She barked louder. She couldn't bugle like Sally, and her voice would not carry very far. Well, she would go looking. With that thought, b.u.t.tons was off.

First, around the Great Field. That took time. Then, toward the river. More time. By noon, b.u.t.tons was tired and had to rest. It was very quiet. The breeze had stopped, and she would enter the forest quickly to take advantage of the cool shade. Having rested a short time, she was soon off, crossing the forest using their favorite paths. No sigh.

b.u.t.tons stopped for another brief rest. Strange. How very strange. It was not like Sally, who was punctuality itself. b.u.t.tons was the one usually guilty of forgetting meeting times. Easily, distraction went with her youth. But not with the serious Sally. An unusual feeling crawled slowly up her back.

b.u.t.tons quickly glanced about. Getting the shakes already. But something was wrong. She hurried on, more often glancing carefully around. Something was wrong. She could feel it. Dark shadows appeared in her mind, tumbling one after the other, scrambling for something to grab. But there was nothing to hold on to. Just dark shadows without substance.

She reached the swamp's edge and glanced at both directions. None of her usual friends. Delph. She missed him most of all. Now, she needed him badly.

She sniffed the air. There was something there now. Very faint. And distant. She turned in that direction and was off, running with her quick, short strides that covered ground remarkably fast.

The odor was steadily growing stronger. But it was all wrong. Sally, but not Sally. Salty, too.

She rounded a small hummock of long gra.s.s. There it was. Very close now. She skidded to a stop, a ridge of hair involuntarily rising along her spine. She could see discoloration on the gra.s.s. And, there was a spotchy patch on the sand.

She moved forward, carefully examining her surroundings. No one there now. She put her nose to blotch on the sand. Blood Blood! Blood! That's what was wrong. Sally, and yet, not Sally. Not as b.u.t.tons knew her.

But it was Sally's blood, all right. No doubt. Too much. She had to be in grave danger. b.u.t.tons stopped, backtracking slowly. On the leaves rising before her. Another's blood. Rat blood. "Rats," her brain shouted.

"Oh, you ninny. Of course, only they would attack Sally." She scanned the ground more closely. The prints were everywhere, now that she was using her brain. Maybe not many. But more than enough for the small beagle, no matter how she might have fought. Too quick for her to bugle or call out.

Well, they would have to deal with b.u.t.tons now. b.u.t.tons raised her head and scanned the far sh.o.r.e of the swamp only vaguely to be seen in the rising mists. There! There! She had to be there. b.u.t.tons could and would follow.

No Ssserek. No Delph. Well, she could do it on her own. The difficulty would be great, but she would go now. The blood made the situation much more immediate and far more dangerous. So be it.

b.u.t.tons turned, and, putting her nose down so she could more easily follow the trail, left the scene of the battle which had put Sally in the clutches of the rats.

She could not move as swiftly as she would have liked, but it was sure this way. She made steady headway, glancing at the small peninsula that jutted out into the swamp. Yes. Probably there, and from there, trees and tussocks of gra.s.s. She would make it.

She did not hear them approaching, but two figures suddenly appeared out of nowhere and were immediately at her sides. She stopped and whirled to meet the newest danger.

b.u.t.tons grunted and sat. "Oh, it's you two."

Toby, the bobcat grinned at her apparent annoyance and b.u.t.ted Cross-eye, the tomcat who stood next to him. Cross-eye sidled up to b.u.t.tons and rubbed against her shoulder.

"Oorrrrh," was his best purr, a rough, grumbling sound with which he irritated b.u.t.tons no end.

"Oh, cut it out you two knot heads. Just what are you up to now?" She stood and shoved Cross-eye away.

Although she had helped to raise him, he brought back dark memories which she did not like to remember. But, they loved one another in their own way, though neither would ever admit it.

Cross-eye had grown into a fine and large tomcat who found a natural ally in the bobcat with whom he roamed the forest and field at all hours of the day or night.

The males grinned at one another as Toby answered. "We met Ssserek on his way north. He was angry but calmed when he saw us. He looked us over, only as he can, and then said, 'You two will find b.u.t.tons and go wherever she goes. Understood?'"

"Well, he just up and left us standing there. No explanations or anything else."

Cross-eye added, "And just what are you doing?" He grinned even more widely because he knew that splutter and carry on as she might, she would not say no to their presence.

"Well, come on, twits!"

She turned and was off and running, her nose close to the ground. She did not hesitate when the pencil of a peninsula appeared before them. She turned and raced out along its irregular surface, studded as it was with hummocks of gra.s.s, brush, small broken trees, and other impediments. The two cats easily matched her best stride and simply went over what she had to maneuver around.

