himself is pinked byCURLY. It looks as if the boys were getting the worse of it, which is perhaps just as well at this point, becausePETER, who will be the determining factor in the end, has a perplexing way of changing sides if he is winning too easily.HOOK’Siron claw makes a circle of black water round him from which opponents flee like fishes. There is only one prepared to enter that dreadful circle. His name isPAN. Strangely, it is not in the water that they meet.HOOKhas risen to the rock to breathe, and at the same momentPETERscales it on the opposite side. The rock is now wet and as slippery as a ball, and they have to crawl rather than climb. Suddenly they are face to face.PETERgnashes his pretty teeth with joy, and is gathering himself for the spring when he sees he is higher up the rock than his foe. Courteously he waits;HOOKsees his intention, and taking advantage of it claws twice.PETERis untouched, but unfairness is what he never can get used to, and in his bewilderment he rolls off the rock.
