“Geth me ol' babber, get up!” Mabon kicked me bed post, the old thing wer rickity, so I sat up. It wer hard getting' up when most folks wer to bed. I grabbed me kit an started ter put it on.
The Guardhouse wer dark, only a glowing candle on the wooden table to give me light ter see.
“Come on Geth, twill be dawn afore yew move yer self”.
“Alright arligh' I'm comin'”,I muttered as I strapped me helm on and stood up.
Mabon laughed at me, “look at yer Geth, face like a slapped arse”. And we made our way out o the Town Hall and on up toward the North Gate.
The streets wer quiet, only the odd couple whisperin' in a corner, or a lonesome traveller making their way toward the 'Pony'.
Down along the cobbled road we walked, quiet like, it wer too early to talk.
At the North Gate we spoke fer a time to Watcher Leek, 'e's a good sort but a bit of a woman, moanin' 'bout his feet he do. We gave him a 'nod' and a 'tut' and a “nevermind, keep using the that foot potion”.
We nodded and promised ter see 'im later fer a pint in the pony, and began our patrol of the North Bree fields.
My lantern beamed out over the road ahead. The night wer dark and full o stars. I thought it wer right purty, but I didn't say so to Mab, cos 'e would've mocked me, fer bein' a right girl.
As we came upon the first farm that night, we 'eard a scream! I looked at Mab, “Aye lad, I 'eard it tew! This way” And we ran to the sound. It wer hard ter make out the figure in the dark, but as we drew near like I recognised Ole ma Potter. She wer a pantin' and a huffin'.
“Calm down ol' girl what be the trouble?”said Mabon all comandin' like. He be good like that in calmin' folks down.
“Ooohh tis Tad me dog! He wer actin' all worrisome in the kitchen all night, so I let him out and he started barkin' at the bee hives I do keep and there wer a huge, black, ugly bear a sniffin round em!” “Tad ran out after un and the bear looked right nasty and I thought he wer a goin' ter eat poor Tad in one bite”! “Well I grabs me broom and gave chase, and they dissappeared off over there”. “I'm that worried, there's only Tad an' me on the farm, I dunno wat I would do withou' un”. She sobbed.
Mabon raised his eyes to the skies and shook his head at me,afore addressing ol ma again.
“Listen ole Girl, tell yew what, yew go on home and get the kettle on that fire and brew us a cuppa and we'll go take a look fer your Tad.”
She nodded sniffin' wiping her nose on 'er apron as shuffled away.
Mab nodded at me, “Right 'ere lad, we'll go take a quick look down there, (he pointed to the bottom of the hill), “they'll be nought there, but we best show willin'”.
We walked down me a little ahead lantern raised.. Mabon wer right there wer nowt there, just a old cow wanderin' home.
“There yew go,..” I started ter say. But Mabon's eyes wer wide an his mouth dropped open! “BY ROPERS TWIST! A BEAR!”He shouted.
I didn't need tellin' twice and I ran following Mab, scramblin' back up the hill and not darin' ter look behind, all I could hear wer a heavy breathin' and a growlin. It sounded like it wer on the back of me neck.
“Up yere”, said Mab, and we jumped a fence and ran through a wheat field. The bear grew tired of his sport and left us be. “We stood theer breathin' 'ard. Mab bent double with the effort.
“Well we best go an tell her, Tad's bear supper”. He said straighten' up like. I nodded and we walked on back to the farm 'ouse.
We knocked on the door, and as it opened a small dog ran in from behind us, through Mabon's legs, and into the kitchen. Ol' Ma squealed with delight at seein 'er dog agin! “OH MY TAD!” she bent down an rubbed the dogs belly.
“Oh Watcher Ablenook, yew are a marvel! Where ever did yew find 'im?”
(Mabon was as shocked as her was ter see the dog safe and sound. But he didn' say it). Instead he took a deep breath an said..
“Well old Girl tis a long story, but if yew hand us a cuppa and a slice or tew of the honey cake over yonder, I'll tell yew the most darin' tale of The Bear and the Bree Watchmen.”
