"Thanks!" said Hugh; and when Durgan, assuming the word to be a
promise of good behavior, unbound the prisoner, Hugh lay down again
and feigned sleep. In his heart he was grateful to Durgan for the
kindness, but he was no less resolved to take every opportunity for
escaping that might arise.

The men continued to speak in low voices, but he heard enough of
their discussion to convince him once more that they were arranging
to meet at a spot where some sort of a cargo was to be run, the first
night when there would be no moon and an off-shore wind. As far as
he could learn from the snatches of talk which reached his ears, the
spot was to be close to this deserted settlement; before them was a
little sandy bay where boats 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-----"