Biff's head slowly emerged from the water, and the two dogs hurried to the sh.o.r.e as both the beaver and otter quickly made their way ahead of him.

The elder otter rose to her full height as she addressed them.

"He is hurt, but will heal in the way of the young. His eye is better than it looks. We cleaned it thoroughly and the beaver will pack it with the proper healing mud. It will remain puffy for a while, but do not worry, he will be in fighting mettle very soon. You did well in getting him here so quickly. Otherwise..."

She quit talking as the young bear shook himself off and followed the elder beaver along the sh.o.r.e.

In a cool place, he lay down as demanded, and the beaver went to work, applying a healing poultice to his eye. The otter nodded to the two and moved toward the bear, leaving b.u.t.tons and Sally alone, Iggy sitting above them watching with grave concern. He had not spoken during the entire episode, but simply sat wide-eyed as he watched his two best friends.

b.u.t.tons turned to Sally, her voice sharp and taut with anger and hatred. "I've had it. I think I know when they will come to sh.o.r.e. Do you remember, after the storm when we went along the swamp and found all of those trees down? How we went out on them with Iggy and the racc.o.o.n twins? Remember how far we had gotten before Ms. Lucie caught us and warned us back?" Her eyes glittered as she recalled that day.

Sally watched her friend with growing concern. "Yes, I remember. It would serve as a perfect bridge across that point. But hadn't we better warn Ssserek and Ms. Lucie?"

b.u.t.tons frowned. "No time. Besides, as I said, I've had it. I'm heading for the swamp. Now!" She turned to go, then stopped, good sense getting the better of her anger.

"Call the muster. Call it to completion. We meet at Turnkey Bay. Hurry."

b.u.t.tons was off, her small, black figure disappearing quickly into the gloomy dark which surrounded the beavers' pool. Sally did as she was asked, and pointing her nose upward, began to bugle. Time and again, her high-pitched bugle sounded, carrying far and wide.

Instantly, a young wolf appeared with a ground-eating lope, his nose telling him exactly where to go. He followed b.u.t.tons' tracks as though they were carefully stamped into the ground. She was not to be alone. And no one disobeyed Ssserek's command.

Sally stood still, having finished her task. Then, with Iggy close behind, she turned and followed after b.u.t.tons and the wolf.

All the animals came, their pa.s.sage was swift, if noisy, sending sleeping birds and rodents racing in all directions, some in panic, others in an orderly retreat from the edges of the swamp. Sally's bugle went up again, her cry warning all those who watched that something was amiss. The field and forest awoke with a start. The battle would soon begin.

b.u.t.tons made no sounds but read the scents on the air like words in a book. The soft padding sounds of the wolf behind came to her keen ears, but she moved, her anger mounting as she neared the swamp.

Badger, skunk, racc.o.o.n, and mink surged up to the bank. Wolf, coyote, and fox ranged further out, keeping pace with ease. The larger of the woodchuck and groundhog slowed and took up their a.s.signed places; they would form a rear guard, ranging back and forth between forest and field. They were not fighters under usual circ.u.mstances, but they would go down before allowing any rat to pa.s.s through to the defenseless small ones of the field and what lay beyond.

Full-grown bucks and the smaller males among the deer moved to and fro at the edges, their keen senses alert to possible attempts to skirt the defenses being mustered in full force. Only the hardiest and more daring of the rats would attempt to cross the river to the south. Too many and angry and vengeful eyes waited any such occurrence. The distant northern side was barred by the highway and fenced human fields. No, only the forest and field lay before the rats, and that way they were surely approaching.

Red-winged blackbird and morning dove rose into the air. They moved silently to the east, and then to the north, carefully approaching the deeper portions of the old swamp. Faint rustlings came to their sharp ears, but at this time, they could as yet detect no movement. Back and forth they moved, making intricate patterns in the sky.

