"You are not; you are not," Hook cried hoarsely.

"Brimstone and gall," the voice retorted, "say that again, and
I'll cast anchor in you."

Hook tried a more ingratiating manner. "If you are Hook," he
said almost humbly, "come tell me, who am I?"

"A codfish," replied the voice, "only a codfish."

"A codfish!" Hook echoed blankly, and it was then, but not till
then, that his proud spirit broke. He saw his men draw back from
him.

"Have we been captained all this time by a codfish!" they
muttered. "It is lowering to our pride."