Reading Help Peter-pan BY J. M. BARRIE
`
` "Not of crocodiles," Hook corrected him, "but of that one `
` crocodile." He lowered his voice. "It liked my arm so much, `
` Smee, that it has followed me ever since, from sea to sea and `
` from land to land, licking its lips for the rest of me." `
` `
` "In a way," said Smee, "it's sort of a compliment." `
` `
` "I want no such compliments," Hook barked petulantly. "I want `
` Peter Pan, who first gave the brute its taste for me." `
` `
` He sat down on a large mushroom, and now there was a quiver in `
` his voice. "Smee," he said huskily, "that crocodile would have `
` had me before this, but by a lucky chance it swallowed a clock `
` which goes tick tick inside it, and so before it can reach me I `
` hear the tick and bolt." He laughed, but in a hollow way. `
` `
` "Some day," said Smee, "the clock will run down, and then he'll `
` get you." `
` `
` Hook wetted his dry lips. "Ay," he said, "that's the fear that `
` haunts me." `
` `
` Since sitting down he had felt curiously warm. "Smee," he `
` said, "this seat is hot." He jumped up. "Odds bobs, hammer and `
` tongs I'm burning." `
` `
` They examined the mushroom, which was of a size and solidity `
` unknown on the mainland; they tried to pull it up, and it came `
` away at once in their hands, for it had no root. Stranger still, `
` smoke began at once to ascend. The pirates looked at each other. `
` "A chimney!" they both exclaimed. `
` `
` They had indeed discovered the chimney of the home under the `
` ground. It was the custom of the boys to stop it with a mushroom `
` when enemies were in the neighbourhood. `
` `
` Not only smoke came out of it. There came also children's `
` voices, for so safe did the boys feel in their hiding-place that `
` they were gaily chattering. The pirates listened grimly, and `
` then replaced the mushroom. They looked around them and noted `
` the holes in the seven trees. `
` `
` "Did you hear them say Peter Pan's from home?" Smee whispered, `
` fidgeting with Johnny Corkscrew. `
` `
` Hook nodded. He stood for a long time lost in thought, and at `
` last a curdling smile lit up his swarthy face. Smee had been `
` waiting for it. "Unrip your plan, captain," he cried eagerly. `
` `
` "To return to the ship," Hook replied slowly through his teeth, `
` "and cook a large rich cake of a jolly thickness with green sugar `
` on it. There can be but one room below, for there is but one `
` chimney. The silly moles had not the sense to see that they did `
` not need a door apiece. That shows they have no mother. We will `
` leave the cake on the shore of the Mermaids' Lagoon. These boys `
` are always swimming about there, playing with the mermaids. They `
` will find the cake and they will gobble it up, because, having no `
` mother, they don't know how dangerous 'tis to eat rich damp `
` cake." He burst into laughter, not hollow laughter now, but `
` honest laughter. "Aha, they will die." `
` `
` Smee had listened with growing admiration. `
` `
` "It's the wickedest, prettiest policy ever I heard of!" he `
` cried, and in their exultation they danced and sang: `
` `
` `
` "Avast, belay, when I appear, `
` By fear they're overtook; `
` Nought's left upon your bones when you `
` Have shaken claws with Cook." `
` `
` They began the verse, but they never finished it, for another `
` sound broke in and stilled them. The was at first such a tiny `
` sound that a leaf might have fallen on it and smothered it, but `
` as it came nearer it was more distinct. `
` `
` Tick tick tick tick! `
` `
` Hook stood shuddering, one foot in the air. `
` `
` "The crocodile!" he gasped, and bounded away, followed by his `
` bo'sun. `
` `
` It was indeed the crocodile. It had passed the redskins, who `
` were now on the trail of the other pirates. It oozed on after `
` Hook. `
` `
` Once more the boys emerged into the open; but the dangers of `
` the night were not yet over, for presently Nibs rushed breathless `
` into their midst, pursued by a pack of wolves. The tongues of `
` the pursuers were hanging out; the baying of them was horrible. `
` `
` "Save me, save me!" cried Nibs, falling on the ground. `
` `
` "But what can we do, what can we do?" `
` `
` It was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment `
` their thoughts turned to him. `
` `
` "What would Peter do?" they cried simultaneously. `
` `
` Almost in the same breath they cried, "Peter would look at them `
` through his legs." `
` `
` And then, "Let us do what Peter would do." `
` `
` It is quite the most successful way of defying wolves, and as `
` one boy they bent and looked through their legs. The next `
` moment is the long one, but victory came quickly, for as the boys `
` advanced upon them in the terrible attitude, the wolves dropped `
` their tails and fled. `
` `
` Now Nibs rose from the ground, and the others thought that his `
` staring eyes still saw the wolves. But it was not wolves he saw. `
` `
` "I have seen a wonderfuller thing," he cried, as they gathered `
` round him eagerly. "A great white bird. It is flying this way." `
` `
` "What kind of a bird, do you think?" `
` `
` "I don't know," Nibs said, awestruck, "but it looks so weary, `
` and as it flies it moans, `Poor Wendy,'" `
` `
` "Poor Wendy?" `
