Sagax poled stoically onward. Should have blisters on your tongue, the way you’re yammering on there. Give it a rest.
However, Scarum was not to be deterred so easily. A rest? Jolly good idea, if y’ask me. A rest and a whacking great feed. We’re going to have to stop soon and eat, y’know. It’s not fair, a chap starvin’ to death, all because a few mangy vermin are chasing us. Can’t one of you bright sparks think of somethin’ to slow’em up or put’em off a bit, wot?
Sagax snorted. We could always chuck you overboard like we did those other two. That’d slow them up.
Kroova stumbled as his pole hit a root.
Shogg peered through the crystal-clear water. Look! See that root running across the bottom of the streambed?
There’s lots of ‘em from the trees on the bank. Just the sort o’ thing we need, mates.
Picking up the broken oarshaft that he had used as a weapon earlier, Shogg felt the broken end; it tapered down to a blunt point. The broken oar was almost as tall as he was. Kroova, I think we need two otters for this job, matey.
They huddled together at the stern of the boat, whispering. Shogg had his knife out, whittling the broken end of the oar to a point until it began to resemble a sharp wooden stake. Kroova leaned over, peering steadily down into the stream.
There, that’s the place. Come on, we got work t’do. Sagax, keep ‘er goin’ upstream, don’t stop. We’ll join ye later, won’t be long.
With scarcely a ripple, both otters slid overboard into the stream.
Scarum glanced astern. D’you think they’ve spotted a good fat fish?
I’m famishedÑthe jolly old turn’s making an awful noise, wot?
The hungry hare was a constant source of amusement to Triss, who smiled as Sagax berated him: Listen, twiddly ears, stop moaning about your stomach and get this vessel moving. We’re deadbeasts if those vermin catch up with us. You don’t hear Triss and me complaining all the time.
Now, get on with it!
Scarum poled away resentfully, chunnering to himself, Huh, you don’t complain, ‘cos you’re not a hare. We’re noble beasts, with bloomin’
noble appetites, too. Blinkin’ badgers an’ squirrels can live on a pawful of nothin’, but not this mother’s child. I need a good six square meals a day, at least!
Triss whispered in his ear sympathetically, I know they don’t understand you, but don’t fret. Keep working and I’ll personally see that you get a good big feed as soon as we get time to rest.
As Sagax watched Scarum poling diligently away, he spoke out of the side of his mouth to the squirrelmaid.
Look, he’s stopped complaining. I could never get him to work like that.
What did you say to him, Triss?
Oh, I just told him I’d get him something to eat as soon as we get the chance.
The badger shook his great striped head. You might be sorry you said that.
The deck shook as Kroova and Shogg leaped aboard. Scarum noticed immediately that they had returned empty-pawed.
Flamin’ bounders, I thought you were bringin’ back that big fat fish as a surprise for me!
Shogg patted the hare’s back. Sorry, mate, we left the surprise back there for those vermin to find.
Plugg Firetail had the ship’s jollyboat speeding like an arrow upstream.
His method was simple; The moment his four rowers showed signs of tiring, he sent them ashore to run along the banksides and chose four fresh vermin to replace them.
Princess Kurda sat stonefaced as the Freebooter harangued four of her own Ratguards scornfully. Row, ye lily-livered swabsÑcorne on, bend yore backs an’ pull those oars. Youse rats’ve had an easy life, yore all fat’n’lazy. I’ll show ye ‘ow a Freebooter works. Row, ye slab-sided, bottle-nosed bangtails, yer not bowin’ an’ scrapin’ to a princess now, yore rowin’ a boat!
Bladd giggled. He liked the Captain’s colourful curses, Yarr, you row like de Capting say, bottle-nosed svabs! Yowch! Capting, Kurda pinch me vit ‘er sharp claws.
The Princess glared hatefully at her fat brother. Shut your slobberin’
face, stupid, or I t’row you overboard!
Plugg shook a paw at her, his voice dripping sarcasm. Now, now, beauty, ye shouldn’t be usin’ language like that to yore dear brother. Come on, kiss ‘im an’ make up.
Bladd recoiled in disgust. Yekk, she not kissin’ me!
The silver fox rounded on the four rats at the oars. Who told you idle scum t’stop rowin’, eh? Now put some energy into it, afore I chop off yore tails an’ make ye eat’em. Row, ye pickle-pawed oafs!
Oars dipped swift and deep as the jollyboat sped from the dune canyons into the sheltering shade of woodlands. Plugg reached up and snapped off a long green willow branch. First one I spot idlin’ gets a taste o’ this!
Vorto called across the bank to Riggan, who was trotting along the other edge, Are we still on their trail?
Plugg interrupted before the slavecatcher could answer. No, matey, they’ve took to the sky an’ they’re flyin’ south like the birds. Idjit!
This is the only way they can go in a boat. Huh, an’ I thought my crew was stupid! He lashed out at the rowers with his willow withe. We should be plunderin’ an’ loadin’ up wid loot, instead o’chasin’ a few lousy slaves.... Aaaaaargh!
Without warning, the rowers had sent the jollyboat speeding straight onto the sharpened wooden stake that Shogg and Kroova had lodged tight between two roots on the streambed. It protruded upward at an angle, facing downstream, the point lurking fractionally below the surface.
As the boat hit the stake, it smashed through the side of the prow like a huge spearpoint. Water came gushing in. Plugg’s agonised scream was not without reasonÑthe stake had gotten him in the lower back, just short of his haunches.
Pandemonium reigned. Kurda seized two of the Rat-guards who had been rowing, screeching at them as the boat rapidly filled up, Get me to de shore, quick!
The two of them bore her to the bank, with the other two carrying Prince Bladd, who was wailing in terror, Don’t let me drop, I cannot svim!
The crew of the Seascab hurled themselves into the stream. Cutlasses and hatchets crashed into the sinking boat timbers as they hacked wildly, striving to free their captain. Plugg had passed out with the pain, and Grub-bage held the silver fox’s head above the waterline.
Gerrim out, mates,’urry, or the Cap’n will get drowned!
Slitfang chopped away madly at the stake, which was holding Plugg in the boat. Tazzin, lend a paw’ere, bring yer dagger or we’ll lose the Cap’n!
They freed Plugg and carried him up to the bank. Scummy the stoat and Grubbage, who both had experience in treating wounds, attended the fox’s limp, wet form, whilst the rest of the crew looked anxiously on. Without a captain, the Freebooters were like lost creatures. Kurda watched them, a smile of pitiless cruelty on her face. Dere is no need for de boat now, so I vill continue hunting der slaves mitt my Ratguards. Yarr, de fox does not have a lot to say now, does he? Tchah!
She spun on her paw, only to find herself surrounded by Freebooters.
Tazzin licked her dagger blade meaningly.
Yew ain’t goin’ anywhere an’ leavin’ us wid a wounded cap’n. We all stays’ere til Plugg’s ready to move, see!
Vorto came hurrying up, with his spear at the ready. Back off, seascum, yew ain’t orderin’ our princess about! Slitfang sneaked up behind and felled Vorto with a hefty blow of his cutlass hilt. Placing a paw on the senseless rat, he leaned across and hissed in Kurda’s face, I’m cap’n while old Plugg’s out of action, an’ I says we stay. If’n ye wants to challenge my order, yer welcome to try. I’ll fix it so you an’ yore rats stays’ere fer good, wid the insects to pick over yore bones. Well?