Her companion fidgeted moodily with a dandelion. “Not lost, just don know a way back, sall. They always come an find us, you see, always come an say, Likkle rogues, worry us a death, very naughty!
The molemaid giggled at the mousebabes imitation of Mother Mellus. “Hurr hurr, ee sounden same as owd badgermum.
Slipp and Blaggut were lost, too. They had strayed from the main course of River Moss in the shrewboat and now lay becalmed up a tributary. Slipp had decided the blame lay with Blaggut.
“Yew arf-baked barnacle, what did yer bring us up this ere backwater for?
The searat knew he dare not argue with his Captain, so he shrugged with an injured air. “Capn?
Slipp was working himself up into a fine temper, and drawing his cutlass slowly he imitated Blagguts voice.
“Capn, Capn, is that all ycan say, Capn, Capn? Ill Capn yer, you useless lump o seaslop. Now over the side with yer carcass an get pullin on that eadrope afore I carves yer into crabmeat!
Stifling a sigh of resignation, Blaggut heaved his bulk over the bows, drawing in a swift gasping breath at the streams chill. Shouldering the headrope he began towing the shrewboat behind him, but not without protest.
“Id be better off paddlin, Capn. Spose there was heels an those ungry pikefishes swimmin in these ere » waters. I could get meself et up, an youd ave tgo it alone ...
Slipp snorted at the idea. “Pikes V eels got more sense than to try an eat a big, fat, poison blubbergut like you. Just keep eavin on that rope til I tells yer tstop!
The searat heaved, but kept up his complaints. “The bottoms all muddy an squishy Capn, spose I sinks outer sight, sucked under like ...
Slipp lay back in the boat, letting sun patterns play over him as the trees went by. “No such luck, barrelbum. This streams got too much respect fer itself than to ave the likes of you layin in the mud like a dirty great porpoise. Pull, ye swab!
The sun was beginning to dip low as Tarquin halted his searchers. He squinted up at the sky before nodding decisively. “Thats as far as we go in this direction, chaps. The little uns like those couldnt have got further than this.
Brother Mallen, a young mouse, who himself had been a Dibbun until four seasons ago, held up his paw. “Mr. Tarquin, sir, youd be surprised at how far two Dibbuns can go in one afternoon. Maybe we should press on to the River Moss and search over that way.
“Youre barkin up the wrong tree, laddie, said the hare, staring down his nose for a moment at the Brother. “Take mword for it; I know about these things. When yve got a few seasons under ybelt, like me, youll know how to track an search expertly. Meanwhile, I suggest we spread out further apart an comb the bally old country tthe east, makin a sweep down south toward old Saint Ninians church. Righto, troop, as ywere, thrash the jolly bushes an shrubs with your staves, call out the names loud, Funthingee an wotsismouse, no slackin, be dark before yknow it!
The Redwallers moved off into the undergrowth, shaking bushes and calling aloud as they moved in a southeastward sweep. Off in the opposite direction to the lost Dibbuns.
Slipp yanked at the headrope impatiently, sending Blag-gut sprawling backward into the water. “Take me into the bank, over there by that big tree! he barked.
Coughing streamwater, Blaggut obediently pulled until the shrewboat was banked, then he looped the headrope round the three-topped oak his Captain had indicated.
“Capn?
The searat Captain ambled ashore and slumped against the oak as if wearied after a hard days toil. “Capn, apn, there you go again! Now lissen hard, cocklebrains, mark this tree, remember where it is, an dont get lost. Take yore moldy carcass off into these woods an get me some vittles.
Blaggut stared hopefully at Slipp. “Vittles, Capn? “Aye, vittles, Capn! You know wot vittles is, dont yer? Food to shove in yore face; berries, nuts, fruit, there must be stuff aplenty to eat in this jungle. Get goin!
Blagguts dull features brightened.
“Aye, aye, Capn, vittles! Ill bring yer all I kin lay claws on, an water to drink as well.
Slipp glared at the westering sun as if it were partly to blame, then he smiled disarmingly at his servant. “Weve been surrounded by fresh streamwater all day, nitbrains.
Wot would we need more for? Look, just go an get the vittles, will yer? An remember the way back.
Blaggut stumbled off into the woodland muttering to himself. “No water, jus vittles, an remember the way back, got it. No vittles jus remember an water if ycome back, or was it dont remember water an no vittles on the way back ...
Slipp covered his head with both paws and slept.
Mellus and Saxtus, with several of the old and Very young, stood on the path outside Redwall Abbeys &. west side. They held lanterns high, even though there was a full moon to give good light.
Blind Simeon turned his face south. “Is that the search coming from the direction of Saint Ninians? he
“It is indeed, said Sister Sage, peering down the path. Though I dont see the Dibbuns with them.
“Have they been eaten by wildbeasts, Mellus? one of the leverets piped up.
The old badger cuffed the young hares ears gently. “Of course not, and dont let me hear you spreading horrible stories around. By rights you should be in bed!
Weary and paw-sore, the search party halted in front of the main gate. Tarquin threw the reception committee a tired salute. “No sign of the little uns at all, Im afraid; we covered a wide area, north, east, and south, no joy whatsoever.
The Abbot studied his paws in the moonlight. “You did all you could. Come in now, weve held supper over for you. Tomorrow well start the search again at first light. Inside, you Dibbuns. Come on now, bedtime.
The Redwallers drifted into the Abbey grounds. Tarquin stayed back with Blind Simeon to secure the main gate for the night.
“Perhaps wed better post sentries on the wall, they might wander home during the night, said the blind sage as he felt about for the barlock. “Dearie me, I cant help wishing that Joseph were here, hed know what to do.
Blaggut made his way back to the oak on the streambank, more by luck than judgment. He shook the sleeping form of his Captain vigorously. “Capn, Capn, guess wot I found?
Slipp yawned and blinked in the darkness. “Dont tell me, a cask of seaweed grog and a roasted gull!
“O, thats a good un, yer a one you are, Capn! Blag-gut chuckled heartily.
Slipp grabbed hold of the slow-witted searat. “Im an ungry one right now, flopead. Wheres those vittles?
“O er, vittles, er, there wasnt none, Blagguts voice rattled on with excitement. “But I found two Hddle beasts asleep; theyre livin in a tent jus a stroll further up the bank, Capn!
“You didnt wake em, did yer?
“No, Capn. Bless their liddle earts, they looked so peaceful. I came right back ere t let you know.
Slipp released Blaggut and shook his paw. “Thats the first sensible thing youve done today, mate. Now you lead me to em, nice an quiet like!
14
The onset of night in the dungeons of Castle Floret weighed deeply on Mariel and Dandin. They sat on the wide window ledge, tired, hungry, and sore, watching the moon hanging like a buttered disc over the valley. Mariel was using the rope that had bound their footpaws to fash-ion a new Gullwhacker. As she worked, she wondered dolefully if she would ever get a chance to use it.
Dandin, half awake and half asleep, was imagining himself back at his beloved Redwall, strolling through the moonlit orchard with his friend Saxtus after supper, as the great Joseph bell softly boomed out the quarter; hearing the distant voice of Mother Mellus from the dormitory windows as she shooed Dibbuns off to bed; sensing the odors of apple, plum, strawberry, and pear on the still, fragrant air. He was roused from his reverie by Mariels voice.
“How does he do it? That old Field Marshal will sleep through anythinglook at him.