There was at first such a tiny sound that a leaf might have fallen on it and smothered it, but as it came nearer it was more distinct.
Tick tick tick tick! Hook stood shuddering, one foot in the air.
"The crocodile!" he gasped, and bounded away, followed by his bo'sun.
It was indeed the crocodile.

It had passed the redskins, who were now on the trail of the other pirates.

It oozed on after Hook.
Once more the boys emerged into the open; but the dangers of the night were not yet over, for presently Nibs rushed breathless into their midst, pursued by a pack of wolves.

The tongues of the pursuers were hanging out; the baying of them was horrible.
"Save me, save me!" cried Nibs, falling on the ground.
"But what can we do, what can we do ?" It was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment their thoughts turned to him.
"What would Peter do ?" they cried simultaneously.
Almost in the same breath they cried, "Peter would look at them through his legs." And then, "Let us do what Peter would do." It is quite the most successful way of defying wolves, and as one boy they bent and looked through their legs.

The next moment is the long one, but victory came quickly, for as the boys advanced upon them in the terrible attitude, the wolves dropped their tails and fled.
Now Nibs rose from the ground, and the others thought that his staring eyes still saw the wolves.