English
Themorequicklythishorrorisdisposedofthebetter.
ThefirsttoemergefromhistreewasCurly.
HeroseoutofitintothearmsofCecco,whoflunghimtoSmee,whoflunghimtoStarkey,whoflunghimtoBillJukes,whoflunghimtoNoodler,andsohewastossedfromonetoanothertillhefellatthefeetoftheblackpirate.
Alltheboyswerepluckedfromtheirtreesinthisruthlessmanner;andseveralofthemwereintheairatatime,likebalesofgoodsflungfromhandtohand.
AdifferenttreatmentwasaccordedtoWendy,whocamelast.
WithironicalpolitenessHookraisedhishattoher,and,offeringherhisarm,escortedhertothespotwheretheotherswerebeinggagged.
Hediditwithsuchanair,hewassofrightfullyDISTINGUE[imposinglydistinguished],thatshewastoofascinatedtocryout.Shewasonlyalittlegirl.
Perhapsitistell-taletodivulgethatforamomentHookentrancedher,andwetellonheronlybecauseherslipledtostrangeresults.
Hadshehaughtilyunhandedhim(andweshouldhavelovedtowriteitofher),shewouldhavebeenhurledthroughtheairliketheothers,andthenHookwouldprobablynothavebeenpresentatthetyingofthechildren;andhadhenotbeenatthetyinghewouldnothavediscoveredSlightly'ssecret,andwithoutthesecrethecouldnotpresentlyhavemadehisfoulattemptonPeter'slife.
Theyweretiedtopreventtheirflyingaway,doubledupwiththeirkneesclosetotheirears;andforthetrussingofthemtheblackpiratehadcutaropeintonineequalpieces.
AllwentwelluntilSlightly'sturncame,whenhewasfoundtobelikethoseirritatingparcelsthatuseupallthestringingoingroundandleavenotags[ends]withwhichtotieaknot.
Thepirateskickedhimintheirrage,justasyoukicktheparcel(thoughinfairnessyoushouldkickthestring);andstrangetosayitwasHookwhotoldthemtobelaytheirviolence.
Hislipwascurledwithmalicioustriumph.
Whilehisdogsweremerelysweatingbecauseeverytimetheytriedtopacktheunhappyladtightinoneparthebulgedoutinanother,Hook'smastermindhadgonefarbeneathSlightly'ssurface,probingnotforeffectsbutforcauses;andhisexultationshowedthathehadfoundthem.
Slightly,whitetothegills,knewthatHookhadsurprised[discovered]hissecret,whichwasthis,thatnoboysoblownoutcoulduseatreewhereinanaveragemanneedstick.
PoorSlightly,mostwretchedofallthechildrennow,forhewasinapanicaboutPeter,bitterlyregrettedwhathehaddone.
Madlyaddictedtothedrinkingofwaterwhenhewashot,hehadswelledinconsequencetohispresentgirth,andinsteadofreducinghimselftofithistreehehad,unknowntotheothers,whittledhistreetomakeitfithim.
SufficientofthisHookguessedtopersuadehimthatPeteratlastlayathismercy,butnowordofthedarkdesignthatnowformedinthesubterraneancavernsofhismindcrossedhislips;hemerelysignedthatthecaptivesweretobeconveyedtotheship,andthathewouldbealone.
Howtoconveythem?Hunchedupintheirropestheymightindeedberolleddownhilllikebarrels,butmostofthewaylaythroughamorass.
AgainHook'sgeniussurmounteddifficulties.
Heindicatedthatthelittlehousemustbeusedasaconveyance.
Thechildrenwereflungintoit,fourstoutpiratesraiseditontheirshoulders,theothersfellinbehind,andsingingthehatefulpiratechorusthestrangeprocessionsetoffthroughthewood.
Idon'tknowwhetheranyofthechildrenwerecrying;ifso,thesingingdrownedthesound;butasthelittlehousedisappearedintheforest,abravethoughtinyjetofsmokeissuedfromitschimneyasifdefyingHook.
Hooksawit,anditdidPeterabadservice.Itdriedupanytrickleofpityforhimthatmayhaveremainedinthepirate'sinfuriatedbreast.
