Chapter 8 THE MERMAIDS' LAGOON
If you shut your eyes and are a lucky one, you may see at times ashapeless pool of lovely pale colours suspended in the darkness; thenif you squeeze your eyes tighter, the pool begins to take shape, and thecolours become so vivid that with another squeeze they must go on fire.But just before they go on fire you see the lagoon. This is the nearestyou ever get to it on the mainland, just one heavenly moment; if therecould be two moments you might see the surf and hear the mermaidssinging.
The children often spent long summer days on this lagoon, swimming orfloating most of the time, playing the mermaid games in the water,and so forth. You must not think from this that the mermaids were onfriendly terms with them: on the contrary, it was among Wendy's lastingregrets that all the time she was on the island she never had a civilword from one of them. When she stole softly to the edge of the lagoonshe might see them by the score, especially on Marooners' Rock, wherethey loved to bask, combing out their hair in a lazy way that quiteirritated her; or she might even swim, on tiptoe as it were, to withina yard of them, but then they saw her and dived, probably splashing herwith their tails, not by accident, but intentionally.
They treated all the boys in the same way, except of course Peter, whochatted with them on Marooners' Rock by the hour, and sat on their tailswhen they got cheeky. He gave Wendy one of their combs.
The most haunting time at which to see them is at the turn of the moon,when they utter strange wailing cries; but the lagoon is dangerous formortals then, and until the evening of which we have now to tell, Wendyhad never seen the lagoon by moonlight, less from fear, for of coursePeter would have accompanied her, than because she had strict rulesabout every one being in bed by seven. She was often at the lagoon,however, on sunny days after rain, when the mermaids come up inextraordinary numbers to play with their bubbles. The bubbles of manycolours made in rainbow water they treat as balls, hitting them gailyfrom one to another with their tails, and trying to keep them in therainbow till they burst. The goals are at each end of the rainbow, andthe keepers only are allowed to use their hands. Sometimes a dozen ofthese games will be going on in the lagoon at a time, and it is quite apretty sight.
But the moment the children tried to join in they had to play bythemselves, for the mermaids immediately disappeared. Nevertheless wehave proof that they secretly watched the interlopers, and were notabove taking an idea from them; for John introduced a new way of hittingthe bubble, with the head instead of the hand, and the mermaids adoptedit. This is the one mark that John has left on the Neverland.
It must also have been rather pretty to see the children resting on arock for half an hour after their mid-day meal. Wendy insisted ontheir doing this, and it had to be a real rest even though the meal wasmake-believe. So they lay there in the sun, and their bodies glistenedin it, while she sat beside them and looked important.
It was one such day, and they were all on Marooners' Rock. The rock wasnot much larger than their great bed, but of course they all knew hownot to take up much room, and they were dozing, or at least lying withtheir eyes shut, and pinching occasionally when they thought Wendy wasnot looking. She was very busy, stitching.
While she stitched a change came to the lagoon. Little shivers ran overit, and the sun went away and shadows stole across the water, turningit cold. Wendy could no longer see to thread her needle, and when shelooked up, the lagoon that had always hitherto been such a laughingplace seemed formidable and unfriendly.
It was not, she knew, that night had come, but something as dark asnight had come. No, worse than that. It had not come, but it had sentthat shiver through the sea to say that it was coming. What was it?
There crowded upon her all the stories she had been told of Marooners'Rock, so called because evil captains put sailors on it and leavethem there to drown. They drown when the tide rises, for then it issubmerged.
Of course she should have roused the children at once; not merelybecause of the unknown that was stalking toward them, but because it wasno longer good for them to sleep on a rock grown chilly. But she wasa young mother and she did not know this; she thought you simply muststick to your rule about half an hour after the mid-day meal. So, thoughfear was upon her, and she longed to hear male voices, she would notwaken them. Even when she heard the sound of muffled oars, though herheart was in her mouth, she did not waken them. She stood over them tolet them have their sleep out. Was it not brave of Wendy?
It was well for those boys then that there was one among them who couldsniff danger even in his sleep. Peter sprang erect, as wide awake atonce as a dog, and with one warning cry he roused the others.
He stood motionless, one hand to his ear.
Pirates! he cried. The others came closer to him. A strange smile wasplaying about his face, and Wendy saw it and shuddered. While that smilewas on his face no one dared address him; all they could do was to standready to obey. The order came sharp and incisive.
Dive!
There was a gleam of legs, and instantly the lagoon seemed deserted.Marooners' Rock stood alone in the forbidding waters as if it wereitself marooned.