The scent of fresh blood was in b.u.t.tons's nose. It was Sally's. Plenty had been spilled, as was obvious to both cats who frowned more and more as they progressed.

They quickly reached the end of the small peninsula, and b.u.t.tons rested for a moment as she contemplated the difficulties which lay ahead. Just how she could spot small, partially or completely submerged dangers, she didn't know.

Just then, from overhead came a loud and crackling "Caw, caw, caw. Wait. b.u.t.tons. Hold up."

All three looked up in time to see a very large crow settling to a limb of an old dead tree. It was JW-J. Wellington Blackbird, that is. He was a large and very officious bird who was raucous at his best, speaking in loud and harsh tones. This time it was different as he glanced about and closely peered at the two cats. On more than one occasion, only his great vigilance had saved feathers from their sharp caresses. Now, he spoke in quiet tones.

"Careful, b.u.t.tons. Neither of the cats can see what I can from the air. Haste is necessary, but we must be wary. Very careful;they do awful things to Sally."

b.u.t.tons shuddered as she remembered the rats and their cruelty.

Cross-eye spoke up. "OK, JW. Just what do we have to do? And relax. You've nothing to fear from us. Right?" He looked carefully at Toby, whose eyes had narrowed, only the slits of his yellow pupils shining.

"Not to worry, JW But tell us. What's going on? That the rats have Sally, we already know. And it's all too obvious the blood-letting is a trap."

"And so it is," JW responded. "They had a very neat trap, several of the largest simply smashing her into the sand as they slashed her hide. Then away. The same path you're on now."

"And just how do you know all of this?," b.u.t.tons queried.

"A little bird told me. A very little blackbird. The same who sent Ssserek and Delph on their mission north." He spoke harshly as he recalled the questioning of the rats' small tattletale.

"Does Ssserek know? Or Delph?" b.u.t.tons spoke anxiously now. Their mission was terribly laden with danger without them.

JW replied, "I have sent for them. But even if they know now, they couldn't reach us in time."

Both cats groaned inwardly. Like b.u.t.tons, they knew what lay ahead now. It would be dangerous, indeed, at the very best.

"Not to fear, there's always hope and others." JW spoke in his boldest and harshest tones. He took to the air before further questions could be asked.

b.u.t.tons frowned, thinking deeply to herself. Fortunate for them that the large blackbird had seen what he had and acted as he did. Maybe Ssserek and Delph would make it, maybe not. She moved forward without hesitation. So it would be.

Toby frowned as he followed. The water held no terror for him.

Cross-eye followed the bobcat readily. He could swim when he had to, and together they could take care of b.u.t.tons. But as he moved forward behind Toby, he couldn't help but think. "But, just what did he mean, 'and others'?"

As they moved across tussocks of gra.s.s, small islands just the water's surface, and fallen trees, each struggled with their own thoughts. An attack must come. But where? When? How many rats?

b.u.t.tons had to fight not only the difficult pa.s.sage, but her fear for her close friends who climbed and swam beside her, and particularly for Sally who was now certainly being tormented by the vicious rats. They could take infinite time in their tortures, and certainly would be waiting for b.u.t.tons's arrival.

She started to sigh, but swallowed warm swamp water, and in it the sweet taste of Sally. She coughed and hacked wretchedly as she fought to clear her mouth and throat.

Toby closed beside her. "Easy, b.u.t.tons, old girl. We'll get you there in fine shape."

b.u.t.tons glared at him as he winked broadly at her. "Sure you will, old buddy, but what shape will we leave in?"

"Not to worry, b.u.t.tons, mom. You couldn't possibly look any worse than you do now."

b.u.t.tons would have taken a bite out of the cross-eyed cat could she have reached him. But, indeed, he was at least partially right. She was thoroughly soaked. To her once fine coat clung burrs and bugs of various colors. Gra.s.s and long leaves clung to her, trailing behind and leaving a trail of mud which clouded the water.

Ahead, JW urged them on in soft tones as he weaved side to side, seeking the hidden trail. Sighting a submerged log, or island of gra.s.s, he would dip and hover over it until the three arrived, then on again, peering, dipping, seeking. Now and again, he would rise above tree level and look intently toward their goal. No signs of them yet. But when? He, too, fretted, something a blackbird seldom did.

The stench of the swamp filled b.u.t.tons's nose. It was becoming worse as they advanced. Just the odor alone would be enough now. She dripped muck and bugs as her sides heaved while they rested atop the roots of a long, dead tree. Even Cross-eye and Toby were beginning to show their weariness. Making sure b.u.t.tons had sure footing was difficult for the two cats, and the strength and stamina it required was indeed great. Almost too much, but they would never admit it.

