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

“Who was that edgeog in there, he asked, “and ow did you all come tthis isle? Tell me, young un.

Benjy sniffed several times before explaining. “Ship was wrecked tpieces out on the sea at the start of summer. Burrom the hedgehog was hurled bad by a falling mast, but she clung to it an pulled us aboard with her. Figgs too, though she was just born; dont know what happened to Figgss mother. We got washed through the rocks into the cove; been living here all through summer. Poor Burrom never really got over that mast falling on her. She was mixed up all the time, talking strange. Benjy shuddered hugely, as if fighting back more tears. Finnbarr kept him talking as a distraction.

“How longs she been like that ... I mean ...

The young squirrel pulled himself together gallantly. “You mean dead? Since last full moon, though I couldnt tell Wincey and Figgs. They kept wanting to see her, but I told them she was sleeping.

“But you said father, Joseph interrupted. “Burrom was a female?

The young squirrel smiled through his tears. “That was Winceys idea. She never knew her father, so she thought it would be nice to call Burrom father. I told Figgs we were her family, brothers and sisters. Shes too small to know any different.

To cheer him up Rosie chuckled, “Well Im a mother and you can count on me, though youll have lots of fathers aboard Pearl Queen, brothers too. Hmm, shouldve brought more sisters along with us!

When they got back to the ship, Foremole had made beds up for Wincey and Figgs in the crews accommodation. Joseph settled down on the hatch covers with Benjy close by, and they lay watching the stars, like silver pins, holding up the dark, velvet canopy of the night sky. Joseph outlined his plans for them. “Were sailing in the morning, right after breakfast. I think you and your sisters would be better off coming along with us, Benjy. What dyou think?

“I think thats the best thing too, sir. Ill have to tell Wincey and Figgs that Burrom wont be coming along. Itll be difficult, specially for little Figgs.

The Bellmaker nodded understandingly. “Youre growing up well, Benjy. You stay aboard with the others, and Finnbarr and I will go ashore early and give Burrom a decent burial.

The young squirrel sat upright. “No, please, leave our father in the tent. I couldnt bear thinking about Burrom buried there all alone. Besides, she might get better and wake up someday ...

“So be it, Benjy, said Joseph, smiling sadly, “but dont grieve. Burrom will be glad that you three are safe and with friends now. Goodnight.

“Goodnight, sir. Oh, may I ask where were going on your ship?

“Its not my ship. Pearl Queen belongs to Finnbarr. Were bound for Southsward to search for my daughter, Mariel, and her friend Dandin. Its a long story.

Benjys eyes shone bright in the darkness. “Southsward, thats my home!

Now it was Josephs turn to sit up. “You come from Southsward?

“Yes, sir, every creature on the ship did. We were driven out of there by Urgan Nagru the Foxwolfhis rats killed both my parents. I want to go back to Southsward!

“Ill bet you do, Benjy! said Joseph, looking steadily at the youngster. “Come to the galley with me; theres food and drink there. We have a lot to discuss.

BOOK THREE

26

Rosy-hued dawn flooded through the guest room window at Redwall Abbey as Mellus and Tarquin stirred the snoring searat Captain from a tangle of sheets.

“Cmon, Slipp, rise and shine, old rat. Lets see if you were Muffin* when you said you could cook.

Slipp tried burrowing deeper into the bed linen, as Tarquin turned him none-too-gently onto the floor. “Go way, sonly just dawn, beat it! he grumbled.

The hefty paw of Mother Mellus scooped the searat up onto his paws. “Less of your insolence! You said you were a cook, so lets see you up and cooking!

Blaggut poked his head from beneath the pillow, giggling dozily as he watched the proceedings. “Show em what yore made of, Capn. Burn up a mess oskilly an duff; thatll warm the cockles of their earts, hahaharr!

The badger turned as she propelled Slipp through the doorway. “I wouldnt laugh too much if I were you, Blaggut; theres two friends outside want to see you. Go in and wake the nice rat up, my Dibbuns!

The mousebabe and the molemaid came dashing in and threw themselves upon Blaggut, buffeting him unmercifully with Slipps pillow. “Cummon, mista Blackguts, Ma Mellus said you was a carpenter, we wanna see you carp!

“Carp, ysay. Well, I dunno, said Blaggut as he sat up and scratched himself absently. “Lets see, mates, wot dyer want ole Blaggy ter carp for ye?

Furrtil the molemaid was in no doubt at all. “Ee lickle boat to sail on ee Abbey pond, zurr, sos usns can set in it. Can ee carp a boat, zurr Blackguts?

Blaggut sensed a chance to help Slipp achieve his desire. “Mebbe I kin, mebbe I caint. Boats dont git carped fer nothin, mates. Dyou know where the secret treasure of this ere Redwall hAbbey is idden?

The mousebabe looked furtively about, then drawing close he whispered in Blagguts ear, “A course we does!

The searat brightened up; his ruse was working. “Right then, you show me the treasure, an Ill make ee an and-some liddle boat tsail round the pond in, eh?

“No, Zurr, said the molemaid, stroking her digging claws solemnly. “Furst you carp ee boat fer usns, then we tell ee whurr secret treasure be idden, hurt!

Blaggut considered the offer, peering closely at the two well-scrubbed faces radiating honesty and trust at him. “Haharr, you drive an ard bargain, but its a deal, buckoes. One thing though: swear you wont tell anybeast about this?

The mousebabe shook his paw vigorously in Blagguts face. “We don swear. Snot nice tswear, yget sent t bed.

“Bless yer eart, messmate. The dullard searat grinned. “I dont mean swear n curse, I means we gotta take a vow tgetner, a solemn oath.

The three conspirators placed their paws together, and the Dibbuns repeated the words that Blaggut recited:

“I take this oath.

“We take an oaf.

“That me liver n lights be ripped out ifn any of us breathes a word of our secret to anybeast, so elp ee!

“Hurr e liver be gripped when ee lights be out an ee secret breathin of anybeasters to elp ee!

Blaggut scratched his head as both Dibbuns smiled at him.

“I never card it said like that afore, but I spose itll ave ter do, mates!

An air of gloom hung over the breakfast tables in Cavern Hole. Blind Simeon wrinkled his whiskers in disgust as he took his seat.

“Phew! Has somebeast moved the orchard compost heap into here, Father Abbot? he complained.

Saxtus prodded the mess on his plate glumly. “Evidently you havent heard of an old seagoing dish that Slipp our new cook has served up. Its called skilly an duff. Like to try some?

“Stick to plain honest bread, my friend, youll live longer, said Mother Mellus as she broke a fresh-baked farl and passed half to Simeon. “Dearie me, no wonder searats are so wicked and wild. Id be like that too if I had to live on a diet of the dreaded skilly an* duff!

Slipp forestalled further conversation by pushing in a trolley piled high with platters of his creation. The searat captain was quite proud of his newfound cooking skills. Clad in a clean white smock and a tall chefs hat several sizes too small for him, he swaggered up to a table. “Skilly an duff, thats the stuff tput a curl in yer whiskers, made by me own fair paws. Anybeast want some more?

Suddenly a lot of Redwallers left the tables, claiming that they felt the need for fresh fruit from the orchard. Ladle in paw, Slipp looked from the empty places to his few remaining victims left sitting at the main table.Fruit from the orchard? Thatll never put a back on ye like velvet an* a twinkle in yer eye. Skilly an duff, now thats a real brekkist for ye! Cmon, Father hAbbot, yew aint touched yores yet. Itll be gone cold. Ere, let ole Slipp freshen it up with some thats fresh cooked.