The boat drew nearer. It was the pirate dinghy, with three figures inher, Smee and Starkey, and the third a captive, no other than TigerLily. Her hands and ankles were tied, and she knew what was to be herfate. She was to be left on the rock to perish, an end to one of herrace more terrible than death by fire or torture, for is it not writtenin the book of the tribe that there is no path through water to thehappy hunting-ground? Yet her face was impassive; she was the daughterof a chief, she must die as a chief's daughter, it is enough.
They had caught her boarding the pirate ship with a knife in her mouth.No watch was kept on the ship, it being Hook's boast that the wind ofhis name guarded the ship for a mile around. Now her fate would help toguard it also. One more wail would go the round in that wind by night.
In the gloom that they brought with them the two pirates did not see therock till they crashed into it.
Luff, you lubber, cried an Irish voice that was Smee's; here's therock. Now, then, what we have to do is to hoist the redskin on to it andleave her here to drown.
It was the work of one brutal moment to land the beautiful girl on therock; she was too proud to offer a vain resistance.
Quite near the rock, but out of sight, two heads were bobbing up anddown, Peter's and Wendy's. Wendy was crying, for it was the firsttragedy she had seen. Peter had seen many tragedies, but he hadforgotten them all. He was less sorry than Wendy for Tiger Lily: it wastwo against one that angered him, and he meant to save her. An easy waywould have been to wait until the pirates had gone, but he was never oneto choose the easy way.
There was almost nothing he could not do, and he now imitated the voiceof Hook.
Ahoy there, you lubbers! he called. It was a marvellous imitation.
The captain! said the pirates, staring at each other in surprise.
He must be swimming out to us, Starkey said, when they had looked forhim in vain.
We are putting the redskin on the rock, Smee called out.
Set her free, came the astonishing answer.
Free!
Yes, cut her bonds and let her go.
But, captain--
At once, d'ye hear, cried Peter, or I'll plunge my hook in you.
This is queer! Smee gasped.
Better do what the captain orders, said Starkey nervously.
Ay, ay, Smee said, and he cut Tiger Lily's cords. At once like an eelshe slid between Starkey's legs into the water.
Of course Wendy was very elated over Peter's cleverness; but she knewthat he would be elated also and very likely crow and thus betrayhimself, so at once her hand went out to cover his mouth. But it wasstayed even in the act, for Boat ahoy! rang over the lagoon in Hook'svoice, and this time it was not Peter who had spoken.
Peter may have been about to crow, but his face puckered in a whistle ofsurprise instead.
Boat ahoy! again came the voice.
Now Wendy understood. The real Hook was also in the water.
He was swimming to the boat, and as his men showed a light to guide himhe had soon reached them. In the light of the lantern Wendy saw his hookgrip the boat's side; she saw his evil swarthy face as he rose drippingfrom the water, and, quaking, she would have liked to swim away, butPeter would not budge. He was tingling with life and also top-heavy withconceit. Am I not a wonder, oh, I am a wonder! he whispered to her,and though she thought so also, she was really glad for the sake of hisreputation that no one heard him except herself.
He signed to her to listen.
The two pirates were very curious to know what had brought their captainto them, but he sat with his head on his hook in a position of profoundmelancholy.
Captain, is all well? they asked timidly, but he answered with ahollow moan.
He sighs, said Smee.
He sighs again, said Starkey.
And yet a third time he sighs, said Smee.
Then at last he spoke passionately.
The game's up, he cried, those boys have found a mother.
Affrighted though she was, Wendy swelled with pride.
O evil day! cried Starkey.
What's a mother? asked the ignorant Smee.
Wendy was so shocked that she exclaimed. He doesn't know! and alwaysafter this she felt that if you could have a pet pirate Smee would beher one.
Peter pulled her beneath the water, for Hook had started up, crying,What was that?
I heard nothing, said Starkey, raising the lantern over the waters,and as the pirates looked they saw a strange sight. It was the nest Ihave told you of, floating on the lagoon, and the Never bird was sittingon it.
See, said Hook in answer to Smee's question, that is a mother. Whata lesson! The nest must have fallen into the water, but would the motherdesert her eggs? No.
There was a break in his voice, as if for a moment he recalled innocentdays when--but he brushed away this weakness with his hook.
Smee, much impressed, gazed at the bird as the nest was borne past, butthe more suspicious Starkey said, If she is a mother, perhaps she ishanging about here to help Peter.
Hook winced. Ay, he said, that is the fear that haunts me.
