Tonight, I am reading Peter Pan by James Matthew Barrie. Chapter 15, "Hook Or Me This Time," describes the standoff between Captain Hook and Peter. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic, or embark on an adventure before a great night's sleep.
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Transcript
Chapter 15. Hook or Me This Time? Odd things happen to all of us on our way through life, Without noticing for a time that they have happened. Thus, To take an instance, We suddenly discover that we have been deaf in one ear for we don't know how long, But say half an hour. Now, Such an experience had come that night to Peter. When last we saw him, He was stealing across the island with one finger to his lips and his dagger at the ready. He had seen the crocodile pass by without noticing anything peculiar about it, But by and by, He remembered that it had not been ticking. At first he thought this eerie, But soon concluded rightly that the clock had run down. Without giving a thought to what might be the feelings of a fellow creature thus abruptly deprived of its closest companion, Peter began to consider how he could turn the catastrophe to his own use. And he decided to tick, So that wild beasts should believe he was the crocodile and let him pass unmolested. He ticked superbly, But with one unforeseen result. The crocodile was among those who heard the sound, And it followed him, Though whether the purpose of regaining what it had lost, Or merely as a friend under the belief that it was again ticking itself, Will never be certainly known. For like slaves to a fixed idea, It was a stupid beast. Peter reached the shore without mishap and went straight on, His legs encountering the water as if unaware that they had entered a new element. Thus many animals pass from land to water, But no other human of whom I know. As he swam he had but one thought, Hook or me this time. He had ticked so long that he now went on ticking without knowing that he was doing it. Had he known he would have stopped, For to board the brig by help of the tick, Though an ingenious idea, Had not occurred to him. On the contrary, He thought he had scaled her side as noiseless as a mouse, And he was amazed to see the pirates cowering from him with hook in their midst, As abject as if he had heard the crocodile. The crocodile! No sooner did Peter remember it than he heard the ticking. At first he thought the sound did come from the crocodile, And he looked behind him swiftly. Then he realized that he was doing it himself, And in a flash he understood the situation. How clever of me, He thought at once, And signed the boys not to burst into applause. It was at this moment that Ed the Quartermaster emerged from the forecastle and came along the deck. Now reader, Time what happened by your watch. Peter gave a signal, And the carrion was cast overboard. There was a splash and then silence. How long has it taken? One, Slightly, Had begun to count. None too soon Peter, Every inch of him on tiptoe, Vanished into the cabin, For more than one pirate was screwing up his courage to look around. They could hear each other's distressed breathing now, Which showed them that the mere terrible sound had passed. It's gone, Captain, Smee said, Wiping off his spectacles, All still again. Slowly Hook let his head emerge from his ruff, And listened so intently that he could have caught the echo of the tick. There was not a sound, And he drew himself up firmly to his full height. Then here's to Johnny Plank, He cried brazenly, Hating the boys more than ever because they had seen him unbend. He broke into the villainous ditty. Yo ho, Yo ho, The frisky plank. You walk so long as so, Till it goes down and you goes down, To Davy Jones below. To terrorize the prisoners the more, Though with a certain loss of dignity, He danced along an imaginary plank, Grimacing at them as he sang, And when he finished he cried, Do you want a touch of the cap before you walk the plank? At that they fell on their knees. No, No, They cried so piteously that every pirate smiled. Fetch the cat, Jukes, Said Hook, It's in the cabin. The cabin? Peter was in the cabin. The children gazed at each other. Aye, Aye, Said Jukes blithely, And he strode into the cabin. They followed him with their eyes. They scarce knew that Hook had resumed his song, His dogs joining in with them. Yo ho, Yo ho, The scratching cat. Its tails are nine, You know, And when the writ upon your back. That was the last line we'll ever be known, For all of a sudden the song was stayed by a dreadful sound from the cabin. Then was heard a crowing sound, Which was well understood by the boys, But to the pirates was almost more eerie than the screech. What was that? Cried Hook. Too, Said slightly solemnly. The Italian secco hesitated for a moment and then swung into the cabin. He tottered out haggard. What's the matter with Bill Jukes, You dog? Hissed Hook, Towering over him. The matter with him is he's gone, Replied secco in a hollow voice. Bill Jukes gone? Cried the startled pirates. The cabin's as black as a pit, Secco said, Almost gibbering. But there is something terrible in there. The thing you heard crowing. The exultation of the boys, The lowering looks of the pirates, Both were seen by Hook. Secco, He said in his most steely voice. Go back and fetch me out that doodle-doo. Secco, Bravest