Deep in thought, the raven smiled to himself as he moved awkwardly along the sh.o.r.e. Indeed, the trail was long and difficult. Upon that rested much of his plan. Surely, the little black dog would come with friends. It would be so much easier if they were very tired after their long journey.

JW sailed into sight. Cawing with relief he shouted, "Just ahead. Elderwood. Be careful. The rats are evil, the raven even more so. He is the cleverest of the bad lot."

Toby grinned, white fangs gleaming through a face covered with mud and the floating debris of the swamp. "Not to worry, old fellow. We know how to deal with such as them."

JW would have huffed and fluffed his feathers but knew better. The two cats would need all of the courage they could muster. He sailed on ahead, worry fogging his mind. The danger was great, and something was wrong. Something terrible was wrong, but he put no word to it.

The three moved cautiously forward. A shelf of soft muck and rock greeted them and they moved on more easily. Several dead logs rose out of the increasingly firm footing. Smaller stumps stood like sentinels before the logs. They were known as the fangs of Elderwood, and like the needle-sharp fangs of rats, they barred easy access to the nearest firm land.

Toby and Cross-eye moved easily along the fangs, seeking an avenue through them. b.u.t.tons yelped softly as she wallowed along the row of teeth. "Over here, you two. Here's a place."

The opening stood near the large logs which jutted out like leaning pylons, funneling all traffic toward the single opening. b.u.t.tons moved through before either cat could say anything. Toby surged forward, his throat suddenly very tight as the small figure of b.u.t.tons disappeared from view. Cross-eye was not far behind when the cry of b.u.t.tons came to their ears.

Both swam rather than plow through the muddy bottom. Sounds of battle were clear. Both cats had their ears laid back along their heads, their eyes seeking out the enemy. As they emerged into the small lagoon behind the fangs, rats could be seen diving from the large logs which lay around, swimming in small cl.u.s.ters toward b.u.t.tons and the three large rats who were engaging her from several directions.

b.u.t.tons had already dispatched one rat, to the amazement of the other attackers. Even in the water which hindered her movements, she had immediately attacked. The first to reach her paid the price of pride. She had surged out of the water to come down on top. Grabbing him by the neck, she had shaken him once and tossed him aside, neck broken, as she turned to face the others.

Toby was a bit faster than Cross-eye, and struck the attacking rats from the side. His broad paws gripped the water easily, and his claws were lethal with each stroke. Cross-eye, in his anger, simply grabbed flank, shoulder, side. He cared not one bit. The result was the same, a squalling rat who soon floated among his other dead companions.

As fast as the attack had come, it was over as quickly.

The three stood on the firmer ground of the lagoon. No live rat was to be seen. The logs lay about, but no enemy stood upon them. Nothing was visible on the sh.o.r.e. No! There was something, a dark mound.

Shaking involuntarily, b.u.t.tons moved quickly ahead, ignoring the warning hiss of Cross-eye. Toby backed carefully toward the sh.o.r.e, ever keeping his eyes on the logs and the fangs behind them. Each had sustained bites, and small ragged lines of blood followed them in.

b.u.t.tons cried out as she rose from the water. The dark figure had to be Sally, but something dreadful was wrong. The small Scottie hastened forward to be with her best friend.

The two cats shivered also. Nothing to be seen, no sounds. Yes, that was it. Nothing was to be heard. Even the wind had ceased.

b.u.t.tons rapidly approached her best friend and stumbled as she viewed the terrible scene before her.

Sally lay on her side. Instead of brown and black mixed with white, there was only blood, trickling in many small streams from many rips and fang marks to clot in the sand, forming a black ring of approaching death around her. She was pinned to the ground by many pieces of rope to stakes driven into the sand. They criss-crossed her body in an obscene pattern. Only a torn ear moved.

As b.u.t.tons moaned deeply in her throat at her friend's plight, an eyelid fluttered and a blood-filled eye opened, wandering, trying to seek the source of the moan.

A croaking sound came from Sally. But more she could not do. She was too weak to move. Her limps pinioned as they were could do nothing. Each toe had been wrapped individually, increasing the pain if she tried to move.

b.u.t.tons howled in anger. She rose on her toes and shouted her defiance at the dark and torn trees of Elderwood.

Sally was dying even as b.u.t.tons stood there. She could not free Sally in time to do anything. A terrible resolve covered her mind like a soggy blanket. She could not think. She just wanted to kill. Rats. And more rats. And more.

