`` I 've heard , '' muttered Mullins , `` he always boards the pirate craft last . Had he a tail , captain ? '' `` They say , '' said another , looking viciously at Hook , `` that when he comes it 's in the likeness of the wickedest man aboard . '' `` Had he a hook , captain ? '' asked Cookson insolently ; and one after another took up the cry , `` The ship 's doomed ! '' At this the children could not resist raising a cheer . Hook had well-nigh forgotten his prisoners , but as he swung round on them now his face lit up again . `` Lads , '' he cried to his crew , `` now here 's a notion . Open the cabin door and drive them in . Let them fight the doodle-doo for their lives . If they kill him , we 're so much the better ; if he kills them , we 're none the worse . '' For the last time his dogs admired Hook , and devotedly they did his bidding . The boys , pretending to struggle , were pushed into the cabin and the door was closed on them . `` Now , listen ! '' cried Hook , and all listened . But not one dared to face the door . Yes , one , Wendy , who all this time had been bound to the mast . It was for neither a scream nor a crow that she was watching , it was for the reappearance of Peter . She had not long to wait . In the cabin he had found the thing for which he had gone in search : the key that would free the children of their manacles , and now they all stole forth , armed with such weapons as they could find .
First signing them to hide , Peter cut Wendy 's bonds , and then nothing could have been easier than for them all to fly off together ; but one thing barred the way , an oath , `` XXXXX or me this time . ''
Hook Lads boys crew cry key lives none round ship