ThefirstthinghedidonfindinghimselfaloneinthefastfallingnightwastotiptoetoSlightly'stree,andmakesurethatitprovidedhimwithapassage.
Thenforlongheremainedbrooding;hishatofillomenonthesward,sothatanygentlebreezewhichhadarisenmightplayrefreshinglythroughhishair.
Darkaswerehisthoughtshisblueeyeswereassoftastheperiwinkle.
Intentlyhelistenedforanysoundfromthenetherworld,butallwasassilentbelowasabove;thehouseunderthegroundseemedtobebutonemoreemptytenementinthevoid.
Wasthatboyasleep,ordidhestandwaitingatthefootofSlightly'stree,withhisdaggerinhishand?
Therewasnowayofknowing,savebygoingdown.
Hooklethiscloakslipsoftlytotheground,andthenbitinghislipstillalewdbloodstoodonthem,hesteppedintothetree.
Hewasabraveman,butforamomenthehadtostopthereandwipehisbrow,whichwasdrippinglikeacandle.
Then,silently,helethimselfgointotheunknown.
Hearrivedunmolestedatthefootoftheshaft,andstoodstillagain,bitingathisbreath,whichhadalmostlefthim.
Ashiseyesbecameaccustomedtothedimlightvariousobjectsinthehomeunderthetreestookshape;buttheonlyoneonwhichhisgreedygazerested,longsoughtforandfoundatlast,wasthegreatbed.OnthebedlayPeterfastasleep.
Unawareofthetragedybeingenactedabove,Peterhadcontinued,foralittletimeafterthechildrenleft,toplaygailyonhispipes:nodoubtratheraforlornattempttoprovetohimselfthathedidnotcare.
Thenhedecidednottotakehismedicine,soastogrieveWendy.
Thenhelaydownonthebedoutsidethecoverlet,tovexherstillmore;forshehadalwaystuckedtheminsideit,becauseyouneverknowthatyoumaynotgrowchillyattheturnofthenight.
Thenhenearlycried;butitstruckhimhowindignantshewouldbeifhelaughedinstead;sohelaughedahaughtylaughandfellasleepinthemiddleofit.
Sometimes,thoughnotoften,hehaddreams,andtheyweremorepainfulthanthedreamsofotherboys.
Forhourshecouldnotbeseparatedfromthesedreams,thoughhewailedpiteouslyinthem.
Theyhadtodo,Ithink,withtheriddleofhisexistence.
AtsuchtimesithadbeenWendy'scustomtotakehimoutofbedandsitwithhimonherlap,soothinghimindearwaysofherowninvention,andwhenhegrewcalmertoputhimbacktobedbeforehequitewokeup,sothatheshouldnotknowoftheindignitytowhichshehadsubjectedhim.
Butonthisoccasionhehadfallenatonceintoadreamlesssleep.
Onearmdroppedovertheedgeofthebed,onelegwasarched,andtheunfinishedpartofhislaughwasstrandedonhismouth,whichwasopen,showingthelittlepearls.
ThusdefencelessHookfoundhim.Hestoodsilentatthefootofthetreelookingacrossthechamberathisenemy.
Didnofeelingofcompassiondisturbhissombrebreast?
Themanwasnotwhollyevil;helovedflowers(Ihavebeentold)andsweetmusic(hewashimselfnomeanperformerontheharpsichord);and,letitbefranklyadmitted,theidyllicnatureofthescenestirredhimprofoundly.
Masteredbyhisbetterselfhewouldhavereturnedreluctantlyupthetree,butforonething.
WhatstayedhimwasPeter'simpertinentappearanceasheslept.
Theopenmouth,thedroopingarm,thearchedknee:theyweresuchapersonificationofcockinessas,takentogether,willneveragain,onemayhope,bepresentedtoeyessosensitivetotheiroffensiveness.TheysteeledHook'sheart.
Ifhisragehadbrokenhimintoahundredpieceseveryoneofthemwouldhavedisregardedtheincident,andleaptatthesleeper.
Thoughalightfromtheonelampshonedimlyonthebed,Hookstoodindarknesshimself,andatthefirststealthystepforwardhediscoveredanobstacle,thedoorofSlightly'stree.
Itdidnotentirelyfilltheaperture,andhehadbeenlookingoverit.
