What was it ? There crowded upon her all the stories she had been told of Marooners ' Rock , so called because evil captains put sailors on it and leave them there to drown . They drown when the tide rises , for then it is submerged . Of course she should have roused the children at once ; not merely because of the unknown that was stalking toward them , but because it was no longer good for them to sleep on a rock grown chilly . But she was a young mother and she did not know this ; she thought you simply must stick to your rule about half an hour after the mid-day meal . So , though fear was upon her , and she longed to hear male voices , she would not waken them . Even when she heard the sound of muffled oars , though her heart was in her mouth , she did not waken them . She stood over them to let them have their sleep out . Was it not brave of Wendy ? It was well for those boys then that there was one among them who could sniff danger even in his sleep . Peter sprang erect , as wide awake at once as a dog , and with one warning cry he roused the others . He stood motionless , one hand to his ear . `` Pirates ! '' he cried . The others came closer to him . A strange smile was playing about his face , and Wendy saw it and shuddered . While that smile was on his face no one dared address him ; all they could do was to stand ready to obey . The order came sharp and incisive . `` Dive ! '' There was a gleam of legs , and instantly the lagoon seemed deserted .
XXXXX ' Rock stood alone in the forbidding waters as if it were itself marooned .
Marooners Peter Wendy course danger fear hour oars sleep voices