and leave her here to drown.
It was the work of one brutal moment to land the beautiful girl on the
rock; she was too proud to offer a vain resistance.
Quite near the rock, but out of sight, two heads were bobbing up and
down, Peter s and Wendy s. Wendy was crying, for it was the first
tragedy she had seen. Peter had seen many tragedies, but he had
forgotten them all. He was less sorry than Wendy for Tiger Lily: it was
two against one that angered him, and he meant to save her. An easy way
would have been to wait until the pirates had gone, but he was never
one to choose the easy way.
There was almost nothing he could not do, and he now imitated the voice
of Hook.
Ahoy there, you lubbers! he called. It was a marvellous imitation.
The captain! said the pirates, staring at each other in surprise.
He must be swimming out to us, Starkey said, when they had looked for
him in vain.
We are putting the redskin on the rock, Smee called out.
Set her free, came the astonishing answer.
Free!
Yes, cut her bonds and let her go.
But, captain
At once, d ye hear, cried Peter, or I ll plunge my hook in you.
This is queer! Smee gasped.
Better do what the captain orders, said Starkey nervously.
Ay, ay, Smee said, and he cut Tiger Lily s cords. At once like an eel
75