The hare was in no mood to be bandied with. “M’self? Pish tush, sah, never! Actually I’m exchangin’ insults with one of those Marlfox types down on the path, doncha know.”

Rusvul dashed off, roaring at the top of his lungs, “Marlfox out on the path! Marlfox outside the gate!”

The Abbey bells boomed out an alarm. In a short time most of Redwall was atop the wall, armed with anything that came to paw: ladles, shovels, curtain poles and sundry everyday implements. Mokkan the Marlfox leader backed off to the ditch edge on the path’s far side, ready to flee if things got more dangerous. Cregga’s voice was low and menacing, but quite clear as the exchange took place.

“You’ve got a mousebabe, one of our young ’uns.”

“Aye, that’s right, had him since yesterday noon.”

“Clever of you, and now you’ve come to bargain. What do you want?”

“Oh, I don’t know yet. What’ve you got in there? A rich Abbey like yours, should be something valuable enough to save a life.”

“We do not hoard treasure at Redwall. If you need victuals we can give you a supply of the best food prepared anywhere.”

Mokkan shook his head, almost pityingly at the simple offer. “No, no, food doesn’t interest us, there’s plenty in Mossflower. Let me gather my brothers and sisters, we’ll come into your Abbey and take a look around. I’ll wager Marlfoxes could find something of value as a ransom for your babe.”

Skipper of otters wiggled a paw in one ear. “Did I ’ear that right? You want t’bring a pack o’ your kind inside Redwall an’ take a root about? Lissen, snotnose, ’tis only the grass that’s green round ’ere, not the Abbeybeasts!”

Mokkan drew his ax and tested the blade edge. “You have until midnight. After that you won’t see Dwopple again!”

Shouts of indignation rang from the walltops.

“Don’t you dare touch that Dibbun!”

“You stinkin’ coward!”

“Hurr, big bravebeast loik ee, slayin’ liddle ’uns, you’m nought but sloim’n’mud!”

“Harm not my precious mite, sir, I beg you. Take my life instead!”

“For shame! You, sir, are nought but a scum-wallower!”

Janglur Swifteye held up his paws for silence. “Save yore breath, friends. ’Tis wasted on the likes of that ’un. Lissen, fox, we’ll meet you at the southwest corner of this wall at midnight. I’ll see these Redwallers bring lots o’ pretty things to trade for Dwopple. Agreed?”

Mokkan smiled up at the squirrel. “I’m glad there’s one creature at Redwall with a bit of sense. I accept your offer, squirrel, but make sure whoever comes is unarmed. One false trick will cost the mousebabe his life!”