Supper was served in Cavern Hole. Many had no appetite for food, Matthias least of all, yet he forced himself to eat his fill. So did Cornflower, as she fought back tears for her son and tried gallantly to cope with baby Rollo.

“Eat up, come on, all of you!” the warrior mouse urged his companions in a tight voice. “There’s nothing to be done except eat and store energy. Night has fallen and soon we must rest. But first thing tomorrow I will choose a rescue party. Rain or no rain, we strike north again. I will make that masked fox wish that he had never arrived at our gates, and we will bring our young ones back home to Redwall where they belong.”

*   *   *

Rain slashed down through the bushes and trees, drenching slaves and slavers alike. Tess Churchmouse stumbled against Mattimeo and fell heavily into the churned-up mud, causing the line of chained prisoners to come to a bumping, clanking halt.

Halftail scurried up, swinging his cane. “Gerrup! Up on your paws, you little backslider.”

Mattimeo threw himself forward, catching the stinging blow that was aimed at Tess. Auma lent a paw to help the churchmouse.

“Up you come, quick, back into line and keep going. It’s the only way to stay out of trouble,” the badger advised her.

Between them, Mattimeo and Auma hauled Tess upright and shunted her forward.

“Thanks for your help, friend,” Mattimeo said.

The young badger shook rain from her striped muzzle. “Listen, I’ll give you a tip to pass on to the others. Don’t let the running line drag. Hold it in your paws like this, not too tight, and give yourself enough slack to move easily. That way you won’t be tripping up so often.”

Mattimeo gratefully passed the information to his friends. It worked well. However, Mattimeo was growing impatient with Cynthia Bankvole. She was constantly weeping, stumbling and dragging at the fetters. “Why am I being kept prisoner and made to march through the rain and the wet like this?” she wailed piteously. “I’ve never harmed any creature. Look, my habit’s all muddy and soggy. Oh, why don’t they let us sleep? I’m so tired!”

Mattimeo could stand it no longer. “Oh, stop snivelling and whining, Cynthia!” he snarled angrily. “You’ve done nothing but moan and cry since you woke today.”

Tess Churchmouse interrupted his ill-tempered tirade. “Mattimeo, don’t speak to Cynthia that way! I’m sure your father wouldn’t talk to another creature like that.”

Mattimeo tugged the chain rebelliously. “Well, how am I supposed to talk to her? She’s nothing but a whining nuisance. And another thing, why have I got to be like my father all the time?”