The Bellmaker - Jacques, Brian - Redwall 07 - The Bellmaker

Bowly crept under her outstretched paws, then after venturing a bit further on the hilltop, he tippawed gingerly back. “Yore right. Its like a great overangin sandcliff were stannin on. Best move back afore it collapses!

Meldrum waggled his ears and sniffed. “Dont remember it bein like that before. Bit of a while since Ive been in this neck o the woods, doncha know. Not an uncommon occurrence, thougherosion I think they call it. Side of the jolly ol sandhill slips away one day an leaves the grassy top like a big overhang. No matter. Well go another way.

They slid down the undamaged side of the hill and climbed to the top of another, safer, one. Dandin was first up, and he shot out a paw. “Look, theres the stream. Somethings happening down therelooks like trouble!

Mariel and Meldrum joined him. The hilltop commanded a good view of the scene taking place some distance off downstream. Two creatures, a squirrel and her young one, clung to the broad surface of a tree trunk which was being propelled by a band of otters. Closing rapidly on them was a band of rats, headed by two ermine and Nagru. The Field Marshal hare peered down, recognizing the adult squirrel.

“Great seasons, its Queen Serena. Looks like she needs helpform into skirmish line, troop!

Mariel placed herself squarely in front of the impulsive hare, halting any further activity. Her mind raced madly as she tried reasoning with him. “Field Marshal, sir, remember what you saidplan first, act later!

“No time now, missie. Duty calls, yknow. Stand aside! said Meldrum, as he adjusted the stone at the end of his rod.

Dandin joined Mariel. “Sir, therere far too many of them for our small force to go up against. If you charge in now, well all be killed. Your four young nephews, Bowly, do you want to see them massacred by hundreds of vermin? Thered be no point to it!

While Dandin was reasoning with Meldrum, a solution had formed swiftly in the mousemaids agile mind. It was risky, but worth a try. She interrupted Dan dins pleas.

“Listen, Ive just thought of a plan! Runtwold, Colt-vine, well need your slings and stone pouches. Bowly, take these four young hares back to Furpps dwelling. Tell him to watch out for those creatures on the stream and shelter them. Go!

Mariels voice had such a ring of certainty to it that Bowly and the hares were gone in a flash. As she and Dandin armed themselves with slings and stones, she turned to the slightly bemused Meldrum. “Now, we need a beast of some weight and courage. Are you game for this, sir?

Meldrum the Magnificent was caught up by MarieFs urgency and sureness. His ears stood straight as he said, “Game? Hah, say on mgel, theres none gamer than this hare!

Mariel knotted the Gullwhacker securely about her waist. “Good! Now heres what well do ...

Queen Serena hugged little Truffen to her. He was weeping piteously, frightened by the sight and sounds of the horde led by the Dirgecallers and Nagru. They were in plain sight now, pouring along the streambank after the floating log. While the rest of the otters pushed the tree trunk through the water, Iris and Greenbeck, armed with javelins, climbed onto the log. Protecting the squirrels with their bodies, the two brave otters prepared to face the onslaught together.

Howling with triumph, the Foxwolf halted his horde on the streambank. The two ermine snuffled and wailed hideously. Eager to get at their prey but reluctant to venture into the deep stream, they wove back and forth at the waters edge. The otters had steered the log over to the far bank to distance themselves from attack. Some of the horderats were beginning to string their bows up and select arrows. Nagru turned on them with a snarl.

“Put those bows away. Arrows would spoil the sport. Ive got them now and I want them alive and unharmed. My Dirgecallers can have the otters, but I want those two squirrels alive. Stand ready and await my orders!

Without warning the rat called Mingol shrieked as, grabbing his head in both paws, he fell senseless to the ground. His partner Vengro stared down in puzzlement at him.

“Whats wrong with Mingol? He was just ... Unhh! Vengro slumped beside his companion. Nagru whirled about to see what the trouble was, and a slingstone thudded hard into his back. One of the Dirgecallers yowled in anguish as another stone slammed into its ribs.

“Get down. Were being attacked! the rat Captain Riveneye yelled.

More stones followed in quick succession, and a mocking laugh rang out from some bushes a short distance away.

“Hahaha! Keep those heads down, scum. Theres a whole army of slingers ready to pick you off!

The wolfhide had taken most of the impact of the stone that struck Nagru. He scrambled forward on all fours, peering into the bushes. Seeing he was not immediately hit, the Foxwolf ventured upright, ducking swiftly as a good-sized pebble lodged between the wolfskull and his brow. Grimacing with pain, he plucked it out and hurled it back at the bush. A short yelp was followed by the sight of two mice retreating to the deep cover of thicker foliage. Nagru grabbed stones from the ground, throwing them at the place where the mice had hidden as he ran forward calling, “Theres only two of em, its no army. Charge!

Dandin nudged Mariel urgently. “The games uptime we werent here!

They broke cover and began a mad dash, back the way .they had come. Mariel risked a quick glance backward. “Better shiftthe whole packs after us! she yelled.

Footpaws thrumming madly against the card), Mariel and Dandin ran for their lives, the breath rising ragged in their throats as the two Dirgecallers, heading the pack, sped on their tails, gaining by the moment. Nagru followed in the rear, hurling challenges and threats. “Tear them to bits! Stop and fight, mice! Dandin stumbled. Mariel, catching his paw quickly, pulled him upright and they dashed on together, side by side, dust and sand flying, hearts pounding wildly, with the Dirgecallers, slightly ahead of the horde, closing fast. Muriels head came up; she glimpsed the big eroded dune ahead, rearing up like a mighty wave of sand, the grassy crest projecting perilously over a huge inward-curving hill. Through her blurred vision she could barely make out the ponderous form of Meldrum perched far out on the grassy top. Putting on a final spurt she tugged Dandin along. “Not far ... Come on ... just a bit more!

Meldrum the Magnificent watched the tableau below, gritting his teeth with suspense. It looked as if the two mice would surely be stopped by the ermine before they made the slope. No! They had put on an extra spurt and pulled away a bit; now they were on the final stretch and, calling up stamina from some deep reserve, they actually broke into a headlong sprint. As Meldrum stamped his footpaw down with delight, the whole dunetop shuddered. He went still immediately, saving his move until the exact moment. Leaning out, he squinted downwardthere they were! Mariel and Dandin had made it to the hill. Sand flew from beneath their paws as they battled upward into the curve with the ermine and about ten front-runners of the horde beginning to close on them again. The two mice suddenly changed course, veering sideways to the right where the curve of the hill straightened, and Mariel shouted one word at the top of her voice.

“Now!!!

Meldrum instinctively knew the pursuers were climbing the hill directly beneath him, but Mariels voice confirmed it. The old hare jumped as high as he could into the air.

Whump!

The whole dunetop shook. He jumped again, harder.

Whump!

The earth trembled as he landed, grass roots tearing as they parted company with the sand. Gritting his teeth, Meldrum the Magnificent leaped high in the air a third time, yelling out the battle cry of hares and badgers.

“Eulaliaaaa!