` Something ! ' 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 at 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 , ` 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 .
Had asked broke cried doomed echoed kills looking said took