Forgrin’s jaw tightened at the wanton cruelty of Ferahgo, but he obeyed. Just as Raptail was about to pass Ferahgo the bread, a stoat called Dewnose came running up.

“Master, Sickear says to come quick, he’s spotted somethin’ that you should see!”

Flicking the blade from Bateye’s open mouth, the Assassin ran to the lookout rock and scaled it nimbly. Sickear moved over on the perch to make room, his claw pointing.

“Over there, Master. It’s Klitch an’ Goffa with two others!”

“Yes, I see. Good work, Sickear!”

“But look, can you see, Master, just behind ’em in the hills, there’s a hare followin’ them.”

“Hmm, so there is. I wonder if the badger knows we’re here, or is that just a lone hare spying on us? We’ll soon find out.”

*   *   *

Pikkle shielded his eyes from the midday glare as he viewed the mountainous country before them. “Oh corks! How much farther do we go? I’m absolutely whacked!”

“Too much to eat last night, Pikkle, that’s your trouble.” Klitch shook his head reprovingly. “Look, it’s not much farther now. Why don’t you and Mara rest here awhile with Goffa, and I’ll go on ahead and scout the land. How does that sound?”

Pikkle flung himself gratefully on the ground. “Absolutely top-hole, old lad. You carry on bein’ the jolly intrepid scout, and we’ll flop down here!”

Mara did not argue, she was glad of the rest. Goffa merely nodded to Klitch and sat moodily, some distance from Mara and Pikkle. The badger maid rested her back against a rock and closed her eyes.

Suddenly a voice nearby whispered urgently, “Missie, don’t turn round, stay has you are. You an’ Pikkle ’ave got ter get away from ’ere sharpish. It’s a trap!”

Startled, Mara opened her eyes and leaned around the rock. “Sergeant Sapwood, what are you doing here?”

Goffa sprang up. He came dashing over, spear at the ready. “Wot’s goin’ on ’ere? Who are you talki—”

Sapwood leaped out in front of him, poised for action. With a yell the ferret thrust the spear forward. Sapwood neatly sidestepped, kicking the spear adrift with his long hind legs. Goffa tried to make a grab for it but he was confronted by the champion boxing hare of Salamandastron. In swift succession two neat left pawhooks thudded to the side of his head, followed by a powerful straight right paw, smack dab on his chin. Goffa crumpled to the ground, senseless.

Pikkle came dashing over, puzzlement and concern on his face. “I say, steady on, Sappers ol’ boy . . .”

Sergeant Sapwood seized him by the ear. “Liddle block’eads, there’s a whole harmy of vermin jus’ over yon ’ill. Yore in a trap. Run for yore lives!”