Toby and Cross-eye had quickly come to b.u.t.tons's side. But as they stood beside her facing the shadows of Elderwood, JW's cry was heard. Neither moved, fixed like marble statues. They waited and listened.

JW cawed loudly from a perch high on an old tree standing starkly and alone at the edge of the swamp. "More come. Beware."

He fanned his wings and swept down on a group of fallen trees. From the deep darkness beneath it, a large cl.u.s.ter of rats issued forth, their eyes glittering with hatred and blood l.u.s.t. They moved carefully, circling to the cats' right. JW cried out as he swept toward another fallen cl.u.s.ter of trees.

As he did so, the raven swept awkwardly down from a perch unseen. His flight was erratic, and JW did not see the coming attack, but b.u.t.tons did. She rose on her rear legs and yipped a short call. JW wheeled aside as the raven crashed into him.

Screaming hatred on all animal-kind, the raven struck as hard as he could. It was too late. JW's sharp turn avoided the full impact, but both birds struggled as they locked claws and pecked at one another. Their fall brought them crashing to the ground. The raven shrieked in anger and pain as his bad leg once again crumpled under him.

JW struggled to his feet as several rats rushed him, only to be met head-on by a furious small black dog who literally threw herself into them, allowing JW to rise swiftly above the battle. He would be short work for anyone of the rats.

b.u.t.tons had her mouth full as she snapped and slashed at the rats who had become utterly confused by her sudden and swift onslaught. Still, they did great damage as they were dispatched one by one.

Cross-eye and Toby, too, were meeting the cl.u.s.ter of large rats who had fanned out and attacked from several sides at the same time. But the rats underrated their opponents. With the small dog they had a chance. But these were felines, fighting mad felines who knew their opponent and took joy in the slaughter they reeked upon the rats. Toby slashed right and left as was his style, tearing life from the braver and more foolish who dared come within reach of his lethal claws. Cross-eye fought as he always did, leaping right and left, then in and out. His fangs found their mark, and each time, a rat died. His face was splattered with blood, some of it his own, several rats having bitten him as they died.

With the last of the group of rats dead, they both breathed rapidly and deeply. It had been difficult, but they looked for b.u.t.tons who sat among a smaller cl.u.s.ter of rats, the last in the throes of breathing his last. She, too, was panting hard, taking deep gulps of badly needed air.

The two cats rapidly closed around her, just in time as another group of rats slowly stepped from beneath a log leaning against another. They formed a larger bunch and approached slowly, grinning and nudging one another. Then, they separated and rushed in smaller groups of two and three with seconds between each attack.

A shrill whistle coordinated the attacks, which brought great distress upon their enemies who could only meet one small group before having to turn and face another. As the last rat fell, Cross-eye, too, fell to one side, his right rear leg having been bitten badly. His blunt features were masked in clotted blood. b.u.t.tons simply sat, panting in harsh, sharp intakes of breath. Her sides heaved with the severe exertion. Toby stood, blood slowly dribbling from a torn ear. If he fell, it would be the last of them, for his stamina was the greatest of all.

b.u.t.tons faced toward the direction from which the whistle had come. She stepped forward, a grin slowly forming as she glared with hatred on King Rat as he stepped into full view for the first time.

King Rat twirled a stubby whisker as he mockingly bowed. He spoke softly, "Welcome, my young friend. It is well you brought support, inadequate though it is. My fellows need their exercise."

b.u.t.tons coughed briefly and blew blood from her lips. "Rats," was all she said, much to the joy of Toby and Cross-eye.

Toby couldn't help join the repartee, grim as it was. "We, too, seemed to have need of the exercise. Cross-eye is breathing a bit harder than usual. "Fine fellows, yours."

Cross-eye's words were as blunt as his snout. "Well, my short-whiskered friend, they at least died well. Will you do the same?"

King Rat was not to be outdone. He watched as the raven joined him. "Our friend dog suffered overly long, or your attack would have been more successful. Remember that when you," he nodded to the raven, "peck her eyes out."

The raven glared and then peered sideways. Another group of rats were approaching from the far left, matching the strides of another group who approached from the right.

The raven spoke directly to the three before him. "Well, let us see how bravely you speak in a few moments. We'll see if you can die as slowly as the small beagle yonder. She fought bravely also. To no avail, as you will come to witness for yourselves."

Toby looked about, and his voice shook slightly as he whispered, "I believe we face death as yon bird-brain states."

And then, to the cats' amazement, b.u.t.tons simply wheeled and returned to sit in front of her two feline champions. She began to lick a b.l.o.o.d.y paw, totally ignoring the raven and Rat King who looked on incredulously.

Raven glared at King Rat. "What is she up to? You know her better than I do."