Pikkle and Tubgutt stood to one side, out of the whole thing. The confrontation was between two badgers; to get in the way meant certain death. Pikkle, however, noticed as Mara did that the white badger, for all his size and muscle, seemed unwilling to offer battle. The young hare called encouragement to his friend.

“Watch him, Mara. Remember Sergeant Sapwood—dodge and weave. Don’t try a paw to paw with this rascal. He’s too big!”

Mara was still moving forward.

“Urthwyte, what have we taught you?” The old squirrel chattered angrily. “Kill the creature! Ooooh! Loambudd, kick his tail for him, good ’n’ hard!”

As Mara advanced, the older badger, Loambudd, gave Urthwyte a hefty shove in the back.

“Go on, you big lump. Fight!”

The white badger stumbled forward into Mara, accidentally catching her off guard. He closed his eyes, averting his head as he grabbed her. The breath left Mara’s body in a great whoosh, two enormous vicelike paws lifted her clear off the ground, and she was pinned helpless in midair, with the great white badger shouting, “Look, just leave me alone, will you? I don’t want to fight. Let me be, or I’ll squeeze you hard!”

Mara felt as though her whole body was trapped in a mighty press. Her eyes bulged and she fought for breath. Pikkle pushed Tubgutt aside as the shrew ran forward, drawing his rapier. The young hare set his jaw grimly as he thwacked down a loaded sling viciously on the white badger’s footpaw.

“Enough of this, y’ great bully. Put that maid down this instant!”

It worked like a charm. The big, simple badger dropped Mara in a heap as he hopped about on one leg, rubbing his smarting footpaw. Urthwyte’s lower lip jutted resentfully as he muttered, “I’m not a bully. She’s the bully. Anyway, why are they always trying to make me fight?”

Pikkle patted his head. “There there, old lad. It’s not your fault.”

The squirrel rushed in, chattering. “You leave him alone, hare. Who asked you to come to our island in the first place? Go away and leave us in peace!”

Loambudd, the old female badger, went to attend to Mara, rubbing her ribs and patting her back until the badger maid regained her breath. She was very motherly and considerate.

“Stay there, Mara. Lie back and take deep breaths. There’s nothing broken. Ashnin, I don’t think these creatures mean us any harm.”

“Well, they had me surrounded and captured!” The squirrel folded her paws stubbornly.

Pikkle gave her a playful shove. “Oh, go on with you, Granny. You started it by invadin’ me with bloomin’ cherry stones.”

Ashnin gave a cackling laugh. “Good shot, aren’t I? Never missed ye once!”

Urthwyte tugged Ashnin’s tail, complaining aloud just like a small badger babe, “I’m thirsty. Is it all right to have a drink?”