"I've just captured these three searat Captains. They were waiting down the way apiece, probably to ambush us and steal our bell."
Dandin and Durry played along with the badger.
"It's as well you did. They look like born killers to me."
"Aye, these searats are all the same, y'know."
Grubb tried reasoning with his captors. "Oh gurra-way, oi'm a moler an' they be two hotterfolk. You'm be Dan'in an' maister Quill, oi knows 'ee!"
Rawnblade burst out laughing. "Hohoho! Well said! We'll take you back to Redwall with us."
Bagg held a paw to his snout, confidentially whispering to Rawnblade, "I wouldn't if I was you. Ma Mell's will chuck you all inna tub an' scrub you sumfink awful!"
00
The orchard workers had halted for a midmorning break and jugs of cider and slices of plumcake were passed around.
Mother Mellus searched around the berry bushes worriedly. "Anybeast here seen three Dibbuns, Bagg, Runn and Grubb?"
Saxtus stood up helpfully. "Do you want me to go and look for them?"
The badger plumped down wearily next to Simeon and accepted a beaker of new cider. "I'd be most grateful if you did, Saxtus. I've run my aching old bones ragged searching for those three rips."
As the young mouse trotted off on a tour of the Abbey grounds Mellus refilled Simeon's beaker.
"What a fine young creature our Saxtus is. I remember he wasn't any great trouble as a Dibbun, always a
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fairly serious and obedient little thing. Not like some I could name."
The blind herbalist smiled. "You're a proper old fraud, Mellus. You wouldn't know what to do with yourself if all our Dibbuns were quiet, serious and obedient. It makes the seasons happier having a few little pickles around."
Having searched in the most likely hiding places, Saxtus mounted the wallsteps and scoured the ramparts. Starting at the south wall, he worked his way along to the east battlements, covering every recess and niche, each moment expecting to come upon the three little ones hiding in some favorite corner. He had hidden up here many a time with Dandin and Durry when they were small; all the best secret hideouts were known to him.
Saxtus could feel anxiety beginning to gnaw at him. He had searched every possible place and still there was no sign of the missing trio. He leaned his back against the northwest walltop corner, looking down into the Abbey grounds, mentally ticking off each place he had covered. The three little ones were definitely missing, but there was no need to upset Mother Mellus yet they might still be somewhere in the vicinity. Saxtus turned to look up the path. For a moment he could scarcely believe his eyes, he felt his whole body begin to shake and tremble with excitement. Paws twitching and teeth chattering, he blinked and rubbed his eyes to reassure himself he was not witnessing a mirage. He was not! He stood for some time, exerting all his willpower to gain control of himself.
oo
Refreshment time was over in the orchard. Picking up their baskets, the harvesters were about to go back to work. Saxtus's voice rang out level and loud from the ramparts.
"Father Abbot, Mother Mellus, bring everybody with you. Come up here and look at this!"
Mellus and the Abbot, with Simeon between them, rounded the corner of the Abbey building, a crowd of Redwallers following them.
"Saxtus. Hi, Saxtus, what is it?"
"Have you found the Dibbuns, Saxtus?"
The young mouse turned and called back to the swelling band of Redwallers, "Come up here, this is very important, I think you should all see this!"
Now every creature in the Abbey was striding across the lawns, from the orchards, kitchens, Great Hall, Cavern Hole, dormitories and gatehouse, overcome with curiosity.
"I hope it ain't more searats, marm!"
"In the name of all fur, what is it?"
"Hoi, Saxtus, what's all this about?"
But Saxtus had turned his back on them and was staring out at the path from the north, ignoring their shouts.
Mellus quickend her pace. "Ooh, he was always very aggravating as a Dibbun was that one!"
oo
Every creature in the Abbey was now ranged along the wall staring dumbfounded at the sight before them. It was Gabriel Quill who broke the silence. Scrambling up onto a battlement, he waved his paws wildly as he shouted, "They've come back! Oh, Durry me heart, it's me, yer ol' nuncle Gabriel!"
The hedgehog's call seemed to trigger everything. A mighty roaring cheer rose from the walltops; caps and aprons were flung in the air as the Redwallers danced up and down, waving and cheering at the top of their lungs, stamping their paws and howling pure joy to the skies.
"They're back! Oh look, they're back! Hooraaaaaay!!!"
On the path the horde of Trag warriors with the great
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bell in their midst ground to a halt at Rawnblade's signal.
Mariel stood atop the bell. She loosed her Gullwhacker and began swinging it in circles above her head.
Tarquin winked at her. "Go on, old gel, let 'em know you jolly well did it!"
The mousemaid swung the heavily knotted rope down with both paws.
Boooooommrnmmml
The deep melodious sound echoed out across the brown and russet woodlands in the fine autumn morn.
"Eulaliaaaaa! Trag! Trag! Trag! Redwaaaaalll!"
The answer to Red wall's cheers rent the air as the warriors roared out their battle cry. Sitting on top of Lord Rawnblade's war helmet, Grubb joined paws with Bagg and Runn, who were perched on the badger's shoulders. Between them they yelled as loudly as any battle-hardened soldier.
Abbot Bernard stood in front of the open gateway, paws tucked into wide habit sleeves. His voice quivered noticeably as he addressed the four travelers who stood with Lord Rawnblade at the head of the army.
"You have come a very long way to be at Redwall Abbey. . . . Welcome home!"
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Extract from the writings of Abbot Saxtus:
The seasons turn slowly with the earth, Redwall stones grow aged and mellow, and I thank fortune that we live peacefully within our Abbey. The old ones are still with us, I am happy to say: Joseph, Simeon, Hubert and old Abbot Bernard. I sat with them this afternoon, on the rickety remains of the wooden bellcart in the orchard. We talked of bygone times as we lounged about in the warmth of this long summer. Bagg, Runn and Grubb brought us dandelion and burdock cordial to drink. You would not believe what big, well-mannered otters the twins are, and Grubb, always ready with a joke and a smile, he never changes, I know because he put otter hotroot in my beaker. Bernard and his friends were recalling the Feast of the Bell Raising. What a day! Mariel's father was so proud wrhen we named the bell after him, the ]oseph Bell, though he would not sit at the head of the tableno, Joseph insisted on sitting with Tarquin and his wife, Rosie. Ah, that was a feast my stomach still remembers. Cellarmaster Durry Quill and his assistant Old Gabriel produced the finest October ale I ever drank, Friar Cockleburr
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made a bell-shaped fruitcake as big as the Joseph Bell itself, Friar Alder and his Trag trainees did us proud toothere were more trifles, tarts, puddings, salads, cheeses and breads than you could shake a twig at. Oak Tom and his wife, Treerose, say that the feast might have lasted a whole season had it not been for Flagg the otter, Rosie and Tarquin and Mellus and Rawnblade. My word, you should have seen those creatures eat, you would have thought they were facing a seven-season famine!