Basil sniffed disdainfully, stepped around the sword and confronted the captive. “A little water pirate, eh? Right, laddie, name, rank and number. Quick as y’like now and no fibs, what’re you doin’ in that cart? Where’s your slaver band got to? What’ve you done with our young uns? Speak up, you blinkin’ rapscallion!”

The small otter reached behind him and tickled Jess suddenly. She let go of him with a whoop. He looked at Matthias and nodded towards Basil.

“Stow me oars, ’e’s a funny rabbit, that’n. Talks nice, though.”

Matthias and Jess burst out laughing at the creature’s impudence.

Basil stalked off towards the stream, muttering to himself in a huff, “Funny rabbit, indeed. No manners at all, these water-wallopers. Shouldn’t be surprised if his mother’s tattooed and chews shrimp a lot.”

Matthias sat down in a dry spot under the cart and beckoned to the otter.

“C’mere, young un. Come and talk to me. I’ve got a son about your age. Come on, you’ve no need to be frightened.”

The little fat otter laughed. He flung himself under the cart and kicked at the axles and wheel spokes.

“Heehee, this is better’n playin’ on top of the cart,” he giggled. “My name’s Cheek. What’s yours?”

“Matthias of Redwall. What are you doing here, Cheek?”

“Oh, just playin’ and sportin’. I like playin’ and sportin’. D’you?”

“I did when I was your age. Tell me, were there any other creatures with this cart when you first saw it?”

“Stow me oars, I’ll say there was. Two wicked old weasels, they called they selves Deadnose an’ Fengal. I stowed meself in the bushes an’ watched ’em, so I did.”

Basil and Jess came to join Matthias when they heard this. Cheek looked from the squirrel to the hare. “What’s your names, you two?” he asked.

“Cheek’s the right name for you, me laddo,” Basil snorted. “You tell us what those two weasels were saying.”

Cheek giggled again. “Heehee, tell you nothin’ ’til you tell me your names.”

Matthias nudged Basil. “Tell him your name and let him get on with his information.”

“What? Oh, righto. Allow me to introduce meself, young Cheek. I’m Basil Stag Hare, veteran scout and retired foot fighter, doncha know.”

Cheek giggled yet again. He was an inveterate giggler.

“Barrel Stick Chair? Silly name. Who’s the mouse with the brush on her tail?”

Basil went a peculiar shade of red around his ears and cheeks. He was about to give Cheek a piece of his mind when Jess interrupted.

“My name is Jess Squirrel. How do you do?”

Cheek rattled a twig around the wheelspokes. “I’m fine, Jeff. How are you?”

Jess was about to grab the young otter and teach him some manners when Matthias gave her a wink and signalled his haversack.