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TRANSCRIPT
WatershipDownRichardAdams
ToJulietandRosamond,
rememberingtheroadtoStratford-on-Avon
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Note
Acknowledgements
Contents
PARTITheJourney
1.TheNoticeBoard
2.TheChiefRabbit
3.Hazel'sDecision
4.TheDeparture
5.IntheWoods
6.TheStoryoftheBlessingofEl-ahrairah
7.TheLendriandtheRiver
8.TheCrossing
9.TheCrowandtheBeanfield
10.TheRoadandtheCommon
11.HardGoing
12.TheStrangerintheField
13.Hospitality
14.''LikeTreesinNovember"
15.TheStoryoftheKing'sLettuce
16.Silverweed
17.TheShiningWire
PARTIIOnWatershipDown
18.WatershipDown
19.FearintheDark
20.AHoneycombandaMouse
21."ForEl-ahrairahtoCry"
22.TheStoryoftheTrialofEl-ahrairah
23.Kehaar
24.NuthangerFarm
25.TheRaid
26.FiverBeyond
27."YouCan'tImagineItUnlessYou'veBeenThere"
28.AttheFootoftheHill
29.ReturnandDeparture
PARTIIIEfrafa
30.ANewJourney
31.TheStoryofEl-ahrairahandtheBlackRabbitofInlé
32.AcrosstheIronRoad
33.TheGreatRiver
34.GeneralWoundwort
35.Groping
36.ApproachingThunder
37.TheThunderBuildsUp
38.TheThunderBreaks
PARTIVHazel-rah
39.TheBridges
40.TheWayBack
41.TheStoryofRowsbyWoofandtheFairyWogdog
42.NewsatSunset
43.TheGreatPatrol
44.AMessagefromEl-ahrairah
45.NuthangerFarmAgain
46.BigwigStandsHisGround
47.TheSkySuspended
48.DeaexMachina
49.HazelComesHome
50.AndLast
Epilogue
LapineGlossary
Note
NuthangerFarmisarealplace,likealltheotherplacesinthebook.ButMr.andMrs.Cane,theirlittlegirlLucyandtheirfarmhandsarefictitiousandbearnointentionalresemblancetoanypersonsknowntome,livingordead.
Acknowledgements
IacknowledgewithgratitudethehelpIhavereceivednotonlyfrommyfamilybutalsofrommyfriendsRegSonesandHalSummers,whoreadthebookbeforepublicationandmadevaluablesuggestions.
IalsowishtothankwarmlyMrs.MargaretApps
andMissMiriamHobbs,whotookpainswiththetypingandhelpedmeverymuch.
Iamindebted,foraknowledgeofrabbitsandtheirways,toMr.R.M.Lockley'sremarkablebook,ThePrivateLifeoftheRabbit.Anyonewhowishestoknowmoreaboutthemigrationsofyearlings,aboutpressingchinglands,chewingpellets,theeffectsofover-
crowdinginwarrens,thephenomenonofre-absorptionoffertilizedembryos,thecapacityofbuckrabbitstofightstoats,oranyotherfeaturesofLapinelife,shouldrefertothatdefinitivework.
PARTITheJourney
1.TheNoticeBoard
CHORUS:Whydoyoucryoutthus,unlessatsomevisionofhorror?
CASSANDRA:Thehouse
reeksofdeathanddrippingblood.
CHORUS:Howso?'Tisbuttheodorofthealtarsacrifice.
CASSANDRA:Thestenchislikeabreathfromthetomb.
Aeschylus,Agamemnon
Theprimroseswereover.Towardtheedgeofthewood,
wherethegroundbecameopenandslopeddowntoanoldfenceandabramblyditchbeyond,onlyafewfadingpatchesofpaleyellowstillshowedamongthedog'smercuryandoak-treeroots.Ontheothersideofthefence,theupperpartofthefieldwasfullofrabbitholes.Inplacesthegrasswasgonealtogetherandeverywheretherewereclustersofdrydroppings,throughwhichnothingbut
theragwortwouldgrow.Ahundredyardsaway,atthebottomoftheslope,ranthebrook,nomorethanthreefeetwide,halfchokedwithkingcups,watercressandbluebrooklime.Thecarttrackcrossedbyabrickculvertandclimbedtheoppositeslopetoafive-barredgateinthethornhedge.Thegateledintothelane.
TheMaysunsetwasredin
clouds,andtherewasstillhalfanhourtotwilight.Thedryslopewasdottedwithrabbits--somenibblingatthethingrassneartheirholes,otherspushingfurtherdowntolookfordandelionsorperhapsacowslipthattheresthadmissed.Hereandthereonesatuprightonanantheapandlookedabout,withearserectandnoseinthewind.Butablackbird,singingundisturbedontheoutskirts
ofthewood,showedthattherewasnothingalarmingthere,andintheotherdirection,alongthebrook,allwasplaintobeseen,emptyandquiet.Thewarrenwasatpeace.
Atthetopofthebank,closetothewildcherrywheretheblackbirdsang,wasalittlegroupofholesalmosthiddenbybrambles.Inthegreenhalf-light,atthemouth
ofoneoftheseholes,tworabbitsweresittingtogethersidebyside.Atlength,thelargerofthetwocameout,slippedalongthebankundercoverofthebramblesandsodownintotheditchandupintothefield.Afewmomentslatertheotherfollowed.
Thefirstrabbitstoppedinasunnypatchandscratchedhisearwithrapidmovementsofhishindleg.Althoughhewas
ayearlingandstillbelowfullweight,hehadnottheharassedlookofmost"outskirters"--thatis,therankandfileofordinaryrabbitsintheirfirstyearwho,lackingeitheraristocraticparentageorunusualsizeandstrength,getsatonbytheireldersandliveasbesttheycan--oftenintheopen--ontheedgeoftheirwarren.Helookedasthoughheknewhowtotakecareofhimself.Therewasashrewd,
buoyantairabouthimashesatup,lookedaroundandrubbedbothfrontpawsoverhisnose.Assoonashewassatisfiedthatallwaswell,helaidbackhisearsandsettoworkonthegrass.
Hiscompanionseemedlessatease.Hewassmall,withwide,staringeyesandawayofraisingandturninghisheadwhichsuggestednotsomuchcautionasakindof
ceaseless,nervoustension.Hisnosemovedcontinually,andwhenabumblebeeflewhummingtoathistlebloombehindhim,hejumpedandspunroundwithastartthatsenttwonearbyrabbitsscurryingforholesbeforethenearest,abuckwithblack-tippedears,recognizedhimandreturnedtofeeding.
"Oh,it'sonlyFiver,"saidtheblack-tippedrabbit,
"jumpingatbluebottlesagain.Comeon,Buckthorn,whatwereyoutellingme?"
"Fiver?"saidtheotherrabbit."Why'shecalledthat?"
"Fiveinthelitter,youknow:hewasthelast--andthesmallest.You'dwondernothinghadgothimbynow.Ialwayssayamancouldn'tseehimandafoxwouldn't
wanthim.Still,Iadmitheseemstobeabletokeepoutofharm'sway."*
Thesmallrabbitcameclosertohiscompanion,lollopingonlonghindlegs.
"Let'sgoabitfurther,Hazel,"hesaid."Youknow,there'ssomethingqueeraboutthewarrenthisevening,althoughIcan'ttellexactlywhatitis.Shallwegodown
tothebrook?"
"Allright,"answeredHazel,"andyoucanfindmeacowslip.Ifyoucan'tfindone,noonecan."
Heledthewaydowntheslope,hisshadowstretchingbehindhimonthegrass.Theyreachedthebrookandbegannibblingandsearchingclosebesidethewheelrutsofthetrack.
ItwasnotlongbeforeFiverfoundwhattheywerelookingfor.Cowslipsareadelicacyamongrabbits,andasarulethereareveryfewleftbylateMayintheneighborhoodofevenasmallwarren.Thisonehadnotbloomedanditsflatspreadofleaveswasalmosthiddenunderthelonggrass.Theywerejuststartingonitwhentwolargerrabbitscamerunningacrossfromtheother
sideofthenearbycattlewade.
"Cowslip?"saidone."Allright--justleaveittous.Comeon,hurryup,"headded,asFiverhesitated."Youheardme,didn'tyou?"
"Fiverfoundit,Toadflax,"saidHazel.
"Andwe'lleatit,"repliedToadflax."Cowslipsarefor
Owsla*--don'tyouknowthat?Ifyoudon't,wecaneasilyteachyou."
Fiverhadalreadyturnedaway.Hazelcaughthimupbytheculvert.
"I'msickandtiredofit,"hesaid."It'sthesameallthetime.'Thesearemyclaws,sothisismycowslip.''Thesearemyteeth,sothisismyburrow.'I'lltellyou,ifeverI
getintotheOwsla,I'lltreatoutskirterswithabitofdecency."
"Well,youcanatleastexpecttobeintheOwslaoneday,"answeredFiver."You'vegotsomeweightcomingandthat'smorethanIshalleverhave."
"Youdon'tsupposeI'llleaveyoutolookafteryourself,doyou?"saidHazel.
"Buttotellyouthetruth,Isometimesfeellikeclearingoutofthiswarrenaltogether.Still,let'sforgetitnowandtrytoenjoytheevening.Itellyouwhat--shallwegoacrossthebrook?There'llbefewerrabbitsandwecanhaveabitofpeace.Unlessyoufeelitisn'tsafe?"headded.
ThewayinwhichheaskedsuggestedthathedidinfactthinkthatFiverwaslikelyto
knowbetterthanhimself,anditwasclearfromFiver'sreplythatthiswasacceptedbetweenthem.
"No,it'ssafeenough,"heanswered."IfIstartfeelingthere'sanythingdangerousI'lltellyou.Butit'snotexactlydangerthatIseemtofeelabouttheplace.It's--oh,Idon'tknow--somethingoppressive,likethunder:Ican'ttellwhat;butitworries
me.Allthesame,I'llcomeacrosswithyou."
Theyranovertheculvert.Thegrasswaswetandthicknearthestreamandtheymadetheirwayuptheoppositeslope,lookingfordrierground.Partoftheslopewasinshadow,forthesunwassinkingaheadofthem,andHazel,whowantedawarm,sunnyspot,wentonuntiltheywerequitenearthe
lane.Astheyapproachedthegatehestopped,staring.
"Fiver,what'sthat?Look!"
Alittlewayinfrontofthem,thegroundhadbeenfreshlydisturbed.Twopilesofearthlayonthegrass.Heavyposts,reekingofcreosoteandpaint,toweredupashighasthehollytreesinthehedge,andtheboardtheycarriedthrewalong
shadowacrossthetopofthefield.Nearoneoftheposts,ahammerandafewnailshadbeenleftbehind.
Thetworabbitswentuptotheboardatahoppingrunandcrouchedinapatchofnettlesonthefarside,wrinklingtheirnosesatthesmellofadeadcigaretteendsomewhereinthegrass.SuddenlyFivershiveredandcowereddown.
"Oh,Hazel!Thisiswhereitcomesfrom!Iknownow--somethingverybad!Someterriblething--comingcloserandcloser."
Hebegantowhimperwithfear.
"Whatsortofthing--whatdoyoumean?Ithoughtyousaidtherewasnodanger?"
"Idon'tknowwhatitis,"
answeredFiverwretchedly."Thereisn'tanydangerhere,atthismoment.Butit'scoming--it'scoming.Oh,Hazel,look!Thefield!It'scoveredwithblood!"
"Don'tbesilly,it'sonlythelightofthesunset.Fiver,comeon,don'ttalklikethis,you'refrighteningme!"
Fiversattremblingandcryingamongthenettlesas
Hazeltriedtoreassurehimandtofindoutwhatitcouldbethathadsuddenlydrivenhimbesidehimself.Ifhewasterrified,whydidhenotrunforsafety,asanysensiblerabbitwould?ButFivercouldnotexplainandonlygrewmoreandmoredistressed.AtlastHazelsaid,
"Fiver,youcan'tsitcryinghere.Anyway,it'sgettingdark.We'dbettergobackto
theburrow."
"Backtotheburrow?"whimperedFiver."It'llcomethere--don'tthinkitwon't!Itellyou,thefield'sfullofblood--"
"Nowstopit,"saidHazelfirmly."Justletmelookafteryouforabit.Whateverthetroubleis,it'stimewegotback."
Herandownthefieldandoverthebrooktothecattlewade.Heretherewasadelay,forFiver--surroundedonallsidesbythequietsummerevening--becamehelplessandalmostparalyzedwithfear.WhenatlastHazelhadgothimbacktotheditch,herefusedatfirsttogoundergroundandHazelhadalmosttopushhimdownthehole.
Thesunsetbehindtheoppositeslope.Thewindturnedcolder,withascatterofrain,andinlessthananhouritwasdark.Allcolorhadfadedfromthesky:andalthoughthebigboardbythegatecreakedslightlyinthenightwind(asthoughtoinsistthatithadnotdisappearedinthedarkness,butwasstillfirmlywhereithadbeenput),therewasnopasser-bytoreadthesharp,
hardlettersthatcutstraightasblackknivesacrossitswhitesurface.Theysaid:
THISIDEALLYSITUATEDESTATE,COMPRISINGSIXACRESOFEXCELLENTBUILDINGLAND,ISTOBEDEVELOPEDWITHHIGHCLASSMODERNRESIDENCESBYSUTCHANDMARTIN,LIMITED,OFNEWBURY,BERKS.
