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 Mullins , sprang into the fray . `` Put up your swords , boys , '' cried the newcomer , `` this man is mine . '' Thus suddenly Hook found himself face to face with Peter . The others drew back and formed a ring around them . For long the two enemies looked at one another , Hook shuddering slightly , and Peter with the strange smile upon his face . `` So , Pan , '' said Hook at last , `` this is all your doing . '' `` Ay , James Hook , '' came the stern answer , `` it is all my doing . '' `` Proud and insolent youth , '' said Hook , `` prepare to meet thy doom . '' `` Dark and sinister man , '' Peter answered , `` have at thee . '' Without more words they fell to , and for a space there was no advantage to either blade . Peter was a superb swordsman , and parried with dazzling rapidity ; ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past his foe 's defence , but his shorter reach stood him in ill stead , and he could not drive the steel home . Hook , scarcely his inferior in brilliancy , but not quite so nimble in wrist play , forced him back by the weight of his onset , hoping suddenly to end all with a favourite thrust , taught him long ago by Barbecue at Rio ; but to his astonishment he found this thrust turned aside again and again . Then he sought to close and give the quietus with his iron hook , which all this time had been pawing the air ; but Peter doubled under it and , lunging fiercely , pierced him in the ribs . At the sight of his own blood , whose peculiar colour , you remember , was offensive to him , the sword fell from Hook 's hand , and he was at Peter 's mercy . `` Now ! '' cried all the boys , but with a magnificent gesture Peter invited his opponent to pick up his sword .
Hook did so instantly , but with a tragic feeling that XXXXX was showing good form .
Hook Mullins Peter Rio brilliancy buckler colour fire quietus swordsman