Help appeared swiftly in the form of a brawny male otter.

“Sink me! What’s all the to-do about, marm?”

Faith Spinney was hiding behind a gooseberry bush with her apron over her head. She peeped out at the otter. “Hoohoo! Do ‘urry an’ sound the alarm bell, Mr. Thrugg. Just lookit that apple lyin’ in yonder grass!”

Striding boldly over, Thrugg retrieved the apple. Pulling the arrow from it he looked about, nodding grimly. “There there now, marm. Don’t get yore prickles in an uproar. Everything’s shipshape. I didn’t clap eyes on the villain who shot that arrer, but I’ll stake me rudder I know who it is that did!”

Thrugg filled the basket with the fruit that had spilled out, adding the apple. Placing a paw gingerly about Mrs. Spinney’s bristling shoulders, he led her off toward the Abbey, carrying the basket for her.

*   *   *

Afternoon summer tea at Redwall was always very good. The mice who formed the Brother and Sisterhood sat among other creatures in Great Hall. There was never any distinction to class or species; all were Redwallers and friends, and they mingled freely, sharing the delicious repast. Hot scones, hazelnut bread, apple jelly, meadowcream, redcurrant tart, mint tea and strawberry cordial were consumed in great quantities.

Abbess Vale, successor to old Abbot Saxtus, sat dwarfed in the big badger chair at the head of the long table. Redwall Abbey had not seen a female badger guardian in many a long season, old Mother Mellus having gone to her well-earned rest quite some time ago. Beside the Abbess sat Bremmun, a venerable squirrel. He leaned across to speak to her, raising his voice over the hubbub and jollity of Redwallers at tea.

“You heard what Thrugg had to say about Samkim?”

Vale put aside her beaker. “Yes, I heard all about it.”

Bremmun chose a slice of the latticed redcurrant tart and ladled it thickly with meadowcream. “Shall I leave it for you to deal with as Mother Abbess, or do you wish me to do it?”

The Abbess turned the beaker slowly in her paws. “You are both squirrels. I think it would be better if it were to come from you, my friend. Samkim can be very naughty at times, but I’ve always liked the little fellow. I really don’t have the heart to scold him. I’ll leave it to you if I may, Bremmun.”

Those on serving duty were beginning to clear away the dishes, and one or two diners were rising to leave. Bremmun rapped the tabletop sharply with a wooden ladle.

“One moment, friends. Your attention, please!”

The hubbub of conversation stopped immediately. Those about to leave respectfully kept their seats. Reaching beneath the linen table runner, Bremmun produced the arrow Thrugg had given him. He held it up for all to see.

“This shaft was loosed in the orchard this afternoon. Would the creature who fired it please stand forward!”