*Rabbitscancountuptofour.Anynumberabovefourishrair--"alot,"or"athousand."ThustheysayUHrair--"TheThousand"--tomean,collectively,alltheenemies(orelil,astheycallthem)ofrabbits--fox,stoat,weasel,cat,owl,man,etc.TherewereprobablymorethanfiverabbitsinthelitterwhenFiverwasborn,buthisname,Hrairoo,means"LittleThousand"--i.e.,thelittleone
ofalotor,astheysayofpigs,"therunt."
*NearlyallwarrenshaveanOwsla,orgroupofstrongorcleverrabbits--second-yearorolder--surroundingtheChiefRabbitandhisdoeandexercisingauthority.Owslasvary.Inonewarren,theOwslamaybethebandofawarlord:inanother,itmayconsistlargelyofcleverpatrollersorgarden-raiders.
Sometimesagoodstorytellermayfindaplace;oraseer,orintuitiverabbit.IntheSandlefordwarrenatthistime,theOwslawasrathermilitaryincharacter(though,aswillbeseenlater,notsomilitaryassome).
2.TheChiefRabbit
Thedarksomestatesman,hungwithweightsandwoe,
Likeathickmidnight-fog,movedtheresoslow,
Hedidnotstay,norgo.
HenryVaughan,TheWorld
InthedarknessandwarmthoftheburrowHazelsuddenlywoke,strugglingandkickingwithhisbacklegs.Somethingwasattackinghim.Therewasnosmellofferretorweasel.
Noinstincttoldhimtorun.HisheadclearedandherealizedthathewasaloneexceptforFiver.ItwasFiverwhowasclamberingoverhim,clawingandgrabbinglikearabbittryingtoclimbawirefenceinapanic.
"Fiver!Fiver,wakeup,yousillyfellow!It'sHazel.You'llhurtmeinamoment.Wakeup!"
Heheldhimdown.Fiverstruggledandwoke.
"Oh,Hazel!Iwasdreaming.Itwasdreadful.Youwerethere.Weweresittingonwater,goingdownagreat,deepstream,andthenIrealizedwewereonaboard--likethatboardinthefield--allwhiteandcoveredwithblacklines.Therewereotherrabbitsthere--bucksanddoes.ButwhenIlooked
down,Isawtheboardwasallmadeofbonesandwire;andIscreamedandyousaid,'Swim--everybodyswim';andthenIwaslookingforyoueverywhereandtryingtodragyououtofaholeinthebank.Ifoundyou,butyousaid,'TheChiefRabbitmustgoalone,'andyoufloatedawaydownadarktunnelofwater."
"Well,you'vehurtmyribs,anyway.Tunnelofwater
indeed!Whatrubbish!Canwegobacktosleepnow?"
"Hazel--thedanger,thebadthing.Ithasn'tgoneaway.It'shere--allroundus.Don'ttellmetoforgetaboutitandgotosleep.We'vegottogoawaybeforeit'stoolate."
"Goaway?Fromhere,youmean?Fromthewarren?"
"Yes.Verysoon.Itdoesn't
matterwhere."
"JustyouandI?"
"No,everyone."
"Thewholewarren?Don'tbesilly.Theywon'tcome.They'llsayyou'reoutofyourwits."
"Thenthey'llbeherewhenthebadthingcomes.Youmustlistentome,Hazel.
Believeme,somethingverybadiscloseuponusandweoughttogoaway."
"Well,Isupposewe'dbettergoandseetheChiefRabbitandyoucantellhimaboutit.OrI'lltryto.ButIdon'texpecthe'llliketheideaatall."
Hazelledthewaydowntheslopeoftherunanduptowardthebramblecurtain.
HedidnotwanttobelieveFiver,andhewasafraidnotto.
Itwasalittleafterni-Frith,ornoon.Thewholewarrenwereunderground,mostlyasleep.HazelandFiverwentashortwayabovegroundandthenintoawide,openholeinasandpatchandsodown,byvariousruns,untiltheywerethirtyfeetintothewood,amongtherootsofanoak.
Heretheywerestoppedbyalarge,heavilybuiltrabbit--oneoftheOwsla.Hehadacurious,heavygrowthoffuronthecrownofhishead,whichgavehimanoddappearance,asthoughhewerewearingakindofcap.Thishadgivenhimhisname,Thlayli,whichmeans,literally,"Furhead"or,aswemightsay,"Bigwig."
"Hazel?"saidBigwig,
sniffingathiminthedeeptwilightamongthetreeroots."ItisHazel,isn'tit?Whatareyoudoinghere?Andatthistimeofday?"HeignoredFiver,whowaswaitingfurtherdowntherun.
"WewanttoseetheChiefRabbit,"saidHazel."It'simportant,Bigwig.Canyouhelpus?"
"We?"saidBigwig."Ishe
goingtoseehim,too?"
"Yes,hemust.Dotrustme,Bigwig.Idon'tusuallycomeandtalklikethis,doI?WhendidIeverasktoseetheChiefRabbitbefore?"
"Well,I'lldoitforyou,Hazel,althoughI'llprobablygetmyheadbittenoff.I'lltellhimIknowyou'reasensiblefellow.Heoughttoknowyouhimself,ofcourse,buthe's
gettingold.Waithere,willyou?"
Bigwigwentalittlewaydowntherunandstoppedattheentrancetoalargeburrow.AfterspeakingafewwordsthatHazelcouldnotcatch,hewasevidentlycalledinside.Thetworabbitswaitedinsilence,brokenonlybythecontinualnervousfidgetingofFiver.
TheChiefRabbit'snameandstylewasThrearah,meaning"LordRowanTree."Forsomereasonhewasalwaysreferredtoas"TheThrearah"--perhapsbecausetherehappenedtobeonlyonethrear,orrowan,nearthewarren,fromwhichhetookhisname.Hehadwonhispositionnotonlybystrengthinhisprime,butalsobylevel-headednessandacertainself-contained
detachment,quiteunliketheimpulsivebehaviorofmostrabbits.Itwaswellknownthatheneverlethimselfbecomeexcitedbyrumorordanger.Hehadcoolly--someevensaidcoldly--stoodfirmduringtheterribleonslaughtofthemyxomatosis,ruthlesslydrivingouteveryrabbitwhoseemedtobesickening.Hehadresistedallideasofmassemigrationandenforcedcompleteisolation
onthewarren,therebyalmostcertainlysavingitfromextinction.Itwashe,too,whohadoncedealtwithaparticularlytroublesomestoatbyleadingitdownamongthepheasantcoopsandso(attheriskofhisownlife)ontoakeeper'sgun.Hewasnow,asBigwigsaid,gettingold,buthiswitswerestillclearenough.WhenHazelandFiverwerebroughtin,hegreetedthempolitely.Owsla
likeToadflaxmightthreatenandbully.TheThrearahhadnoneed.
"Ah,Walnut.ItisWalnut,isn'tit?"
"Hazel,"saidHazel.
"Hazel,ofcourse.Howveryniceofyoutocomeandseeme.Iknewyourmotherwell.Andyourfriend--"
"Mybrother."
"Yourbrother,"saidtheThrearah,withthefaintestsuggestionof"Don'tcorrectmeanymore,willyou?"inhisvoice."Domakeyourselvescomfortable.Havesomelettuce?"
TheChiefRabbit'slettucewasstolenbytheOwslafromagardenhalfamileawayacrossthefields.Outskirters
seldomorneversawlettuce.Hazeltookasmallleafandnibbledpolitely.Fiverrefused,andsatblinkingandtwitchingmiserably.
"Now,howarethingswithyou?"saidtheChiefRabbit."DotellmehowIcanhelpyou."
"Well,sir,"saidHazelratherhesitantly,"it'sbecauseofmybrother--Fiverhere.He
canoftentellwhenthere'sanythingbadabout,andI'vefoundhimrightagainandagain.Heknewthefloodwascominglastautumnandsometimeshecantellwhereawire'sbeenset.Andnowhesayshecansenseabaddangercominguponthewarren."
"Abaddanger.Yes,Isee.Howveryupsetting,"saidtheChiefRabbit,looking
anythingbutupset."Now,whatsortofdanger,Iwonder?"HelookedatFiver.
"Idon'tknow,"saidFiver."B-butit'sbad.It'ssob-badthat--it'sverybad,"heconcludedmiserably.
TheThrearahwaitedpolitelyforafewmomentsandthenhesaid,"Well,now,andwhatoughtwetodoaboutit,Iwonder?"
"Goaway,"saidFiverinstantly."Goaway.Allofus.Now.Threarah,sir,wemustallgoaway."
TheThrearahwaitedagain.Then,inanextremelyunderstandingvoice,hesaid,"Well,Ineverdid!That'sratheratallorder,isn'tit?Whatdoyouthinkyourself?"
"Well,sir,"saidHazel,"mybrotherdoesn'treally
thinkaboutthesefeelingshegets.Hejusthasthefeelings,ifyouseewhatImean.I'msureyou'retherightpersontodecidewhatweoughttodo."
"Well,that'sveryniceofyoutosaythat.IhopeIam.Butnow,mydearfellows,let'sjustthinkaboutthisamoment,shallwe?It'sMay,isn'tit?Everyone'sbusyandmostoftherabbitsareenjoyingthemselves.Noelil
formiles,orsotheytellme.Noillness,goodweather.Andyouwantmetotellthewarrenthatyoung--er--young--er--yourbrotherherehasgotahunchandwemustallgotraipsingacrosscountrytogoodnessknowswhereandrisktheconsequences,eh?Whatdoyouthinkthey'llsay?Alldelighted,eh?"
"They'dtakeitfromyou,"saidFiversuddenly.
"That'sveryniceofyou,"saidtheThrearahagain."Well,perhapstheywould,perhapstheywould.ButIshouldhavetoconsideritverycarefullyindeed.Amostseriousstep,ofcourse.Andthen--"
"Butthere'snotime,Threarah,sir,"blurtedoutFiver."Icanfeelthedangerlikeawireroundmyneck--likeawire--Hazel,help!"He
squealedandrolledoverinthesand,kickingfrantically,asarabbitdoesinasnare.Hazelheldhimdownwithbothforepawsandhegrewquieter.
"I'mawfullysorry,ChiefRabbit,"saidHazel."Hegetslikethissometimes.He'llbeallrightinaminute."
"Whatashame!Whatashame!Poorfellow,perhaps
heoughttogohomeandrest.Yes,you'dbettertakehimalongnow.Well,it'sreallybeenextremelygoodofyoutocomeandseeme,Walnut.Iappreciateitverymuchindeed.AndIshallthinkoverallyou'vesaidmostcarefully,youcanbequitesureofthat.Bigwig,justwaitamoment,willyou?"
AsHazelandFivermadetheirwaydejectedlydownthe
runoutsidetheThrearah'sburrow,theycouldjusthear,frominside,theChiefRabbit'svoiceassumingarathersharpernote,interspersedwithanoccasional"Yes,sir,""No,sir."
Bigwig,ashehadpredicted,wasgettinghisheadbittenoff.
3.Hazel'sDecision
WhatamIlyingherefor?...Wearelyinghereasthoughwehadachanceofenjoyingaquiettime....AmIwaitinguntilIbecomealittleolder?
Xenophon,TheAnabasis
"But,Hazel,youdidn'treallythinktheChiefRabbitwouldactonyouradvice,did
you?Whatwereyouexpecting?"
ItwaseveningoncemoreandHazelandFiverwerefeedingoutsidethewoodwithtwofriends.Blackberry,therabbitwithtippedearswhohadbeenstartledbyFiverthenightbefore,hadlistenedcarefullytoHazel'sdescriptionofthenoticeboard,remarkingthathehadalwaysfeltsurethatmenleft
thesethingsabouttoactassignsormessagesofsomekind,inthesamewaythatrabbitsleftmarksonrunsandgaps.Itwasanotherneighbor,Dandelion,whohadnowbroughtthetalkbacktotheThrearahandhisindifferencetoFiver'sfear.
"Idon'tknowwhatIexpected,"saidHazel."I'dneverbeenneartheChiefRabbitbefore.ButIthought,
'Well,evenifhewon'tlisten,atleastnoonecaysayafterwardthatwedidn'tdoourbesttowarnhim.'"
"You'resure,then,thatthere'sreallysomethingtobeafraidof?"
"I'mquitecertain.I'vealwaysknownFiver,yousee."
Blackberrywasaboutto
replywhenanotherrabbitcamenoisilythroughthethickdog'smercuryinthewood,blundereddownintothebramblesandpushedhiswayupfromtheditch.ItwasBigwig.
"Hello,Bigwig,"saidHazel."You'reoffduty?"
"Offduty"saidBigwig,"andlikelytoremainoffduty."
"Howdoyoumean?"
"I'velefttheOwsla,that'swhatImean."
"Notonouraccount?"
"Youcouldsaythat.TheThrearah'srathergoodatmakinghimselfunpleasantwhenhe'sbeenwokenupatni-Frithforwhatheconsidersapieceoftrivialnonsense.Hecertainlyknowshowto
getunderyourskin.IdaresayagoodmanyrabbitswouldhavekeptquietandthoughtaboutkeepingontherightsideoftheChief,butI'mafraidI'mnotmuchgoodatthat.ItoldhimthattheOwsla'sprivilegesdidn'tmeanallthatmuchtomeinanycaseandthatastrongrabbitcouldalwaysdojustaswellbyleavingthewarren.Hetoldmenottobeimpulsiveandthinkitover,
butIshan'tstay.Lettuce-stealingisn'tmyideaofajollylife,norsentrydutyintheburrow.I'minafinetemper,Icantellyou."
"Noonewillsteallettucessoon,"saidFiverquietly.
