The prisoner, of course, was allowed the privilege of escaping, if he could.
This _was_ the reason why the smugglers had not sent out any spies; and, if the coast-guards had been aware that Frank and William were hidden away in the willows, they could easily have captured them, and, according to the agreement, obliged them to divulge all their plans.
"Well," said Charles, "we don't want any prisoners now, for we know all their plans; but I wanted to catch Frank this morning, for I was afraid he would beat us.

If he should find out that this trick was discovered, he would plan another in five minutes.

I guess we had better remain where we are to-night," he continued, "and, at half-past two o'clock, we will pull out into the river, and blockade the creek.

All we have to do is to take care of the Alert, and let the other boats do as they please.

But we had better be off, or the smugglers may slip out and make some of us prisoners." And the spies departed as cautiously and quickly as they had come.
As soon as they had gone, the smugglers arose from their places of concealment, and stole into the house, and acquainted the other boys with the success of their stratagem.
After enjoying a hearty laugh at the expense of the coast-guards, led by George and Harry, they ran up stairs into the "large chamber," a room containing three beds, and they were soon snug between the sheets.