Peter and the Starcatchers Read Online Free PDF

invention would revolutionize the pirate industry. He was saving the Ladies for just the right moment, when he was heading downwind, closing on his prey for the kil .
    “They’l hold,” he said. He spat on the deck, then turned to the sailors gathered near.

    “We’l see who’s the fastest ship afloat, eh men?” he said. “And when we do, the Wasp won’t be floating anymore!” The sun-bronzed pirates cheered, and not just because they had to. They knew there would be treasure on board soon, with a share for them. Black Stache saw the greed in their eyes.
    “Treasure, lads!” he shouted. “The greatest treasure ever taken to sea!”
    The pirates cheered again, louder this time.
    “Or so some have said,” said Black Stache, and he turned to stare at a cage on the main deck. There was a man inside the cage, a uniformed sailor. He huddled in a corner, shaking at the sound of Black Stache’s voice.
    “And if this scurvy dog is wrong,” said Black Stache, his black eyes boring in on the terrified prisoner, “then he’l wish he’d never been born, that I vow.”
    “The treasure’s on the Wasp. I promise,” cried the prisoner. “I heard it with me own ears.”
    “It’d better be,” Black Stache said. “Or I’l wear them ears on a necklace.”
    Ignoring the man’s whimpers, Black Stache turned and raised the glass to his eye again.
    “They’re hoisting sail,” he said. “Making to catch the tide. Tel the men to make ready to fol ow.” Smee relayed the order, and the pirates swung smoothly into action. They didn’t look pretty, but they were an efficient crew, wel trained by the whip.
    Black Stache ignored them, his gaze stil aimed through the glass.
    “You’re mine, Wasp, ” he mumbled on foul breath, a rare smile on his thin lips. “You, and everything you hold. Mine.”

CHAPTER 5
CAPTAIN PEMBRIDGE

    T HE BOYS WERE SHOWN TO THEIR QUARTERS in the Never Land by a gaunt, holow-eyed sailor caled Hungry Bob. He led them down a ladder and along a narrow passageway belowdecks, stopping in front of a low opening.
    “Here you go, lads,” he said. “Your home away from home.”
    Peter, fol owed by the others, ducked through the opening. What they found was depressing, even measured against the low standards of St. Norbert’s: a tiny, gloomy, windowless space, lit only by a sputtering oil lamp. The air reeked of smoke and rotten fish. The floor was bare, except for a chipped crockery pot in the corner.
    “We’re al supposed to sleep here ?” Peter said. “But there’s not enough room!”
    “Oh, you’l be glad you’re close together,” said Hungry Bob. “Keeps you warm.”
    “But it smells, ” said James.
    “It does?” said Hungry Bob, sniffing. “Not so’s I can tel .” Hungry Bob was not exactly a fragrant flower himself. “Anyways, you get used to it.” He pointed to the crockery pot. “I put your dinner in the corner, there. You eat once a day, and you want to eat it right quick when I brings it, or the rats’l get it first.” The boys, who hadn’t eaten since the night before, brightened at the prospect of food. They gathered around the pot.
    “Where’s the plates?” said Prentiss. “And the spoons?”
    Hungry Bob had to grab the wal to keep from fal ing over with laughter. “Plates!” he roared. “Spoons!”
    “Then how do we eat?” said Prentiss.
    “Like the rest of us,” said Hungry Bob. “With your hands.”
    The boys peered doubtful y into the pot, which contained a darkish liquid. It looked far from appetizing, but they were hungry. Tubby Ted, always the first to take action where food was concerned, cupped his hands and scooped out a handful of the liquid with some smal grayish lumps floating in it. He sniffed it, wrinkled his nose, then shrugged and took a lump into his mouth. Immediately he spat it onto the floor.
    “IT’S ALIVE!” he screamed.
    The boys looked at the lump on the floor, and sure enough, it was wriggling.
    “It’s a worm!” said