Coggs kicked Ferdy and interrupted, “Goody, goody. We love our mum’s apple pie, and that’s all we’ve got to say!”

Tsarmina scowled irritably and pushed the tray of sweetmeats away. “Guards! Take these two little fools and lock them up again. They’ll learn what hunger is a week from now.”

As they were marched off, Coggs shouted bravely, “Aye, and you’ll see how woodland warriors can still behave two weeks from now, cat.”

Far below at the prison window bars, Chibb earnestly discussed the new plan with Gingivere.

* * *

Gonff was first to complain as evening fell over the woodlands. “Phew, it’s a while since I trudged this far, mateys. What d’you say, this looks a likely place for the night, then we can get a fresh start in the morning?”

Young Dinny inspected the site. It was a dead chestnut stump, with a small hole between the two main roots.

“Hurr, oi knows this yurr gaff. Slep’ yurr many a noight. ’Ee’ll do.”

Martin crouched as he made his way into the confined space. “Just about enough room for the three of us. We’d better call it a day. Break out some supper, Gonff.”

While Gonff set the food out, Dinny scooped loam around the entrance, leaving a small space for observation. The mole had no sooner finished his task when he held up a paw.

“Usher now. Cum by ’ere an’ lookit.”

Silently they gathered round and watched as Scratch blundered noisily through the undergrowth, followed by Splitnose and Blacktooth.

“Haha, look out. The bogey Cludd’s behind you.”

“Fat chance! He’ll probably be stuffing his face back at Kotir.”

“Aye, and getting ready to sleep in a dry bed, too.”

“No sign of the mice and the mole yet, Scratch?”

“It’s getting so dark I can’t see my own paws, let alone a mice and a mole. Come on, let’s get clear of this forest while we can. If we reach the road, there’s a dry ditch where we can camp the night.”

“Hey, Blacktooth, stop scoffing those rations. There’ll be none left for us.”

“Aah, there’s plenty. Anyhow, I’m starving.”

“You’re starving! I haven’t had a bite since breakfast myself. Here, give me that food.”

“No, I won’t. Leggo, you big grabber!”

“Here, I’ll take charge of that, you two. Garr, you greedy nits, it’s spilled all over the place now. You’ve dropped it.”

“It wasn’t me, it was him. He shoved me, clumsy paws.”

“Clumsy paws yourself, greedy guts. Take that!”

“Owoo! I’ll report you to Cludd when we get back.”

“Oh, go and report your mother.”

In the hole beneath the chestnut tree the three friends held their sides in silent mirth, tears running down their whiskers as they watched the antics of the searchers, who fumbled and bungled their way off into the darkness, still arguing and fighting.

“Gurr, moi goodness, us’ns been ’unted by those ’oller’eads. Burr, yon vermints cudden ’unt their way outer a shallow ’ole.”

Gonff handed cheese to Martin. “No wonder. Did you hear who their boss is, matey? Old Cludd the clod. He couldn’t order his own two ears to stand up straight.”