Meliton Gubthorpe Digglethwaite, Colonel
(Diggs)

Gender: male

Species: hare

Appears In: The Sable Quean




Meliton - commonly known as Diggs - is a young resident of Salamandastron and best friends with Buckler. He is the nephew of Twodge, a bit larger than others, has a habit of complaining or "chunnering" as it is called, and possesses a massive appetite. He and Buckler are sent by Brang to deliver a new bellrope to Redwall, but during the trip there they become entangled in the struggle against the Ravagers when they happen upon two vermin soldiers attempting to kidnap Flib. Diggs sends the enemy running and the shrewmaid joins them until she vanishes, then the two hares accompany the GUOSIM to the Abbey where they agree to help find the missing youngsters. During a scouting mission some time later he annoys Jango to the point where the shrew Chieftain makes him go away for a while, but he eventually returns with a captured Gripchun. He ends up separated from his friends in the ensuing attack on Althier, becoming lost in the ancient place but locating the exit and meeting Ambry. They quickly befriend each other and follow the escaped babes, sailing down the River Moss on a log until they find the watermeadow where Triggut is keeping them captive. After the insane hedgehog is defeated they take the youngsters to Mumzy so she can care for them until the Ravagers are exterminated, and he and Ambry travel back to the Abbey. In the final battle against the vermin army he loses an ear, suffers terrible wounds, and is viciously slashed on the back of the head by Zwilt. This causes his memory to temporarily falter and he calls himself "Colonel Crockley Sputherington", a strict Long Patrol officer who refuses to eat as the mere thought of food makes him sick. He is cured when Oakheart knocks him unconscious, and upon fully recovering he wears a fake ear knitted by Crumfiss. At some point after returning to Salamandastron with his pal Buckler, he is named a Long Patrol Colonel.