We must tell this terrible story quickly. Curly was the first boy to come out of his tree. A pirate (a criminal who robs ships at sea) named Cecco caught Curly. Cecco threw Curly to Smee. Smee threw him to Starkey. Starkey threw him to Bill Jukes. Bill Jukes threw him to Noodler. Finally, Curly fell at the feet of the black pirate. The pirates caught all the boys this way. They threw the boys through the air like bags of clothes.
Wendy came out of her tree last. Captain Hook was very polite to Wendy, but he was not kind. He gave Wendy his arm and walked with her. Captain Hook led Wendy to the place where the pirates tied the other boys. Captain Hook acted like a grand gentleman. Wendy was only a little girl. She was too surprised and scared to cry out.
Wendy was almost interested in Captain Hook for a moment. This was a mistake. If Wendy pushed Captain Hook away, the pirates would throw her through the air. Then Captain Hook would not stay to watch the pirates tie the children. If he did not stay, he would not find Slightly’s secret. Without the secret, Captain Hook could not try to kill Peter Pan later.
The pirates tied the children with ropes. They tied the children into small balls. The black pirate cut a rope into nine pieces. Everything was fine until the pirates tried to tie Slightly. Slightly was too round. The pirates were angry and they kicked Slightly. Captain Hook told the pirates to stop.
Captain Hook saw that Slightly was very fat. Slightly was white with fear. Captain Hook knew Slightly’s secret now. Slightly loved to drink water when he was hot. The water made Slightly’s body grow large. Slightly had to cut the inside of his tree to fit inside it. Peter Pan and the other boys did not know this.
Captain Hook knew that Peter Pan was now in danger. Captain Hook told the pirates to take the children to the ship. He wanted to be alone. The pirates put the children into the little house. Four strong pirates carried the house on their shoulders. The other pirates walked behind them and sang a loud song.
A small puff of smoke came out of the chimney of the little house. Captain Hook saw the smoke. This made Captain Hook very angry. He did not feel sorry for Peter Pan anymore. Captain Hook wanted to finish his dark plan.
Captain Hook was alone now. The night was dark. Captain Hook went to Slightly’s tree. He wanted to see if he could fit inside. Captain Hook looked at the ground and thought. His blue eyes looked soft, but his thoughts were very dark. He listened for any sound from under the ground. Everything was quiet.
Was Peter Pan asleep? Was Peter Pan waiting at the bottom of the tree with a knife? Captain Hook did not know. Captain Hook took off his cloak (a long coat without sleeves). He stepped into the tree. He was a brave man, but he was nervous. He moved down into the dark room.
Captain Hook reached the bottom of the tree. He saw the big bed. Peter Pan was fast asleep on the bed. Peter Pan did not know about the pirates. After the children left, Peter Pan played his music. Then Peter Pan decided not to take his medicine. He wanted Wendy to be sad.
Peter Pan lay on top of the bed. Usually, Wendy tucked Peter Pan inside the blankets. Peter Pan fell asleep while he was laughing. Sometimes Peter Pan had bad dreams. Usually, Wendy sat with Peter Pan and held him. But tonight, Peter Pan was alone.
Captain Hook stood near the bed. Captain Hook liked flowers and music, but he hated Peter Pan. He saw Peter Pan’s open mouth and his happy face. This made Captain Hook very angry. He wanted to kill his enemy.
Captain Hook saw Peter Pan’s medicine on a shelf. Captain Hook had a poison (a liquid that can kill people). He always carried this yellow liquid with him. He put five drops of the poison into Peter Pan’s cup. His hand shook, but he was happy. Then Captain Hook climbed back up the tree and walked away.
Peter Pan continued to sleep. The light in the room went out. At ten o’clock, Peter Pan woke up. He heard a soft tap on the door of his tree. Peter Pan grabbed his dagger (a small, sharp knife). He asked who was there. Nobody answered at first. Then, a voice spoke.
It was Tinker Bell. Peter Pan opened the door. Tinker Bell flew in. Her face was red and her dress was dirty. Tinker Bell told Peter Pan the news. The pirates caught Wendy and the boys! Peter Pan was very worried.
Wendy was on the pirate ship. Peter Pan wanted to save Wendy immediately. He took his weapons. Then Peter Pan remembered his medicine. He wanted to please Wendy, so he picked up the cup. Tinker Bell shouted, "No!" She told Peter Pan that the medicine was poisoned.
Peter Pan did not believe Tinker Bell. He did not think Captain Hook could get into the room. Peter Pan lifted the cup to his mouth. Tinker Bell flew quickly. She drank all the medicine before Peter Pan could touch it. Peter Pan was angry at first.
Then Peter Pan saw that Tinker Bell was falling. Tinker Bell told Peter Pan that the medicine was poisoned. She drank it to save Peter Pan. She was dying. Her light was becoming very weak. Peter Pan knelt near her. He was very sad.
Tinker Bell whispered to Peter Pan. She said she could live if children believed in fairies. Peter Pan spoke to all the children in the world. He asked the children to believe. He told the children to clap their hands. "Don't let Tinker Bell die!" he cried.
Many children clapped their hands. Suddenly, Tinker Bell was well again. Her light was bright and she was happy. She flew around the room. "Now I must save Wendy!" Peter Pan cried. He put on his weapons and left the tree.
The night was cloudy. Peter Pan did not fly because he did not want the pirates to see him. He moved through the forest like a hunter (a person who searches for animals). He looked for signs of the children. He looked for seeds or a handkerchief on the ground.
The forest was very quiet. Peter Pan saw the crocodile, but no other animals. Peter Pan made a promise. He said, "Hook or me this time." Peter Pan moved like a snake through the trees. He held his dagger and he was very happy.