Feelingforthecatch,hefoundtohisfurythatitwaslowdown,beyondhisreach.
TohisdisorderedbrainitseemedthenthattheirritatingqualityinPeter'sfaceandfigurevisiblyincreased,andherattledthedoorandflunghimselfagainstit.Washisenemytoescapehimafterall?
Butwhatwasthat?TheredinhiseyehadcaughtsightofPeter'smedicinestandingonaledgewithineasyreach.
Hefathomedwhatitwasstraightaway,andimmediatelyknewthatthesleeperwasinhispower.
Lestheshouldbetakenalive,Hookalwayscarriedabouthispersonadreadfuldrug,blendedbyhimselfofallthedeath-dealingringsthathadcomeintohispossession.
Thesehehadboileddownintoayellowliquidquiteunknowntoscience,whichwasprobablythemostvirulentpoisoninexistence.
FivedropsofthishenowaddedtoPeter'scup.
Hishandshook,butitwasinexultationratherthaninshame.
Ashediditheavoidedglancingatthesleeper,butnotlestpityshouldunnervehim;merelytoavoidspilling.
Thenonelonggloatinglookhecastuponhisvictim,andturning,wormedhiswaywithdifficultyupthetree.
Asheemergedatthetophelookedtheveryspiritofevilbreakingfromitshole.
Donninghishatatitsmostrakishangle,hewoundhiscloakaroundhim,holdingoneendinfrontasiftoconcealhispersonfromthenight,ofwhichitwastheblackestpart,andmutteringstrangelytohimself,stoleawaythroughthetrees.
Peterslepton.Thelightguttered[burnedtoedges]andwentout,leavingthetenementindarkness;butstillheslept.
Itmusthavebeennotlessthanteno'clockbythecrocodile,whenhesuddenlysatupinhisbed,wakenedbyheknewnotwhat.
Itwasasoftcautioustappingonthedoorofhistree.
Softandcautious,butinthatstillnessitwassinister.Peterfeltforhisdaggertillhishandgrippedit.Thenhespoke.
"Whoisthat?"
Forlongtherewasnoanswer:thenagaintheknock.
"Whoareyou?"
Noanswer.
Hewasthrilled,andhelovedbeingthrilled.Intwostrideshereachedthedoor.
UnlikeSlightly'sdoor,itfilledtheaperture[opening],sothathecouldnotseebeyondit,norcouldtheoneknockingseehim.
"Iwon'topenunlessyouspeak,"Petercried.
Thenatlastthevisitorspoke,inalovelybell-likevoice.
"Letmein,Peter."
ItwasTink,andquicklyheunbarredtoher.Sheflewinexcitedly,herfaceflushedandherdressstainedwithmud.
"Whatisit?"
"Oh,youcouldneverguess!"shecried,andofferedhimthreeguesses."Outwithit!"
heshouted,andinoneungrammaticalsentence,aslongastheribbonsthatconjurers[magicians]pullfromtheirmouths,shetoldofthecaptureofWendyandtheboys.
Peter'sheartbobbedupanddownashelistened.Wendybound,andonthepirateship;shewholovedeverythingtobejustso!
"I'llrescueher!"hecried,leapingathisweapons.Asheleapthethoughtofsomethinghecoulddotopleaseher.Hecouldtakehismedicine.
Hishandclosedonthefataldraught.
"No!"shriekedTinkerBell,whohadheardHookmutterabouthisdeedashespedthroughtheforest.
"Whynot?"
"Itispoisoned."
"Poisoned?Whocouldhavepoisonedit?"
"Hook."
"Don'tbesilly.HowcouldHookhavegotdownhere?"
Alas,TinkerBellcouldnotexplainthis,forevenshedidnotknowthedarksecretofSlightly'stree.NeverthelessHook'swordshadleftnoroomfordoubt.Thecupwaspoisoned.
"Besides,"saidPeter,quitebelievinghimself"Ineverfellasleep."
Heraisedthecup.Notimeforwordsnow;timefordeeds;andwithoneofherlightningmovementsTinkgotbetweenhislipsandthedraught,anddrainedittothedregs.
"Why,Tink,howdareyoudrinkmymedicine?"
Butshedidnotanswer.Alreadyshewasreelingintheair.