All around the forest and field, birds were lifting into the air. Their keen vision was desperately needed this day, and they would not fail. Deer moved off silently, taking up the vigil at the periphery of the major action. Their swift speed would be needed to carry messages deep into the forest where birds could not penetrate with ease.

The large bulk of Biff moved south also. He was limping but gallant, one eye closed with poultice, the other glaring with anger. He moved not so swiftly, but his rolling gait covered the ground with amazing alacrity when he felt the need. Today, there was need.

The small rodents of the field and forest also moved south. Although they were little match for the larger rats, they would and could fight when the need was upon them. It was, now. The otters, too, moved toward the swamp. None would escape their attention should they prove foolish enough to move toward the river. The muster went on.

As Ssserek and Ms. Lucie were approaching Turnkey Bay with Rarebit hopping behind, a distant urgent whistle from the sky came down the wind. They moved even more quickly, the clamorous voices of many birds now joining that of the hawk, which soared in the distant sky. Nearly out of sight, the high-pitched whistle came again, urging them to even greater efforts.

The rats had been sighted. Just as Rarebit and Ms. Lucie had surmised, and b.u.t.tons had more recently guessed, they were coming in a tumbling rush of innumerable bodies. As Ssserek and Ms. Lucie had hoped, Delph, the alligator had appeared. Having escaped from the cruel cage of a roving side-show artist, he had taken abode in the swamp where he had met and been befriended by b.u.t.tons and Sally. As expected, he had laid in wait, as only an alligator can, resting comfortably on a partially sunken log, with only his keen eyes telling of his careful vigil. He could lay for hours on end, never moving a muscle except for his eyes, which missed nothing moving overhead, beneath the water, or on top of it.

It was Delph, the gator who had given the first warning to the birds overhead. He had lurked deep in the darker regions of the swamp until the first distant chitterings of the rats had warned him of their approach. Then, having warned the birds of the oncoming danger, he had fearlessly cruised along the rats. First, the rats had moved during the night along the edges of the fen and marsh, then had taken to the small islands and tussocks of gra.s.s which provided good footing and cover. Only when they had taken to moving along the trunks of dead trees torn up by the previous season's storm could they be spotted. Here they moved swiftly, literally tumbling over one another in their hurry. Their eyes glowed red with antic.i.p.ation. Their hunger was great, and with its urgency pressing them on, their anger, simmering at best at all times, now rose to greater heights. Their hunger drove them, while their anger gave them the necessary strength to surmount difficult objects that lay in their path. And behind, the voice drove them. A whiplash of hatred and spite. It drove them with barbs of words, promises of gluttony, and most of all, antic.i.p.ation of hate's fulfillment.

b.u.t.tons was at the swamp's edge, waiting patiently now that the time had come. She did not turn as Sally and the young wolf ranged along side. With Ssserek's and Ms. Lucie's approach, b.u.t.tons turned and briefly nodded.

She glared at Rarebit, then relenting, spoke, "Rarebit, please go. This is no place for you. We couldn't have properly prepared if it hadn't been for your knowledge of the swamp. But, go. Please."

Of necessity, Rarebit left, recognizing the wisdom of the words. A small frog would hardly have slowed the smaller of rats. His knowledge had been given, his plans lay out before all. Ms. Lucie must a.s.sume both roles now. Rarebit had no place in battle such as was coming, and Ms. Lucie was safe in a tree where she could observe the battle from her high vantage point, while receiving messages from the many birds that flocked above.

As she settled to watch, the battle began. Dwellers of the forest, field, and woods rushed to the sh.o.r.e as the high-pitched cry of the rats sounded.

Ssserek, Earl, the wolf, and the two small dogs met the first rats to land. The battle surged to and fro along the sh.o.r.e, the two small dogs doing great damage in their initial fury. But the numbers of rats increased rapidly, many rolling off the logs into the cold, deep water to swim ash.o.r.e in a widening front of glaring red eyes.

