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

Durry labored furiously, trying to get his cold, spray-soaked paws to work on the ropes. Joseph toiled alongside him.

Rufes footpaws left the yardarm momentarily as a sail caught the wind and billowed out. “Whats the sea otter doin, Joseph sir? he cried. “Larboard, starboard, slack off an tighten up, pushin that tiller thing here an there; I dont unnerstand none of it.

The Bellmakers weatherbeaten face creased into a grim smile. “Nor do I, young un. Thats the thing about being crew, were not here to understand, just to obey orders. Though I think Finnbarr has left it too late. Duck! Arrows hissed viciously overhead as the three ducked.

The searats of the Shalloo were only a boatlength away. They crowded the bows of their ship, snarling as they fired arrows and whirled grappling hooks. Finnbarr held the tiller hard over as Rosie and Log-a-Log secured it in position with a rope halter. The larboard sails fluttered loose as Guosim shrews slacked them off. Shalloos bowsprit was a fraction from striking the Pearl Queen amidships when Finnbarrs sea skills paid off. The first six grappling hooks caught as it happened.

With a groaning of timber and creaking of rigging the Pearl Queen turned sideways! Finnbarr drew both the swords from their back scabbards, tossing one to Log-a-Log. Both creatures sprang to the rail, shearing the taut grappling lines with single strokes of the finely honed swords. Durry and Rufe stared wordlessly as Shalloo shot by them, her decks crowded with silent searats, numbed with shock as their ship caught the spinning edge of the Green Maelstrom. Halfway around the whirlpool it spun, hanging a split second in midair with its entire keel visible, then it tipped headfirst into the dark abyss. The Shal-loo was gone into the depths, never to be seen again by living eyes.

A gasp of horror arose from the crew of the Pearl Queen. Then Finnbarr was in the midst of them shouting, “Save yer pity for the ones they murdered! Theyve gone where all searats should go, mates! Stand by, we aint safe yet by a long chalk!

Pearl Queen traveled sideways around the far outer rim of the whirlpool, seemingly helpless, until they jumped to obey Finnbarrs next commands.

“Pile on all sail agin, crew!

Slashing the rope that held the tiller, he centered it and held it level with Log-a-Log and Rosies help. When she saw what was happening the Hon Rosies natural exuberance returned in full force.

“Whoohahahooh! I say, chaps, the jolly old ships sailin straight again, an goin like the clappers. Whoo-hahahahoo!

Joseph looked behind him. The Green Maelstrom was rapidly disappearing in the distance as Pearl Queen rushed due south like a great sea eagle. He scrambled down from the rigging and ran to Finnbarr. Grasping the sea otters paw in both of his own, the Bellmaker shook it strongly.

“Roaringburn, you found it, were sailing south!

The whole crew gave a great cheer, and Finnbarr grinned crookedly as he turned to acknowledge the compliment.

Boom!

The sea otter was knocked flat on his tail as the vessel shuddered from stem to stern. He scrambled upright, shouting, “What is it? Whats happenin?

The shrew Bandle leaned out over the starboard rail. “Look, weve just passed a rock stickin up out the water. We musta struck it!

There was an instant flurry of activity; the crew scattered in all directions to inspect the vessel for damage. Finnbarr held the tiller, calling anxiously, “Is everythin shipshape?

There was a chorus of “ayes. Then Foremoles head appeared from the forard rope locker.

“Zurr, thurrm a gurt ole in ee shipper ere. Hurr, ee waiter be a pouren in, oim afeared usns a sinken!

Book Two

13

It was still an hour before afternoon tea at Redwall Abbey. Sister Sage put the finishing touches to a raspberry and apple pie and, wiping her paws on a flour-dusted apron, the old mouse stood back and watched Simeon, the blind Herbalist. He was lining hot vegetable pasties on the window ledge to cool, his experienced paws selecting the ones that were ready and replacing them with those fresh from the ovens. Sage poured out two beakers of the cold oatmeal and pennycloud water she had brewed early that morning.

“Come and have a break, Simeon. Ive got something here for you.

The blind mouse felt his way over to the table. “Ah, oatmeal and pennycloud. How thoughtful of you, Sage.

They sat listing the fare they had made, sipping slowly. “Raspberry and apple pie, strawberry tarts, nutbread, vegetable pasties, and a mixed fruit cake. That should be enough, Simeon. Oh, my mint teawhere is it? The blind ancient restrained Sage from rising. “I took it off the stove while you were baking, its cooling off in the big pottery jar.

Sage smiled, patting her friends paw. “Simeon, I dont know what Id do without you!

Gesturing for silence, Simeon turned his ear toward the window ledge and, as if speaking to nobeast, he said, “If those paws touch a single pastie, theyll be washing greasy pots for two seasons!

There was a gasp of surprise from the other side of the window ledge, followed by a scurry of paws running off. Again Simeon restrained Sage from rising. “No problem; I heard those Dibbuns sneaking up on our pasties a while back, little rascals. Though my ears tell me weve got a bigger problem coming our way.

Sage was about to inquire what it was, when the kitchen door swung open and Tarquin L. Woodsorrel breezed in.

“Phew, its a scorcher today! Afternoon, chaps. Howre things comin along on the jolly old caterin front, wot?

Sister Sage coughed politely. “Very well, thank you, Mr. Woodsorrel. Is anything the matter?

Tarquins smile would have melted butter. “Matter? Why, no, my charming Queen of the Kitchens. Matter o fact, Im just here in me official capacity as sampler.

Simeon nodded knowingly. “I thought you might be. Theres a carrot and onion flan right behind you. Perhaps youd like to sample that.

The hungry hare spun around and turned his attentions to an oversized golden pastried creation. He wolfed down a huge mouthful as he spoke. “Mmf snch! My very, very favorite. I say, are we havin carrot onion flan for tea, chaps?

Simeon chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I made that specially for you, so you wouldnt sample the entire tea-time menu down to empty plates.

Tarquin ignored the remark and continued bolting hastily. “Grranph! Scuse me. What a considerate cove you are, Simeon.

Sage sniffed distantly as she watched Tarquin eating, then rose and went to the kitchen door. Striking a small riangle that hung over the doorway, she remarked pointedly, “I think we should get the servers in to take all this temptation out of your way, Mr. Woodsorrel. Im training some of the Dibbuns to take up table serving, you know. At the sound of the triangle, several Dibbuns trooped io and stood waiting for the trolleys to be loaded. Tarquin congratulated three of his own brood heartily. “Excellent!

Learnin a bit of waitin on; your mater will be proud of you when she gets back, wot?

Sage counted the number of Dibbun serving trainees. “Eight? Theres two missing.

“Right, paws up all those who arent here! Tarquin chortled.

Sister Sage turned on him severely. “Mr. Woodsorrel, fes no joking matter! These young ones have got to learn their responsibilities to others!

Tarquin swallowed the last of his flan apologetically. Oh, er, right you are, marm, buckle down, do a bit of thingeeyin, does em the world of good. Now then, yousprogs, which two are absent? Speak up!

A small squirrel held up his paw. “Fink its the mouse-K$abe an Furrtil the mole, sir, he said.

The hare picked crumbs from his whiskers. “Mouse-babe an Furrtil, eh. Where would they be at?

“If we knew, then we could tell you, Daddy! one of the little leverets replied.