"Oh,that'syou,Fiver,isit?"saidBigwig,noticinghimforthefirsttime."Good,Iwascomingtolookforyou.I'vebeenthinkingaboutwhat
yousaidtotheChiefRabbit.Tellme,isitasortoftremendoushoaxtomakeyourselfimportant,orisittrue?"
"Itistrue,"saidFiver."Iwishitweren't."
"Thenyou'llbeleavingthewarren?"
Theywereallstartledbythebluntnesswithwhich
Bigwigwenttothepoint.Dandelionmuttered,"Leavethewarren,Frithrah!"whileBlackberrytwitchedhisearsandlookedveryintently,firstatBigwigandthenatHazel.
ItwasHazelwhoreplied."FiverandIwillbeleavingthewarrentonight,"hesaiddeliberately."Idon'tknowexactlywhereweshallgo,butwe'lltakeanyonewho'sreadytocomewithus."
"Right,"saidBigwig,"thenyoucantakeme."
ThelastthingHazelhadexpectedwastheimmediatesupportofamemberoftheOwsla.ItcrossedhismindthatalthoughBigwigwouldcertainlybeausefulrabbitinatightcorner,hewouldalsobeadifficultonetogetonwith.Hecertainlywouldnotwanttodowhathewastold--orevenasked--byan
outskirter."Idon'tcareifheisintheOwsla,"thoughtHazel."Ifwegetawayfromthewarren,I'mnotgoingtoletBigwigruneverything,orwhybothertogo?"Butheansweredonly,"Good.Weshallbegladtohaveyou."
Helookedroundattheotherrabbits,whowereallstaringeitheratBigwigorathimself.ItwasBlackberrywhospokenext.
"IthinkI'llcome,"hesaid."Idon'tquiteknowwhetherit'syouwho'vepersuadedme,Fiver.Butanyway,therearetoomanybucksinthiswarren,andit'sprettypoorfunforanyrabbitthat'snotintheOwsla.ThefunnythingisthatyoufeelterrifiedtostayandIfeelterrifiedtogo.Foxeshere,weaselsthere,Fiverinthemiddle,begonedullcare!"
Hepulledoutaburnetleafandateitslowly,concealinghisfearasbesthecould;forallhisinstinctswerewarninghimofthedangersintheunknowncountrybeyondthewarren.
"IfwebelieveFiver,"saidHazel,"itmeansthatwethinknorabbitsatalloughttostayhere.Sobetweennowandthetimewhenwego,weoughttopersuadeasmanyaswecan
tojoinus."
"IthinkthereareoneortwointheOwslawhomightbeworthsounding,"saidBigwig."IfIcantalkthemover,they'llbewithmewhenIjoinyoutonight.Buttheywon'tcomebecauseofFiver.They'llbejuniors,discontentedfellowslikeme.YouneedtohaveheardFiveryourselftobeconvincedbyhim.He'sconvincedme.It's
obviousthathe'sbeensentsomekindofmessage,andIbelieveinthesethings.Ican'tthinkwhyhedidn'tconvincetheThrearah."
"BecausetheThrearahdoesn'tlikeanythinghehasn'tthoughtofforhimself,"answeredHazel."Butwecan'tbotherwithhimanymorenow.We'vegottotrytocollectsomemorerabbitsandmeetagainhere,fuInlé.And
we'llstartfuInlé,too:wecan'twaitlonger.Thedanger'scomingcloserallthetime--whateveritis--and,besides,theThrearahisn'tgoingtolikeitifhefindsoutthatyou'vebeentryingtogetatrabbitsintheOwsla,Bigwig.NeitherisCaptainHolly,Idaresay.Theywon'tmindoddsandendslikeusclearingoff,buttheywon'twanttoloseyou.IfIwereinyourplace,I'dbecareful
whomIpickedtotalkto."
4.TheDeparture
Nowsir,youngFortinbras,
Ofunimprovedmettlehotandfull,
HathintheskirtsofNorwayhereandthere
Sharkedupalistoflawlessresolutes
Forfoodanddiettosomeenterprise
Thathathastomachin't.
Shakespeare,Hamlet
FuInlémeans"aftermoonrise."Rabbits,ofcourse,havenoideaofprecisetimeorofpunctuality.Inthisrespecttheyaremuchthesameasprimitivepeople,whooftentakeseveraldays
overassemblingforsomepurposeandthenseveralmoretogetstarted.Beforesuchpeoplecanacttogether,akindoftelepathicfeelinghastoflowthroughthemandripentothepointwhentheyallknowthattheyarereadytobegin.AnyonewhohasseenthemartinsandswallowsinSeptember,assemblingonthetelephonewires,twittering,makingshortflightssinglyandin
groupsovertheopen,stubblyfields,returningtoformlongerandevenlongerlinesabovetheyellowingvergesofthelanes--thehundredsofindividualbirdsmergingandblending,inamountingexcitement,intoswarms,andtheseswarmscominglooselyanduntidilytogethertocreateagreat,unorganizedflock,thickatthecenterandraggedattheedges,whichbreaksandre-formscontinuallylike
cloudsorwaves--untilthatmomentwhenthegreaterpart(butnotall)ofthemknowthatthetimehascome:theyareoff,andhavebegunoncemorethatgreatsouthwardflightwhichmanywillnotsurvive;anyoneseeingthishasseenatworkthecurrentthatflows(amongcreatureswhothinkofthemselvesprimarilyaspartofagroupandonlysecondarily,ifatall,asindividuals)tofusethem
togetherandimpelthemintoactionwithoutconsciousthoughtorwill:hasseenatworktheangelwhichdrovetheFirstCrusadeintoAntiochanddrivesthelemmingsintothesea.
ItwasactuallyaboutanhouraftermoonriseandagoodwhilebeforemidnightwhenHazelandFiveroncemorecameoutoftheirburrowbehindthebrambles
andslippedquietlyalongthebottomoftheditch.Withthemwasathirdrabbit,Hlao--Pipkin--afriendofFiver.(Hlaomeansanysmallconcavityinthegrasswheremoisturemaycollect--e.g.,thedimpleformedbyadandelionorthistlecup.)Hetoowassmall,andinclinedtobetimid,andHazelandFiverhadspentthegreaterpartoftheirlasteveninginthewarreninpersuadinghimto
jointhem.Pipkinhadagreedratherhesitantly.Hestillfeltextremelynervousaboutwhatmighthappenoncetheyleftthewarren,andhaddecidedthatthebestwaytoavoidtroublewouldbetokeepclosetoHazelanddoexactlywhathesaid.
ThethreewerestillintheditchwhenHazelheardamovementabove.Helookedupquickly.
"Who'sthere?"hesaid."Dandelion?"
"No,I'mHawkbit,"saidtherabbitwhowaspeeringovertheedge.Hejumpeddownamongthem,landingratherheavily."Doyourememberme,Hazel?Wewereinthesameburrowduringthesnowlastwinter.Dandeliontoldmeyouweregoingtoleavethewarrentonight.Ifyouare,I'llcome
withyou."
HazelcouldrecallHawkbit--aratherslow,stupidrabbitwhosecompanyforfivesnowbounddaysundergroundhadbeendistinctlytedious.Still,hethought,thiswasnotimetopickandchoose.AlthoughBigwigmightsucceedintalkingoveroneortwo,mostoftherabbitstheycouldexpecttojointhemwouldnot
comefromtheOwsla.Theywouldbeoutskirterswhoweregettingathintimeandwonderingwhattodoaboutit.HewasrunningoversomeoftheseinhismindwhenDandelionappeared.
"Thesoonerwe'reoffthebetter,Ireckon,"saidDandelion."Idon'tmuchlikethelookofthings.AfterI'dpersuadedHawkbitheretojoinus,Iwasjuststartingto
talktoafewmore,whenIfoundthatToadflaxfellowhadfollowedmedowntherun.'Iwanttoknowwhatyou'reupto,'hesaid,andIdon'tthinkhebelievedmewhenItoldhimIwasonlytryingtofindoutwhethertherewereanyrabbitswhowantedtoleavetheWarren.HeaskedmeifIwassureIwasn'tworkingupsomekindofplotagainsttheThrearahandhegotawfullyangryand
suspicious.Itputthewindupme,totellyouthetruth,soI'vejustbroughtHawkbitalongandleftitatthat."
"Idon'tblameyou,"saidHazel."KnowingToadflax,I'msurprisedhedidn'tknockyouoverfirstandaskquestionsafterward.Allthesame,let'swaitalittlelonger.Blackberryoughttobeheresoon."
Timepassed.Theycrouchedinsilencewhilethemoonshadowsmovednorthwardinthegrass.Atlast,justasHazelwasabouttorundowntheslopetoBlackberry'sburrow,hesawhimcomeoutofhishole,followedbynolessthanthreerabbits.Oneofthese,Buckthorn,Hazelknewwell.Hewasgladtoseehim,forheknewhimforatough,sturdyfellowwhowas
consideredcertaintogetintotheOwslaassoonashereachedfullweight.
"ButIdaresayhe'simpatient,"thoughtHazel,"orhemayhavecomeoffworstinsomescuffleoveradoeandtakenithard.Well,withhimandBigwig,atleastweshan'tbetoobadlyoffifwerunintoanyfighting."
Hedidnotrecognizethe
othertworabbitsandwhenBlackberrytoldhimtheirnames--SpeedwellandAcorn--hewasnonethewiser.Butthiswasnotsurprising,fortheyweretypicaloutskirters--thin-lookingsix-monthers,withthestrained,warylookofthosewhoareonlytoowellusedtothethinendofthestick.TheylookedcuriouslyatFiver.FromwhatBlackberryhadtoldthem,
theyhadbeenalmostexpectingtofindFiverforetellingdoominapoetictorrent.Instead,heseemedmorecalmandnormalthantherest.ThecertaintyofgoinghadliftedaweightfromFiver.
Moretimewentslowlyby.Blackberryscrambledupintothefernandthenreturnedtothetopofthebank,
fidgetingnervouslyandhalfinclinedtoboltatnothing.HazelandFiverremainedintheditch,nibblinghalfheartedlyatthedarkgrass.AtlastHazelheardwhathewaslisteningfor;arabbit--orwasittwo?--approachingfromthewood.
AfewmomentslaterBigwigwasintheditch.Behindhimcameahefty,brisk-lookingrabbit
somethingovertwelvemonthsold.Hewaswellknownbysighttoallthewarren,forhisfurwasentirelygray,withpatchesofnear-whitethatnowcaughtthemoonlightashesatscratchinghimselfwithoutspeaking.ThiswasSilver,anephewoftheThrearah,whowasservinghisfirstmonthintheOwsla.
Hazelcouldnothelp
feelingrelievedthatBigwighadbroughtonlySilver--aquiet,straightforwardfellowwhohadnotyetreallyfoundhisfeetamongtheveterans.WhenBigwighadspokenearlierofsoundingouttheOwsla,Hazelhadbeenintwominds.Itwasonlytoolikelythattheywouldencounterdangersbeyondthewarrenandthattheywouldstandinneedofsomegoodfighters.Again,ifFiverwasrightand
thewholewarrenwasinimminentperil,thenofcoursetheyoughttowelcomeanyrabbitwhowasreadytojointhem.Ontheotherhand,thereseemednopointintakingparticularpainstogetholdofrabbitswhoweregoingtobehavelikeToadflax.
"Whereverwesettledownintheend,"thoughtHazel,"I'mdeterminedtoseethat
PipkinandFiveraren'tsatonandcuffedarounduntilthey'rereadytorunanyriskjusttogetaway.ButisBigwiggoingtoseeitlikethat?"
"YouknowSilver,don'tyou?"askedBigwig,breakinginonhisthoughts."ApparentlysomeoftheyoungerfellowsintheOwslahavebeengivinghimathintime--teasinghimabouthis
fur,youknow,andsayingheonlygothisplacebecauseoftheThrearah.IthoughtIwasgoingtogetsomemore,butIsupposenearlyalltheOwslafeelthey'reverywelloffastheyare."
Helookedabouthim."Isay,therearen'tmanyhere,arethere?Doyouthinkit'sreallyworthgoingonwith
thisidea?"
Silverseemedabouttospeakwhensuddenlytherewasapatteringintheundergrowthaboveandthreemorerabbitscameoverthebankfromthewood.Theirmovementwasdirectandpurposeful,quiteunliketheearlier,haphazardapproachofthosewhowerenowgatheredintheditch.Thelargestofthethreenewcomerswasinfrontandtheothertwofollowedhim,
asthoughunderorders.Hazel,sensingatoncethattheyhadnothingincommonwithhimselfandhiscompanions,startedandsatuptensely.Fivermutteredinhisear,"Oh,Hazel,they'vecometo--"butbrokeoffshort.Bigwigturnedtowardthemandstared,hisnoseworkingrapidly.Thethreecamestraightuptohim."Thlayli?"saidtheleader.
"Youknowmeperfectlywell,"repliedBigwig,"andIknowyou,Holly.Whatdoyouwant?"
"You'reunderarrest."
"Underarrest?Whatdoyoumean?Whatfor?"
"Spreadingdissensionandincitingtomutiny.Silver,you'reunderarresttoo,forfailingtoreporttoToadflax
thiseveningandcausingyourdutytodevolveonacomrade.You'rebothtocomewithme."