As Earl fought with the singular intensity of his kind, several more wolves appeared, including the younger wolf who had followed b.u.t.tons, diving in to rip a ferocious rat from b.u.t.tons's back. Others came; coyotes and a young lynx appeared as more rats drove upon the dogs. The rats could not match the wolves and coyotes in strength, but hordes of them kept appearing, driving ever further toward the forest, the depths of which could give them cover and the ability to attack from all directions at the same time.

Ssserek rose up and moved toward the vanguard of a new cl.u.s.ter of rats crossing tree limbs to sand. The rats recoiled as he struck and struck again. Bodies flew in all directions, and the serpent, wolf, and coyote made b.l.o.o.d.y forays into the rats' midst. But there were too many rats and too few four-legged fighters. Suddenly, like a bullet from the sky, Ms. Lucie appeared by Ssserek.

In a whirl of wings, Ms. Lucie circled Ssserek's head. "Keep it up. Rabbits and squirrels are sacrificing themselves to keep the rats from the forest. Small field mice are attacking a single rat in great numbers."

Ssserek turned once again to the battle. At the sh.o.r.e's edge, b.u.t.tons and Sally could be seen going down again and again under the weight of rats, only to rear up once again. b.u.t.tons would grab one, and with a furious shake of her head, would send it flying, the rat's neck invariably broken.

Ssserek called to the two dogs who were tiring rapidly. Hardly any larger than the largest rat, they performed feats beyond any animal several-fold their size. But they were young and their energy was waning rapidly.

Ssserek called out, "Bugle, Sally, bugle as you have never bugled before. Bugle for more help."

Ssserek's exhortation was not lost on Sally as she and b.u.t.tons recognized the need for larger and stronger allies. Up went Sally's voice, its clarion call reaching across marsh and forest. b.u.t.tons's voice rose with Sally's, the two resting against the fearsome form of Ssserek's great breast.

Their voices carried above the trees, reaching out in urgency to bear, badger, and owl, reaching out to all who had claw or fang. The need was great, as it was urgent. And they came, large and small, brave and not-so-brave, they came.

As Biff-his anger and hatred covering him like a cloak-slashed at the remaining rats on sh.o.r.e, b.u.t.tons had attacked one of the large rats with the full ferocity of her breed. Born to be rat killers, she had reverted to her ancestral drives and was upon him before he had time to brace himself. She moved with a slashing attack which, in its utter recklessness, almost carried the day. Small she might be, but she was fearless though she faced an animal larger and more cunning. Even as she bowled the rat over, she was on top, tearing at his shoulder. He screamed in pain and drove her back. Back and forth they went, b.u.t.tons tiring as the fatigue of the long fighting caught her once again. The large rat grinned evilly and rushed at her, only to be smashed to the sand by Biff's broad paw. He grinned lopsidedly, but moved back to the general fray.

Behind them, the deer had come in a wave of bodies. Then, it was the largest of the wild pigs, followed in turn by the smaller wild hogs. Their eyes matched the red of the rats, and the glitter of their anger was fearful to behold. Their broad noses swept mud, swamp, and rats before them, sweeping all indiscriminately into the air. What the deer missed the hogs could overwhelm with their bulk and strength and greater agility. Behind them came the peccaries and bobcats, raging to and fro, guarding the back of the deer and hog. And behind them were many wild or feral cats, feline grace and strength wreaking great havoc upon their natural enemies.

Cross-eye, tomcat and feline companion of bobcats, yowled in joy as he nearly bit through the neck of one rat while clawing the eye out of another. His low-pitched scream of pure fighting joy raised the fading spirits of all. His speed matched his ferocity, and the rats drew back in fear and wonder at his awesome attack.

It was perhaps the small size and ferocious strength of the peccaries which finally began to turn the tide. Their size was small, but their strength was great. The peccaries fought with tooth and cloven hoof, tearing and stomping, their high-pitched squeals of anger reverberating against the bordering forest.Their spirits rose even as Cross-eye, with a young bobcat at his shoulder, moved further in the now-crowded rats who were retreating into those who were moving forward.

