[Redwall 07] - The Bellmaker by Brian Jacques

Author:Brian Jacques [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

blackberry flan. While Rosie held disjointed conversations with the marshtoad King, Durry related their strange story to the crew.

“When the mast broke off in the storm, me and Rosie hung on to it like limpets, and we were swept off by the

winds, high up in the sky. I was never more frightened in me life, but Rosie there, she laughed an’ laughed fit to bust.

Up an* up we went, whirlin’ an* twirlin’, drenched through by the rain an’ clingin’ on for dear life. Next thing I knew the wind dropped an’ so did we, straight out the sky like an arrow, down! We landed on the far side of yonder cliffs in a great swamp, an’ guess what? That mast came down smack on the skull of a fearful great hissin’ adder, a serpent! It was just about to make supper of King Glogalog when me’n Mrs. Rosie an’ the mast landed on its ’ead, whacko!”

Joseph selected a slab of heavy fruitcake. “So that’s how you became a Bulgum, eh Durry, by saving Gloga-log’s

life? But how did you figure out the language?”

“I never, that was Rosie,” Durry shrugged, sipping his October ale. “It weren’t two ticks before ’er an’ the King was Bulgummin’ an* Blogalogin’ an’ hoolyahoyin’ together. She picks things up very quick, y’know—ain’t that right, Mrs. Rosie?”

Hon Rosie Woodsorrel gave up ravaging the apple and blackberry flan momentarily. “Right you are: us Bulgum

types are pretty sharp in the lingo business, wot? Woo-hahahooh!”

King Glogalog winced and stuffed a webbed claw in one ear. When the laughter had subsided, he pointed to Rosie, saying, “Bulgum umutcha Glogalog, umutcha kug yettayur!”

Rosie shook her head and pointed seaward. “Numutch Bulgum Glogalog, Bulgum yuggafurr yur yur!”

Joseph put aside his fruit cake. “What’s going on, Rosie?” he said. “I don’t like his tone.”

The hare translated. “It seems the old King gets a bit cheesed off bein’ the only Bulgum in this neck o’ the woods; he wants me to stay here forever as official Bulgum to the jolly old toads. But I’ve just told him that this particular Bulgum has other plans—I’m sailin* off with you lot when we’ve patched the Pearl Queen up. You’ll notice he

doesn’t look too happy about it.”

Glogalog shook his lizard-skull scepter at Rosie and the crew. “Yutcha slugg! Bulgum yuggafurr!”

Rosie took a dainty sip of mint tea. “Says he’ll kill us all before he’ll let me sail away; I’ve got to stay here forever. I say, this is all gettin’ a bit tiresome, wot? Very basic chaps, marshtoads.”

“Look, I’ll stay here as Bulgum if Glogalog lets you all sail away without any trouble,” said Durry glumly.

Rufe picked up a jug of seaweed grog. “No you won’t, mate. Come on, Rosie, I’ll need an interpreter. Tell

Glogalog to come with me to the galley. The fire is still lit there—I’ll teach him to be the greatest fire-raisin’ Bulgum these toads have ever seen!”

20

Late that night Joseph took delivery of the broken foremast from a squad of toads who had lugged it back from the marshes to the Pearl Queen.

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