Brian Jacques - The Rogue Crew

“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.

Folderum saw this. Catching Grumby up, he tapped his back. “Beg pardon, but where d’ye think you’re off to, eh?”

Grumby wiped a paw across his mouth. “I’m flippin’ well parched, old lad. Just nippin’ back t’camp to see if there’s a drop o’ that dandelion tea.”

Being responsible for the sentry walk, Folderum turned Grumby around. “Oh, no, you’re not, bucko. Y’don’t do that sort o’ thing when you’re guardin’ our comrades. There’ll be plenty o’ time for bloomin’ tea once we’re relieved.”

Grumby went dutifully back to his task, though Frubbs Minor had already passed. Folderum strode off, keeping him in sight. This left Grumby pacing along behind Folderum. They continued without further incident, though Frubbs Minor slowed his pace.

Turning, he whispered aloud to Folderum, “I say, we’ve been trudgin’ round out here for blinkin’ ages. When’s that relief comin’, wot?”

Folderum waved him on. “They’ll come when the major sends ’em. You just carry on patrollin’, m’laddo. Er, what are ye starin’ at, pray?”

Frubbs Minor was looking past Folderum. “Where’s Grumby got to?”

There was a muffled squeak from behind the hill.

Folderum narrowed his eyes meaningly. “I told him he couldn’t go to the camp for tea. I know where he’ll be at, though. He’ll be gluggin’ water, round at that brook. Come on!”

No sooner were they in sight of the brook than Folderum spotted Grumby—he was struggling to break free from a gang of dark figures.

Folderum drew his sword. “Hurry, Frubbs, get back t’the major, tell him we’re bein’ ambushed. Looks like vermin t’me. Go!”

Frubbs Minor scooted off whilst Folderum dashed to Grumby’s aid. Though he was outrageously outnumbered, the brave young hare charged in, waving his sabre and roaring, “Eulaliiiiaaaaa!”

Suddenly taken aback, the foebeasts paused momentarily. That was enough for Grumby. He wriggled free, dashing to his companion’s side. He had lost his weapons, so he armed himself with a rock, brandishing it as he echoed the cry.

“Eulaliiiaaaa!”

The enemies were vermin, a villainous-looking bunch about a score in number. Now over their initial surprise, they swiftly recovered and advanced snarling on the two young Patrollers. Then the night air reverberated with the Salamandastron war cry, bellowed forth by the rest of the patrol and a tall badger with a thunderous yell. “Eulaliiiiiaaaaa!”

The villains fled south, but Major Fforbes shouted orders when he saw which way they were heading.

“Don’t chase ’em yet! Cut ’em off—they mustn’t go that way. Come on, Gallopers! Milady, you take some t’the left, an’ I’ll go right with the rest. Outpace the blighters an’ get behind ’em! They mustn’t reach Salamandastron!”

The Badger Lady took off, calling to her creatures, “Come on, let’s show them how Long Patrol Gallopers run!”

The vermin were left slack-jawed as the hares raced by them, skidded to a halt, then turned to face them. Still armed with only a piece of rock, Grumby screeched, “Yahaaarrr, give ’em blood’n’vinegar!”

This time the vermin ran back into the heathland, their paws pounding with renewed speed, the speed of panic. None wanted to stand and face the huge badger and her hares.

Young Twilby was already dashing after them when the major neatly tripped him.

“Stand fast until you’re ordered to charge, laddie buck. Steady in the ranks, there!”

Every hare was trembling with anticipation, weapons ready.

Major Felton Fforbes brought them back to earth with a bump. “I said stand fast! Now, anybeast injured or slain?” He looked about to assure himself. “All present an’ correct, eh? Good! Patrol awaitin’ your orders, Milady!”

Not quite certain of her next move, Lady Wildstripe paused before addressing them.

“Er, quite. . . . You all did very well tonight, particularly you, Folderum, and thank you, Major, for your quick thinking. As for those vermin, well, I really don’t know. If we chased them, it might be dawn before we caught up, eh, Major?”

Felton Fforbes knew that she was seeking his experienced advice. He nodded, putting up his blade. “As y’say, Milady, they’ve got a good head start. We’d be runnin’ all night to catch the rascals up. I think we should go back to camp, marm, get a good night’s rest, wot!”

The crestfallen young hares dragged their paws on the way back to camp. The major jollied them along. “We’ll keep a sharp lookout at dawn. If they’re determined t’come back this way, they’ll have to get past us first. Then we’ll show ’em fur’n’slaughter, wot!” The patrol arrived back at camp in high spirits.

“Huh, vermin, did ye see the way they tucked in their tails an’ ran off?”

“Aye, truth is, they didn’t fancy facin’ Long Patrol warriors!”

The major murmured to Lady Wildstripe, “Hope I did the right thing, Milady. These young uns ain’t been in a killin’ an’ slayin’ fight yet.”

She patted his paw. “Thank you, Major, you did right. By the way, you don’t think they’ll return this way, do you?”

Felton Fforbes chuckled. “Not if I’m any judge o’ vermin. We’re not babes an’ old uns—we train fighters, Milady.” Throwing more fuel on the fire, he settled down. “Folderum, change the sentry, will ye, there’s a good beast. The rest of ye, stop chatterin’ an’ get some sleep.”

Dawn’s first light was heralded by Peasblossom, who was on sentry, racing into the camp. “Sah! Milady! They’re comin’ back, those flamin’ vermin!”