ImmediatelyBigwigfelluponhim,scratchingandkicking.Hollyfoughtback.Hisfollowersclosedin,lookingforanopeningtojointhefightandpinBigwigdown.Suddenly,fromthetopofthebank,Buckthornflunghimselfheadlongintothe
scuffle,knockedoneoftheguardsflyingwithakickfromhisbacklegsandthenclosedwiththeother.HewasfollowedamomentlaterbyDandelion,wholandedfullontherabbitwhomBuckthornhadkicked.Bothguardsbrokeclear,lookedroundforamomentandthenleapedupthebankintothewood.HollystruggledfreeofBigwigandcrouchedonhishaunches,scufflinghisfront
pawsandgrowling,asrabbitswillwhenangry.HewasabouttospeakwhenHazelfacedhim.
"Go,"saidHazel,firmlyandquietly,"orwe'llkillyou."
"Doyouknowwhatthismeans?"repliedHolly."IamCaptainofOwsla.Youknowthat,don'tyou?"
"Go,"repeatedHazel,"oryouwillbekilled."
"Itisyouwhowillbekilled,"repliedHolly.Withoutanotherwordhe,too,wentbackupthebankandvanished
intothewood.
Dandelionwasbleedingfromtheshoulder.Helickedthewoundforafewmoments
andthenturnedtoHazel.
"Theywon'tbelongcomingback,youknow,Hazel,"hesaid."They'vegonetoturnouttheOwsla,andthen
we'llbeforitrightenough."
"Weoughttogoatonce,"saidFiver.
"Yes,thetime'scomenow,allright,"repliedHazel."Comeon,downtothestream.Thenwe'llfollowthebank--that'llhelpustokeeptogether."
"Ifyou'lltakemyadvice--"beganBigwig.
"IfwestayhereanylongerIshan'tbeableto,"answeredHazel.
WithFiverbesidehim,heledthewayoutoftheditchanddowntheslope.Inlessthanaminutethelittlebandofrabbitshaddisappearedintothedim,moonlitnight.
5.IntheWoods
Theseyoungrabbits...mustmoveoutiftheyaretosurvive.Inawildandfreestatethey...straysometimes
formiles...wanderinguntiltheyfindasuitableenvironment.
R.M.Lockley,ThePrivateLifeoftheRabbit
Itwasgettingontowardmoonsetwhentheyleftthefieldsandenteredthewood.Straggling,catchingupwithoneanother,keepingmoreorlesstogether,theyhadwanderedoverhalfamile
downthefields,alwaysfollowingthecourseofthebrook.AlthoughHazelguessedthattheymustnowhavegonefurtherfromthewarrenthananyrabbithehadevertalkedto,hewasnotsurewhethertheywereyetsafelyaway:anditwaswhilehewaswondering--notforthefirsttime--whetherhecouldhearsoundsofpursuitthathefirstnoticedthedarkmassesofthetreesandthe
brookdisappearingamongthem.
Rabbitsavoidclosewoodland,wherethegroundisshady,dampandgrasslessandtheyfeelmenacedbytheundergrowth.Hazeldidnotcareforthelookofthetrees.Still,hethought,Hollywouldnodoubtthinktwicebeforefollowingthemintoaplacelikethat,andtokeepbesidethebrookmightwellprove
saferthanwanderingaboutthefieldsinonedirectionandanother,withtheriskoffindingthemselves,intheend,backatthewarren.HedecidedtogostraightintothewoodwithoutconsultingBigwig,andtotrustthattherestwouldfollow.
"Ifwedon'trunintoanytroubleandthebrooktakesusthroughthewood,"hethought,"wereallyshallbe
clearofthewarrenandthenwecanlookforsomewheretorestforabit.Mostofthemstillseemtobemoreorlessallright,butFiverandPipkinwillhavehadasmuchastheycanstandbeforelong."
Fromthemomentheenteredit,thewoodseemedfullofnoises.Therewasasmellofdampleavesandmoss,
andeverywherethesplashofwaterwentwhisperingabout.Justinside,thebrookmadealittlefallintoapool,andthesound,enclosedamongthetrees,echoedasthoughinacave.Roostingbirdsrustledoverhead;thenightbreezestirredtheleaves;hereandthereadeadtwigfell.Andthereweremoresinister,unidentifiedsoundsfromfurtheraway;soundsofmovement.
Torabbits,everythingunknownisdangerous.Thefirstreactionistostartle,thesecondtobolt.Againandagain
theystartled,untiltheywereclosetoexhaustion.Butwhatdidthesesoundsmeanandwhere,inthiswilderness,
couldtheyboltto?
Therabbitscrept,closer
together.Theirprogressgrewslower.Beforelongtheylostthecourseofthebrook,slippingacrossthemoonlitpatchesasfugitivesandhaltinginthebusheswithraisedearsandstaringeyes.Themoonwaslownowandthelight,whereveritslantedthroughthetrees,seemedthicker,olderandmoreyellow.
Fromathickpileofdead
leavesbeneathahollytree,Hazellookeddownanarrowpathlinedoneithersidewithfernandsproutingfireweed.Thefernmovedslightlyinthebreeze,butalongthepaththerewasnothingtobeseenexceptascatteroflastyear'sfallenacornsunderanoak.Whatwasinthebracken?Whatlayroundthefurtherbend?Andwhatwouldhappentoarabbitwholefttheshelterofthehollytree
andrandownthepath?HeturnedtoDandelionbesidehim.
"You'dbetterwaithere,"hesaid."WhenIgettothebendI'llstamp.ButifIrunintotrouble,gettheothersaway."
Withoutwaitingforananswer,heranintotheopenanddownthepath.Afewsecondsbroughthimtothe
oak.Hepausedamoment,staringabouthim,andthenranontothebend.Beyond,thepathwasthesame--emptyinthedarkeningmoonlightandleadinggentlydownhillintothedeepshadowofagroveofilextrees.Hazelstamped,andafewmomentslaterDandelionwasbesidehiminthebracken.EveninthemidstofhisfearandstrainitoccurredtohimthatDandelionmustbeveryfast:
hehadcoveredthedistanceinaflash.
"Welldone,"whisperedDandelion."Runningourrisksforus,areyou--likeEl-ahrairah?"*
Hazelgavehimaquick,friendlyglance.Itwaswarmpraiseandcheeredhim.WhatRobinHoodistotheEnglishandJohnHenrytotheAmericanNegroes,Elil-
Hrair-Rah,orEl-ahrairah--ThePrincewithaThousandEnemies--istorabbits.UncleRemusmightwellhaveheardofhim,forsomeofEl-ahrairah'sadventuresarethoseofBrerRabbit.Forthatmatter,Odysseushimselfmighthaveborrowedatrickortwofromtherabbithero,forheisveryoldandwasneveratalossforatricktodeceivehisenemies.Once,sotheysay,hehadtogethome
byswimmingacrossariverinwhichtherewasalargeandhungrypike.El-ahrairahcombedhimselfuntilhehadenoughfurtocoveraclayrabbit,whichhepushedintothewater.Thepikerushedatit,bititandleftitindisgust.Afteralittle,itdriftedtothebankandEl-ahrairahdraggeditoutandwaitedawhilebeforepushingitinagain.Afteranhourofthis,thepikeleftitalone,andwhenithad
donesoforthefifthtime,El-ahrairahswamacrosshimselfandwenthome.Somerabbitssayhecontrolstheweather,becausethewind,thedampandthedewarefriendsandinstrumentstorabbitsagainsttheirenemies.
"Hazel,we'llhavetostophere,"saidBigwig,comingupbetweenthepanting,crouchingbodiesoftheothers."Iknowit'snotagood
place,butFiverandthisotherhalf-sizedfellowyou'vegothere--they'reprettywellallin.Theywon'tbeabletogoonifwedon'trest."
Thetruthwasthateveryoneofthemwastired.Manyrabbitsspendalltheirlivesinthesameplaceandneverrunmorethanahundredyardsatastretch.Eventhoughtheymayliveandsleepabovegroundformonthsatatime,
theyprefernottobeoutofdistanceofsomesortofrefugethatwillserveforahole.Theyhavetwonaturalgaits--thegentle,lollopingforwardmovementofthewarrenonasummereveningandthelightningdashforcoverthateveryhumanhasseenatsometimeorother.Itisdifficulttoimaginearabbitploddingsteadilyon:theyarenotbuiltforit.Itistruethatyoungrabbitsaregreat
migrantsandcapableofjourneyingformiles,buttheydonottaketoitreadily.
Hazelandhiscompanionshadspentthenightdoingeverythingthatcameunnaturallytothem,andthisforthefirsttime.Theyhadbeenmovinginagroup,ortryingto:actually,theyhadstraggledwidelyattimes.Theyhadbeentryingtomaintainasteadypace,
betweenhoppingandrunning,andithadcomehard.Sinceenteringthewoodtheyhadbeeninsevereanxiety.Severalwerealmosttharn--thatis,inthatstateofstaring,glazedparalysisthatcomesoverterrifiedorexhaustedrabbits,sothattheysitandwatchtheirenemies--weaselsorhumans--approachtotaketheirlives.Pipkinsattremblingunderafern,hisearsdroopingoneitherside
ofhishead.Heheldonepawforwardinanawkward,unnaturalwayandkeptlickingitmiserably.Fiverwaslittlebetteroff.Hestilllookedcheerful,butveryweary.Hazelrealizedthatuntiltheywererestedtheywouldallbesaferwheretheywerethanstumblingalongintheopenwithnostrengthlefttorunfromanenemy.Butiftheylaybrooding,unabletofeedorgounderground,all
theirtroubleswouldcomecrowdingintotheirhearts,theirfearswouldmountandtheymightverylikelyscatter,oreventrytoreturntothewarren.Hehadanidea.
"Yes,allright,we'llresthere,"hesaid,"Let'sgoinamongthisfern.Comeon,Dandelion,tellusastory.Iknowyou'rehandythatway.Pipkinherecan'twaittohearit."
DandelionlookedatPipkinandrealizedwhatitwasthatHazelwasaskinghimtodo.Chokingbackhisownfearofthedesolate,grasslesswoodland,thebefore-dawn-returningowlsthattheycouldhearsomewayoff,andtheextraordinary,rankanimalsmellthatseemedtocomefromsomewhererathernearer,hebegan.
*Thestressesarethesame
asinthephrase"Neversaydie."
6.TheStoryoftheBlessingofEl-
ahrairah
Whyshouldhethinkmecruel
Orthatheisbetrayed?
I'dhavehimlovethething
thatwas
Beforetheworldwasmade.
W.B.Yeats,AWomanYoungandOld
"Longago,Frithmadetheworld.Hemadeallthestars,too,andtheworldisoneofthestars.Hemadethembyscatteringhisdroppingsovertheskyandthisiswhythe
grassandthetreesgrowsothickontheworld.Frithmakestheriversflow.Theyfollowhimashegoesthroughthesky,andwhenheleavestheskytheylookforhimallnightFrithmadealltheanimalsandbirds,butwhenhefirstmadethemtheywereallthesame.Thesparrowandthekestrelwerefriendsandtheybothateseedsandflies.Andthefoxandtherabbitwerefriends
andtheybothategrass.Andtherewasplentyofgrassandplentyofflies,becausetheworldwasnewandFrithshonedownbrightandwarmallday.
"Now,El-ahrairahwasamongtheanimalsinthosedaysandhehadmanywives.Hehadsomanywivesthattherewasnocountingthem,andthewiveshadsomanyyoungthatevenFrithcould
notcountthem,andtheyatethegrassandthedandelionsandthelettucesandtheclover,andEl-ahrairahwasthefatherofthemall."(Bigwiggrowledappreciatively.)"Andafteratime,"wentonDandelion,"afteratimethegrassbegantogrowthinandtherabbitswanderedeverywhere,multiplyingandeatingastheywent.
"ThenFrithsaidtoEl-ahrairah,'PrinceRabbit,ifyoucannotcontrolyourpeople,Ishallfindwaystocontrolthem.SomarkwhatIsay.'ButEl-ahrairahwouldnotlistenandhesaidtoFrith,'Mypeoplearethestrongestintheworld,fortheybreedfasterandeatmorethananyoftheotherpeople.AndthisshowshowmuchtheyloveLordFrith,forofalltheanimalstheyarethemost
responsivetohiswarmthandbrightness.Youmustrealize,mylord,howimportanttheyareandnothinderthemintheirbeautifullives.'
"FrithcouldhavekilledEl-ahrairahatonce,buthehadamindtokeephimintheworld,becauseheneededhimtosportandjestandplaytricks.Sohedeterminedtogetthebetterofhim,notbymeansofhisowngreatpower
butbymeansofatrick.Hegaveoutthathewouldholdagreatmeetingandthatatthatmeetinghewouidgiveapresenttoeveryanimalandbird,tomakeeachonedifferentfromtherest.Andallthecreaturessetouttogotothemeetingplace.Buttheyallarrivedatdifferenttimes,becauseFrithmadesurethatitwouldhappenso.Andwhentheblackbirdcame,hegavehimhisbeautifulsong,
andwhenthecowcame,hegavehersharphornsandthestrengthtobeafraidofnoothercreature.Andsointheirturncamethefoxandthestoatandtheweasel.AndtoeachofthemFrithgavethecunningandthefiercenessandthedesiretohuntandslayandeatthechildrenofEl-ahrairah.AndsotheywentawayfromFrithfullofnothingbuthungertokilltherabbits.
