`` Ay , '' the captain answered , `` if I was a mother I would pray to have my children born with this instead of that , '' and he cast a look of pride upon his iron hand and one of scorn upon the other . Then again he frowned . `` Peter flung my arm , '' he said , wincing , `` to a crocodile that happened to be passing by . '' `` I have often , '' said Smee , `` noticed your strange dread of crocodiles . '' `` Not of crocodiles , '' Hook corrected him , `` but of that one crocodile . '' He lowered his voice . `` It liked my arm so much , Smee , that it has followed me ever since , from sea to sea and from land to land , licking its lips for the rest of me . '' `` In a way , '' said Smee , `` it 's sort of a compliment . '' `` I want no such compliments , '' Hook barked petulantly . `` I want Peter Pan , who first gave the brute its taste for me . '' He sat down on a large mushroom , and now there was a quiver in his voice . `` Smee , '' he said huskily , `` that crocodile would have had me before this , but by a lucky chance it swallowed a clock which goes tick tick inside it , and so before it can reach me I hear the tick and bolt . '' He laughed , but in a hollow way . `` Some day , '' said Smee , `` the clock will run down , and then he 'll get you . '' Hook wetted his dry lips . `` Ay , '' he said , `` that 's the fear that haunts me . '' Since sitting down he had felt curiously warm . `` Smee , '' he said , `` this seat is hot . '' He jumped up . `` Odds bobs , hammer and tongs I 'm burning . ''
They examined the XXXXX , which was of a size and solidity unknown on the mainland ; they tried to pull it up , and it came away at once in their hands , for it had no root .
clock compliment crocodile dread hammer lips mother mushroom sort voice