midnight
`` It goes against me to fool a fellow in that way ; and my own friends , too . '' The smugglers now continued on their way , and a few strong pulls brought them within a short distance of the mouth of Ducks ' Creek ; and Frank , who was at the helm , turned the boat 's head toward the shore , and , as soon as her keel touched the bottom , he and Ben sprang out , leaving Harry to watch the prisoner . They had landed upon Reynard 's Island , and immediately started for the opposite side , to learn , if possible , what was going on upon the river . Every thing was as silent as midnight ; and the smugglers were obliged to move very carefully , for the slightest sound -- the snapping of a twig or the rustling of a leaf -- could be heard at a long distance . After proceeding a quarter of a mile in this cautious manner , they reached the opposite side of the island . `` Well , '' said Ben , after trying in vain to peer through the darkness , `` how do matters stand ? I wonder if we could not have slipped by their police , and reached the island , before they knew it ? ''