As soon as we get the sham provisions into the boat, one or two of us had better slip down into the willows behind the wharf, and see what course things are going to take." "Well," said Harry, "suppose you and Bill act as spies." "Agreed.

Come on, but don't act as if you suspected anything." And he led the way toward the boat-house.
Two of the boys busied themselves in bringing out the sham provisions, and the others brought the Alert alongside, and fastened her to the dock, in front of the boat-house.

Frank and Harry then got down into the boat, and the other boys passed the provisions down to them, and they placed them in such a manner as to take up as much space as possible.

They were soon all stowed away, and covered over with a large sail, as if to keep off the dew.
Ben and George then got into a small skiff that lay at the dock, and towed the Alert out into the middle of the creek, and anchored her.
As soon as this was done they returned, and the smugglers began to amuse themselves by pushing each other about the wharf.

They all appeared to enter heartily into the sport, and kept nearing the willows which extended along the bank of the creek, close to the wharf, and Frank and William, watching their opportunity, concealed themselves, and the others ran toward the house.