“Now, here’s a rule or two for you,
as outward bound ye stroll,
you’ve got to prove so true’n’blue,
to join the Long Patrol.
An’ here’s a tip, stiff upper lip,
when facin’ vermin foe,
give ’em lots o’ blood’n’vinegar
an’ General Billyoh!
Aye, General Billyoh, me lads, General Billyoh!
No quarter, no surrender, strike ’em hard an’ lay ’em
low!
“Eulalia is our battle cry,
so shout it long an’ loud,
Ye hail from Salamandastron
an’ don’t it make ye proud,
so when they see ye chargin’
hear the enemy wail ‘oh, no,’
we’re in for steel’n’slaughter
an’ General Billyoh!
’Tis General Billyoh they’ll get, General Billyoh,
throw open wide the Hellgates, an’ we’ll show ’em
where t’go!”
Stamping their pawprints in the damp sand, the column marched north along the beach. The sea was in floodtide, creating a din as it rolled in, with white-combed rollers booming as they broke on the coast. This, combined with the raucous calls of seabirds, vied with the song the young hares were singing.
With a twinkle in his eye, the major called out, baiting the patrol, “Is that the flippin’ best ye can do, wot? Lady Wildstripe an’ meself can hardly hear a word from any of ye!”
The Badger Lady caught on to what he was doing and joined in the fun, shouting aloud, “It must be the sound of the waves and those gulls squawking. I think ’tis drowning our singers out, Major. Mayhaps they could try a little harder, eh?”
The patrol began singing with renewed vigour, increasing their volume. Necks straining and ears flat back, they yelled out the song with all their power.
Major Fforbes shook his head sadly. “I tell ye, Milady, in my young Galloper seasons, I could’ve probably drowned’em all out with my voice. Young Foghorn Fforbes, they used to call me, wot!”
Lady Wildstripe hid a chuckle. “Oh, I don’t doubt it, Major. Perhaps they haven’t reached full volume yet. Maybe if they sing it once more, we’ll hear them loud and clear.”
It was some time before the young hares realised what was going on. By then they had sung themselves hoarse.
Peasblossom fluttered her eyelids at the officer. “It’s no good, sah. We’ll never be as jolly good as you were. I say, d’you think you could sing out an’ show us how?”
Major Felton Fforbes touched his throat, uttering a cough. “Ahem, ahem. . . . Wish I could, missy, but I’ve got this sore throat, d’ye see. Not possible, I’m afraid. Column, left wheel, let’s try a hike into the dunes, wot!”
They halted at midday in a sheltered hollow between four sandhills. Provisions were broached whilst they sat down to relax. Scones, dried fruit and elderflower cordial were passed around.
Lady Wildstripe remarked to Folderum, who was sitting nearby, “Well, young sir, are you enjoying our little foray?”
Folderum nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes, Milady, it’s absolutely top hole out here, wot!”
The Badger Lady gazed up at the warm blue sky. “I agree. It’s so long since I’ve been away from the mountain. How would you like to spend the night out here? Would you like to camp down on the heathland?”
She was met with an overwhelming reply from the patrol.
“Oh, I say, that’d be bloomin’ splendid, wot!”
“Rather—a full night out under the blinkin’ stars!”
“Oh, marm, say we can, please. It’d be jolly good fun!”
Lady Wildstripe looked to Felton Fforbes. “What do you think, Major?”
Fforbes chewed on a candied chestnut. “Hmm, I doubt whether Colonel Bletgore’d approve.”
Young Grumby was heard to murmur, “Don’t suppose he’d even miss us, he sleeps so bloomin’ much, the old fogey.”
The major fixed Grumby with a severe look, which dissolved into a grin. “No, I don’t suppose he would, an’ if you’re lucky enough t’reach his age, you wouldn’t either, Grumby. Anyhow, ’twould be gone dark by the time we got back to Salamandastron. So if a night out in the open’d agree with ye, Milady, then I’m all for it, wot!”
The remainder of that fine day was spent happily. Leaving the dunes, they trekked off onto the heathland, singing and joking with one another. The Badger Lady was still young enough to enjoy herself with the Gallopers and sang out as loud as anybeast. In the early evening, the major spotted a suitable campsite.
“Over yonder—twixt that flat-sided hummock an’ those gorse bushes. We’ll be protected on two sides, eh!”
Folderum’s ears twitched; he held up a paw. “Quiet, you chaps. I think I can hear runnin’ water. Maybe there’s a brook hereabouts, wot?”
The major tapped him with his swagger stick. “Well done, laddie buck, very observant of ye!”
Peasblossom sniggered, whispering to Lady Wildstripe, “Very observant, my left paw, Milady. He’s Galloped round here before—I know he has, the flippin’ fraud!”
Darkness fell on a scene of contentment. A fire had been built from dead gorse, water was bubbling to make dandelion tea, and the hares were toasting scones on their swordpoints. Major Fforbes relented and rendered a song. The young Gallopers were surprised at the richness of his fine baritone voice, none of them having heard him sing before. He made the heathlands echo, his tones ringing up into the velvet star-strewn night.
“My friends, now let us pause,
survey these great outdoors,
they’re here for me, they’re here for you,
all pals an’ comrades good an’ true.
I must say who could ask for more,
the sky’s our roof, the earth’s our floor,
out in the great outdoors!
Kind season, treat us right,
don’t let it rain this night,
forbid that gales blow fierce,
or frost our hides to pierce,
pay heed an’ help our cause,
out in the great outdoors!
But havin’ said all that,
just look at where we’re at,
with a roarin’ fire to toast our paws,
I’ll warm mine, an’ you warm yours,
whilst happily we sing an’ shout,
out out out out, out out out out!
Out in the great outdoors!”
There were further campfire songs, riddles, jokes and poems. The patrol were totally at their ease. Lady Wildstripe lay back, surveying the starry night sky, with its huge, white moon shedding pale, silent light over all.
Young Peasblossom gave a gusty sigh. “Ain’t it jolly good, Milady, I mean, bein’ out here an’ all that? Wish we could stay out here all season, wot!”
Ruffling the haremaid’s ears, Lady Wildstripe smiled. “Indeed, it’s very enjoyable. D’you know, I’ve decided that we’re going to do this a lot more in the future.”
The major interrupted with his customary briskness. “Beg pardon, Milady, but I think it’s about shut-eye time for these young uns. Folderum, take Grumby an’ Frubbs Minor. Mount a movin’ sentry. Keep circlin’ the area outside o’ the camp. No need to march, but stay movin’—stop ye noddin’ off. Both eyes peeled, all around at all times. I’ll send a relief after midnight.”
Folderum saluted. “Understood, sah!”
The rest of the patrol settled down after banking up the fire. Within moments, the calm autumn night had worked its spell. Everybeast was slumbering peacefully.
From where he was walking, Folderum could make out Frubbs Minor’s back. Every now and then, he would turn to catch sight of Grumby, some way behind him. They had been circling the camp for a while when Grumby broke off and walked away.