He departed, leaving Tsarmina back at her high window, still clutching the woodpigeon. She destroyed the carcass by crushing it with a single blow and hurled it out of the window toward the forest.

“Here, have something to eat, woodlanders,” she shrieked. “You’ll need it by the time autumn comes. I’ll keep you penned up in your holes. We’ll see who runs out of supplies first.”

* * *

Abbess Germaine and Columbine were taking the little ones to stay with Gingivere and Sandingomm. Bella drew a map to direct them. Ferdy and Coggs were torn between visiting their uncle Gingivere and staying behind to become warrior seadogs. Gonff had a word with them.

“Listen, mateys, Martin and I can’t be spared to guard the little uns, that’s why we thought of sending you two. Imagine how much safer the Abbess and Columbine will feel, knowing that Ferdy and Coggs are along to protect the convoy. I’ve made you a sling each and a pouch of throwing pebbles apiece.”

“Honest to goodness real ones, Mr. Gonff?”

“Aye, the same as Martin and I carry.”

Ferdy had only one thing to say: “Right, Coggs. Let’s line these creatures up. I’ll tell the Abbess and Columbine to lead, we’ll protect the rear.”

They departed amidst much cheering and pawwaving, both warriors getting their snouts wiped soundly on the corner of Goody’s apron.

* * *

The Corim leaders set about the distribution of arms. Log-a-Log and his shrews were proficient archers; they used the squirrel shoulder bows as standing longbows, and Lady Amber saw to it they were well supplied. The six hares fell gladly into Skipper’s company. They were well liked by the otters, and proved to be as efficient with javelins as they were with their own big pikes, which were greatly admired by the otter crew.

The Loamhedge mice were unused to any sort of weapon, so they joined Goody Stickle to help in any way possible—healing, repairing, and running the field kitchen. T. B. and Young Dinny took the moles. They banded together with the former oar slaves, between them there was an amazing variety of weapons.

Bella strolled over to review them.

“Well, well, who’s in charge of this bloodthirsty crew?” she asked, receiving two salutes.

“Captains Timballisto and Young Dinny of the Mossflower irregulars reporting for duty, marm.”

Young Dinny brandished a dagger, he was decked out in a many-colored fringed silk sash and brass sea rat earrings.

“Haharr, we’m a roight drefful rabble an’ ready furr foighten owt.”

Bella returned the salute as she tried to hide a smile.

In the for’ard cabin of Wuddshipp, Martin spoke secretly with five strong, experienced otters. When he emerged, the banks were thronged with a horde waiting upon his word. Every eye was upon him as he sprang from the side of the vessel and waded ashore through the shallows. Timballisto had found his old battle armor in the sea rat lockers. He came forward and buckled it on his friend in silence. Setting the round war helmet firmly on Martin’s head, he strapped the breastplate on and buckled the greaves about the warrior’s paws. Bella and the hares presented Martin with a scabbard and swordbelt which matched his sword to perfection.