Mattimeo shook his head reprovingly at Tess. “Who’s being unkind now, eh, Tess? Don’t you realize we’ve had a couple of days’ heavy rain? Not even Basil Stag Hare could follow our trail through that, and we’re well clear of the Redwall area now. Another thing, I’d like to bet that Slagar has laid some sort of false track to put them off the scent. You’re only raising vain hopes by talking of things like that.”

“Well, any hope’s better than none!” Tess sniffed.

A stoat called Badrag strode past them, waving his cane.

“Come on, come on, less gabbin’ and more marchin’, you lot. The faster you march the quicker you’ll get to rest. Move yourselves now, step lively.”

He carried on up the line, urging others on. When he was out of earshot Sam spoke up.

“I think Mattimeo is right. We should be trying to help ourselves and not waiting for others. I know there’ll be a big search party out from Redwall, but it’d take a miracle to find us in this deep woodland after all that rain. The only thing I’d say is do the sensible thing, don’t try any silly moves, and if any creature sees the chance of an escape, let us know so that we can organize it properly. Cynthia was right when she said what Slagar would do to anybody he caught trying to escape.”

Vitch darted through the bushes. He caught Sam a glancing blow, which was partly softened by the young squirrel’s bushy tail.

“You talk too much, squirrel. Talking’s not allowed between slaves. Another word out of you and I’ll whack you proper!”

Sam’s eyes narrowed and he growled dangerously at Vitch. The undersized rat swung the willow cane at him. With a lightning-fast move, Sam snatched the willow withe and snapped it. He flung the broken cane at Vitch, his teeth showing white and sharp.

“One day I’m going to get free of these chains, rat,” Sam vowed. “When I do, all the canes in the forest won’t stop me getting you!”

“That’s if I don’t get him first!” Mattimeo interrupted.

Vitch’s nerve failed him. He dashed off up the line.

“Yah, you won’t get loose where you’re going!” he called back.

The rat ran straight into Slagar. The fox cuffed him soundly and threw him to the ground.

“Stow the noise, addlebrains! The rest of you, get the prisoners between those two big firs over there and secure the line chain. Threeclaws, come with me. I saw something interesting a while back. Wartclaw, you and Badrag are in charge. Feed that lot and keep ’em quiet. Be ready to travel the moment I return. Got that?”

“Aye, aye, Chief.”

*   *   *