"Lookit in there!” Ernie whispered, pointing into a dense patch of bulrushes. “D’you see what I see?” “Holy cats!” cried Raymond. “What a beauty!” Peter, peering from a little farther away into the rushes, saw at once what they were looking at. It was a swan, a magnificent white swan sitting serenely on her nest. Her head was turned toward the boys on the bank, alert and watchful. “’Ow about that?” Ernie said. “That’s better’n ducks, ain’t it?” “You think you can get ‘er?” Raymond asked. “Of course I can get ‘er. I’ll drill a ‘ole right through ‘er noggin!” Peter felt a wild rage beginning to build up inside him. He walked up to the two bigger boys. “I wouldn’t shoot that swan if I were you,* ”he said trying to keep his voice calm.* “Swans are the most protected birds in England.”

Poor Peter hands were already tied up as he was held captive by the two. They had already tried punishing him by putting him on the train tracks, however the smart boy managed to sink into the train bed and survive. So the bullies had taken him over to the pond, where they were planning to toss him. However, they are met with the beautiful swan instead. Peter had a huge love for birds, especially swans. And seeing the two kids threatening to kill one filled Peter with a type of anger he's never felt before. It's not like he could fight back, the two boys were bigger for their age (Ernie now 15 and Raymond 14), Peter was 13 and had a small frail body.. He was also being held gunpoint in an area no one could hear his pleas for help. This is because Ernie had earned a rifle for his 15th birthday. Peter was weak and helpless compared to the two.