"Now,allthistimeEl-ahrairahwasdancingandmatingandboastingthathewasgoingtoFrith'smeetingtoreceiveagreatgift.Andatlasthesetoutforthemeetingplace.Butashewasgoingthere,hestoppedtorestonasoft,sandyhillside.Andwhilehewasresting,overthehillcameflyingthedarkswift,screamingashewent,'News!News!News!'Foryouknow,thisiswhathehassaid
eversincethatday.SoEl-ahrairahcalleduptohimandsaid,'Whatnews?''Why,'saidtheswift,'Iwouldnotbeyou,El-ahrairah.ForFrithhasgiventhefoxandtheweaselcunningheartsandsharpteeth,andtothecathehasgivensilentfeetandeyesthatcanseeinthedark,andtheyaregoneawayfromFrith'splacetokillanddevourallthatbelongstoEl-ahrairah.'Andhedashedonoverthe
hills.AndatthatmomentEl-ahrairahheardthevoiceofFrithcalling,'WhereisEl-ahrairah?ForalltheothershavetakentheirgiftsandgoneandIhavecometolookforhim.'
"ThenEl-ahrairahknewthatFrithwastoocleverforhimandhewasfrightened.HethoughtthatthefoxandtheweaselwerecomingwithFrithandheturnedtotheface
ofthehillandbegantodig.Hedugahole,buthehaddugonlyalittleofitwhenFrithcameoverthehillalone.AndhesawEl-ahrairah'sbottomstickingoutoftheholeandthesandflyingoutinshowersasthediggingwenton.Whenhesawthat,hecalledout,'Myfriend,haveyouseenEl-ahrairah,forIamlookingforhimtogivehimmygift?''No,'answeredEl-ahrairah,withoutcomingout,'Ihave
notseenhim.Heisfaraway.Hecouldnotcome.'SoFrithsaid,'ThencomeoutofthatholeandIwillblessyouinsteadofhim.''No,Icannot,'saidEl-ahrairah,'Iambusy.Thefoxandtheweaselarecoming.Ifyouwanttoblessmeyoucanblessmybottom,foritisstickingoutofthehole.'"
Alltherabbitshadheardthestorybefore:onwinter
nights,whenthecolddraftmoveddownthewarrenpassagesandtheicywetlayinthepitsoftherunsbelowtheirburrows;andonsummerevenings,inthegrassundertheredmayandthesweet,carrion-scentedelderbloom.Dandelionwastellingitwell,andevenPipkinforgothiswearinessanddangerandrememberedinsteadthegreatindestructibilityoftherabbits.Eachoneofthemsaw
himselfasEl-ahrairah,whocouldbeimpudenttoFrithandgetawaywithit.
"Then,"saidDandelion,"FrithfelthimselfinfriendshipwithEl-ahrairah,whowouldnotgiveupevenwhenhethoughtthefoxandtheweaselwerecoming.Andhesaid,'Verywell,Iwillblessyourbottomasitsticksoutofthehole.Bottom,bestrengthandwarningand
speedforeverandsavethelifeofyourmaster.Beitso!'Andashespoke,El-ahrairah'stailgrewshiningwhiteandflashedlikeastar:andhisbacklegsgrewlongandpowerfulandhethumpedthehillsideuntiltheverybeetlesfelloffthethegrassstems.Hecameoutoftheholeandtoreacrossthehillfasterthananycreatureintheworld.AndFrithcalledafterhim,'El-ahrairah,yourpeople
cannotruletheworld,forIwillnothaveitso.Alltheworldwillbeyourenemy,PrincewithaThousandEnemies,andwhenevertheycatchyou,theywillkillyou.Butfirsttheymustcatchyou,digger,listener,runner,princewiththeswiftwarning.Becunningandfulloftricksandyourpeopleshallneverbedestroyed.'AndEl-ahrairahknewthenthatalthoughhewouldnotbe
mocked,yetFrithwashisfriend.Andeveryevening,whenFrithhasdonehisday'sworkandliescalmandeasyintheredsky,El-ahrairahandhischildrenandhischildren'schildrencomeoutoftheirholesandfeedandplayinhissight,fortheyarehisfriendsandhehaspromisedthemthattheycanneverbedestroyed."
7.TheLendriandtheRiver
Quantaucouragemoral,ilavaittrouvéfortrare,disait-ilceluidedeuxheuresaprèsminuit;c'est-à-direlecouragedel'improviste.
NapoleonBonaparte
AsDandelionended,Acorn,whowasonthe
windwardsideofthelittlegroup,suddenlystartedandsatback,withearsupandnostrilstwitching.Thestrange,ranksmellwasstrongerthaneverandafterafewmomentstheyallheardaheavymovementcloseby.Suddenly,ontheothersideofthepath,thefernpartedandtherelookedoutalong,dog-likehead,stripedblackandwhite.Itwaspointeddownward,thejawsgrinning,
themuzzleclosetotheground.Behind,theycouldjustdiscerngreat,powerfulpawsandashaggyblackbody.Theeyeswerepeeringatthem,fullofsavagecunning.Theheadmovedslowly,takingintheduskylengthsofthewoodrideinbothdirections,andthenfixedthemoncemorewithitsfierce,terriblestare.Thejawsopenedwiderandtheycouldseetheteeth,glimmering
whiteasthestripesalongthehead.Forlongmomentsitgazedandtherabbitsremainedmotionless,staringbackwithoutasound.ThenBigwig,whowasnearesttothepath,turnedandslippedbackamongtheothers.
"Alendri,"hemutteredashepassedthroughthem."Itmaybedangerousanditmaynot,butI'mtakingnochanceswithit.Let'sgetaway."
Theyfollowedhimthroughthefernandverysooncameuponanother,parallelpath.Bigwigturnedintoitandbrokeintoarun.Dandelionovertookhimandthetwodisappearedamongtheilextrees.Hazelandtheothersfollowedasbesttheycould,withPipkinlimpingandstaggeringbehind,hisfeardrivinghimoninspiteofthepaininhispaw.
Hazelcameoutonthefurthersideoftheilexesandfollowedthepathroundabend.Thenhestoppeddeadandsatbackonhishaunches.Immediatelyinfrontofhim,BigwigandDandelionwerestaringoutfromthesheeredgeofahighbank,andbelowthebankranastream.ItwasinfactthelittleriverEnborne,twelvetofifteenfeetwideandatthistimeofyeartwoorthreefeetdeep
withspringrain,buttotherabbitsitseemedimmense,suchariverastheyhadneverimagined.Themoonhadalmostsetandthenightwasnowdark,buttheycouldseethewaterfaintlyshiningasitflowedandcouldjustmakeout,onthefurtherside,athinbeltofnuttreesandalders.Somewherebeyond,aplovercalledthreeorfourtimesandwassilent.
Onebyone,mostoftheotherscameup,stoppedatthebankandlookedatthewaterwithoutspeaking.Achillybreezewasmovingandseveralofthemtrembledwheretheysat.
"Well,thisisanicesurprise,Hazel,"saidBigwigatlength."Orwereyouexpectingthiswhenyoutookusintothewood?"
HazelrealizedwearilythatBigwigwasprobablygoingtobetroublesome.Hewascertainlynocoward,buthewaslikelytoremainsteadyonlyaslongashecouldseehiswayclearandbesureofwhattodo.Tohim,perplexitywasworsethandanger;andwhenhewasperplexedheusuallygrewangry.Thedaybefore,Fiver'swarninghadtroubledhim,andhehadspokeninangerto
theThrearahandlefttheOwsla.Then,whilehewasinanuncertainmoodabouttheideaofleavingthewarren,CaptainHollyhadappearedincapitaltimetobeattackedandtoprovideaperfectreasonfortheirdeparture.Now,atthesightoftheriver,Bigwig'sassurancewasleakingagainandunlesshe,Hazel,couldrestoreitinsomeway,theywerelikelytobeinfortrouble.Hethought
oftheThrearahandhiswilycourtesy.
"Idon'tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithoutyoujustnow,Bigwig,"hesaid."Whatwasthatanimal?Wouldithavekilledus?"
"Alendri,"saidBigwig."I'veheardaboutthemintheOwsla.They'renotreallydangerous.Theycan'tcatcharabbitthatruns,andnearly
alwaysyoucansmellthemcoming.They'refunnythings:I'veheardofrabbitslivingalmostontopofthemandcomingtonoharm.Butthey'rebestavoided,allthesame.They'lldigoutrabbitkittensandthey'llkillaninjuredrabbitiftheyfindone.They'reoneoftheThousand,allright.Ioughttohaveguessedfromthesmell,butitwasnewtome."
"Ithadkilledbeforeitmetus,"saidBlackberrywithashudder."Isawthebloodonitslips."
"Arat,perhaps,orpheasantchicks.Luckyforusithadkilled,otherwiseitmighthavebeenquicker.Still,fortunatelywedidtherightthing.Wereallycameoutofitverywell,"saidBigwig.
FivercamelimpingdownthepathwithPipkin.They,too,checkedandstaredatthesightoftheriver.
"Whatdoyouthinkweoughttodonow,Fiver?"askedHazel.
Fiverlookeddownatthewaterandtwitchedhisears.
"Weshallhavetocrossit,"hesaid."ButIdon'tthinkI
canswim,Hazel.I'mwornout,andPipkin'sagooddealworsethanIam."
"Crossit?"criedBigwig."Crossit?Who'sgoingtocrossit?Whatdoyouwanttocrossitfor?Ineverheardsuch
nonsense."
Likeallwildanimals,rabbitscanswimiftheyhave
to:andsomeevenswimwhenitsuitsthem.Rabbitshavebeenknowntoliveontheedgeofawoodandregularlyswimabrooktofeedinthefieldsbeyond.Butmostrabbitsavoidswimming,andcertainlyanexhaustedrabbitcouldnotswimtheEnborne.
"Idon'twanttojumpinthere,"saidSpeedwell.
"Whynotjustgoalongthe
bank?"askedHawkbit.
HazelsuspectedthatifFiverfelttheyoughttocrosstheriver,itmightbedangerousnotto.Buthowweretheotherstobepersuaded?Atthismoment,ashewasstillwonderingwhattosaytothem,hesuddenlyrealizedthat
somethinghadlightenedhisspirits.Whatcoulditbe?
Asmell?Asound?Thenheknew.Nearby,acrosstheriver,alarkhadbeguntotwitterandclimb.Itwasmorning.Ablackbirdcalledoneortwodeep,slownotesandwasfollowedbyawoodpigeon.Soontheywereinagraytwilightandcouldseethatthestreamborderedthefurtheredgeofthewood.Ontheothersidelayopenfields.
8.TheCrossing
Thecenturion...commandedthattheywhichcouldswimshouldcastthemselvesfirstintotheseaandgettoland.Andtherest,someonboardsandsomeonbrokenpiecesoftheship.Andsoitcametopass,thattheyescapedallsafetoland.
TheActsoftheApostles,
Chapter27
Thetopofthesandybankwasagoodsixfeetabovethewater.Fromwheretheysat,therabbitscouldlookstraightaheadupstream,anddownstreamtotheirleft.Evidentlytherewerenestingholesinthesheerfacebelowthem,forasthelightgrewtheysawthreeorfourmartinsdartoutoverthestreamandawayintothefieldsbeyond.
Inashorttimeonereturnedwithhisbeakfull,andtheycouldhearthenestlingssqueakingasheflewoutofsightbeneaththeirfeet.Thebankdidnotextendfarineitherdirection.Upstream,itslopeddowntoagrassypathbetweenthetreesandthewater.Thisfollowedthelineoftheriver,whichranstraightfromalmostasfarawayastheycouldsee,flowingsmoothlywithout
fords,gravelshallowsorplankbridges.Immediatelybelowthemlayawidepoolandherethewaterwasalmoststill.Awaytotheirleft,thebankslopeddownagainintoclumpsofalder,amongwhichthestreamcouldbeheardchatteringovergravel.Therewasaglimpseofbarbedwirestretchedacrossthewaterandtheyguessedthatthismustsurroundacattlewade,liketheonein
thelittlebrooknearthehomewarren.
Hazellookedatthepathupstream."There'sgrassdownthere,"hesaid."Let'sgoandfeed."
Theyscrambleddownthebankandsettonibblingbesidethewater.Betweenthemandthestreamitselfstoodhalf-grownclumpsofpurpleloosestrifeand
fleabane,whichwouldnotflowerfornearlytwomonthsyet.Theonlybloomswereafewearlymeadowsweetandapatchofpinkbutterbur.Lookingbackatthefaceofthebank,theycouldseethatitwasinfactdottedthicklywithmartins'holes.Therewasanarrowforeshoreatthefootofthelittlecliffandthiswaslitteredwiththerubbishofthecolony--sticks,droppings,feathers,abroken
eggandadeadnestlingortwo.Themartinswerenowcomingandgoinginnumbersoverthewater.
HazelmovedclosetoFiverandquietlyedgedhimawayfromtheothers,feedingashewent.Whentheywerealittlewayoff,andhalfconcealedbyapatchofreeds,hesaid,"Areyousurewe'vegottocrosstheriver,Fiver?Whataboutgoingalongthebank
onewayortheother?"
"No,weneedtocrosstheriver,Hazel,sothatwecangetintothosefields--andonbeyondthemtoo.Iknowwhatweoughttobelookingfor--ahigh,lonelyplacewithdrysoil,whererabbitscanseeandhearallroundandmenhardlyevercome.Wouldn'tthatbeworthajourney?"
"Yes,ofcourseitwould.Butistheresuchaplace?"
"Notnearariver--Ineedn'ttellyouthat.Butifyoucrossariveryoustartgoingupagain,don'tyou?Weoughttobeonthetop--onthetopandintheopen."
"But,Fiver,Ithinktheymayrefusetogomuchfurther.Andthenagain,yousayallthisandyetyousay
you'retootiredtoswim?"
"Icanrest,Hazel,butPipkin'sinaprettybadway.Ithinkhe'sinjured.Wemayhavetostayherehalftheday."
