Питер Пэн и Венди
The Pirate Ship
Allknewthatwhatwasabouttohappenconcernedhimalone,andthatfrombeingactorstheyweresuddenlybecomespectators.
Veryfrightfulwasittoseethechangethatcameoverhim.Itwasasifhehadbeenclippedateveryjoint.Hefellinalittleheap.
Thesoundcamesteadilynearer;andinadvanceofitcamethisghastlythought,’Thecrocodileisabouttoboardtheship.’
Eventheironclawhunginactive;asifknowingthatitwasnointrinsicpartofwhattheattackingforcewanted.Leftsofearfullyalone,anyothermanwouldhavelainwithhiseyesshutwherehefell:butthegiganticbrainofHookwasstillworking,andunderitsguidancehecrawledonhiskneesalongthedeckasfarfromthesoundashecouldgo.Thepiratesrespectfullyclearedapassageforhim,anditwasonlywhenhebroughtupagainstthebulwarksthathespoke.
’Hideme,’hecriedhoarsely.
Theygatheredroundhim;alleyesavertedfromthethingthatwascomingaboard.Theyhadnothoughtoffightingit.ItwasFate.
OnlywhenHookwashiddenfromthemdidcuriosityloosenthelimbsoftheboyssothattheycouldrushtotheship’ssidetoseethecrocodileclimbingit.ThentheygotthestrangestsurpriseofthisNightofNights;foritwasnocrocodilethatwascomingtotheiraid.ItwasPeter.
Hesignedtothemnottogiveventtoanycryofadmirationthatmightrousesuspicion.Thenhewentonticking.
