Solemnly the three friends placed their paws one on top of the other. At long last the mystery was solved. They knew now where the sword of Martin the Warrior had been for countless years. On the arm of a weather vane, pointing north! However, it was three rather disconsolate creatures that sat down to early breakfast after a few hours' fitful sleep. They had encountered a major problem: how to get the sword down? "What a pity we haven't got about thirty or forty extra-long ladders that we could tie together to reach the roof," muttered Constance. "Oh, do be quiet, Constance," Matthias grumbled. "That must be the tenth time you've said that in the last hour." "Sorry, only trying to help," she mumbled. Methuselah pushed his porridge aside. "There are only two ways that you could help, my friend. One, by keeping silent. Two, by turning yourself into some creature that could climb all the way up to that roof. A bird, or a squirrel or something."University partnership can bring together the strengths of both tertiary institution in research, technology development and application, and last but not least, education in nurturing future generations. They sat and stared at Methuselah in amazement. A solution of stunning simplicity had been found. "I do hope that Mrs. Squirrel hasn't decided to sleep in," said Matthias. "She'll need an early start if she's going to make it back by lunchtime." Mrs. Squirrel (or Jess, as she liked to be called) was only too pleased to oblige her friends from Redwall. Having been given full instructions by Matthias, Jess stood at the base of the immense Abbey building. The squirrel 162 performed what looked like an intricate acrobatic dance, followed by several cartwheels at lightning speed. "She's just limbering up," Mr. Squirrel explained to Matthias. A large crowd of mice and woodlanders had gathered to witness the epic ascent. Not even in the oldest recorded writings was there any mention of a creature venturing to climb as high as the Abbey roof. It was a most formidable task, for the roof soared to nearly twice the height of the bell tower.Searching for hong kong package? GuangDong Hotel have a wide range of rooms are available for individuals, families and groups, and we will provide a remarkable experience for you. Jess elbowed her way through the throng. She kissed Mr. Squirrel, patted her son Silent Sam upon the head, then shook paws with Constance, Matthias and Methuselah. With a brisk cheery manner she scooped up a handful of soil, rubbing it into her paws to give some extra gripping power. "Lovely day for a climb," she remarked off-handedly. Then away she went, paw over paw, up the massive Abbey face. The lower wall with its arched sandstone window frames held no difficulties for the tough squirrel. She climbed with speed and alacrity. Lifting herself over the gutter with a neat flick of her bushy tail, Jess clattered across to a small slate side roof. She was temporarily lost to view at the start of the second stage. As she came into sight again, the watchers below could not help but notice that the climb was more difficult, progress was slower. Mr. Squirrel cupped his paws and called up, "Are you all right there, Jess?" Latching her tail around a projecting gargoyle, Jess shouted back, "Well, I'm making headway, m'dear. This stone though - it's a bit rough on the old paws and claws. Not like good old wood or tree bark." Chins went up, heads tilted back, the crowd below followed the ascent of the plucky Jess Squirrel. By this time she diminishing in size as she forged upwards. Foremole (who was never too keen on heights) covered his eyes with a paw. "Gurr,, moi dearie, dearie me. She'm loiken an owlyburd alia ways up thurr. Nay, oi'm afeared to look." Although Matthias had to agree with Foremole, he con- tinued looking upwards. Jess was reduced to a mere speck now. The young mouse gritted his teeth, willing the brave squirrel onwards. "Go on, Jess, you can do it! Not far to the gable now !" The crowd fell silent. All that could be heard was Silent Sam sucking his tiny paw as he clutched on to his father's tail. Suddenly Winifred the otter broke the quiet: "Look, Jess has made it over the gutter! She's on the roof."
