The young hedgehog began unfastening the rope, which was noosed about his middle. "I'm sorry, sir, didn't mean to splash you. My name's Orkwil Prink, I've been stuck in that confounded swamp since last night. Thanks to you
97
and your friends I'm safe now. Phew! I couldn't have lasted much longer in there, I can tell ye!"
The fox's footpaw stamped down on Orkwil's stomach, knocking the wind from him, and stopping him from untying the rope. Codj put his swordpoint to Orkwil's throat. "Gabby liddle 'edgepig, ain't yer? So then, Orful Stink, where do ya comes from, eh?"
The other vermin had descended from the tree, they laughed at Codj's little joke. It took Jungo a moment to catch on, then he guffawed appreciatively. "Huhurrhurr-hurr! Orful Stink, dat's a good 'un!"
The young hedgehog sighed. "That's twice in two days somebeast's not said my name right. It's Prink, not Stink. Orkwil, not Awful. Orkwil Prink, if y'please!"
Codj sneered, pricking his captive's throat with the swordpoint. "If y'please? Well, don't 'e talk pritty. I asked yew a question, Orful Stink, where do ya come from? Ye'd better speak afore I starts carvin' ya!"
Orkwil answered quickly. "I'm from Redwall Abbey, sir, but I was on a short trip, y'see, an' I wandered into that swa ..."
Codj hauled him upright sharply. "Redwall Abbey, eh, yore jus' the bucko we're lookin' for. Vizka'll want to talk wid yew! Lash 'im up good an' fetch 'im along, mates!"
Orkwil knew it would do no good to protest, the vermin looked like a primitive and murderous crew. Moments later he was bound by all paws to a spearpole, and carried off, swinging upside down between two weasels.
98
11
It was dusk by the time they arrived back aboard the Bludgullet. Vizka Longtooth cast a glance at the mudcaked young hedgehog, who was trussed to the spearpole. He shook his head pityingly at his younger brother. "Dat's der queerest kind o' vittles I've seen in a while. Wot d'yer want luggin' dat filthy 'edgepig aboard of a nice ship like dis?"
Codj flourished his sword, pointing it at Orkwil. "Jus' guess where dis 'edgepig comes from."
The golden fox wrinkled his nose. "A swamp by the smell of 'im!"
Codj nodded. "Aye, dat's where we found 'im, but do yew know where 'e lives, eh?"
Vizka stared levelly at his brother and smiled. It was that dangerous smile, which Codj had come to know so well. Vizka reached for Gorath's pitchfork. "I'm gittin' tired o' yore liddle games. Tell me, afore I does sumthin' I'll be sorry for later. Where does 'e live?"
Codj answered promptly. "Redwall Abbey!"
Vizka flung the pitchfork, it stuck deep into the mast, quivering. Grabbing his brother in a hearty embrace, Vizka pounded his back soundly. "At last ye've done summat right, Codj! Haharr, strike me anchor an' gut me grandpa,
99
a beast wot actually comes from Redwall Abbey? I knowed dat place was real, I jus' knowed it!"
Bending down, Vizka brought his face level with the captive. "Wot's yer name, liddle muddy matey?"
The young hedgehog replied wearily, "Orkwil Prink, sir."
The golden fox threw back his head, roaring with laughter. "Haharrharrharrr! It suits yer well, Orful Stink! D'ye hear that, mates, the 'edgepig's called Orful Stink!"
The crew laughed dutifully, nobeast dared not to, even Codj. Orkwil closed his eyes resignedly, not even bothering to correct his captor.
Vizka signalled to Bilger. "Sluice 'im down an' clean 'im up, get rid of Orful's Stink. Hahaharrr, that's a good 'un, eh!"
The pails of river water which splashed over Orkwil were both clean and refreshing, he even managed to catch a swift drink. Vizka smiled his famous deadly smile, the long fangs protruding.
"Now lissen, mate, me'n my crew wants ter pay yore Abbey a nice liddle visit. But we don't knows 'ow t'get there. Ye looks like a sensible young 'edgepig, so yew tell me 'ow, an' I'll take yore werd fer it, eh?"
