As the stoat moved off, he slipped on a wet patch of rock. Jumping up quickly, he wagged the cane again. “Remember what I said; eyes closed, lie still, and no chain-clanking, or you’re for it!”

Most of the other prisoners stretched out so they could be alone, but Mattimeo and his friends huddled close together. The young mouse lay with his head against Sam’s tail, and as they rested they whispered quietly among themselves.

“Wonder if old Ambrose Spike’s down in his cellar having a snooze among the barrels.”

“Aye, d’you remember that day we sneaked down there and drank the strawberry cordial out of his barrels with hollow reeds?”

“Do I! Haha, good old Spike. Wish I had a beaker of that cordial right now.”

“Hmm, or a big apple and cinnamon pie with fresh cream poured over it, or maybe just some good fresh bread and cheese.”

Auma gave the chain a slight tug. “Oh, go to sleep, you lot, you’re making me hungry. Right now I wish I had a bowl of my father’s mountain foothill stew, full of leeks and potatoes with gravy and carrots and onions and—”

“Huh, we’re making you hungry? I thought your father was a warrior. They aren’t usually good at cooking.”

“No, but my father Orlando is, though he told me never to tell any creature in case they thought he was getting soft, but he always cooked wonderful things for me to eat. S’pose it was ’cos I never had a mother. Or at least I can’t remember her.”

There was silence as the young captives thought of their own parents. Mattimeo began to wish that he had never caused his father and mother any trouble. He looked down at his chains and resolved that if ever he got free and returned to Redwall he would be a good son.

“Matti, are you asleep?” Tess’s urgent whisper broke into his thoughts.

“No, Tess. What is it?”

“I’ll tell you, but you must keep calm. When Wedgeback slipped and fell, he lost his little dagger. You know, the one he always carries tucked in the back of his belt. I’ve got it.”

Mattimeo tried to remain still, but his senses were alert. “Great! Well done, Tess. Do you think we can use it to open the locks of our chains?”

“Ssshh, not so loud. I’m sure of it. I’ve just opened mine. It’s only a simple twirl lock and the dagger point works perfectly. Stay still, I’ll get it to you.”

Tim and the others had heard Tess.

“Good old Tess, this is the chance we’ve been waiting for!”

“We’ll have to leave it for a bit. I can see the slavers lying down in the mouth of a cave over there. Wait for a while, until they’re asleep.”