In the meantime , what of the boys ? We have seen them at the first clang of weapons , turned as it were into stone figures , open-mouthed , all appealing with outstretched arms to Peter ; and we return to them as their mouths close , and their arms fall to their sides . The pandemonium above has ceased almost as suddenly as it arose , passed like a fierce gust of wind ; but they know that in the passing it has determined their fate . Which side had won ? The pirates , listening avidly at the mouths of the trees , heard the question put by every boy , and alas , they also heard Peter 's answer . ` If the redskins have won , ' he said , ` they will beat the tom-tom ; it is always their sign of victory . ' Now Smee had found the tom-tom , and was at that moment sitting on it . ` You will never hear the tom-tom again , ' he muttered , but inaudibly of course , for strict silence had been enjoined . To his amazement Hook signed to him to beat the tom-tom ; and slowly there came to Smee an understanding of the dreadful wickedness of the order . Never , probably , had this simple man admired Hook so much . Twice Smee beat upon the instrument , and then stopped to listen gleefully . ` The tom-tom , ' the miscreants heard Peter cry ; ` an Indian victory ! ' The doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the black hearts above , and almost immediately they repeated their goodbyes to Peter . This puzzled the pirates , but all their other feelings were swallowed by a base delight that the enemy were about to come up the trees . They smirked at each other and rubbed their hands . Rapidly and silently Hook gave his orders : one man to each tree , and the others to arrange themselves in a line two yards apart . CHAPTER XIII DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES ? The more quickly this horror is disposed of the better . The first to emerge from his tree was Curly . He rose out of it into the arms of Cecco , who flung him to Smee , who flung him to Starkey , who flung him to Bill Jukes , who flung him to Noodler , and so he was tossed from one to another till he fell at the feet of the black pirate .
All the boys were plucked from their trees in this ruthless manner ; and several of them were in the air at a time , like bales of goods XXXXX from hand to hand .
come enjoined fell flung listening passed said seen smirked tossed