The Bellmaker

21

In the same noontide Tarquin L. Woodsorrel was beginning to get really worried. Since dawn he had headed a major search party in Mossflower Wood. Without stopping to rest or eat, they had combed copse and thicket alike with no successthe two Dibbuns were still missing. Brother Mallen poked fruitlessly at the undergrowth, his staff clacking against that of Sister Sage. He shook his head. “Im beginning to think this is a complete waste of time, Sage. Are there any deep swamps hereabouts?

The Sister dropped her staff. “Mallen, how could you even think that!

“Hearken, silence in the ranks there, somebeast comin! At Tarquins low warning the search party became still.

The pretty squirrel Treerose dropped from the boughs of an elm, directly in front of Tarquin. “Are you looking for two Dibbuns, a mouse and molemaid? she asked.

The hare perked up considerably. “Indeed we are, Treerose. Dyou know where the little blighters are at?

Treerose pointed east and slightly south. “Over that way. My Toms with them. Follow me.

Slipp and Blaggut did not like the look of Oak Tom. The big sturdy squirrel stood perched on a bough, an arrow notched meaningfully on his bowstring.

“Dibbuns, come over here to this tree, he ordered. “You rats, stay where you are or Ill let daylight into you. *

The pair did as they were told, though Slipp was figuring the odds of either seizing the Dibbuns as a shield, or attempting a rush attack on the stern squirrel. Blaggut heard the search party approaching and whispered, “Psst, Capn, theres more of em comin.

In a moment they were surrounded by Redwallers armed with stout ash staves. Slipp gave Blaggut a swift, vicious kick. “See wot youve got us into now? Leave the talkin tme.

Tarquin thought Slipp was talking to him and he leaned closer, asking, “Eh, whats that ysay?

The searat Captain put on his best oily smile. “Good noontide to ye sir. I ope yore not ere to rob onest travelers like us.

“Fiddlesticks, said the hare, waggling his ears indignantly. “The very idea of it ...Were Redwallers, sir. But more tthe point, where dyou think youre takin those two Dibbuns off to, eh?

The mousebabe avoided Sister Sages paws and piped up, “Wazzen taken us nowhere, huh! Me an* Furrtil was takin them to the hAbbey; theys losted, like us!

Sage was of the old-fashioned school. She caught the mousebabe by his ear, saying, “Whatve you been told? Dont interrupt your elders, even if they are searats!

Blaggut was unsure what the proper protocol was, so he held his coat edges and dropped an elaborate curtsey. “Dont be *ard on the liddle un, marm. Tis the truth es tellin yer. Bless their liddle paws, they was takin me an me mate ere back to Redwalls hAbbey. Were lost, yer see.

Sage was skeptical. “Lost? What are two searats doing this far inland?

Slipp adopted his look of injured dignity. “Beggin* yer pardon, marm, but were not searats. Ho no, my names Slipp an Im a cook. This “eres me mate Blaggut, an* es a, er, er, carpenter, aye, thats wot e is, a carpenter!

Tarquin took over from Sister Sage. “You still havent told us what youre doin round here.

Slipp wrung the tails of his coat in both claws, as if the tale was too harrowing for him to tell. “Well ysee, yer Lordship, were the only two beasts left alive from the wreck of the Muddy Duck, that was our ship. She was sunken by a storm an all our mates was drownded. Aint that right messmate? He gave Blaggut a sly kick.

“Oh, er, thats right, Capn, the searat stammered. “The ole Dirty Swan was lost at sea right enough. Theres ony me n the Capn left alive to tell the tale.

“Why does that one keep calling you Captain? said Brother Mallen, smartly relieving Slipp of his cutlass.

“Youll ave ter forgive ole Blaggy, sir. Es a bit slow in the ead. Capn is his nickname fer me. Slipp gave Blaggut a playful buffet, as hard as he could.

Mallen inspected the chipped cutlass blade. “One of you said your ship was the Muddy Duck, but the other said it was the Dirty Swan. Now which is it?

Both searats started contradicting each other. “The Muddy Swan, er, the Dirty Duck, er, the Mucky Dud, er, er, the Swanny Duck, the Dirty Mud ...

“You mean you cant remember the name of your own ship? Sage interrupted sharply.

Slipp collapsed to the ground, covering both eyes with his claws as he made weeping noises. “Its the shock an unger! O it was awful. Awful!

Blaggut produced a grubby kerchief and began comforting Slipp. “Dont go gittin upsetted now, Capn. Ere, blow yer snout an* youll feel better.

Blaggut performed a silent dance of agony as Slipp bit savagely on his paw. Tarquin separated them. “Steady on there, chaps, thats enough of that. Well, weve got our young uns back no worse for wear, an* I spose its you two weve got to thank. Spose youd better come back to the Abbey with us. Tom, Treerose, will you follow up the rear in case anybeast gets lost again? Tom, Treerose? But the two reclusive squirrels had vanished into the vast-nesses of Mossflower.

