The pirates easily caught the children as they came up their trees. Then they carried them off to the Jolly Roger.
But Captain Hook had to go underground to find Peter. Carefully he squeezed down a hollow tree.
Peter was sleeping. His medicine was still in the cup. The captain grinned in the dark.
Hook always carried a small bottle of yellow poison. Now he put five drops into Peter’s medicine. Then he wormed his way back up the tree.
It was nearly ten o’clock when Tink woke Peter. “The pirates have captured Wendy and the boys!” she cried.
Peter’s heart bobbed in his chest. Wendy! Tied up on the dirty pirate ship! Wendy who loved everything just so!
“I’ll save her!” Peter cried. Then he remembered something. He knew it would please Wendy if he took his medicine.
He reached for the cup.
“No!” cried Tinker Bell. There was no time for words. She dashed in front of his lips and drained the cup.
“It was poisoned, Peter,” she said. “And now I am going to die.”
Her light was already fading. Soon it would go out. Then she would be gone forever.
Tinker Bell spoke softly now. Peter could barely hear. “Perhaps I could get well again,” she whispered. “If only children believed in fairies …”
Peter flung out his arms. He spoke to children everywhere who might be dreaming of the Neverland:
“Do you believe?” he cried. “Do you! Then clap your hands!”
Some children just turned over in their sleep. A few of the little beasts hissed. But many children clapped!
Then suddenly all of the clapping stopped. Mothers everywhere had rushed in to see what was wrong.
But it was enough. Tink was saved!
“And now to save Wendy!” Peter cried.
The moon was riding in a cloudy heaven. Peter stole through the forest. Once he saw the crocodile pass him. It didn’t make a sound.
Peter was bursting with happiness. Tink was alive. And he was off on another adventure.
To save Wendy from Captain Hook!