`` 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 , `` Cleave him to the brisket ! '' 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 thinking himself the last survivor of the crew . Man to man they were the stronger ; but they fought on the defensive only , which enabled the boys to hunt in pairs and choose their quarry . 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 an easy prey to the reeking swords of the other boys . There was little sound to be heard but the clang of weapons , an occasional screech or splash , 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 a charmed life , as he kept them at bay in that circle of fire . They had done for 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 hewed a clear space .
He had lifted up one boy with his hook , and was using him as a buckler -LSB- shield -RSB- , when another , who had just passed his sword through XXXXX , sprang into the fray .
Cleave Mullins Pan Peter avenger brisket fire girl recesses undoing