of the brave, Cowered before the captain crying. No, No. But Hook was purring to the claw. Did you say you would go, Secco? He said musingly. Secco went first, Flinging his arms despairingly. There was no more singing. All listen now. And again came the horrible sound. And then again, A crow. No one spoke except slightly. Three, He said. Hook rallied his dogs with a gesture. Who is to bring me that doodle-doo, He thundered. Wait till secco comes out, Crowed Starkey. And the others took up the cry. I think I just heard you volunteer, Starkey, Said Hook, Purring again. No by thunder, Starkey cried. My Hook thinks you did, Said Hook, Crossing to him. I wonder if it would not be advisable, Starkey, To humor the Hook. I'll swing before I go in there, Replied Starkey dodgedly. And again he had the support of his crew. Is this mutiny? Asked Hook more pleasantly than ever. Starkey's ringleader? Captain Mercy, Starkey whimpered. All of a tremble now. Shake hands, Starkey, Said Hook, Pro-offering his claw. Starkey looked around for help, But all deserted him. And as he backed up, Hook advanced. Then he threw him over into the sea. Four said slightly. And now, Hook said courteously, Did any other gentleman say mutiny? Seizing a lantern and raising his claw with menacing gesture. I'll bring out that doodle-doo myself, He said, And sped into the cabin. Five, How slightly long to say. He wetted his lips to be ready, But Hook came staggering out without his lantern. Something blew out the light, He said a little unsteadily. Something? Echoed Mullins. What of Seko? Demanded Noodler. He is gone like jukes, Said Hook shortly. His reluctance to return to the cabin impressed them all unfavorably. And the mutinous sounds again broke forth. All pirates are superstitious, And Cookson cried. They do say the surest sign a ship's accursed is when there's one on board more than can be accounted for. I've heard, Muttered Mullins. He always boards the pirate craft last. How do you tail, Captain? They say, Said another looking viciously at Hook, That when he comes it's in the likeness of the wickedest man aboard. How do you hook, Captain? Asked Cookson insolently. And one after another took up the cry. The ship's doomed. At this, The children could not resist raising a cheer. Hook had well nigh forgotten his prisoners, But as he swung round on them now his face lit up again. Lads, He cried to his crew, Now here's a notion. Open the cabin door and drive them in. Let them fight the doodle-do for their lives. If they win, We're so much the better. And if he wins, We're none the worst. For the last time his dogs admired Hook, And devotedly they did his biddings. The boys, Pretending to struggle, Were pushed into the cabin, And the door was closed on them. Now listen, Cried Hook. And all listened, But not one dared to face the door. Yes one, Wendy, Who all this time had been bound to the mast. It was not for neither a scream nor a crow that she was watching. It was for the reappearance of Peter. She had not long to wait. In the cabin he had found the thing for which he had gone into search, The key that would free the children of their restraint. And now they all stole forth, Armed with such weapons as they could find. First signing them to hide, Peter cut Wendy's bonds. And then nothing could have been easier for them to fly off together, But one thing barred the way, An oath, Hook or me this time. So when he had freed Wendy, He whispered for her to conceal herself with the others, And himself took her place by the mast, Her cloak around him so that he should pass for her. Then he took a great breath and crowed. To the pirates it was a voice crying that all the boys lay in the cabin, And they were panic-stricken. Hook tried to hearten them, But like the dogs he had made them, They showed him their fangs, And he knew that if he took his eyes off them now, They would leap at him. Lads, He said, Ready to cajole or strike as need be, But never quailing for an instant. I've thought about it. There's a Jonah aboard. Aye, They snarled, A man with a hook. No, Lads, No. It's the girl. Never was luck on the pirate ship with a woman on board. We'll right the ship when she's gone. Some of them remembered this. There had been a saying of Flint's. It's worth trying, They said doubtfully. Fling the girl overboard, Cried Hook, And they made a rush at the figure in the cloak. There's none can save you now, Missy, Mullins hissed jeeringly. There's one, Replied the figure. Who's that? Peter Pan the Avenger, Came the terrible answer, And as he spoke, Peter flung off his cloak. Then they all knew who t'was that had been undoing them in the cabin, And twice Hook essayed to speak, And twice he failed. In that frightful moment, I think his fierce heart broke. At last he cried. Let's get him, But without conviction. Down, Boys, And at them, Peter's voice rang out, And in another moment the clash of arms was resounding through the ship. Had the pirates kept together, It is certain that they would have won, But the onset came when they were still unstrung, And they ran hither and thither, Striking wildly, Each one thinking himself the last survivor of the crew. Man to man they were stronger, But they fought on the defensive only, Which enabled the boys to choose their query. Some of the miscreants leapt into the sea, Others hid in dark recesses, Where they were