Peter answered . ` Why do n't you let the nest drift as usual ? ' ` I -- want -- you -- ' the bird said , and repeated it all over . Then Peter tried slow and distinct . ` What -- are -- you -- quacking -- about ? ' and so on . The Never bird became irritated ; they have very short tempers . ` You dunderheaded little jay , ' she screamed , ` why do n't you do as I tell you ? ' Peter felt that she was calling him names , and at a venture he retorted hotly : ` So are you ! ' Then rather curiously they both snapped out the same remark : ` Shut up ! ' ` Shut up ! ' Nevertheless the bird was determined to save him if she could , and by one last mighty effort she propelled the nest against the rock . Then up she flew ; deserting her eggs , so as to make her meaning clear . Then at last he understood , and clutched the nest and waved his thanks to the bird as she fluttered overhead . It was not to receive his thanks , however , that she hung there in the sky ; it was not even to watch him get into the nest ; it was to see what he did with her eggs . There were two large white eggs , and Peter lifted them up and reflected . The bird covered her face with her wings , so as not to see the last of her eggs ; but she could not help peeping between the feathers . I forget whether I have told you that there was a stave on the rock , driven into it by some buccaneers of long ago to mark the site of buried treasure . The children had discovered the glittering hoard , and when in mischievous mood used to fling showers of moidores , diamonds , pearls and pieces of eight to the gulls , who pounced upon them for food , and then flew away , raging at the scurvy trick that had been played upon them . The stave was still there , and on it Starkey had hung his hat , a deep tarpaulin , watertight , with a broad brim .
XXXXX put the eggs into this hat and set it on the lagoon .
Peter Starkey buccaneers eggs face gulls hoard moidores tarpaulin watertight