There can be but one room below , for there is but one chimney . The silly moles had not the sense to see that they did not need a door apiece . That shows they have no mother . We will leave the cake on the shore of the Mermaids ' Lagoon . These boys are always swimming about there , playing with the mermaids . They will find the cake and they will gobble it up , because , having no mother , they do n't know how dangerous 't is to eat rich damp cake . '' He burst into laughter , not hollow laughter now , but honest laughter . `` Aha , they will die . '' Smee had listened with growing admiration . `` It 's the wickedest , prettiest policy ever I heard of ! '' he cried , and in their exultation they danced and sang : `` Avast , belay , when I appear , By fear they 're overtook ; Nought 's left upon your bones when you Have shaken claws with Hook . '' They began the verse , but they never finished it , for another sound broke in and stilled them . There was at first such a tiny sound that a leaf might have fallen on it and smothered it , but as it came nearer it was more distinct . Tick tick tick tick ! Hook stood shuddering , one foot in the air . `` The crocodile ! '' he gasped , and bounded away , followed by his bo ` sun . It was indeed the crocodile . It had passed the redskins , who were now on the trail of the other pirates . It oozed on after Hook .
Once more the XXXXX emerged into the open ; but the dangers of the night were not yet over , for presently Nibs rushed breathless into their midst , pursued by a pack of wolves .
Hook air bones boys cake fear mother sense trail verse