27

Below in the line of trees skirting the east ramparts, a furtive figure slunk close to the walls edge. Rinkul the ferret, last of the vermin band being pursued by the hares, fled south along the woodland edge. Dried swamp mud clung to his matted fur as he hurried on, chewing roots and berries and casting fearful glances backward. Rinkul hoped the bells were not ringing to denote that he had been spottedhe could see the figure of Brother Ginko framed against the open arches of the steeple chamber. He held still awhile, then, satisfied he had not been detected, Rinkul left the shelter of the Abbey wall to cut off over the south common lands, where he could see a stream mat would provide him with drinking water.

With the sun warm upon his back and the bells booming in his ears, the ferret lay flat on his stomach, drinking greedily of the fresh stream water. After a while he rose into a crouch, checking that he was still alone. He stared hard and long at what he saw. It seemed incredible, but he trusted the evidence of his own keen sight. Redwalls battlemented south ramparts were collapsing. The line of high, thick masonry had been breached by the fall of a massive tree, and farther along, the wall dipped and leaned inward, as if messed about by some colossal paw.

Rinkul backed into the shallows, still staring at the fractured outer wall. Following the stream course southeast to hide his tracks, he tucked Russa Nodreys hardwood stick into his belt.

“Got to find the Rapscallion armies, he muttered delightedly to himself. “This information11 make me an officer, a Rapmark!

Brother Ginko had his back to the fleeing ferret. He shielded his eyes and stared hard at the two figures loping steadily down the path from the north toward the Abbey. Haresit was two hares!

Halting the toll of one bell, he continued ringing the other singly, warning of creatures approaching. Skipper and Shad came racing out of the Abbey, hard on the heels of Arven, who was belting on the great sword of Martin the Warrior.

The squirrel Champion cupped both paws around his mouth and yelled upward, “Strangebeasts on the path, Ginko?

The Bellringer leaned outward, pointing. “Aye, two hares come out o the north!

The look of concern melted from Skippers tough face, to be replaced by one of comic dismay. “Did you say ares, messmate? Lock up the vittles an stan by fer a famine, prepare to be eaten outta ousenome!

Breaking cover from the woodlands, Tammo stared excitedly at the soaring towers and gables of the red sandstone building farther down the path. Pasques voice at his side echoed both their thoughts.

“Golly, is that Redwall Abbey? Tis even biggern I thought itd jolly well be. What a beautiful sight!

Sergeant Torgoch kept his eyes ahead as he said, “None more luvverly, miss! Right, fall inter twos an lets see us marchin up there like Long Patrol an not a bunch o waddlin ducks on daisy day! Chins up, chests out, shoulders back, tails twitchirT smartly! Keep up at the back there, Grang!

The giant hare Rockjaw Grang was carrying the baby badger in a sling across his chest. He frowned at the Sergeant. “BegghT thy pardon, Sarge, but could ykeep thy voice down? Sithee, ahve just gotten yon tyke asleep for his mor-nin nap!

Major Perigord, who was marching at the head of the column, smiled whimsically at the thought of Rockjaw as a nursemaid. “Dont fret, Rock. If Galloper Riffle an Tuny are already there, theyll have no shortage of blinkin badgermin-ders ttake the little un off ypaws, then you can sit down to a good ol tuck-in with the rest o the chaps, wot?

A dreamy look crossed Rockjaws face as he wiped a paw across his lips. “Redwall Abbey vittles, by eck, lead me to em!