echoed Mullins . `` What of Cecco ? '' demanded Noodler . `` He 's as dead as Jukes , '' said Hook shortly . His reluctance to return to the cabin impressed them all unfavourably , and the mutinous sounds again broke forth . All pirates are superstitious , and Cookson cried , `` They do say the surest sign a ship 's accurst is when there 's one on board more than can be accounted for . '' `` 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 ! ''
XXXXX Hook , and all listened .
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