He was roused from this dejection by Smee's eager voice.
Captain, said Smee, could we not kidnap these boys' mother and makeher our mother?
It is a princely scheme, cried Hook, and at once it took practicalshape in his great brain. We will seize the children and carry them tothe boat: the boys we will make walk the plank, and Wendy shall be ourmother.
Again Wendy forgot herself.
Never! she cried, and bobbed.
What was that?
But they could see nothing. They thought it must have been a leaf in thewind. Do you agree, my bullies? asked Hook.
There is my hand on it, they both said.
And there is my hook. Swear.
They all swore. By this time they were on the rock, and suddenly Hookremembered Tiger Lily.
Where is the redskin? he demanded abruptly.
He had a playful humour at moments, and they thought this was one of themoments.
That is all right, captain, Smee answered complacently; we let hergo.
Let her go! cried Hook.
'Twas your own orders, the bo'sun faltered.
You called over the water to us to let her go, said Starkey.
Brimstone and gall, thundered Hook, what cozening [cheating] isgoing on here! His face had gone black with rage, but he saw that theybelieved their words, and he was startled. Lads, he said, shaking alittle, I gave no such order.
It is passing queer, Smee said, and they all fidgeted uncomfortably.Hook raised his voice, but there was a quiver in it.
Spirit that haunts this dark lagoon to-night, he cried, dost hearme?
Of course Peter should have kept quiet, but of course he did not. Heimmediately answered in Hook's voice:
Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs, I hear you.
In that supreme moment Hook did not blanch, even at the gills, but Smeeand Starkey clung to each other in terror.
Who are you, stranger? Speak! Hook demanded.
I am James Hook, replied the voice, captain of the JOLLY ROGER.
You are not; you are not, Hook cried hoarsely.
Brimstone and gall, the voice retorted, say that again, and I'll castanchor in you.
Hook tried a more ingratiating manner. If you are Hook, he said almosthumbly, come tell me, who am I?
A codfish, replied the voice, only a codfish.
A codfish! Hook echoed blankly, and it was then, but not till then,that his proud spirit broke. He saw his men draw back from him.
Have we been captained all this time by a codfish! they muttered. Itis lowering to our pride.
They were his dogs snapping at him, but, tragic figure though he hadbecome, he scarcely heeded them. Against such fearful evidence it wasnot their belief in him that he needed, it was his own. He felt his egoslipping from him. Don't desert me, bully, he whispered hoarsely toit.
In his dark nature there was a touch of the feminine, as in all thegreat pirates, and it sometimes gave him intuitions. Suddenly he triedthe guessing game.
Hook, he called, have you another voice?
Now Peter could never resist a game, and he answered blithely in his ownvoice, I have.
And another name?
Ay, ay.
Vegetable? asked Hook.
No.
Mineral?
No.
Animal?
Yes.
Man?
No! This answer rang out scornfully.
Boy?
Yes.
Ordinary boy?
No!
Wonderful boy?
To Wendy's pain the answer that rang out this time was Yes.
Are you in England?
No.
Are you here?
Yes.
Hook was completely puzzled. You ask him some questions, he said tothe others, wiping his damp brow.
Smee reflected. I can't think of a thing, he said regretfully.
Can't guess, can't guess! crowed Peter. Do you give it up?
Of course in his pride he was carrying the game too far, and themiscreants [villains] saw their chance.
Yes, yes, they answered eagerly.
Well, then, he cried, I am Peter Pan.
Pan!
In a moment Hook was himself again, and Smee and Starkey were hisfaithful henchmen.
Now we have him, Hook shouted. Into the water, Smee. Starkey, mindthe boat. Take him dead or alive!
He leaped as he spoke, and simultaneously came the gay voice of Peter.
Are you ready, boys?
Ay, ay, from various parts of the lagoon.
Then lam into the pirates.
The fight was short and sharp. First to draw blood was John, whogallantly climbed into the boat and held Starkey. There was fiercestruggle, in which the cutlass was torn from the pirate's grasp. Hewriggled overboard and John leapt after him. The dinghy drifted away.
Here and there a head bobbed up in the water, and there was a flashof steel followed by a cry or a whoop. In the confusion some struck attheir own side. The corkscrew of Smee got Tootles in the fourth rib, buthe was himself pinked [nicked] in turn by Curly. Farther from the rockStarkey was pressing Slightly and the twins hard.
Where all this time was Peter? He was seeking bigger game.
