of his sentence he was interrupted by a shout from one
of the mulattos.

"Boat! Boat comin'!" cried the man, running toward the others, who by
this time had almost extinguished the bonfire. His announcement was
distinctly heard by the three hidden scouts.

"Wonder if he has seen our captured launch or a boat out at sea?"
said Alec.

"Boys, he means---the _Petrel_!"

"Oh!" the other two exclaimed dubiously.

"How do you know?" demanded Billy. "How can you tell?"

"It's just a guess on my part," Norton admitted readily; "but before
we came ashore today, Vinton told me that he wouldn't be at all
surprised if the _Petrel_ came cruising back this way by evening;
and so, when that fellow came running up with the news, my first
thought was that the _Petrel_ was not far off."

"But where are the soldiers all this while?" asked Alec. "Why haven't
they followed us here?"

"They may have gone to the cabins, instead," replied Norton.

"Perhaps Dave has guided them to the bonfire by another way, and
they're just waiting to make an attack when that fire-raising gang
start toward the cabins."

"I guess you're right, Billy. Come on, let's get nearer."

With one accord, the three moved forward.

CHAPTER IX

DEEDS OF DARKNESS

As yet, neither the soldiers nor the revenue men had appeared on the
scene. In spite of his shrewd guess, Norton began to believe that
the smugglers, having come to the conclusion that their bonfire was
not necessary, after all---because they fondly imagined the _Petrel_
was far away down the coas