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 Hook.
They began the verse, but they never finished it, for another sound
broke in and stilled them. There 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.
54