But he never reached her, he never heard the cry of anguish he hoped to wring from her.

He heard something else instead.
It was the terrible tick-tick of the crocodile.
They all heard it--pirates, boys, Wendy; and immediately every head was blown in one direction; not to the water whence the sound proceeded, but toward Hook.

All knew that what was about to happen concerned him alone, and that from being actors they were suddenly become spectators.
Very frightful was it to see the change that came over him.

It was as if he had been clipped at every joint.

He fell in a little heap.
The sound came steadily nearer; and in advance of it came this ghastly thought, "The crocodile is about to board the ship!" Even the iron claw hung inactive; as if knowing that it was no intrinsic part of what the attacking force wanted.