"Well,let'sgoandtalktotheothers.Theymaynotmindstaying.It'scrossingthey'renotgoingtofancy,unlesssomethingfrightensthemintoit."
Assoonastheyhadmadetheirwayback,Bigwigcameacrosstothemfromthebushesattheedgeofthepath.
"Iwaswonderingwhereyou'dgotto,"hesaidtoHazel."Areyoureadytomoveon?"
"No,I'mnot,"answeredHazelfirmly."Ithinkweoughttostayhereuntilni-Frith.That'llgiveeveryonea
chancetorestandthenwecanswimacrosstothosefields."
Bigwigwasabouttoreply,butBlackberryspokefirst.
"Bigwig,"hesaid,"whydon'tyouswimovernow,andthengooutintothefieldandhavealookround?Thewoodmaynotstretchveryfaronewayortheother.Youcouldseefromthere;andthenwe
mightknowwhichwouldbethebestwaytogo."
"Oh,well,"saidBigwigrathergrudgingly,"Isupposethere'ssomesenseinthat.I'llswimtheembleer*riverasmanytimesasyoulike.Alwaysgladtooblige."
Withouttheslightesthesitation,hetooktwohopstothewater,wadedinandswamacrossthedeep,still
pool.Theywatchedhimpullhimselfoutbesideafloweringclumpoffigwort,grippingoneofthetoughstemsinhisteeth,shakeashowerofdropsoutofhisfurandscutterintothealderbushes.Amomentlater,betweenthenuttrees,theysawhimrunningoffintothefield.
"I'mgladhe'swithus,"saidHazeltoSilver.Againhe
thoughtwrylyoftheThrearah."He'sthefellowtofindoutallweneedtoknow.Oh,Isay,look,he'scomingbackalready."
Bigwigwasracingbackacrossthefield,lookingmoreagitatedthanhehadatanytimesincetheencounterwithCaptainHolly.Heranintothewateralmostheadlongandpaddledoverfast,leavinganarrowheadrippleonthe
calmbrownsurface.Hewasspeakingashejerkedhimselfoutonthesandyforeshore.
"Well,Hazel,ifIwereyouIshouldn'twaituntilni-Frith.Ishouldgonow.Infact,Ithinkyou'llhaveto."
"Why?"askedHazel.
"There'salargedoglooseinthewood."
Hazelstarted."What?"hesaid."Howdoyouknow?"
"Whenyougetintothefieldyoucanseethewoodslopingdowntotheriver.Partsofitareopen.Isawthedogcrossingaclearing.Itwastrailingachain,soitmusthavebrokenloose.Itmaybeonthelendri'sscent,butthelendriwillbeundergroundbynow.Whatdoyouthinkwillhappen
whenitpicksupourscent,runningfromonesideofthewoodtotheother,withdewonit?Comeon,let'sgetoverquickly,"
Hazelfeltataloss.InfrontofhimstoodBigwig,soddenwet,undaunted,single-minded--theverypictureofdecision.AthisshoulderwasFiver,silentandtwitching.HesawBlackberrywatchinghimintently,waitingforhis
leadanddisregardingBigwig's.ThenhelookedatPipkin,huddledintoafoldofsand,morepanic-strickenandhelplessthananyrabbithehadeverseen.Atthismoment,upinthewood,therebrokeoutanexcitedyelpingandajaybegantoscold.
Hazelspokethroughakindoflight-headedtrance."Well,you'dbettergeton,then,"he
said,"andanyoneelsewhowantsto.Personally,I'mgoingtowaituntilFiverandPipkinarefittotackleit."
"Yousillyblockhead!"criedBigwig."We'llallbefinished!We'll--"
"Don'tstampabout,"saidHazel,"Youmaybeheard.Whatdoyousuggest,then?"
"Suggest?There'sno
suggestingtobedone.Thosewhocanswim,swim.Theotherswillhavetostayhereandhopeforthebest.Thedogmaynotcome."
"I'mafraidthatwon'tdoforme.IgotPipkinintothisandI'mgoingtogethimout."
"Well,youdidn'tgetFiverintoit,didyou?Hegotyouintoit."
Hazelcouldnothelpnoticing,withreluctantadmiration,thatalthoughBigwighadlosthistemper,hewasapparentlyinnohurryonhisownaccountandseemedlessfrightenedthananyofthem.LookingroundforBlackberry,hesawthathehadleftthemandwasupatthetopofthepool,wherethenarrowbeachtailedawayintoagravelspit.Hispawswerehalfburiedinthewetgravel
andhewasnosingatsomethinglargeandflatonthewaterline.Itlookedlikeapieceofwood.
"Blackberry,"hesaid,"canyoucomebackhereamoment?"
Blackberrylookedup,tuggedouthispawsandranback.
"Hazel,"hesaidquickly,
"that'sapieceofflatwood--likethatpiecethatclosedthegapbytheGreenLooseabovethewarren--youremember?Itmusthavedrifteddowntheriver.Soitfloats.WecouldputFiverandPipkinonitandmakeitfloatagain.Itmightgoacrosstheriver.Canyouunderstand?"
Hazelhadnoideawhathemeant.Blackberry'sfloodof
apparentnonsenseonlyseemedtodrawtighterthemeshofdangerandbewilderment.AsthoughBigwig'sangryimpatience,Pipkin'sterrorandtheapproachingdogwerenotenoughtocontendwith,thecleverestrabbitamongthemhadevidentlygoneoutofhismind.Hefeltclosetodespair.
"Frithrah,yes,Isee!"saidanexcitedvoiceathisear.It
wasFiver."Quick,Hazel,don'twait!Comeon,andbringPipkin!"
ItwasBlackberrywhobulliedthestupefiedPipkintohisfeetandforcedhimtolimpthefewyardstothegravelspit.Thepieceofwood,hardlybiggerthanalargerhubarbleaf,waslightlyaground.BlackberryalmostdrovePipkinontoitwithhisclaws.Pipkincrouched
shiveringandFiverfollowedhimaboard.
"Who'sstrong?"saidBlackberry."Bigwig!Silver!Pushitout!"
Nooneobeyedhim.Allsquatted,puzzledanduncertain.Blackberryburiedhisnoseinthegravelunderthelandwardedgeoftheboardandraisedit,pushing.Theboardtipped.Pipkin
squealedandFiverloweredhisheadandsplayedhisclaws.Thentheboardrighteditselfanddriftedoutafewfeetintothepoolwiththetworabbitshuncheduponit,rigidandmotionless.Itrotatedslowlyandtheyfoundthemselvesstaringbackattheircomrades.
"FrithandInlé!"saidDandelion."They'resittingonthewater!Whydon'tthey
sink?"
"They'resittingonthewoodandthewoodfloats,can'tyousee?"saidBlackberry."Nowweswimoverourselves.Canwestart,Hazel?"
DuringthelastfewminutesHazelhadbeenasneartolosinghisheadashewasevertocome.Hehadbeenathiswits'end,withno
replytoBigwig'sscornfulimpatienceexcepthisreadinesstoriskhisownlifeincompanywithFiverandPipkin.Hestillcouldnotunderstandwhathadhappened,butatleastherealizedthatBlackberrywantedhimtoshowauthority.Hisheadcleared.
"Swim,"hesaid."Everybodyswim."
Hewatchedthemastheywentin.Dandelionswamaswellasheran,swiftlyandeasily.Silver,too,wasstrong.Theotherspaddledandscrambledoversomehow,andastheybegantoreachtheotherside,Hazelplunged.Thecoldwaterpenetratedhisfuralmostatonce.Hisbreathcameshortandashisheadwentunderhecouldhearafaintgratingofgravelalongthebottom.Hepaddled
acrossawkwardly,hisheadtiltedhighoutofthewater,andmadeforthefigwort.Ashepulledhimselfout,helookedroundamongthesoppingrabbitsinthealders.
"Where'sBigwig?"heasked.
"Behindyou,"answeredBlackberry,histeethchattering.
Bigwigwasstillinthewater,ontheothersideofthepool.Hehadswumtotheraft,puthisheadagainstitandwaspushingitforwardwithheavythrustsofhisbacklegs."Keepstill,"Hazelheardhimsayinaquick,gulpingvoice.Thenhesank.Butamomentlaterhewasupagainandhadthrusthisheadoverthebackoftheboard.Ashekickedandstruggled,ittiltedandthen,whiletherabbits
watchedfromthebank,movedslowlyacrossthepoolandgroundedontheoppositeside.FiverpushedPipkinontothestonesandBigwigwadedoutbesidethem,shiveringandbreathless.
"IgottheideaonceBlackberryhadshownus,"hesaid."Butit'shardtopushitwhenyou'reinthewater.Ihopeit'snotlongtosunrise.I'mcold.Let'sgeton."
Therewasnosignofthedogastheymadehastethroughthealdersandupthefieldtothefirsthedgerow.MostofthemhadnotunderstoodBlackberry'sdiscoveryoftheraftandatonceforgotit.Fiver,however,cameovertowhereBlackberrywaslyingagainstthestemofablackthorninthehedge.
"YousavedPipkinandme,
didn'tyou?"hesaid."Idon'tthinkPipkin'sgotanyideawhatreallyhappened;butIhave."
"Iadmititwasagoodidea,"repliedBlackberry."Let'srememberit.Itmightcomeinhandyagainsometime."
*Stinking--thewordforthesmellofafox.
9.TheCrowandtheBeanfield
Withthebeanflower'sboon,
Andtheblackbird'stune,
AndMay,andJune!
RobertBrowning,DeGustibus
Thesunrosewhilethey
werestilllyinginthethorn.Alreadyseveraloftherabbitswereasleep,croucheduneasilybetweenthethickstems,awareofthechanceofdangerbuttootiredtodomorethantrusttoluck.Hazel,lookingatthem,feltalmostasinsecureashehadontheriverbank.Ahedgerowinopenfieldswasnoplacetoremainallday.Butwherecouldtheygo?Heneededtoknowmoreabouttheir
surroundings.Hemovedalongthehedge,feelingthebreezefromthesouthandlookingforsomespotwherehecouldsitandscentitwithouttoomuchrisk.Thesmellsthatcamedownfromthehighergroundmighttellhimsomething.
Hecametoawidegapwhichhadbeentroddenintomudbycattle.Hecouldseethemgrazinginthenextfield,
furtheruptheslope.Hewentcautiouslyoutintothefield,squatteddownagainstaclumpofthistlesandbegantosmellthewind.Nowthathewasclearofthehawthornscentofthehedgeandthereekofcattledung,hebecamefullyawareofwhathadalreadybeendriftingintohisnostrilswhilehewaslyingamongthethorn.Therewasonlyonesmellonthewindanditwasnewtohim:a
strong,fresh,sweetfragrancethatfilledtheair.Itwashealthyenough.Therewasnoharminit.Butwhatwasitandwhywasitsostrong?Howcoulditexcludeeveryothersmell,inopencountryonasouthwind?Thesourcemustbecloseby.Hazelwonderedwhethertosendoneoftherabbitstofindout.Dandelionwouldbeoverthetopandbackalmostasfastasahare.Thenhissenseof
adventureandmischiefpromptedhim.Hewouldgohimselfandbringbacksomenewsbeforetheyevenknewthathehadgone.ThatwouldgiveBigwigsomethingtobiteon.
Heraneasilyupthemeadowtowardthecows.Ashecametheyraisedtheirheadsandgazedathim,alltogether,foramoment,beforereturningtotheir
feeding.Agreatblackbirdwasflappingandhoppingalittlewaybehindtheherd.Itlookedratherlikealargerook,but,unlikearook,itwasalone.Hewatcheditsgreenish,powerfulbeakstabbingtheground,butcouldnotmakeoutwhatitwasdoing.ItsohappenedthatHazelhadneverseenacrow.Itdidnotoccurtohimthatitwasfollowingthetrackofamole,inthehopeof
killingitwithablowofitsbeakandthenpullingitoutofitsshallowrun.Ifhehadrealizedthis,hemightnothaveclasseditlight-heartedlyasa"Not-hawk"--thatis,anythingfromawrentoapheasant--andcontinuedonhiswayuptheslope.
Thestrangefragrancewasstrongernow,comingoverthetopoftheriseinawaveofscentthatstruckhim
powerfully--asthescentoforangeblossomintheMediterraneanstrikesatravelerwhosmellsitforthefirsttime.Fascinated,herantothecrest.Nearbywasanotherhedgerowandbeyond,movinggentlyinthebreeze,stoodafieldofbroadbeansinfullflower.
Hazelsquattedonhishaunchesandstaredattheorderlyforestofsmall,
glaucoustreeswiththeircolumnsofblack-and-whitebloom.Hehadneverseenanythinglikethis.Wheatandbarleyheknew,andoncehehadbeeninafieldofturnips.Butthiswasentirelydifferentfromanyofthoseandseemed,somehow,attractive,wholesome,propitious.True,rabbitscouldnoteattheseplants:hecouldsmellthat.Buttheycouldliesafelyamongthemforaslongas
theyliked,andtheycouldmovethroughthemeasilyandunseen.Hazeldeterminedthenandtheretobringtherabbitsuptothebeanfieldtoshelterandrestuntiltheevening.Heranbackandfoundtheotherswherehehadleftthem.BigwigandSilverwereawake,butalltherestwerestillnappinguneasily.
"Notasleep,Silver?"hesaid.
"It'stoodangerous,Hazel,"repliedSilver."I'dliketosleepasmuchasanyone,butifweallsleepandsomethingcomes,who'sgoingtospotit?"
"Iknow.I'vefoundaplacewherewecansleepsafelyforaslongaswelike."
