Питер Пэн и Венди
"Hook Or Me This Time"
’Starkey’sringleader.’
’Captain,mercy,’Starkeywhimpered,allofatremblenow.
’Shakehands,Starkey,’saidHook,profferinghisclaw.
Starkeylookedroundforhelp,butalldesertedhim.AshebackedHookadvanced,andnowtheredsparkwasinhiseye.WithadespairingscreamthepirateleaptuponLongTomandprecipitatedhimselfintothesea.
’Four,’saidSlightly.
’Andnow,’Hookaskedcourteously,’didanyothergentlemansaymutiny?’Seizingalanternandraisinghisclawwithamenacinggesture,’I’llbringoutthatdoodle-doomyself,’hesaid,andspedintothecabin.
’Five.’HowSlightlylongedtosayit.Hewettedhislipstobeready,butHookcamestaggeringout,withouthislantern.
’Somethingblewoutthelight,’hesaidalittleunsteadily.
’Something!’echoedMullins.
’WhatofCecco?’demandedNoodler.
’He’sasdeadasJukes,’saidHookshortly.
Hisreluctancetoreturntothecabinimpressedthemallunfavourably,andthemutinoussoundsagainbrokeforth.Allpiratesaresuperstitious;andCooksoncried,’Theydosaythesurestsignaship’saccurstiswhenthere’soneonboardmorethancanbeaccountedfor.’
’I’veheard,’mutteredMullins,’healwaysboardsthepiratecraftatlast.Hadheatail,captain?’
’Theysay,’saidanother,lookingviciouslyatHook,’thatwhenhecomesit’sinthelikenessofthewickedestmanaboard.’
’Hadheahook,captain?’askedCooksoninsolently;andoneafteranothertookupthecry,’Theship’sdoomed.’Atthisthechildrencouldnotresistraisingacheer.
