Grandma Ellayo’s voice came from the back of the shelter. “Aye, us three would like a bite if y’don’t mind!”

The last of their provisions was made into an acceptable meal. Song sliced up the final piece of Rimrose’s traveling fruit and honey cake, while her grandma brewed a kettle of mint and comfrey tea. Rimrose had saved four oatcakes and a small wedge of cheese. She toasted the cheese and oatcakes together. The family sat by the fire, staring out into the rainswept night as they ate. Later Janglur took out his flute and played, encouraging Song to sing.

“I once knew an ant and I knew him right well,

This ant he lived in a hazelnut shell,

He had relations to count by the score,

They used to come knocking on his tiny door.

One was called distant, he lived far away,

Another was pleasant, he’d bid you good day,

A third was constant, he was never away,

Then there was hesitant, not sure he’d stay,

And poor old reluctant not sure too,

And one called valiant stout and true.

Now I’ll tell you the reason they all came to call,

’Cos this ant was the most important of all!”

As the final echo of the ballad died away a gruff voice called from the streambank, causing Ellayo to jump with fright, “Well sung, young missie. Y’ve got a fair pretty voice on yer!”

Song immediately grabbed for her father’s knife, but Janglur stayed her paw, a smile flitting across his half-closed eyes as he replied, “Aye, better’n any ole scragfurred shrew could sing, I’ll wager!”

Surrounded by a party of Guosim, Log a Log strode up to the shelter.

“Hah! Janglur Swifteye, ye great fat branchbounder, I heard you was dead three seasons back!”

Janglur shook his old friend’s paw heartily. “Log a Log Guosim, ye big-bellied brookbeast, I heard you died more’n four seasons ago!”

The shrew threw a paw about the squirrel’s shoulders. “Well, we must be the two healthiest ghosts in the woodlands.”

Introductions were made all around. The shrews joined their old logboat sails, which they carried with them, to Janglur’s shelter. Using oars and dead branches, and taking advantage of nearby bushes, they soon extended the covered area. Log a Log sat by the fire, gratefully accepting a bowl of tea from Ellayo, while he told Janglur of what had befallen him and his tribe. The squirrel listened intently, then told Log a Log of his first encounter with the Marlfoxes. The shrew scratched his ear thoughtfully.

“D’you think the two you met are the same two who stole our boats?”

Janglur shook his head emphatically. “Impossible. We were too far apart, but I saw the two foxes that took yore boats this very evenin’.”

Log a Log’s paw grabbed his rapier hilt. “You saw ’em? Where?”