The truth is that there was a something about Peter which goaded the pirate captain to frenzy . It was not his courage , it was not his engaging appearance , it was not -- . There is no beating about the bush , for we know quite well what it was , and have got to tell . It was Peter 's cockiness . This had got on Hook 's nerves ; it made his iron claw twitch , and at night it disturbed him like an insect . While Peter lived , the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a sparrow had come . The question now was how to get down the trees , or how to get his dogs down ? He ran his greedy eyes over them , searching for the thinnest ones . They wriggled uncomfortably , for they knew he would not scruple -LSB- hesitate -RSB- to ram them down with poles . In the meantime , what of the boys ? We have seen them at the first clang of the weapons , turned as it were into stone figures , open-mouthed , all appealing with outstretched arms to Peter ; and we return to them as their mouths close , and their arms fall to their sides . The pandemonium above has ceased almost as suddenly as it arose , passed like a fierce gust of wind ; but they know that in the passing it has determined their fate . Which side had won ? The pirates , listening avidly at the mouths of the trees , heard the question put by every boy , and alas , they also heard Peter 's answer . `` If the redskins have won , '' he said , `` they will beat the tom-tom ; it is always their sign of victory . '' Now Smee had found the tom-tom , and was at that moment sitting on it . `` You will never hear the tom-tom again , '' he muttered , but inaudibly of course , for strict silence had been enjoined -LSB- urged -RSB- . To his amazement Hook signed him to beat the tom-tom , and slowly there came to Smee an understanding of the dreadful wickedness of the order . Never , probably , had this simple man admired Hook so much . Twice Smee beat upon the instrument , and then stopped to listen gleefully .
`` The tom-tom , '' the miscreants heard XXXXX cry ; `` an Indian victory ! ''
Hook Peter Smee cockiness fall first pandemonium redskins sparrow tom-tom