"Aburrow?"
"No,notaburrow.Agreat
fieldofscentedplantsthatwillcoverus,sightandsmell,untilwe'rerested.Comeouthereandsmellit,ifyoulike."
Bothrabbitsdidso."Yousayyou'veseentheseplants?"saidBigwig,turninghisearstocatchthedistantrustlingofthebeans."
"Yes,they'reonlyjustoverthetop.Comeon,let'sgettheothersmovingbeforeaman
comeswithahrududu*orthey'llscatterallovertheplace."
Silverrousedtheothersandbegantocoaxthemintothefield.Theystumbledoutdrowsily,respondingwithreluctancetohisrepeatedassurancethatitwas"onlyalittleway."
Theybecamewidelyseparatedastheystraggledup
theslope.SilverandBigwigledtheway,withHazelandBuckthornashortdistancebehind.Therestidledalong,hoppingafewyardsandthenpausingtonibbleortopassdroppingsonthewarm,sunnygrass.Silverwasalmostatthecrestwhensuddenly,fromhalfwayup,therecameahighscreaming--thesoundarabbitmakes,nottocallforhelportofrightenanenemy,butsimplyoutof
terror.FiverandPipkin,limpingbehindtheothers,andconspicuouslyundersizedandtired,werebeingattackedbythecrow.Ithadflownlowalongtheground.Then,pouncing,ithadaimedablowofitsgreatbillatFiver,whojustmanagedtododgeintime.Nowitwasleapingandhoppingamongthegrasstussocks,strikingatthetworabbitswithterribledartsofitshead.Crowsaimatthe
eyesandPipkin,sensingthis,hadburiedhisheadinaclumpofrankgrassandwastryingtoburrowfurtherin.Itwashewhowasscreaming.
Hazelcoveredthedistancedowntheslopeinafewseconds.Hehadnoideawhathewasgoingtodo,andifthecrowhadignoredhimhewouldprobablyhavebeenataloss.Butbydashinguphedistracteditsattentionandit
turnedonhim.Heswervedpastit,stoppedand,lookingback,sawBigwigcomeracinginfromtheoppositeside.Thecrowturnedagain,struckatBigwigandmissed.Hazelhearditsbeakhitapebbleinthegrasswithasoundlikeasnailshellwhenathrushbeatsitonastone.AsSilverfollowedBigwig,itrecovereditselfandfacedhimsquarely.Silverstoppedshortinfearandthecrow
seemedtodancebeforehim,itsgreatblackwingsflappinginahorriblecommotion.ItwasjustabouttostabwhenBigwigranstraightintoitfrombehindandknockeditsideways,sothatitstaggeredacrosstheturfwithaharsh,raucouscawingofrage.
"Keepatit!"criedBigwig."Comeinbehindit!They'recowards!Theyonlyattackhelplessrabbits."
Butalreadythecrowwasmakingoff,flyinglowwithslow,heavywingbeats.Theywatcheditclearthefurtherhedgeanddisappearintothewoodbeyondtheriver.Inthesilencetherewasagentle,tearingsoundasagrazingcowmovednearer.
BigwigstrolledovertoPipkin,mutteringaribaldOwslalampoon.
"Hoi,hoiuembleerHrair,
M'saionuléhrakavair."*
"Comeon,Hlao-roo,"hesaid."Youcangetyourheadoutnow.Havingquiteaday,aren'twe?"
HeturnedawayandPipkintriedtofollowhim.HazelrememberedthatFiverhadsaidhethoughthewasinjured.Now,ashewatched
himlimpingandstaggeringuptheslope,itoccurredtohimthathemightactuallybewoundedinsomeway.Hekepttryingtoputhisnear-sidefrontpawtothegroundandthendrawingitupagain,hoppingonthreelegs.
"I'llhavealookathimassoonasthey'resettledundercover,"hethought."Poorlittlechap,hewon'tbeabletogetmuchfurtherlikethat."
AtthetopoftheslopeBuckthornwasalreadyleadingthewayintothebeanfield.Hazelreachedthehedge,crossedanarrowturfvergeontheothersideandfoundhimselflookingstraightdownalong,shadowyaislebetweentworowsofbeans.Theearthwassoftandcrumbling,withascatteringoftheweedsthatarefoundincultivatedfields--fumitory,charlock,
pimpernelandmayweed,allgrowinginthegreengloomunderthebeanleaves.Astheplantsmovedinthebreeze,thesunlightdappledandspeckledbackandforthoverthebrownsoil,thewhitepebblesandweeds.Yetinthisubiquitousrestlessnesstherewasnothingalarming,forthewholeforesttookpartinitandtheonlysoundwasthesoft,steadymovementoftheleaves.Faralongthebean
rowHazelglimpsedBuckthorn'sbackandfollowedhimintothedepthsofthefield.
Soonafter,alltherabbitshadcometogetherinakindofhollow.Fararound,onallsides,stoodtheorderlyrowsofbeans,securingthemagainsthostileapproach,roofingthemoverandcoveringtheirscent.Theycouldhardlyhavebeensafer
underground.Evenalittlefoodcouldbehadatapinch,forhereandtherewereafewpaletwistsofgrassandhereandthereadandelion.
"Wecansleephereallday,"saidHazel."ButIsupposeoneofusoughttostayawake;andifItakethefirstturnit'llgivemeachancetohavealookatyourpaw,Hlao-roo.Ithinkyou'vegotsomethinginit."
Pipkin,whowaslyingonhisleftside,breathingquicklyandheavily,rolledoverandstretchedouthisfrontpaw,undersideturnedupward.Hazelpeeredcloselyintothethick,coarsehair(arabbit'sfoothasnopads)andafterafewmomentssawwhathehadexpected--theovalshankofasnapped-offthornstickingoutthroughtheskin.Therewasalittlebloodandthefleshwastorn.
"You'vegotabigthorninthere,Hlao,"hesaid."Nowonderyoucouldn'trun.We'llhavetogetitout."
Gettingthethornoutwasnoteasy,forthefoothadbecomesotenderthatPipkinwincedandpulledawayevenfromHazel'stongue.ButafteragooddealofpatienteffortHazelsucceededinworkingoutenoughofthestumptogetagripwithhisteeth.The
thorncameoutsmoothlyandthewoundbled.ThespinewassolongandthickthatHawkbit,whohappenedtobecloseby,wokeSpeedwelltohavealookatit.
"Frithabove,Pipkin!"saidSpeedwell,sniffingatthethornwhereitlayonapebble."You'dbettercollectafewmorelikethat:thenyoucanmakeanoticeboardandfrightenFiver.Youmight
havepokedthelendri'seyeoutforus,ifyou'donlyknown."
"Licktheplace,Hlao,"saidHazel."Lickituntilitfeelsbetterandthengotosleep."
*Tractor--oranymotor.
*Hoi,hoi,thestinkingThousand,Wemeetthemevenwhenwestoptopassourdroppings."
10.TheRoadandtheCommon
Timorousanswered,thatthey...hadgotupthatdifficultplace:but,saidhe,thefurtherwego,themoredangerwemeetwith;whereforeweturned,andaregoingbackagain.
JohnBunyan,ThePilgrim'sProgress
Aftersometime,HazelwokeBuckhorn.Thenhescratchedashallownestintheearthandslept.Onewatchsucceededanotherthroughtheday,thoughhowtherabbitsjudgedthepassingofthetimeissomethingthatcivilizedhumanbeingshavelostthepowertofeel.Creaturesthathaveneitherclocksnorbooksarealivetoallmannerofknowledgeabouttimeandtheweather;
andaboutdirection,too,asweknowfromtheirextraordinarymigratoryandhomingjourneys.Thechangesinthewarmthanddampnessofthesoil,thefallingofthesunlightpatches,thealteringmovementofthebeansinthelightwind,thedirectionandstrengthoftheaircurrentsalongtheground--allthesewereperceivedbytherabbitawake.
ThesunwasbeginningtosetwhenHazelwoketoseeAcornlisteningandsniffinginthesilence,betweentwowhite-skinnedflints.Thelightwasthicker,thebreezehaddroppedandthebeanswerestill.Pipkinwasstretchedoutalittlewayaway.Ayellow-and-blackburyingbeetle,crawlingacrossthewhitefurofhisbelly,stopped,waveditsshort,curvedantennaeand
thenmovedonagain.Hazelgrewtensewithsuddenmisgiving.Heknewthatthesebeetlescometodeadbodies,onwhichtheyfeedandlaytheireggs.Theywilldigawaytheearthfromunderthebodiesofsmallcreatures,suchasshrewmiceandfallenfledglings,andthenlaytheireggsonthembeforecoveringthemwithsoil.SurelyPipkincouldnothavediedinhissleep?Hazelsatupquickly.
AcornstartedandturnedtowardhimandthebeetlescurriedawayoverthepebblesasPipkinmovedandwoke.
"How'sthepaw?"saidHazel.
Pipkinputittotheground.Thenhestoodonit.
"Itfeelsmuchbetter,"hesaid."IthinkIshallbeableto
goaswellastheothersnow.Theywon'tleavemebehind,willthey?"
HazelrubbedhisnosebehindPipkin'sear."Noone'sgoingtoleaveanyoneelsebehind,"hesaid."Ifyouhadtostay,I'dstaywithyou.Butdon'tpickupanymorethorns,Hlao-roo,becausewemayhavetogoalongway."
Thenextmomentallthe
rabbitsleapedupinpanic.Fromcloseathandthesoundofashottoreacrossthefields.Apeewitrosescreaming.Theechoescamebackinwaves,likeapebblerollingroundabox,andfromthewoodacrosstherivercametheclatteringofwoodpigeons'wingsamongthebranches.Inaninstanttherabbitswererunninginalldirectionsthroughthebeanrows,eachonetearingby
instincttowardholesthatwerenotthere.
Hazelstoppedshortontheedgeofthebeans.Lookingabouthim,hecouldseenoneoftheothers.Hewaited,trembling,forthenextshot:buttherewassilence.Thenhefelt,vibratingalongtheground,thesteadytreadofamangoingawaybeyondthecrestoverwhichtheyhadcomethatmorning.Atthat
momentSilverappeared,pushinghiswaythroughtheplantscloseby.
"Ihopeit'sthecrow,don'tyou?"saidSilver.
"Ihopenoone'sbeensillyenoughtoboltoutofthisfield,"answeredHazel."They'reallscattered.Howcanwefindthem?"
"Idon'tthinkwecan,"said
Silver."We'dbettergobacktowherewewere.They'llcomeintime."
Itwasinfactalongtimebeforealltherabbitshadcomebacktothehollowinthemiddleofthefield.Ashewaited,Hazelrealizedmorefullythaneverhowdangerouswastheirposition,withoutholes,wanderingincountrytheydidnotknow.Thelendri,thedog,thecrow,
themarksman--theyhadbeenluckytoescapethem.Howlongwouldtheirluckhold?WouldtheyreallybeabletotravelonasfarasFiver'shighplace--whereveritmightbe?
"I'dsettleforanydecent,drybank,myself,"hethought,"aslongastherewassomegrassandnomenwithguns.Andthesoonerwecanfindonethebetter."
HawkbitwasthelasttoreturnandashecameupHazelsetoffatonce.Helookedcautiouslyoutfromamongthebeansandthendartedintothehedgerow.Thewind,ashestoppedtosniffit,wasreassuring,carryingonlythescentsofeveningdew,mayandcowdung.Heledthewayintothenextfield,apasture:andheretheyallfelltofeeding,nibblingtheirwayoverthegrassaseasilyas
thoughtheirwarrenwerecloseby.
Whenhewashalfwayacrossthefield,Hazelbecameawareofahrududuapproachingveryfastontheothersideofthefurtherhedge.Itwassmallandlessnoisythanthefarmtractorwhichhehadsometimeswatchedfromtheedgeoftheprimrosewoodathome.Itpassedinaflashofman-
made,unnaturalcolor,glitteringhereandthereandbrighterthanawinterhollytree.Afewmomentslatercamethesmellsofpetrolandexhaust.Hazelstared,twitchinghisnose.Hecouldnotunderstandhowthehrududucouldmovesoquicklyandsmoothlythroughthefields.Woulditreturn?Woulditcomethroughthefieldsfasterthantheycouldrun,andhuntthemdown?
Ashepaused,wonderingwhatwasbesttobedone,Bigwigcameup.
"There'saroadthere,then,"hesaid."That'llgivesomeofthemasurprise,won'tit?"
"Aroad?"saidHazel,thinkingofthelanebythenoticeboard."Howdoyouknow?"
"Well,howdoyousupposeahrududucangothatfast?Besides,can'tyousmellit?"
Thesmellofwarmtarwasnowplainontheeveningair.
"I'veneversmelledthatinmylife,"saidHazelwithatouchofirritation.
"Ah,"saidBigwig,"butthenyouwereneversentoutstealinglettucesforthe
Threarah,wereyou?Ifyouhadbeen,you'dhavelearnedaboutroads.There'snothingtothem,really,aslongasyouletthemalonebynight.They'reelilthen,allright."
"You'dbetterteachme,Ithink,"saidHazel."I'llgoupwithyouandwe'lllettheothersfollow."
Theyranonandcreptthroughthehedge.Hazel
lookeddownattheroadinastonishment.Foramomenthethoughtthathewaslookingatanotherriver--black,smoothandstraightbetweenitsbanks.Thenhesawthegravelembeddedinthetarandwatchedaspiderrunningoverthesurface.
"Butthat'snotnatural,"hesaid,sniffingthestrange,strongsmellsoftarandoil."Whatisit?Howdiditcome
there?"
