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 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 , 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 . ' -LSB- Illustration : `` THIS MAN IS MINE ! '' -RSB- Thus suddenly Hook found himself face to face with Peter . The others drew back and formed a ring round 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 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 XXXXX 's mercy .
Ay Hook Mullins Peter Rio brilliancy fire quietus recesses swordsman