` `
` "I remember," said Slightly instantly, "there are birds called `
` Wendies." `
` `
` "See, it comes!" cried Curly, pointing to Wendy in the heavens. `
` `
` Wendy was now almost overhead, and they could hear her `
` plaintive cry. But more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker `
` Bell. The jealous fairy had now cast off all disguise of `
` friendship, and was darting at her victim from every direction, `
` pinching savagely each time she touched. `
` `
` "Hullo, Tink," cried the wondering boys. `
` `
` Tink's reply rang out: "Peter wants you to shoot the Wendy." `
` `
` It was not in their nature to question when Peter ordered. `
` "Let us do what Peter wishes!" cried the simple boys. "Quick, `
` bows and arrows!" `
` `
` All but Tootles popped down their trees. He had a bow and `
` arrow with him, and Tink noted it, and rubbed her little hands. `
` `
` "Quick, Tootles, quick," she screamed. "Peter will be so `
` pleased." `
` `
` Tootles excitedly fitted the arrow to his bow. "Out of the `
` way, Tink," he shouted, and then he fired, and Wendy fluttered to `
` the ground with an arrow in her breast. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 6 `
` `
` THE LITTLE HOUSE `
` `
` `
` Foolish Tootles was standing like a conqueror over Wendy's body `
` when the other boys sprang, armed, from their trees. `
` `
` "You are too late," he cried proudly, "I have shot the Wendy. `
` Peter will be so pleased with me." `
` `
` Overhead Tinker Bell shouted "Silly ass!" and darted into `
` hiding. The others did not hear her. They had crowded round `
` Wendy, and as they looked a terrible silence fell upon the wood. `
` If Wendy's heart had been beating they would all have heard it. `
` `
` Slightly was the first to speak. "This is no bird," he said in `
` a scared voice. "I think this must be a lady." `
` `
` "A lady?" said Tootles, and fell a-trembling. `
` `
` "And we have killed her," Nibs said hoarsely. `
` `
` They all whipped off their caps. `
` `
` "Now I see," Curly said: "Peter was bringing her to us." He `
` threw himself sorrowfully on the ground. `
` `
` "A lady to take care of us at last," said one of the twins, `
` "and you have killed her!" `
` `
` They were sorry for him, but sorrier for themselves, and when `
` he took a step nearer them they turned from him. `
` `
` Tootles' face was very white, but there was a dignity about him `
` now that had never been there before. `
` `
` "I did it," he said, reflecting. "When ladies used to come to `
` me in dreams, I said, `Pretty mother, pretty mother.' But when `
` at last she really came, I shot her." `
` `
` He moved slowly away. `
` `
`
` "Not of crocodiles," Hook corrected him, "but of that one `
` crocodile." He lowered his voice. "It liked my arm so much, `
` Smee, that it has followed me ever since, from sea to sea and `
` from land to land, licking its lips for the rest of me." `
` `
` "In a way," said Smee, "it's sort of a compliment." `
` `
` "I want no such compliments," Hook barked petulantly. "I want `
` Peter Pan, who first gave the brute its taste for me." `
` `
` He sat down on a large mushroom, and now there was a quiver in `
` his voice. "Smee," he said huskily, "that crocodile would have `
` had me before this, but by a lucky chance it swallowed a clock `
` which goes tick tick inside it, and so before it can reach me I `
` hear the tick and bolt." He laughed, but in a hollow way. `
` `
` "Some day," said Smee, "the clock will run down, and then he'll `
` get you." `
` `
` Hook wetted his dry lips. "Ay," he said, "that's the fear that `
` haunts me." `
` `
` Since sitting down he had felt curiously warm. "Smee," he `
` said, "this seat is hot." He jumped up. "Odds bobs, hammer and `
` tongs I'm burning." `
` `
` They examined the mushroom, which was of a size and solidity `
` unknown on the mainland; they tried to pull it up, and it came `
` away at once in their hands, for it had no root. Stranger still, `
` smoke began at once to ascend. The pirates looked at each other. `
` "A chimney!" they both exclaimed. `
` `
` They had indeed discovered the chimney of the home under the `
` ground. It was the custom of the boys to stop it with a mushroom `
` when enemies were in the neighbourhood. `
` `
` Not only smoke came out of it. There came also children's `
` voices, for so safe did the boys feel in their hiding-place that `
` they were gaily chattering. The pirates listened grimly, and `
` then replaced the mushroom. They looked around them and noted `
` the holes in the seven trees. `
` `
` "Did you hear them say Peter Pan's from home?" Smee whispered, `
` fidgeting with Johnny Corkscrew. `
` `
` Hook nodded. He stood for a long time lost in thought, and at `
` last a curdling smile lit up his swarthy face. Smee had been `
` waiting for it. "Unrip your plan, captain," he cried eagerly. `
` `
` "To return to the ship," Hook replied slowly through his teeth, `
` "and cook a large rich cake of a jolly thickness with green sugar `
` on it. There can be but one room below, for there is but one `
` chimney. The silly moles had not the sense to see that they did `
` not need a door apiece. That shows they have no mother. We will `
` leave the cake on the shore of the Mermaids' Lagoon. These boys `