The others were all brave boys, and they must not be blamed for backingfrom the pirate captain. His iron claw made a circle of dead water roundhim, from which they fled like affrighted fishes.
But there was one who did not fear him: there was one prepared to enterthat circle.
Strangely, it was not in the water that they met. Hook rose to the rockto breathe, and at the same moment Peter scaled it on the oppositeside. The rock was slippery as a ball, and they had to crawl rather thanclimb. Neither knew that the other was coming. Each feeling for a gripmet the other's arm: in surprise they raised their heads; their faceswere almost touching; so they met.
Some of the greatest heroes have confessed that just before they fell to[began combat] they had a sinking [feeling in the stomach]. Had it beenso with Peter at that moment I would admit it. After all, he was theonly man that the Sea-Cook had feared. But Peter had no sinking, he hadone feeling only, gladness; and he gnashed his pretty teeth with joy.Quick as thought he snatched a knife from Hook's belt and was about todrive it home, when he saw that he was higher up the rock than his foe.It would not have been fighting fair. He gave the pirate a hand to helphim up.
It was then that Hook bit him.
Not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter. It madehim quite helpless. He could only stare, horrified. Every child isaffected thus the first time he is treated unfairly. All he thinks hehas a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness. Afteryou have been unfair to him he will love you again, but will neverafterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the firstunfairness; no one except Peter. He often met it, but he always forgotit. I suppose that was the real difference between him and all the rest.
So when he met it now it was like the first time; and he could juststare, helpless. Twice the iron hand clawed him.
A few moments afterwards the other boys saw Hook in the water strikingwildly for the ship; no elation on the pestilent face now, only whitefear, for the crocodile was in dogged pursuit of him. On ordinaryoccasions the boys would have swum alongside cheering; but now they wereuneasy, for they had lost both Peter and Wendy, and were scouring thelagoon for them, calling them by name. They found the dinghy and wenthome in it, shouting Peter, Wendy as they went, but no answer camesave mocking laughter from the mermaids. They must be swimming back orflying, the boys concluded. They were not very anxious, because theyhad such faith in Peter. They chuckled, boylike, because they would belate for bed; and it was all mother Wendy's fault!
When their voices died away there came cold silence over the lagoon, andthen a feeble cry.
Help, help!
Two small figures were beating against the rock; the girl had faintedand lay on the boy's arm. With a last effort Peter pulled her up therock and then lay down beside her. Even as he also fainted he saw thatthe water was rising. He knew that they would soon be drowned, but hecould do no more.
As they lay side by side a mermaid caught Wendy by the feet, and beganpulling her softly into the water. Peter, feeling her slip from him,woke with a start, and was just in time to draw her back. But he had totell her the truth.
We are on the rock, Wendy, he said, but it is growing smaller. Soonthe water will be over it.
She did not understand even now.
We must go, she said, almost brightly.
Yes, he answered faintly.
Shall we swim or fly, Peter?
He had to tell her.
Do you think you could swim or fly as far as the island, Wendy, withoutmy help?
She had to admit that she was too tired.
He moaned.
What is it? she asked, anxious about him at once.
I can't help you, Wendy. Hook wounded me. I can neither fly nor swim.
Do you mean we shall both be drowned?
Look how the water is rising.
They put their hands over their eyes to shut out the sight. They thoughtthey would soon be no more. As they sat thus something brushed againstPeter as light as a kiss, and stayed there, as if saying timidly, Can Ibe of any use?
It was the tail of a kite, which Michael had made some days before. Ithad torn itself out of his hand and floated away.
Michael's kite, Peter said without interest, but next moment he hadseized the tail, and was pulling the kite toward him.
It lifted Michael off the ground, he cried; why should it not carryyou?
Both of us!
It can't lift two; Michael and Curly tried.
Let us draw lots, Wendy said bravely.
And you a lady; never. Already he had tied the tail round her. Sheclung to him; she refused to go without him; but with a Good-bye,Wendy, he pushed her from the rock; and in a few minutes she was borneout of his sight. Peter was alone on the lagoon.
The rock was very small now; soon it would be submerged. Pale rays oflight tiptoed across the waters; and by and by there was to be heard asound at once the most musical and the most melancholy in the world: themermaids calling to the moon.
Peter was not quite like other boys; but he was afraid at last. Atremour ran through him, like a shudder passing over the sea; but onthe sea one shudder follows another till there are hundreds of them, andPeter felt just the one. Next moment he was standing erect on the rockagain, with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him. It wassaying, To die will be an awfully big adventure.