How did the boys avoid death when the villagers on the coast found them?

The boys avoided death when the villagers found them by cleverly convincing the villagers that they were shipwrecked survivors rather than the culprits behind the chaos that had unfolded in the area. They appealed to the villagers' sense of humanity and desperation, emphasizing their vulnerability and need for help. This quick thinking and ability to adapt to the dire situation ultimately saved their lives.