"It's just a huge fort," said Keswick as they walked around, "and it's so much like England!" "But the weather is a lot warmer" commented Little Bear. Keswick continued "it must have been terrifying here when people attached it - look at the old cannons and the thickness of the walls." "Why are they all called bastions?" asked Little Bear. "A bastion is just an old word for a fortified place. The whole island is a fortress so they called each part of the wall a different name," said Jerra-Mary who had been reading the guide book. "We'll walk up the main street and tomorrow we'll climb the rock and even visit the Barbary Apes that live there!" she continued.

The next day they packed their lunch in their rucksacks and set off up the hill. They stopped on the way to pay their respects at the Trafalgar War Cemetery - it was Remembrance Day and they had just sailed around Cape Trafalgar and read about the battle. Then they started the long climb up the Rock, stopping to visit the memorial depicting the Pillar of Hercules; the Rock was supposed to have been one.

Well, instead of getting a friendly welcome they got a gruff reply from one of the larger apes, who seemed to be their leader. "We donna like de strangers around here," he said in a strange accent. "Whatta are you doing 'ere?" "Just visiting," said Keswick, "we mean you no harm."

The other apes of the group were now gathering around threateningly. "We've met your type before," said the gruff-voiced ape. "We get extra food for ransom!" And with that he shouted "Grab 'em!" Keswick shouted "Run!" and he and Jerra-Mary raced for a gap in their ranks. Unfortunately Little Bear was not so lucky. She was grabbed from behind and whisked down a gap in the rock. "Help!" was the cry the other two heard as they were chased down the Rock.

Little Bear was bear-handled into a gloomy wet cavern and dumped unceremoniously on a cold rock. She sat there, very frightened, until she heard a little voice from behind her. "I don't know why they do this - it always ends in tears. I am so sorry. I wish that I could get away from these ruffians too." Little Bear was startled by this and all she could think of saying was "Who's there?" "It's only me," came the reply. "My name's S'Bastion. I'm one of the friendly apes. Now, let's try to get out of here. When the keepers arrive there will be hell to pay!" and before she knew it Little Bear was hand-in-hand with the little ape and sneaking out of the cave into the sunshine. "Where can we go where we won't get caught?" asked S'Bastion. "I know," said Little Bear, "we'll be safe on the boat!"

During the long walk back S'Bastion explained to Little Bear that there were only a small number of groups of apes and that their numbers were controlled by the keepers. "It's more than likely that I will be chosen next year - I don't seem to fit in with the main group. They are so 'rough and tumble'."

When Little Bear and S'Bastion reached the boat the other two bears were really pleased. They had contacted the authorities and had been waiting anxiously for news. Now they could let the police know that all was well.

Little Bear told them all about S'Bastion and suggested that, since he had saved her, they should save him. After a lot of thinking and talking they decided to give S'Bastion the opportunity to come on their adventures. And of course he jumped, on all fours, at the chance. "As we are almost in England, I think we should have a cream tea to celebrate!" said Keswick.