The retreating children divided into two teams. The first took the tunnels out to the weastern shore to wait at the jungle's edge for the last of the boat's soldiers to land. The other spread out into the jungle at once.
Peter and Gwen, too big to comfortably keep pace with the smaller children running through the tunnels, both headed into the jungle, but prepared to part ways.
“Remember,” Peter cautioned everyone. “Keep them away from the heart of the island. Don't let them get near the Never Tree!” The children already knew the plan and had a keen understanding of where they had laid all their traps. They would have no problem leading the adults through the confusing forest and into their snares. Their plan depended on them spreading out and covering as much ground as possible.
“Peter,” Gwen grabbed his arm with one hand, and dug through her purse with the other. “Take this.” She handed him an empty tin can with a tiny hole punched in the bottom.
“What's this, Dollie-Lyn?” Peter asked, turning it upside down and looking at the small hole in the bottom. “Another one of your clever inventions?” He touched the bottom of the can and felt a slender string running from it.
Gwen pulled the corresponding can out of her purse. To demonstrate its functional, Gwen whispered into hers, “Can you hear me?”
“By golly, I can!” Peter announced, amazed at how clear Gwen's voice sounded from the can in his hand.
Gwen had never had much luck making telephones out of two cans and string, but she had never had magical string either. She knew from her experience tracking the Piper that Irene's invisible string would not tangle, would not run out, and would not snap. It was the perfect way to keep touch with Peter, to make sure he stayed safe even in the thick of this adventure.
“Wait—I know what this is!” Peter declared. “I've never seen one so big before.” He put the tin can on his finger as if he expected it to fit like a ring, or a thimble. “You ought to have one too, Gwenny.”
“But I've got—”
Peter didn't seem concerned with her tin can. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an acorn. He grabbed Gwen's hand and planted it in her palm, closing her fingers around the nut. He held her hand closed around it for a moment and Gwen felt lost for words.
“Don't get yourself killed by these cut-rate pirates, okay? They don't even have hats. It'd be a horrible way to go.”
She nodded a little, still unable to respond, and Peter took this for confirmation. He dashed into the woods and took off flying over the thick brush to make his way, as fast as possible, to the nearest marauding adult.
Gwen took a deep breath and clutched her little acorn. It felt charged with an electricity she didn't recognize. It didn't feel magical, but everything Peter touched seemed imbued with some enchantment. She didn't know what to do with it, so she tucked it into a safe pocket of her satchel and hoped for the best as she flew into the dark jungle.