she said , lingering over him . She was always so particular about their flannels . ` Yes . ' ` And you will take your medicine ? ' ` Yes . ' That seemed to be everything ; and an awkward pause followed . Peter , however , was not the kind that breaks down before people . ` Are you ready , Tinker Bell ? ' he called out . ` Ay , ay . ' ` Then lead the way . ' Tink darted up the nearest tree ; but no one followed her , for it was at this moment that the pirates made their dreadful attack upon the redskins . Above , where all had been so still , the air was rent with shrieks and the clash of steel . Below , there was dead silence . Mouths opened and remained open . Wendy fell on her knees , but her arms were extended toward Peter . All arms were extended to him , as if suddenly blown in his direction ; they were beseeching him mutely not to desert them . As for Peter , he seized his sword , the same he thought he had slain Barbecue with ; and the lust of battle was in his eye . CHAPTER XII THE CHILDREN ARE CARRIED OFF The pirate attack had been a complete surprise : a sure proof that the unscrupulous Hook had conducted it improperly , for to surprise redskins fairly is beyond the wit of the white man . By all the unwritten laws of savage warfare it is always the redskin who attacks , and with the wiliness of his race he does it just before the dawn , at which time he knows the courage of the whites to be at its lowest ebb .
The white men have in the meantime XXXXX a rude stockade on the summit of yonder undulating ground , at the foot of which a stream runs ; for it is destruction to be too far from water .
breaks called darted lead lingering made opened seized slain thought