Brian Jacques - Redwall #16 - Triss

Slitfang nodded dutifully. Aye, Cap’n. What he did not say was that the Freebooters had hauled quite a bit of it, still burning, to feed their fire the previous night.

Ripper raised a paw, but dropped it at a glare from Slit-fang, who muttered, Shut yore gob or ‘e’ll skin us both!

As the Seascab sailed in closer to land, Plugg went aft to question Grubbage, shouting down the deaf rat’s ear, ’Ow far up the stream d’ye reckon that wreck is?

Grubbage winced. Ye don’t need t’shout so loud, Cap’n. They’re about right at that spot now.

I’d say they’ve gone clear past it!

Plugg looked sharply at Riggan the slavecatcher, who had just made the remark. An’ how d’ye figger that out?

Riggan pointed overboard at the broken and burned struts of timber floating in the shallows. She observed drily, I watched that float out o’ the stream mouthÑthat means they’ve broke through an’ passed the place. The fire prob’ly burned right through the ketch an’ broke ‘er up afore they arrived,

A few of the crew standing about nodded guiltily. Aye, yore right there, matey, she burned right through!

Plugg kicked out at them and cuffed a few ears. Then why didn’t ye say, why didn’t anybeast tell me, eh? Get over the side an’ catch ‘em, the useless lot o’ ye!

Several Freebooters promptly leaped overboard, but the water closed in over their heads. Grubbage watched them. Water ain’t shallow enough yet, Cap’n. We needs t’be closer in t’shore.

Kurda came running to berate the Captain. Iz too deep ‘ere. Ve need to be closer in!

Leaning over the rail, Plugg buried his face in both paws. You ‘eard

‘er, Grubbage, take the ship in closer to shore.

Grubbage manoeuvred the tiller, muttering darkly, I ain’t throwin’ my clothes ashore fer nobeast. I’ll just take ‘er in closer to the beach!

Poling and paddling energetically, the friends took their vessel into the high, sandy canyon walls of the dunes. Scarum paused to swat at a curious fly.

Shove off, you bounder, go an’ eat somebeast who’s fatter.

Triss could see the Seascab drifting to a halt, side-on, far down at the tideline. Scarum, don’t stop to argue with insects. Keep poling!

Sagax could see overhanging tree foliage further ahead. We’ll be in the woodlands soonÑkeep going, mates. Kroova, have they left the ship yet? Are they ashore?

The otter took a quick glance. One or two of’em. Wait, they’re lowerin’

the ship’s boat!

Plugg sat in the jollyboat facing Kurda and Bladd as it splashed gently into the water. Slitfang, git yoreself in’ere, you’ll be rowin’. Tazzin, Grubbage, Ripper, yore at the oars, too. Come on, move!

An’ vot about mine captain and Ratguards?

Plugg leaned back in the most comfortable seat. Oh, them, they can run both sides o’ the bank wid the rest o’ my crew. If’n yew wants ter give up yore seat to another beast, you’ll’ave t’get out an’ walk too. I ain’t takin’ on any more passengers. Wot d’you say, Bladd, me ole mate, eh?

The fat Prince snorted indignantly. I not gettink out der boat for others, let dem valk!

The silver fox toyed with his battle-axe, teasing Kurda. Yew travel in style, me beauty, wid yore beloved brother an’ yore dear old uncle Plugg. Don’t fret now, we’ll punish those naughty slaves an’ get my nice likkle boat back.

Kurda smiled back at the Freebooter. An’ ven’tis all over, you deliver me back to mine father?

The Freebooter winked broadly at her. Why, bless yore’eart, pretty one, of course I will!

Kurda’s eyes went cold. Gutt, den I vill see him hang you in chains over his gates.

31

Sunshine and shadow dappled through the trees onto the stream’s surface.

It was far more calm running in the woodlands. Shogg took down the sail and furled it. The others kept rowing and poling, with Scarum expounding his list of complaints.

I say, my bloomin’ paws are jolly well sore, must be worn down to the flippin’ bones by now. Blisters on top of my blisters, that’s what I’ve got!

Sagax poled stoically onward. Should have blisters on your tongue, the way you’re yammering on there. Give it a rest.

However, Scarum was not to be deterred so easily. A rest? Jolly good idea, if y’ask me. A rest and a whacking great feed. We’re going to have to stop soon and eat, y’know. It’s not fair, a chap starvin’ to death, all because a few mangy vermin are chasing us. Can’t one of you bright sparks think of somethin’ to slow’em up or put’em off a bit, wot?

Sagax snorted. We could always chuck you overboard like we did those other two. That’d slow them up.

Kroova stumbled as his pole hit a root.

Shogg peered through the crystal-clear water. Look! See that root running across the bottom of the streambed?

There’s lots of ‘em from the trees on the bank. Just the sort o’ thing we need, mates.

Picking up the broken oarshaft that he had used as a weapon earlier, Shogg felt the broken end; it tapered down to a blunt point. The broken oar was almost as tall as he was. Kroova, I think we need two otters for this job, matey.

They huddled together at the stern of the boat, whispering. Shogg had his knife out, whittling the broken end of the oar to a point until it began to resemble a sharp wooden stake. Kroova leaned over, peering steadily down into the stream.

There, that’s the place. Come on, we got work t’do. Sagax, keep ‘er goin’ upstream, don’t stop. We’ll join ye later, won’t be long.

With scarcely a ripple, both otters slid overboard into the stream.

Scarum glanced astern. D’you think they’ve spotted a good fat fish?

I’m famishedÑthe jolly old turn’s making an awful noise, wot?

The hungry hare was a constant source of amusement to Triss, who smiled as Sagax berated him: Listen, twiddly ears, stop moaning about your stomach and get this vessel moving. We’re deadbeasts if those vermin catch up with us. You don’t hear Triss and me complaining all the time.

Now, get on with it!

Scarum poled away resentfully, chunnering to himself, Huh, you don’t complain, ‘cos you’re not a hare. We’re noble beasts, with bloomin’

noble appetites, too. Blinkin’ badgers an’ squirrels can live on a pawful of nothin’, but not this mother’s child. I need a good six square meals a day, at least!

Triss whispered in his ear sympathetically, I know they don’t understand you, but don’t fret. Keep working and I’ll personally see that you get a good big feed as soon as we get time to rest.

As Sagax watched Scarum poling diligently away, he spoke out of the side of his mouth to the squirrelmaid.

Look, he’s stopped complaining. I could never get him to work like that.

What did you say to him, Triss?

Oh, I just told him I’d get him something to eat as soon as we get the chance.

The badger shook his great striped head. You might be sorry you said that.

The deck shook as Kroova and Shogg leaped aboard. Scarum noticed immediately that they had returned empty-pawed.

Flamin’ bounders, I thought you were bringin’ back that big fat fish as a surprise for me!

Shogg patted the hare’s back. Sorry, mate, we left the surprise back there for those vermin to find.

Plugg Firetail had the ship’s jollyboat speeding like an arrow upstream.

His method was simple; The moment his four rowers showed signs of tiring, he sent them ashore to run along the banksides and chose four fresh vermin to replace them.

Princess Kurda sat stonefaced as the Freebooter harangued four of her own Ratguards scornfully. Row, ye lily-livered swabsÑcorne on, bend yore backs an’ pull those oars. Youse rats’ve had an easy life, yore all fat’n’lazy. I’ll show ye ‘ow a Freebooter works. Row, ye slab-sided, bottle-nosed bangtails, yer not bowin’ an’ scrapin’ to a princess now, yore rowin’ a boat!