Then, off one of the last remaining logs, King Rat appeared in front of b.u.t.tons. "So, little one," he whined, "we meet again."

b.u.t.tons's snarl rose as she smelled the evil one. He was near, and she meant to have him. She turned and was off, racing across the fallen log. A large cl.u.s.ter of rats turned and followed, their red eyes never leaving the small, black figure.

The rats quickly closed the distance between themselves and the small, black dog. Just as they launched themselves upon her, the figure of Biff and the lone wolf appeared. Biff slashed right and left as the wolf tore into the rats. The rats were fierce fighters, quick and intelligent in their movements. But they stood no chance against the bulk and strength of Biff, and even less, against the cold ferocity of the wolf.

The situation was rapidly resolved in their favor. As Biff sat panting while the wolf dispatched the last of the rats, he turned back and forth, seeking b.u.t.tons. But seek where he may, he could not detect her. He turned right and left, but could not pick up her odor in the fearful mess of marsh and broken rats. The young wolf nodded without speaking a word. Both knew what must be done. They moved off more slowly now, casting back and forth along the sh.o.r.e as it turned and twisted to the south.

But past the sh.o.r.e, b.u.t.tons stared at her tormentor.

"You are brave, little sister," he hissed at her. "But it will heed you nothing this day. You belong to me."

b.u.t.tons's ears laid flat back along her head. Her snarl rose as she attacked, slashing at the shoulder of her vile opponent. The rat moved like a flash, twisting to avoid her attack, and at the same time, tearing her flank as she pa.s.sed.

His gleeful hiss came clearly. "Too late, little sister, my minions are even now circling to enter the forest. Once there, we will never be dislodged."

It was b.u.t.tons's turn to scream, shrilly for the pain was great. She turned in less than the length of her small compact body and grabbed the rat's long ropy tail. He rose into the air, his voice tearing at her in anger and pain. He tore loose and raced for the embankment and the forest beyond.

b.u.t.tons's four legs churned the sand as she leaped after him. As she leaped upon his back, she spoke into his ear, "Not yet, my old friend, not just yet. Remember?"

Her jaws clamped tightly about the tail and the two rolled down the embankment. The rat had never known such pain, and he heard his tail snap as she crushed it. He squealed again and again as he ripped his torn and bloodied tail from her grasp.

"You, you, fiend. Look, look at what you have done. You'll pay for this." He leaped at her, his lips as red with blood as his eyes were with hatred.

b.u.t.tons leaped to one side and slashed the shoulder of the rat as he pa.s.sed. But the rat was able to bowl the Scottie over and turned, leaping upon her, his teeth going for her exposed neck.

b.u.t.tons kicked upward with all four feet, catching the rat squarely in the chest, sending him rolling in the sand. Both leaped to their feet, heads low and fangs bared. They circled, the rat's tail dragging as it left a thin trail of blood on the sand. He backed away from the snarling small dog whose coat was smeared with mud and blood. Then, with a sudden leap, he lifted himself onto a tree trunk, racing away from her, deeper into the swamp.

b.u.t.tons never hesitated. Scrambling onto the tree, she followed, taking more care than the rat, whose claws could more easily grip the wet and slippery surface. Further out they went, tree to tussock of gra.s.s to tree, and finally, to a small island of gra.s.s and mud. He smiled grimly as he hunched himself for the antic.i.p.ated attack which came quicker than even he had expected. The small dog wasted no time in circling. She simply launched herself straight into his face.

The snarling ma.s.s of b.u.t.tons and the rat disappeared into the swirling pool of cold, dark water. They sank rapidly into its depths, but the rat fought his way free and swiftly moved toward the surface. Irked now, and weak from the loss of blood, he pulled himself partially onto the bank of the small island of gra.s.s. b.u.t.tons more slowly struggled to the surface. She was a poor swimmer at the best of times, and now, she, too, was weak and tired. Her fear she swallowed, not without some water. Despite her waning strength, her determination rose with her, slowly at first, and then more swiftly. Seeing King Rat crawling from the water only gave her greater resolve.

