Питер Пэн и Венди
"Hook Or Me This Time"
TheItalianCeccohesitatedforamomentandthenswungintothecabin.Hetotteredout,haggard.
’What’sthematterwithBillJukes,youdog?’hissedHook,toweringoverhim.
’Thematterwi’himishe’sdead,stabbed,’repliedCeccoinahollowVoice.
’BillJukesdead!’criedthestartledpirates.
’Thecabin’sasblackasapit,’Ceccosaid,almostgibbering,’butthereissomethingterribleinthere:thethingyouheardcrowing.’
Theexultationoftheboys,theloweringlooksofthepirates,bothwereseenbyHook.
’Cecco,’hesaidinhismoststeelyvoice,’gobackandfetchmeoutthatdoodle-doo.’
Cecco,bravestofthebrave,coweredbeforehiscaptain,crying’No,no’;butHookwaspurringtohisclaw.
’Didyousayyouwouldgo,Cecco?’hesaidmusingly.
Ceccowent,firstflinginguphisarmsdespairingly.Therewasnomoresinging,alllistenednow;andagaincameadeath-screechandagainacrow.
NoonespokeexceptSlightly.’Three,’hesaid.
Hookralliedhisdogswithagesture.’’Sdeathandoddsfish,’hethundered,’whoistobringmethatdoodle-doo?’
’WaittillCeccocomesout,’growledStarkey,andtheotherstookupthecry.
’IthinkIheardyouvolunteer,Starkey,’saidHook,purringagain.
’No,bythunder!’Starkeycried.
’Myhookthinksyoudid,’saidHook,crossingtohim.’Iwonderifitwouldnotbeadvisable,Starkey,tohumourthehook?’
’I’llswingbeforeIgointhere,’repliedStarkeydoggedly,andagainhehadthesupportofthecrew.
’Isitmutiny?’askedHookmorepleasantlythanever.
