The otter nodded. Once we’re past that wreckage, we’ll row an’ sail into the woodlands, through the stream current. It’ll be tough goin’, so git yoreself ready for action.
The young hare’s ears drooped mournfully. Huh, should’ve told old Pluggface to pack us a lunch. I’ll face any jolly thing on a full stomach, y’know.
Triss could not help chuckling as she asked Sagax, How could anybeast think of food at a time like this? Is Scarum always hungry?
The badger answered the question with another question. Does night follow day?
Kurda was still perched on the Seascab’s bows, watching the smaller craft’s progress. She turned anxiously to Plugg, who was standing nearby, draped in a blanket and swigging hot grog.
Dey go straight ‘head, sailink for der stream, you fink?
She recoiled as the silver fox belched a fraction from her nose. He did not seem unduly worried. Aye, that’s their liddle game. At first I though they’d sail in among the reefs, but they couldn’t stay there forever. We’d be circlin’, waitin’ for ‘em to come out. You mark my words, missie, if n they plans on makin’ a run up yonder stream, that’ll dome just fine!
Bladd pulled his blanket tighter about him. Taking a sip from a beaker of steaming grog, he coughed and spluttered. How vill it do you just fine, Cap’n?
Snatching the beaker, Plugg drained it at a gulp. One o’ two things, yer princeness: either they’ll miss the channel an’ run ‘er aground, or else they’ll smash the bottom out when they whacks into that burnt ole boat. Either way, we’ll be in plenty o’ time to lay paws on ‘em.
Though I ‘opes they only runs my nice likkle craft aground. I don’t like to see me property damaged, eh, yer ‘igh royalness?
Kurda sneered. Long as ve capture dem, I don’t care!
Plugg pushed by Kurda and shouted out orders. Lay south a point, Grubbage, take ‘er in short o’ that there stream an’ drop anchor. Crew! Stand ready an’ armed to jump ashore an’ grab those imperdent beasts. I’ll h’eddicate that rabbit in the ways of me battle-axe when I lays paws on ‘im. We’ll see ‘ow pretty ‘e talks then!
With a strong breeze at their backs and the tide running high, the two otters held the tiller dead onto the stream mouth, which drew closer by the moment. Sagax dashed up to the bow point, shouting aloud into the bright blue morning, Let’s give her a good old Salamandastron Eu-lalia to send her in, mates!
Triss turned to the hare. I like the sound of thatÑwhat’s a Salamandastron Eulalia?
Scarum explained. Somethin’ to make the jolly old fur stand on end, marm, the battle cry of real warriors. Just yell it out loud and long.
Right ho, chaps, altogether now.
They roared at the top of their lungs as the sleek vessel whipped head-on into the fresh water. Eulaliiii-iaaaaaaaa!
In the narrow mouth, wild following-wave swells drove them like an arrow up the channel.
Because of the time having been spent picking up Plugg and Bladd, the Seascab had lost ground, plus the fact that they had to haul in sail to stop them from running aground in the shallows. All this added up to slow the big ship’s speed. Kurda was dancing with rage.
Look, look, dey vent right into der stream, straight in! Plugg was donning another frock coat, even tattler-looking than the wet one he had cast off. He smirked confidently. Don’t fret yore pretty white ‘ide, dearie, the wrecked boat’ll stop ‘em, won’t it, Slitty?
Slitfang nodded dutifully. Aye, Cap’n. What he did not say was that the Freebooters had hauled quite a bit of it, still burning, to feed their fire the previous night.
Ripper raised a paw, but dropped it at a glare from Slit-fang, who muttered, Shut yore gob or ‘e’ll skin us both!
As the Seascab sailed in closer to land, Plugg went aft to question Grubbage, shouting down the deaf rat’s ear, ’Ow far up the stream d’ye reckon that wreck is?
Grubbage winced. Ye don’t need t’shout so loud, Cap’n. They’re about right at that spot now.
I’d say they’ve gone clear past it!
Plugg looked sharply at Riggan the slavecatcher, who had just made the remark. An’ how d’ye figger that out?
Riggan pointed overboard at the broken and burned struts of timber floating in the shallows. She observed drily, I watched that float out o’ the stream mouthÑthat means they’ve broke through an’ passed the place. The fire prob’ly burned right through the ketch an’ broke ‘er up afore they arrived,
A few of the crew standing about nodded guiltily. Aye, yore right there, matey, she burned right through!
Plugg kicked out at them and cuffed a few ears. Then why didn’t ye say, why didn’t anybeast tell me, eh? Get over the side an’ catch ‘em, the useless lot o’ ye!
Several Freebooters promptly leaped overboard, but the water closed in over their heads. Grubbage watched them. Water ain’t shallow enough yet, Cap’n. We needs t’be closer in t’shore.
Kurda came running to berate the Captain. Iz too deep ‘ere. Ve need to be closer in!
Leaning over the rail, Plugg buried his face in both paws. You ‘eard
‘er, Grubbage, take the ship in closer to shore.
Grubbage manoeuvred the tiller, muttering darkly, I ain’t throwin’ my clothes ashore fer nobeast. I’ll just take ‘er in closer to the beach!
Poling and paddling energetically, the friends took their vessel into the high, sandy canyon walls of the dunes. Scarum paused to swat at a curious fly.
Shove off, you bounder, go an’ eat somebeast who’s fatter.
Triss could see the Seascab drifting to a halt, side-on, far down at the tideline. Scarum, don’t stop to argue with insects. Keep poling!
Sagax could see overhanging tree foliage further ahead. We’ll be in the woodlands soonÑkeep going, mates. Kroova, have they left the ship yet? Are they ashore?
The otter took a quick glance. One or two of’em. Wait, they’re lowerin’
the ship’s boat!
Plugg sat in the jollyboat facing Kurda and Bladd as it splashed gently into the water. Slitfang, git yoreself in’ere, you’ll be rowin’. Tazzin, Grubbage, Ripper, yore at the oars, too. Come on, move!
An’ vot about mine captain and Ratguards?
Plugg leaned back in the most comfortable seat. Oh, them, they can run both sides o’ the bank wid the rest o’ my crew. If’n yew wants ter give up yore seat to another beast, you’ll’ave t’get out an’ walk too. I ain’t takin’ on any more passengers. Wot d’you say, Bladd, me ole mate, eh?
The fat Prince snorted indignantly. I not gettink out der boat for others, let dem valk!
The silver fox toyed with his battle-axe, teasing Kurda. Yew travel in style, me beauty, wid yore beloved brother an’ yore dear old uncle Plugg. Don’t fret now, we’ll punish those naughty slaves an’ get my nice likkle boat back.
Kurda smiled back at the Freebooter. An’ ven’tis all over, you deliver me back to mine father?
The Freebooter winked broadly at her. Why, bless yore’eart, pretty one, of course I will!
Kurda’s eyes went cold. Gutt, den I vill see him hang you in chains over his gates.
31
Sunshine and shadow dappled through the trees onto the stream’s surface.
It was far more calm running in the woodlands. Shogg took down the sail and furled it. The others kept rowing and poling, with Scarum expounding his list of complaints.
I say, my bloomin’ paws are jolly well sore, must be worn down to the flippin’ bones by now. Blisters on top of my blisters, that’s what I’ve got!