Her short legs churned the muddy water into a froth of muck, weed, and gra.s.s. She leaped upon the sh.o.r.e and grabbed the rat as he was about to move even deeper into the swamp. He screamed once again as her needle-sharp teeth pierced his flesh. b.u.t.tons was not to be denied. She whirled him about and then tossed him off the embankment, slipping as she did so on the wet gra.s.s mixed with mud. He sank into the dark waters without a sound, his lips curled in a silent snarl of hatred and glaring eyes. But b.u.t.tons's footing was poor, and then she fell with a loud splash into the water once again. This time, her tired legs could barely move. She gasped for air, but sucked in water. Her lungs felt on fire. Then, as weariness overcame her, she slipped slowly and then more rapidly into the depths where glittering red eyes waited.

With great numbers and the weight of those numbers, the rats had almost overcome the four-legged fighters that had waited onsh.o.r.e. The rats' slashing attacks on the flanks of the advancing animals had been defeated. Still, they had come on, where water moccasins, rattle snakes, and others had waited as the second line of defense.

Then, the rats had hesitated with the bellows of Biff sounding across the swamp. Unexpectedly, their attacks began to break apart. First, large groups hesitated, then broke in different directions. Then, smaller groups began to rush back and forth, all coordination lost.

"What has happened?," Biff asked.

As b.u.t.tons and the great leader of the rats had disappeared, the rats themselves became more and more confused. The young wolf limped forward, bleeding from many cuts and slashes. He shook his head, blood spraying from a torn ear.

"Where is she? I followed but lost her when attacked." His eyes were tired, but greater still was the worry which tore at him. Ms. Lucie fluttered about above them, her calls to hawks and blackbirds, to morning doves and crows went unanswered. None knew where b.u.t.tons had gone.

The creatures of the forest and field fell back momentarily, the heart of the defense gone. But if b.u.t.tons had been lost, so too was the rat leader. Even more than the loss of b.u.t.tons, the evil presence that gave the great horde of rats their cunning and persistence was now gone. They were ripe for attack from all sides, and Ssserek lost no time in giving the order. The Great Wolf leader, the Earl, advanced directly ahead, with younger wolves flanking his every movement. The heads of snapping turtles and water moccasins appeared in the midst of the swimming rats, doing great damage and causing great turmoil. From the air, hawks and kestrels swept down upon the rats gathering on the trunks of trees. The rats were swept into the water, where serpents, turtles, racc.o.o.ns, and others waited.

Sally stood alone, drooping with fatigue and worry. She could not sense b.u.t.tons, her ears, nose, and eyes finding no evidence of her. She sagged, her left rear leg badly bitten and bleeding. Her ears bled from many bites, but to these and other wounds she paid no heed. Where was b.u.t.tons? She turned and twisted, testing the air for any indication of b.u.t.tons. But there was none. b.u.t.ttons might have disappeared from the earth for all the winds could tell. Sally sat, and turning her nose to the air, emitted a low moan which began deep in her chest and slowly grew as it rose. Others began to take up the call even as they fought. Sally crumpled to the earth, bereft of hope, her breath coming in short, painful gasps.

Ssserek's head swept back and forth as he viewed the carnage taking place before him. In his many years, he had never witnessed anything like it. But he was worried. His small friends had gone. Most importantly, the impertinent b.u.t.tons had disappeared. She with her great joy in life, her zest for adventure, her inquisitive nose, and very sharp teeth. She, the small dog with all the questions. Where could she have gone? What had happened? Never before in his long life had he cared for any one creature as he had the two small dogs. He had conquered his most basic instincts and his patience had increased immeasurably as had his joy in life. He sighed, deeply.

