"05 - Salamandastron UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

Standing on tip-paw, she reached for a large green apple hanging from a low bough.

Zzzzip! Splott!

An arrow sped by, a hairsbreadth from Mrs. Spinney's paw. It pierced the juicy apple, sending it spinning from the bough onto the grass. The hedgehog dropped her basket and dashed off, ducking low and shielding her head with both paws as she whooped out in terror. "Ooowhoo, help, murder! We're bein' attacked by scallawagians!"

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. "Hoo-hoo! Do 1urry 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, ha-zelnut 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

Solamandosmm

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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!"

Amid a scraping of wooden benches everybeast turned to watch two small figures emerge from the table nearest the door. Many a knowing nod was passed. Samkim and Arula again!

The young squirrel Samkim was a strongly built fellow, wearing a beret sporting a wren feather at a jaunty angle. Straightening his soft greencloth tunic, he strode up to the long table, unable to extinguish the roguish twinkle in his hazel eyes. Arula the young mole padded alongside him. She, too, was clad in beret and tunic, though her small round eyes were downcast. Samkim's head was barely visible over the tabletop as he denounced himself to Bremmun.

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Brian Jacques

Salamandostron