"Whatisthematterwithyou?"criedPeter,suddenlyafraid.
"Itwaspoisoned,Peter,"shetoldhimsoftly;"andnowIamgoingtobedead."
"OTink,didyoudrinkittosaveme?"
"Yes."
"Butwhy,Tink?"
Herwingswouldscarcelycarryhernow,butinreplyshealightedonhisshoulderandgavehisnosealovingbite.
Shewhisperedinhisear"Yousillyass,"andthen,totteringtoherchamber,laydownonthebed.
Hisheadalmostfilledthefourthwallofherlittleroomashekneltnearherindistress.
Everymomentherlightwasgrowingfainter;andheknewthatifitwentoutshewouldbenomore.
Shelikedhistearssomuchthatsheputoutherbeautifulfingerandletthemrunoverit.
Hervoicewassolowthatatfirsthecouldnotmakeoutwhatshesaid.Thenhemadeitout.Shewassayingthatshethoughtshecouldgetwellagainifchildrenbelievedinfairies.
Peterflungouthisarms.Therewerenochildrenthere,anditwasnighttime;butheaddressedallwhomightbedreamingoftheNeverland,andwhowerethereforenearertohimthanyouthink:boysandgirlsintheirnighties,andnakedpapoosesintheirbasketshungfromtrees.
"Doyoubelieve?"hecried.
Tinksatupinbedalmostbrisklytolistentoherfate.
Shefanciedsheheardanswersintheaffirmative,andthenagainshewasn'tsure.
"Whatdoyouthink?"sheaskedPeter.
"Ifyoubelieve,"heshoutedtothem,"clapyourhands;don'tletTinkdie."
Manyclapped.
Somedidn't.
Afewbeastshissed.
Theclappingstoppedsuddenly;asifcountlessmothershadrushedtotheirnurseriestoseewhatonearthwashappening;butalreadyTinkwassaved.
Firsthervoicegrewstrong,thenshepoppedoutofbed,thenshewasflashingthroughtheroommoremerryandimpudentthanever.
Sheneverthoughtofthankingthosewhobelieved,butshewouldhaveliketogetattheoneswhohadhissed.
"AndnowtorescueWendy!"
ThemoonwasridinginacloudyheavenwhenPeterrosefromhistree,begirt[belted]withweaponsandwearinglittleelse,tosetoutuponhisperilousquest.
Itwasnotsuchanightashewouldhavechosen.
Hehadhopedtofly,keepingnotfarfromthegroundsothatnothingunwontedshouldescapehiseyes;butinthatfitfullighttohaveflownlowwouldhavemeanttrailinghisshadowthroughthetrees,thusdisturbingbirdsandacquaintingawatchfulfoethathewasastir.
Heregrettednowthathehadgiventhebirdsoftheislandsuchstrangenamesthattheyareverywildanddifficultofapproach.
Therewasnoothercoursebuttopressforwardinredskinfashion,atwhichhappilyhewasanadept[expert].
Butinwhatdirection,forhecouldnotbesurethatthechildrenhadbeentakentotheship?
Alightfallofsnowhadobliteratedallfootmarks;andadeathlysilencepervadedtheisland,asifforaspaceNaturestoodstillinhorroroftherecentcarnage.
HehadtaughtthechildrensomethingoftheforestlorethathehadhimselflearnedfromTigerLilyandTinkerBell,andknewthatintheirdirehourtheywerenotlikelytoforgetit.
Slightly,ifhehadanopportunity,wouldblaze[cutamarkin]thetrees,forinstance,Curlywoulddropseeds,andWendywouldleaveherhandkerchiefatsomeimportantplace.
Themorningwasneededtosearchforsuchguidance,andhecouldnotwait.
Theupperworldhadcalledhim,butwouldgivenohelp.
Thecrocodilepassedhim,butnotanotherlivingthing,notasound,notamovement;andyetheknewwellthatsuddendeathmightbeatthenexttree,orstalkinghimfrombehind.
Hesworethisterribleoath:"Hookormethistime."
Nowhecrawledforwardlikeasnake,andagainerect,hedartedacrossaspaceonwhichthemoonlightplayed,onefingeronhislipandhisdaggerattheready.Hewasfrightfullyhappy.
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