Ms. Lucie had regained some of her usual composure, sitting above Ssserek's head, watching him with concern. Serpents such as Ssserek and his kind could be terrors at the best of times. But she had come to appreciate his wit, his insights, and his increasing love for the forest and field. She crooned softly in her throat. She was about to take flight when her thoughts were interrupted by a splashing sound.

Ssserek looked to the swamp with shock. Below, Rarebit huffed and puffed in disbelief, then he croaked in a harsh deep voice. "She comes, I believe, but many more rats also come. More help is needed."

"She comes, she comes," Ssserek almost pleaded.

Even as his hopes rose, the swamp seemed to have taken on a new life of its own. It moved as one, heaving and tossing as though in a storm. Then quickly, all too quickly, the moving ma.s.s resolved itself into individual rats, in as great numbers as before.

Those standing onsh.o.r.e shuddered. This was too much. They had fought so hard, but there were too many. This time they couldn't win.

Sssserek moved to the water's edge, his eyes intent upon the approaching ma.s.s directly moving toward him. He swung back to Sally. "Bugle again. We must have the hogs and peccaries. Bugle for Milo, the moose. We need their strength now more than ever. Hurry."

Sally did as she was asked, but she couldn't face another attack. Her voice was nearly gone as she finished, and fell rather than sitting, slumping to the ground, anger in her eyes and agony in her heart. She almost fainted, but would not. She would go down, just as b.u.t.tons had. The world seemed to whirl around her even as the first rats reached the sh.o.r.e. Their eyes glittered, and the first shadows of evening ominously fell across the trees.

The rats stopped, waiting for the others to catch up. Then, as their ranks filled and began to crowd the water's edge, they moved as one. Their eyes were upon Ssserek and Sally. The two had to die first. Then the others at the sh.o.r.e. And then, those within the forest. No matter how many it took, they would be victorious.

The wolves attacked with the bobcats and rarely seen lynx and others filling s.p.a.ces being quickly created by the crawling ma.s.s of rats. The fight could not last much longer.

Suddenly, everyone stopped. The earth began to tremble beneath their feet. Help was coming. And it did. In a great ma.s.s of huge bodies. The wild hogs had regrouped. They stormed into the ma.s.s of rats, broad shoulder to broad shoulder, their heads lowered as before, sweeping mud and dead rats into the air.

The smaller peccaries followed. The attack was ferocious, the hogs and peccaries utterly fearless. But their numbers were too small and they began to tire also.

Then came Milo, the moose. Young and a friend of b.u.t.tons and Sally, he had quickly escaped from the grazing field of the zoo. Milo was moving swifly as only a moose can; nothing had stood in his way or barred his path. All were swept aside. Quickly sizing up the situation, he moved into the shallow water and bore down on the ma.s.ses of rats swimming to sh.o.r.e. They stood no chance against his great strength and his huge antlers still covered with spring's first felt. Rats, water, reeds, and weeds were thrown skyward to fall in disorganized ma.s.ses of rats entangled in the mess of water vegetation. Through them he went, then back, and back again, until only ma.s.ses of struggling rats were to be seen and taken at the leisure of the waiting wolves and their comrades-in-arms.

Milo moved toward sh.o.r.e, a dripping ma.s.s of water reeds tangling from his antlers. The glare in his eyes softened as he saw his friends. Then worry replaced his pleasure. So many were absent. He shook himself. His head rose as he bellowed his triumph and sadness.

Rarebit issued from the dense thickets that stood before the forest. "Listen, Lucie, listen to the hawks."

She turned her head and did as requested, not hearing the lack of proper address. Then, she, too, vaulted into the air, and her small figure disappeared into the distance, moving with haste toward the deep swamp.

Biff arrived in a spray of sand and bits of gra.s.s. He was smiling, his one good eye beaming proudly. He wanted to swat something, anything, but glancing at Ssserek, he quickly sat and waited for events. His grin was infectious as he poked Sally in the ribs. She groaned and slowly lifted her head, her eyes bleary with pain and sadness. What was this? This great oaf of a bear grinning at a time like this? Her foggy mind slowly regained some degree of understanding, and she, too, slowly sat, leaning against the broad rump of the young bear. She began to grin, too.