Supper that evening was served in Cavern Hole, a smaller, less-decorated venue than the Great Hall. Blind Simeon sat next to Mother Mellus. “So, Mellus, your two Dib-buns are back safe and sound, he said.

The badger nodded as she helped herself to blueberry tart and meadowcream. “Aye, a bowl of soup apiece, a sound scrubbing in the bath and sent off to bed straightaway, as an example to the others.

Simeon smiled as he poured her a beaker of maple cordial. “Little rascals. Dibbuns seem to live in a world of their own. I dont suppose they meant any real harm.

Saxtus peered over his spectacles across a summer salad. “I agree with Mellus: they must learn their lesson. Its lucky the two rats found them. What dyou make of those two?

Mellus stared hard at the pair who were bolting down everything in sight ravenously. “I dont like them or trust them. Cook and a carpenter indeedgot searat stamped all over their scurvy hides!

“Again I agree with you, my friend, said Saxtus as he broke a fresh oat farl to have with his salad, “but without them the little ones might have come to harm. They havent showed bad will to anybeast so far, and with that in mind we cannot refuse them the hospitality of Red-wall. They must be treated as harmless lost travelers.

Simeon smiled broadly at Melluss answer. “Harmless lost travelers, my left footpaw!

Blaggut dug his spoon into a bowl of mixed fruits with honey. “This is the life, eh, Capn? he said as he shoveled it down with gusto. “These is the fanciest vittles I ever et in me life. Pass me that fizzy strawbrry stuff.

Slipp was forging hastily through a wedge of yellow cheese studded with beechnuts, but he could not resist a sarcastic dig at the former boatswain of the Pearl Queen. “Fanciest vittles you ever et, eh? Didnt they ave stuff like this at Blaggut Mansions?

Blaggut grabbed two hot blackberry scones from a passing tray. “Blaggut Mansions, wheres that? Pity they aint got no seaweed grog. Yowch! He jumped sharply as Slipps claws nipped his stomach.

The searat Captain saw Mellus watching them, so he pasted a smile on his face as he muttered threateningly, “Lissen, onionbonce, one more mention of seaweed grog an Ill rip yer nose off, see? Ifn they ears you blatherin on about seaweed grog, theyll know fer sure were sea-rats!

But Blaggut was enjoying himself. He bit deep into a plumcake, spraying crumbs across the table as he addressed Mellus, “Ahoy there, stripedog, wheres me two liddle mateys? You shoulda invited them to the party!

The old badger glared dangerously at him. “Theyre fast asleep in bed. And my name is not stripedog; its Mellus. Is that clear?

Blissfully unaware of the wrath he had nearly brought down on his own head, the searat answered, “Clear as a fat merchantship. Pleased tmeet yer, Mellers. My names Blaggut, but the Capn ere calls me fatead an lazypaws an baggybum an suchlike names. Hoho, es a one fer the names is the Capn! He was jolted by repeated kicks from Slipp beneath the table.

“Will you stow all that Capn, Capn! Yer an addle-nosed, bottlebrained, butterbellied barnacle!

Blaggut winced until the kicking stopped. “Aye aye, Capn! Ooh look, they got trifle, Capn!

The bad manners of the two searats were tolerated with great patience by most of the Redwallers, though Mellus and Sister Sage were forced to stifle stern comments when Abbot Saxtus looked reprovingly over his spectacle tops at them. Slipp and Blaggut continued grabbing and gorging, with scant regard to the other diners. After the meal most of the Abbey creatures took themselves off to the dormitories with sighs of relief. Brother Mallen was heard to murmur as he and Mellus helped to clear tables, “Huh, I suppose well have the pleasure of those two at breakfast tomorrow morning. If I had my way, Id sit them both outside the gate to share a trough!

The old badger nodded in agreement as she folded a cloth. “Theres no excuse for bad manners. I wish that Id had charge of those two rats when they were Dibbuns; Id have made them sit up straight and behave, indeed I would!

Moonlight beamed through the guest-room window, bathing the walls in a soft radiance. Warm summer night cast its drowsy spell over the Abbey, not a breeze stirred the leaves of the orchard, and peace lay over all. Slipp lay staring at the ceiling, listening to the silence and formulating plans in his mind. He was still fully dressed and in possession of a carving knife he had stolen from the table. In the next bed, Blaggut snuffled noisily, then turning onto his back he began to snore uproariously. Slipp flung a pillow which caught Blaggut in the face, enveloping his head. The former boatswain of Pearl Queen came awake, thrashing about as he was tangled by bedlinen.

“Whuhhh mainsails fallen, up the riggin, mates!

Rising hastily, Slipp tweaked his companions ear. “Stow that noise, ygreat oaf, youll wake everybeast!

Blaggut sat up scratching his head. “Wots up, Capn? You woke me out o the middle of a good oP sleep there.

Slipp looked contemptuously at his boatswains comical figure. “Get yerself out o that daft nightgown. Ylook like a jollyboat with a floppy sail. Do it quietly an keep yer voice down. Now listen tme, Ive got plans.