found by Slightly, Who did not fight, But ran about with a lantern, Which he flashed in their faces, So that they were half blinded and fell as easy prey to the reeking swords of the other boys. There was little sound to be heard of the clang of the weapons, And Slightly monotonously counting, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven. I think all were gone when a group of savage boys surrounded Hook, Who seemed to have had a charmed life as he kept them at bay in that circle of fire. They had done for all his dogs, But this man alone seemed to be a match for them all. Again and again they closed upon him, And again and again he pushed back. Put up your swords, Boys, Cried the newcomer. This man is mine. Thus suddenly Hook found himself face to face with Peter. The others drew back and formed a ring around them. For long the two enemies looked at one another, Hook shuddering slightly, And Peter with a strange smile on his face. So pan, Said Hook at last. This is all you're doing. I, James Hook, Came the stern answer. It is all my doing. Proud and insolent youth, Said Hook, Prepare to meet thy doom. Dark and sinister man, Peter answered, Have at thee. Without more words they fell to, And for a space there was no advantage to either blade. Peter was a superb swordsman and parried with dazzling rapidity. Ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past his foe's defense, But the shorter reach stood him in ill stead, And he could not drive the steel home. Again and again he tried, And finally he was able to take a lunge and pierce him. Now, Cried all the boys, But with a magnificent gesture, Peter invited his opponent to pick up the sword. Hook did so instantly, But with the tragic feeling that Peter was showing good form. Hitherto he had thought it was some fiend fighting him, But darker suspicions assailed him now. Pan, Who and what art thou, He cried huskily. I'm youth, I'm joy, Peter answered at the venture. I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg. This, Of course, Was nonsense, But it was proof to the unhappy Hook that Peter did not know in the least who or what he was, Which is the very pinnacle of good form. To it again he cried despairingly. He fought now like a human flail, And every sweep of that terrible sword would have been severed in twain any man or boy who obstructed it. But Peter fluttered round him as if it was the very wind that made him blow it out of the danger zone, And again and again he darted in and pricked. Hook was fighting now without hope, The passionate breast no longer asking for life, But for one boon it craved, To see Peter Pan show bad form before it was cold forever. Abandoning the fight, He rushed into the powder magazine and fired it. In two minutes, He cried, This ship will be blown to pieces. Now, Now, He thought, True form will show. But Peter issued from the powder magazine with the shell in his hands and calmly flung it overboard. What sort of form was Hook himself showing? Misguided man though he was, We may be glad, Without sympathizing with him, That in the end he was true to the traditions of his race. The other boys were flying around him now, Flouting, Scornful, And he staggered about the deck striking up at them impolitely. His mind was no longer with them. It was slouching in the playing fields of long ago, Or being sent up for good, Or watching the wall game from a famous wall. And his shoes were right, And his waistcoat was right, And his tie was right, And his socks were right. James Hook, Though not wholly unheroic figure, Farewell, For we have come to his last moment. Seeing Peter slowly advancing upon him through the air with dagger poise, He sprang up into the bulwarks to cast himself into the sea. He did not know that the crocodile was waiting for him, For we purposely stopped the clock that this knowledge might be spared him, A little mark of respect from us at the end. He had one last triumph, Which I will think we need not grudge him. As he stood on the bulwark looking over his shoulder at Peter gliding through the air, He invited him with a gesture to use his foot. It made Peter kick instead of stab. At last Hook had got the boon for which he craved. Bad form, He cried jeeringly, And went content to the crocodile. Thus perished James Hook. Seventeen slightly sang out, But he was not quite correct in his figures. Fifteen paid the penalty of their crimes that night, But two reached the shore. Starkey to be captured by the natives, Who made him nurse for all of their papooses, A melancholy comedown for a pirate. And Smee, Who henceforth wandered about the world in his spectacles, Making a precarious living, By saying he was the only man that Joss Hook had feared. Wendy, Of course, Had stood by taking no part in the fight, Though watching Peter with glistening eyes. But now that all was over, She became prominent again. She praised them equally. And then she took them into Hook's cabin and pointed to his watch, Which was hanging on a nail. It said half past one. The lateness of the hour was almost the biggest thing of all. She got them to bed in the pirates' bunks pretty quickly, You may be sure. All but Peter, Who strutted up and down on the deck, Until at last he fell asleep by the side of Long Tom. He had one of his dreams that night, And cried in his sleep for a long time, And Wendy held him tightly.