Then Sally bugled in relief and joy, the gathering wolves and coyotes adding howls and yipping calls of joy also. Sally snapped at the tail of Biff, and then she and the bear began to race around, yipping and yelling, chasing one another's tail.

Ssserek lost his temper. Rising to his greatest height, his shout froze the young animals in their tracks.

"What's going on? Tell me immediately, or so help me..."

He gasped for breath. He, Ssserek, the most incredible serpent the field had ever seen, the irascible, the all-knowing Ssserek, was at a loss for words.

Sally turned to the swamp. Something was moving toward the sh.o.r.e. It lay low in the water. Floating below the many birds came Delph, the gator, his bellow of greeting crossing the water to welcoming friends. Delph chortled. He guffawed, his grin rippled to and fro across his great snout. His eyes shone with brilliance, and then nearly crossed as he attempted to view his pa.s.senger.

Ssserek flopped to the ground. This was too much. Sally bugled in greeting as she spied the well-shaped head she knew so well.

Standing as tall as her short legs allowed, b.u.t.tons stood behind Delph's eyes, and her greetings to serpent, winged animals, and all the creatures rose into the air. Delph's elongated figure swept onto the beach, and lowering his head to the sand, b.u.t.tons disembarked. She turned to Delph, who slowly closed one eye. She then carefully gave him a long, slurruping kiss. Delph hummed in deep contentment.

b.u.t.tons than approached Ssserek, and her nod of greeting took in both the great wolf, Ms. Lucie above them, and the serpent. A large water moccasin followed closely behind, and his nod was to Sally, whose smile now included everyone on the beach.

Delph was opening his mouth when a large broad paw descended on his head, not for the first time. His swiveled up to spy Biff comfortably ensconced on the sand.

b.u.t.tons raced to meet Sally, careful not to b.u.mp her too hard. They nosed each other, nudged one another, walked around and around for several seconds until they were satisfied that the other was still intact, if somewhat more worn and torn than expected. But they were young; they would heal fast. And besides, it was time to go to Ssserek and Ms. Lucie who waited, their patience wearing a bit thin, though they were pleased at the actions of the two.

b.u.t.tons ran to Ssserek, the magnificent, who was slowly recuperating. He took it all in, and in his turn, turned an eye to Ms. Lucie, who smiled and shook her head as though to say, "Well, here we go again."

b.u.t.tons skidded to a stop in front of Ssserek who was rising to his usual imposing stance, his head erect and gazing directly over the crowd that was gathering on the beach.

"Gee, Ssserek, are you OK?" b.u.t.tons blurted out, and her worried appearance clearly demonstrated her concern.

Ssserek looked at her, aghast. He OK? He, the great Ssserek, worried, concerned? What did she think he was?

Then, he stopped and pondered the situation. The rats were in full retreat, the sh.e.l.l-clad denizens of the deep swamp and the hawks hurrying the rats on their unwelcome way. There had been a great loss of life and unexpected heroism from the most unlikely sources. Many had run, losing their heads completely; it had not been a pretty sight, but certainly it was not unexpected. Courage had been the standard for the day, and that was what had to be emphasized. Still, there were issues that had to be addressed, not the least being the activities of this small dog.

For his part, Rarebit sat quietly, slowly shaking his head. It was all too much. The disastrous attack of the rats, then the sudden loss of the small Scottish terrier was almost more than he could bear. Now, with her reappearance, even Ssserek was at a loss for words. Rarebit looked to Ssserek as the Earl quietly sat down behind Sally.

Ms. Lucie was proud of the animals sitting below her. She was thoroughly proud of the winged creatures, for their part had been essential, and much bravery and courage had been shown. She, too, looked at Ssserek, who had remained silent much longer than she would have antic.i.p.ated. She turned to him also.