For the short time he had been acquainted with it, Blaggut liked his little truckle bed very much. As he dressed he sat on the edge of it, bouncing happily. Slipp, fast running out of patience, aimed a kick at Blaggut, hissing,

“Will you keep still, bucketbelly. Im talkin tyou!

Blaggut pulled a face and continued bouncing. “I kin ear you, Capn. Hoho, this is the life; bettern some ole ammock or deckplank this bed is. I never ad me own liddle bed. If were goin to steal things, Im gonna pinch this an take it wid me when we go ... His voice trailed off as Slipp drew the carving knife menacingly.

“Lets git somethin straight: I didnt pick you tcome with me, but yore ere whether I like it or not. Im still Capn, though, an if yore not still an quiet rightaway Ill see to it that yore silenced fer good!

Miserably Blaggut stopped bouncing and listened to his Captains scheme.

“All this fancy vittles, nice rooms, an whatnot, stands to reason a place o this size must ave a great store of treasure idden away somewheres. Right?

Blaggut nodded dumbly as Slipp continued. “So we looks fer it by night an keeps our noses clean durin the day. Come on, foller me.

“Where are we goin, Capn?

“Where dyou think, clothead, pickin daisies? Were start!n our treasure search. Now come on, an stop callin me Capn!

“Righto, Capn, but whatll I call yer?

“Call me Slipp, thats me name.

“Righto, Caper, Slipp. Sounds funny, me callin you Slipp. Nice name, though, Slipp. I likes it. Righto, lets go, Slippy!

The carving knife pricked Blaggut* s nose as the irate Captain snarled at him, “Ill Slippy yerIll slip this blade between yer ribs if yer calls me that once more, understand?*

The The searats found a candle and lit it from a walltorch in Great Hall. They crept about searching the alcoves and crannies. “Whatre we searchin for, Capn? Blaggut whispered as Slipp lifted the edge of the great tapestry.

The Captain rapped lightly on the wall. “Some idden door or secret panel. Thats where Id stow me loot ifn I owned a place like this.

Blaggut held the candle up to the tapestry, illuminating the figure of Martin the Warrior. “Lookit this feller, Capn. I wouldnt like to cross swords with that mouse, looks a right tough un!

“Its only a picture, stupid. Old that light down ere.

They continued searching Great Hall without success. From there the two searats progressed to Cavern Hole and, again, they found nothing. Blaggut smelled food.

“No treasure ere, Capn. Lets try that place where the nice smells are comin from.

“What, you mean the kitchens? Who ides treasure in kitchens?

Blaggut shrugged. “I dunno, who does?

Slipp stared strangely at him in the candlelight. “May *ap you got somethin there. A good place to ide loot would be a place nobeastd think of looking fer it. Come on!

The kitchens were in darkness save for a dim, red glow from the ovens, and the candle cast a dancing light laced with flickering shadows. Nervously Blaggut grabbed a warm loaf from a baking tray and began munching on it.

“Blisterin barnacles! Slipp cursed softly as he scorched his paw on an oven door. He plunged the limb into what he imagined was a jar of water, only to find it was warm honey. As was customary with the searat Captain, he began blaming his boatswain. “Now see wot youve made me do. Gimme that candle! Snatching at the candle he knocked it from Blagguts paw, and the light went out. Slipp was searching the floor with sticky paws when his companion began hugging him tightly.

“Were bein watched, Capn. Look!

In the red ovens glow a black-caped figure swept silently by them. Both rats gave a gasp of horror. The mysterious shape paused a moment in the doorway; it appeared to be looking in their direction. Slipp and Blag-gut crouched paralyzed by nameless terror, then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the black-caped form was gone!

Blaggut leaped up with a strangled yelp, knocking the honey jar from its perchit smashed on the floorstones. Slipp was already up and pushing the boatswain to one side. He dashed off, tripped, and crashed into a rack of pots and pans which clattered noisily to the floor. Both rats fled the kitchens, hearts pounding madly as they tore through Cavern Hole, across Great Hall, and up the stairs. They reached the guest bedroom not a second too soon. Sounds of Redwallers coming out of the dormitories to investigate the noises echoed along the corridors. Slipp closed the door as quietly as his shaking limbs would allow him to.

“Quick, get inter yer bed an snore! he croaked.

Blaggut needed no second bidding. He hurled himself into bed, swept the sheets over his head, and began snoring. Slipp followed suit. A moment later he heard the door open carefully and the voice of Abbot Saxtus.

“Well, whatever it was, it wasnt these two; theyre snoring like a pair of stuffed hogs.

His voice was followed by that of Brother Fingle.

“Aye, Father Abbot, hogs at the table and hogs in bed. Wed best go and check on the Dibbuns.

The door closed, and their pawsteps receded down the passage, Slipp sat up in bed, about to make some indignant comment on being called a hog when he remembered something odd. “Blaggut, he said, “when you jumped in bed just then, was yore bedlinen all upset, the way you left it?

“Upset? No, Capn, it was all tidy an shipshape. Slipp ran a trembling paw across the neat counterpane. While he and Blaggut had been downstairs, somebeast, or something, had visited their room and remade the beds!