Abbot Apodemus patted Mokug’s paw comfortingly. Of course you can stay.
I’m sure you’ll be a valuable addition to our Abbey, my friend. So the white ghost and the giant serpent locked together! That explains Ruggum’s storyÑhe was telling the truth. And now, Mokug, let us take a look at this map you have kept faithfully.
The Abbot took the scroll and unrolled it. I thought you said this was a map?
The hamster tapped his paw on the scroll. Well, ‘tis a map of sorts.
Sarengo wrote down the directions instead of makin’ a sketch, but it tells everythin’.
Log a Log took a peek at the parchment. Hah! It ain’t even proper writin’, just a load of ole squiggles, circles, dots an’ loops. Nobeast could make ‘ead nor tail o’ that lot!
Mokug nodded in agreement. That’s ‘cos ‘tis written in the royal script of Riftgard. Only Pure Ferrets of Sarengo’s blood can read’n’write like that.
Crikulus groaned and threw his paws up. You mean to tell us that you’ve held on to a written map since you were young, but you can’t understand a confounded word of it?
The golden hamster shrugged innocently. I ain’t no scholar, but I’ll wager one day that some clever beast’ll understand it.
Redwallers crowded round to look at the odd script. There was much scratching of tails, rudders and ears.
Well, I’m sure I’m not that clever beast!
Burr, nay zurr, neither bee’s oi!
The Abbot rolled the parchment up carefully and put it to one side.
Oh dear, what a shame. Well now, have you anything else to tell us at all, think?
The hamster looked the picture of dejection. I told ye all I know, Abbotness, on me word I did.
Skipper placed a sympathetic paw about Mokug’s shoulder, Never mind, matey, you did yore best. Let’s go inside, ye look tired. Sister Vernal, do you think we can find this good ole beast a bed of ‘is own?
Vernal took Mokug’s paw. I’m sure we can. There’s a small room next to the Dibbuns’ dormitoryÑit has a nice bed.
Great tears popped from the hamster’s eyes. D’ye mean a room of me own, with a real bed in it?
The Abbot took his own kerchief and slipped it to Mokug. I’ll have the otters carry your belongings up. The room and the bed are yours from now on, friend.
Sister Vernal led Mokug inside to his new room. He kept the kerchief jammed to his eyes, stemming the tears. I’ll sweep it out every day an’ make the bed up meself. I never ‘ad me own quarters, ever. Thankee for yore kindness!
Friar Gooch was bringing biscuits from his kitchens for the Dibbuns.
He passed Vernal and Mokug at the main door. Dearie me, wot’s up with the old hamster? He’s cryin’ like a babe. Somethin’ upset the pore beast?
The Abbot took one end of the biscuit tray to assist the Friar on his way to the pond. Mokug isn’t upset, he’s happy. Funny how we at Redwall take things for granted, isn’t it, Friar? A bed and a room of your own: simple things. But if you were a slave who’d never had one, and if you’d lived in a hole in the ground for long seasons, it would be very different.
Properly cooked food, lots of new friends, so that you’re not alone anymore. Add to that a comfortable room and a clean bed. That’s why the poor fellow’s weepingÑhe’s overcome by it all.
Crikulus sat on an upturned wheelbarrow in the orchard. Pulling a lantern closer, he stared hard at Mokug’s parchment until his eyes began to water. He gnawed at his lip as he pored over the strange symbols.
Malbun ambled across to sit beside him. Waiting for the solution to jump out at you?
Putting aside the parchment, the ancient Gatekeeper rubbed his eyes wearily. Hmph! One would be waiting a long time for anything recognisable to jump out o’ that load of gobbledygook!
Skipper peered over Malbun’s shoulder at the puzzle. Don’t give up ‘ope, mates. It means somethin’Ñit must do, if’n somebeast took the trouble to write it all down there.
Malbun yawned and stretched. That’s correct, Skip, but I’m too tired to concentrate on anything. Come on, Crikulus, time for bed. I’ll walk you down to the gatehouse.
Malbun’s companion rose stiffly. Ooh, my back. I’ll take the bed tonightÑyour turn to sleep in the armchair.
Skipper gave them a lantern to light the way. A good night to ye both.
Don’t ferget that scroll, take it with ye. I’ll go an’ lend a paw to round up the Dibbuns down at the pond.
Paddling and eating biscuits was all the Abbeybabes were interested in. No sooner were they pulled from the shallows by Churk and Rumbol than they would escape from Memm and dash straight back into the water.
It was an endless task. The Harenurse rushed about, trying to be everywhere at once.
Turfee, stand still on that bank, sah, don’t move! I say, Churk, grab Roobil, he’s back in again!
Me wanna nudder bikkit. Ruggum splashed mine, it all wetted!
Ruggum grinned villainously, holding out a chubby paw. Give et yurr, oi loikes ee soggy bikkits!
Memm twitched her ears severely at the little mole. Out! Out of that blinkin’ pond this instant, sah. Out!
Don’t get yoreself in a tizzy, marm. Leave this t’me!
Memm smiled with relief as Skipper strode past her into the water, a long shrimp net draped across his shoulders. That’s the ticket, Skip, fish the blighters out and we’ll make soup of them!
Churk and Rumbol took the net ends, while Skipper held the centre. They captured the little ones neatly in a single sweep. Keeping them confined within the net, the three otters and Memm herded the protesting mass of Dibbuns back into the Abbey and straight up to the dormitory.
But they would not go to sleep without a song. Mokug came out of his room and obliged. The Dibbuns were delighted. This was a song they had never heard, sung by a funny old golden mouse. Mokug had a reed flute, too, which he played quite well. Even Memm and the otters lay down on the little truckle beds to listen.
O I caught a fish in the water,
I caught a crab an’ his daughter,
I caught a flounder an’ a sole,
An’ I caught an ole tadpole.
They all criiiiiied,
ÔMercy me, please let us free,
We’ll swim back to our mothers.
My very kind sir, now please be fair,
An’ go an’ catch some others!’
Well, I saw a cod in the water,
Shoved in me net an’ caught ‘er,
I saw a clam, an’ a fluke so fine,
So I caught ‘em on me line.
They all criiiiiied,
Mercy me, please let us free,
We’ll swim back to our mothers.
My very kind sir, now please be fair,
An’ go an’ catch some others!’
Farewell they swam off singin’,
‘Til both me ears was ringin’
‘Cos I fell in the sea so dark,
An’ got caught by a shark.
Then I criiiiiied,
ÔMercy me, please let me free,
I’ll swim back to me mother.
My very kind sir, now please be fair,
An’ go an’ catch some other!’
The Dibbuns learned the chorus and enjoyed it so much that they made Mokug sing it twice more. Obligingly, the golden hamster did this, and then sang a few more comic ditties. In the course of all the singing, Skipper closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He looked so peaceful lying on the little truckle bed, none of the others had the heart to wake him, so they left the big otter snoring gently in the Dibbuns’