Orkwil shut both eyes tight and clenched his teeth. The very idea of this barbarian fox and his evil crew going to Redwall did not bear thinking about. Though he was cringing with fear inside, Orkwil decided that no matter what happened to him, he would not divulge the location of the Abbey, which had suddenly become so dear to him it meant more than life itself.
Codj prodded the captive with his sword. "Ye'd better tell der cap'n wot 'e wants t'know, or yer name'll be Orful Sorry."
Nobeast laughed at Codj's pun.
Vizka smiled, stroking his two long fangs as he viewed Orkwil's show of resistance. "Lissen, 'edgepig, I knows yer
100
can 'ear me. Tomorrer morn I'm gonna git the galley fire burnin', good an' 'ot, an' I'm gonna stick a spit over it. Now I ain't sayin' no more, I'll jus' leave ye for de night, to t'ink about wot I'll do to yer. Never fear, by der time Longtooth's done wid ya, yore name'll be Orful 'elpful. Haharr, 'ow about dat, mates, Orful 'elpful?"
The Bludgullet's crew laughed obediently once more, even Jungo, who had not understood his captain's joke.
Vizka issued orders to his brother. "Cut 'im loose, an' chain 'im next to Rock'ead fer the night. Wake me early tomorrer, d'ye hear? Oh, an' keep an eye on our 'edgepig through the night."
When they came to cut Orkwil's bonds, he kicked and fought furiously. Bilger, Firty and Jungo had to hold him still as Codj severed the rope with his sword. Between them they dragged Orkwil to the mast, where Gorath lay chained. The badger appeared to be either unconscious or dead. Codj was not about to check on Gorath's condition, he stood with his sword ready, as Bilger and the others took a loop in the chain, and padlocked it around Orkwil's waist. Gorath suddenly stirred, so they got out of the way speedily.
Codj beckoned to his messmates. "Let's go an' git some vittles an' grog, the 'edgepig ain't goin' anyplace ... unless the stripe'ound eats 'im!"
Jungo scratched his tail. "Do stripe'ounds eat 'edgepigs? I didn't know dat."
Firty gave him a playful shove. "Codj wuz only jokin'."
Jungo thought about that for awhile, then called out to Orkwil as they headed toward the galley. "Don't worry if'n der stripe'ound eats yer, mate, 'e's only jokin'. Hurr-hurrhurrr!"
When they had gone, Orkwil tapped the badger gingerly. "How did you come to be captured, friend?"
Gorath opened his eyes, his voice sounded hoarse and slow. "I'm from the Northern Isles, they burned my house, and slew my grandparents. The one they call Longtooth
101
battered me down with a ball and chain. I woke up chained to this mast. I don't know how long I've been on this ship, lost count of the days. My name is Gorath." He held out a huge, workworn paw. Orkwil clasped it.
"My name's Orkwil Prink, I'm from Redwall Abbey."
The big, young badger suddenly became alert. "Redwall Abbey! I've heard about it, Orkwil, is it as marvellous as they say?"
The young hedgehog's eyes filled with tears. "Even more marvellous, Gorath, I've come to realise that now. That golden fox, Longtooth, he wants to go there with his vermin. I'm sure they plan on attacking it. Listen, friend, we've got to get to Redwall before they do. Could you make it?"
The badger's reply was tinged with bitter irony. "Why of course, Orkwil, but there's a little matter of a steel chain and an iron padlock holding me to the mast. Only for that I'd love to go to Redwall with you. I see you're locked up, too, how do you plan on leaving this ship?"
The young hedgehog inspected the padlock that held him to the chain, then he took a glance at Gorath's lock. "Huh, that shouldn't be too hard, mate, I've dealt with better locks than these rusty ole things."
The badger seized his friend's paw. "D'you mean you could open these locks?"
Orkwil winced. "Aye, providin' you don't break my paw, you've got a grip like a pike's jaw. Find me somethin' like a pin, or a nail, an' I'll have us free in a jiffy!"
They sat there, scanning the deck keenly, but there was no sign of anything useful. Then Orkwil pointed. "What's that thing sticking in the mast?"