` are always swimming about there, playing with the mermaids. They `
` will find the cake and they will gobble it up, because, having no `
` mother, they don't know how dangerous 'tis to eat rich damp `
` cake." He burst into laughter, not hollow laughter now, but `
` honest laughter. "Aha, they will die." `
` `
` Smee had listened with growing admiration. `
` `
` "It's the wickedest, prettiest policy ever I heard of!" he `
` cried, and in their exultation they danced and sang: `
` `
` `
` "Avast, belay, when I appear, `
` By fear they're overtook; `
` Nought's left upon your bones when you `
` Have shaken claws with Cook." `
` `
` They began the verse, but they never finished it, for another `
` sound broke in and stilled them. The was at first such a tiny `
` sound that a leaf might have fallen on it and smothered it, but `
` as it came nearer it was more distinct. `
` `
` Tick tick tick tick! `
` `
` Hook stood shuddering, one foot in the air. `
` `
` "The crocodile!" he gasped, and bounded away, followed by his `
` bo'sun. `
` `
` It was indeed the crocodile. It had passed the redskins, who `
` were now on the trail of the other pirates. It oozed on after `
` Hook. `
` `
` Once more the boys emerged into the open; but the dangers of `
` the night were not yet over, for presently Nibs rushed breathless `
` into their midst, pursued by a pack of wolves. The tongues of `
` the pursuers were hanging out; the baying of them was horrible. `
` `
` "Save me, save me!" cried Nibs, falling on the ground. `
` `
` "But what can we do, what can we do?" `
` `
` It was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment `
` their thoughts turned to him. `
` `
` "What would Peter do?" they cried simultaneously. `
` `
` Almost in the same breath they cried, "Peter would look at them `
` through his legs." `
` `
` And then, "Let us do what Peter would do." `
` `
` It is quite the most successful way of defying wolves, and as `
` one boy they bent and looked through their legs. The next `
` moment is the long one, but victory came quickly, for as the boys `
` advanced upon them in the terrible attitude, the wolves dropped `
` their tails and fled. `
` `
` Now Nibs rose from the ground, and the others thought that his `
` staring eyes still saw the wolves. But it was not wolves he saw. `
` `
` "I have seen a wonderfuller thing," he cried, as they gathered `
` round him eagerly. "A great white bird. It is flying this way." `
` `
` "What kind of a bird, do you think?" `
` `
` "I don't know," Nibs said, awestruck, "but it looks so weary, `
` and as it flies it moans, `Poor Wendy,'" `
` `
` "Poor Wendy?" `
` `
` "I remember," said Slightly instantly, "there are birds called `
` Wendies." `
` `
` "See, it comes!" cried Curly, pointing to Wendy in the heavens. `
` `
` Wendy was now almost overhead, and they could hear her `
` plaintive cry. But more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker `
` Bell. The jealous fairy had now cast off all disguise of `
` friendship, and was darting at her victim from every direction, `
` pinching savagely each time she touched. `
` `
` "Hullo, Tink," cried the wondering boys. `
` `
` Tink's reply rang out: "Peter wants you to shoot the Wendy." `
` `
` It was not in their nature to question when Peter ordered. `
` "Let us do what Peter wishes!" cried the simple boys. "Quick, `
` bows and arrows!" `
` `
` All but Tootles popped down their trees. He had a bow and `
` arrow with him, and Tink noted it, and rubbed her little hands. `
` `
` "Quick, Tootles, quick," she screamed. "Peter will be so `
` pleased." `
` `
` Tootles excitedly fitted the arrow to his bow. "Out of the `
` way, Tink," he shouted, and then he fired, and Wendy fluttered to `
` the ground with an arrow in her breast. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 6 `
` `
` THE LITTLE HOUSE `
` `
` `
` Foolish Tootles was standing like a conqueror over Wendy's body `
` when the other boys sprang, armed, from their trees. `
` `
` "You are too late," he cried proudly, "I have shot the Wendy. `
` Peter will be so pleased with me." `
` `
` Overhead Tinker Bell shouted "Silly ass!" and darted into `
` hiding. The others did not hear her. They had crowded round `
` Wendy, and as they looked a terrible silence fell upon the wood. `
` If Wendy's heart had been beating they would all have heard it. `
` `
` Slightly was the first to speak. "This is no bird," he said in `
` a scared voice. "I think this must be a lady." `
` `
` "A lady?" said Tootles, and fell a-trembling. `
` `
` "And we have killed her," Nibs said hoarsely. `
` `
` They all whipped off their caps. `
` `
` "Now I see," Curly said: "Peter was bringing her to us." He `
` threw himself sorrowfully on the ground. `
` `
` "A lady to take care of us at last," said one of the twins, `
` "and you have killed her!" `
` `
` They were sorry for him, but sorrier for themselves, and when `
` he took a step nearer them they turned from him. `
` `
` Tootles' face was very white, but there was a dignity about him `
` now that had never been there before. `
` `
` "I did it," he said, reflecting. "When ladies used to come to `
` me in dreams, I said, `Pretty mother, pretty mother.' But when `
` at last she really came, I shot her." `
` `
` He moved slowly away. `
` `
`