John inquired . Through Hook 's teeth came the answer : `` You would have to swear , ` Down with the King . ' '' Perhaps John had not behaved very well so far , but he shone out now . `` Then I refuse , '' he cried , banging the barrel in front of Hook . `` And I refuse , '' cried Michael . `` Rule Britannia ! '' squeaked Curly . The infuriated pirates buffeted them in the mouth ; and Hook roared out , `` That seals your doom . Bring up their mother . Get the plank ready . '' They were only boys , and they went white as they saw Jukes and Cecco preparing the fatal plank . But they tried to look brave when Wendy was brought up . No words of mine can tell you how Wendy despised those pirates . To the boys there was at least some glamour in the pirate calling ; but all that she saw was that the ship had not been tidied for years . There was not a porthole on the grimy glass of which you might not have written with your finger `` Dirty pig '' ; and she had already written it on several . But as the boys gathered round her she had no thought , of course , save for them . `` So , my beauty , '' said Hook , as if he spoke in syrup , `` you are to see your children walk the plank . '' Fine gentlemen though he was , the intensity of his communings had soiled his ruff , and suddenly he knew that she was gazing at it . With a hasty gesture he tried to hide it , but he was too late . `` Are they to die ? ''
asked XXXXX , with a look of such frightful contempt that he nearly fainted .
Britannia Cecco John King Michael Wendy communings porthole ruff years