At last he cried , `` Cleave him to the brisket ! '' but without conviction . `` Down , boys , and at them ! '' Peter 's voice rang out ; and in another moment the clash of arms was resounding through the ship . Had the pirates kept together it is certain that they would have won ; but the onset came when they were still unstrung , and they ran hither and thither , striking wildly , each thinking himself the last survivor of the crew . 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 as 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 -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 XXXXX there was no advantage to either blade .
answer doom fray newcomer onset others pirates shield space survivor