"It'samanthing,"saidBigwig."Theyputthatstuffthereandthenthehrududilrunonit--fasterthanwecan;andwhatelsecanrunfasterthanwe?"
"It'sdangerous,then?Theycancatchus?"
"No,that'swhat'ssoodd.Theydon'ttakeanynoticeof
usatall.I'llshowyou,ifyoulike."
TheotherrabbitswerebeginningtoreachthehedgeasBigwighoppeddownthebankandcrouchedonthevergeoftheroad.Frombeyondthebendcamethesoundofanotherapproachingcar.HazelandSilverwatchedtensely.Thecarappeared,flashinggreenandwhite,andraceddowntowardBigwig.
Foraninstantitfilledthewholeworldwithnoiseandfear.ThenitwasgoneandBigwig'sfurwasblowinginthewhackofwindthatfolloweditdownthehedges.Hejumpedbackupthebankamongthestaringrabbits.
"See?Theydon'thurtyou,"saidBigwig."Asamatteroffact,Idon'tthinkthey'realiveatall.ButImustadmitIcan'taltogethermakeitout."
Asontheriverbank,Blackberryhadmovedawayandwasalreadydownontheroadonhisownaccount,sniffingouttowardthemiddle,halfwaybetweenHazelandthebend.Theysawhimstartandjumpbacktotheshelterofthebank.
"Whatisit?"saidHazel.
Blackberrydidnotanswer,andHazelandBigwig
hoppedtowardhimalongtheverge.Hewasopeningandshuttinghismouthandlickinghislips,muchasacatdoeswhensomethingdisgustsit.
"Yousaythey'renotdangerous,Bigwig,"hesaidquietly."ButIthinktheymustbe,forallthat."
Inthemiddleoftheroadwasaflattened,bloodymass
ofbrownpricklesandwhitefur,withsmallblackfeetandsnoutcrushedroundtheedges.Thefliescrawleduponit,andhereandtherethesharppointsofgravelpressedupthroughtheflesh.
"Ayona,"saidBlackberry."Whatharmdoesayonadotoanythingbutslugsandbeetles?Andwhatcaneatayona?"
"Itmusthavecomeatnight,"saidBigwig.
"Yes,ofcourse.Theyonilalwayshuntbynight.Ifyouseethembyday,they'redying."
"Iknow.ButwhatI'mtryingtoexplainisthatatnightthehrududilhavegreatlights,brighterthanFrithhimself.Theydrawcreaturestowardthem,andifthey
shineonyou,youcan'tseeorthinkwhichwaytogo.Thenthehrududuisquitelikelytocrushyou.Atleast,that'swhatweweretaughtintheOwsla.Idon'tintendtotryit."
"Well,itwillbedarksoon,"saidHazel."Comeon,let'sgetacross.AsfarasIcansee,thisroad'snogoodtousatall.NowthatI'velearnedaboutit,Iwanttogetaway
fromitassoonasIcan."
BymoonrisetheyhadmadetheirwaythroughNewtownchurchyard,wherealittlebrookrunsbetweenthelawnsandunderthepath.Wanderingon,theyclimbedahillandcametoNewtownCommon--acountryofpeat,gorseandsilverbirch.Afterthemeadowstheyhadleft,thiswasastrange,forbiddingland.Trees,herbage,eventhe
soil--allwereunfamiliar.Theyhesitatedamongthethickheather,unabletoseemorethanafewfeetahead.Theirfurbecamesoakedwiththedew.Thegroundwasbrokenbyriftsandpitsofnakedblackpeat,wherewaterlayandsharpwhitestones,someasbigasapigeon's,someasarabbit'sskull,glimmeredinthemoonlight.Whenevertheyreachedoneoftheseriftsthe
rabbitshuddledtogether,waitingforHazelorBigwigtoclimbthefurthersideandfindawayforward.Everywheretheycameuponbeetles,spidersandsmalllizardswhichscurriedawayastheypushedthroughthefibrous,resistantheather.OnceBuckthorndisturbedasnake,andleapedintotheairasitwhippedbetweenhispawstovanishdownaholeatthefootofabirch.
Theveryplantswereunknowntothem--pinklousewortwithitsspraysofhookedflowers,bogasphodelandthethin-stemmedbloomsofthesundews,risingabovetheirhairy,fly-catchingmouths,allshutfastbynight.Inthisclosejungleallwassilence.Theywentmoreandmoreslowly,andmadelonghaltsinthepeatcuts.Butiftheheatheritselfwassilent,thebreezebroughtdistant
nightsoundsacrosstheopencommon.Acockcrowed.Adogranbarkingandamanshoutedatit.Alittleowlcalled"Kee-wik,kee-wik"andsomething--avoleorashrew--gaveasuddensqueal.Therewasnotanoisebutseemedtotellofdanger.
Lateinthenight,towardmoonset,Hazelwaslookingupfromacutwheretheywerecrouchingtoalittle
bankabove.Ashewaswonderingwhethertoclimbuptoit,toseewhetherhecouldgetaclearviewahead,heheardamovementbehindhimandturnedtofindHawkbitathisshoulder.TherewassomethingfurtiveandhesitantabouthimandHazelglancedathimsharply,wonderingforamomentwhetherhecouldhavesicknessorpoisononhim."Er--Hazel,"saidHawkbit,
lookingpasthimintothefaceofthedrearyblackcliff."I--er--thatistosaywe--er--feelthatwe--well,thatwecan'tgoonlikethis.We'vehadenoughofit."
Hestopped.HazelnowsawthatSpeedwellandAcornwerebehindhim,listeningexpectantly.Therewasapause.
"Goon,Hawkbit,"said
Speedwell,"orshallI?"
"Morethanenough,"saidHawkbit,withakindoffoolishimportance.
"Well,sohaveI,"answeredHazel,"andIhopetherewon'tbemuchmore.Thenwecanallhavearest."
"Wewanttostopnow,"saidSpeedwell."Wethinkitwasstupidtocomesofar."
"Itgetsworseandworsethefurtherwego,"saidAcorn."Wherearewegoingandhowlongwillitbebeforesomeofusstoprunningforgoodandall?"
"It'stheplacethatworriesyou,"saidHazel."Idon'tlikeitmyself,butitwon'tgoonforever."
Hawkbitlookedslyandshifty."Wedon'tbelieveyou
knowwherewearegoing,"hesaid."Youdidn'tknowabouttheroad,didyou?Andyoudon'tknowwhatthereisinfrontofus."
"Lookhere,"saidHazel,"supposeyoutellmewhatyouwanttodoandI'lltellyouwhatIthinkaboutit."
"Wewanttogoback,"saidAcorn."WethinkFiverwaswrong."
"Howcanyougobackthroughallwe'vecomethrough?"repliedHazel."AndprobablygetkilledforwoundinganOwslaofficer,ifyoueverdogetback?Talksense,forFrith'ssake."
"Itwasn'twewhowoundedHolly,"saidSpeedwell.
"YouwerethereandBlackberrybroughtyouthere.Doyouthinktheywon't
rememberthat?Besides--"
HazelstoppedasFiverapproached,followedbyBigwig.
"Hazel,"saidFiver,"couldyoucomeuponthebankwithmeforafewmoments?It'simportant."
"Andwhileyou'rethere,"saidBigwig,scowlingroundattheothersfromunderthe
greatsheafoffuronhishead,"I'lljusthaveafewwordswiththesethree.Whydon'tyougetwashed,Hawkbit?Youlookliketheendofarat'stailleftinatrap.Andasforyou,Speedwell--"
HazeldidnotwaittohearwhatSpeedwelllookedlike.FollowingFiver,hescrambledupthelumpsandshelvesofpeattotheoverhangofgravellyearth
andthingrassthattoppedthem.AssoonasFiverhadfoundaplacetoclamberout,heledthewayalongtheedgetothebankwhichHazelhadbeenlookingatbeforeHawkbitspoketohim.Itstoodafewfeetabovethenodding,windyheatherandwasopenandgrassyatthetop.Theyclimbeditandsquatteddown.Totheirrightthemoon,smokyandyellowinthinnightcloud,stoodover
aclumpofdistantpinetrees.Theylookedsouthwardacrossthedismalwaste.HazelwaitedforFivertospeak,butheremainedsilent.
"Whatwasityouwantedtosaytome?"askedHazelatlast.
FivermadenoreplyandHazelpausedinperplexity.Frombelow,Bigwigwasjustaudible.
"Andyou,Acorn,youdog-eared,dung-faceddisgracetoagamekeeper'sgibbet,ifIonlyhadtimetotellyou--"
Themoonsailedfreeofthecloudandlittheheathermorebrightly,butneitherHazelnorFivermovedfromthetopofthebank.Fiverwaslookingfaroutbeyondtheedgeofthecommon.Fourmilesaway,alongthesouthernskyline,rosethe
seven-hundred-and-fifty-footridgeofthedowns.Onthehighestpoint,thebeechtreesofCottington'sClumpweremovinginastrongerwindthanthatwhichblewacrosstheheather.
"Look!"saidFiversuddenly."That'stheplaceforus,Hazel.High,lonelyhills,wherethewindandthesoundcarryandtheground'sasdryasstrawinabarn.
That'swhereweoughttobe.That'swherewehavetogetto."
Hazellookedatthedim,far-offhills.Obviously,theideaoftryingtoreachthemwasoutofthequestion.Itmightwellprovetobealltheycoulddotofindtheirwayacrosstheheathertosomequietfieldorcopsebanklikethosetheyhadbeenusedto.Itwasluckythat
Fiverhadnotcomeoutwiththisfoolishnotioninfrontofanyoftheothers,especiallyastherewastroubleenoughalready.Ifonlyhecouldbepersuadedtodropithereandnow,therewouldbenoharmdone--unless,indeed,hehadalreadysaidanythingtoPipkin.
"Idon'tthinkwecouldgettheotherstogoasfarasthat,Fiver,"hesaid."They're
frightenedandtiredasitis,youknow.Whatweneedistofindasafeplacesoon,andI'drathersucceedindoingwhatwecanthanfailtodowhatwecan't."
Fivergavenosignofhavingheardhim.Heseemedtobelostinhisownthoughts.Whenhespokeagain,itwasasthoughheweretalkingtohimself."There'sathickmistbetweenthehillsandus.I
can'tseethroughit,butthroughitweshallhavetogo.Orintoit,anyway."
"Amist?"saidHazel."Whatdoyoumean?"
"We'reinforsomemysterioustrouble,"whisperedFiver,"andit'snotelil.Itfeelsmorelike--likemist.Likebeingdeceivedandlosingourway."
Therewasnomistaroundthem.TheMaynightwasclearandfresh.HazelwaitedinsilenceandafteratimeFiversaid,slowlyandexpressionlessly,"Butwemustgoon,untilwereachthehills."Hisvoicesankandbecamethatofasleep-talker."Untilwereachthehills.Therabbitthatgoesbackthroughthegapwillrunhisheadintotrouble.Thatrunning--notwise.Thatrunning--notsafe.
Running--not--"Hetrembledviolently,kickedonceortwiceandbecamequiet.
Inthehollowbelow,Bigwigseemedtobedrawingtoaclose."Andnow,youbunchofmole-snouted,muck-raking,hutch-heartedsheepticks,getoutofmysightsharp.OtherwiseI'll--"Hebecameinaudibleagain.
Hazellookedoncemoreat
thefaintlineofthehills.Then,asFiverstirredandmutteredbesidehim,hepushedhimgentlywithoneforepawandnuzzledhisshoulder.
Fiverstarted."WhatwasIsaying,Hazel?"heasked."I'mafraidIcan'tremember.Imeanttotellyou--"
"Nevermind,"answeredHazel."We'llgodownnow.
It'stimeweweregettingthemonagain.Ifyouhaveanymorequeerfeelingslikethat,keepclosetome.I'lllookafteryou."
11.HardGoing
ThenSirBeaumains...rodeallthateverhemightridethroughmarshesandfieldsandgreatdales,thatmanytimes...heplunged
overtheheadindeepmires,forheknewnottheway,buttookthegainestwayinthatwoodness....Andatthelasthimhappenedtocometoafairgreenway.
Malory,LeMorted'Arthur
WhenHazelandFiverreachedthefloorofthehollowtheyfoundBlackberrywailingforthem,crouchingonthepeatandnibblingata
fewbrownstalksofsedgegrass.
"Hello,"saidHazel."What'shappened?Wherearetheothers?"
"Overthere,"answeredBlackberry."There'sbeenafearfulrow.BigwigtoldHawkbitandSpeedwellthathe'dscratchthemtopiecesiftheydidn'tobeyhim.AndwhenHawkbitsaidhewanted
toknowwhowasChiefRabbit,Bigwigbithim.Itseemsanastybusiness.WhoisChiefRabbit,anyway--youorBigwig?"
"Idon'tknow,"answeredHazel,"butBigwig'scertainlythestrongest.TherewasnoneedtogobitingHawkbit:hecouldn'thavegonebackifhe'dtried.Heandhisfriendswouldhaveseenthatifthey'dbeenallowedtotalkforabit.
NowBigwig'sputtheirbacksup,andthey'llthinkthey'vegottogoonbecausehemakesthem.Iwantthemtogoonbecausetheycanseeit'stheonlythingtodo.Therearetoofewofusforgivingordersandbitingpeople.Frithinafog!Isn'tthereenoughtroubleanddangeralready?"
Theywentovertothefarendofthepit.Bigwigand
SilverweretalkingwithBuckthornunderanoverhangingbroom.Nearby,PipkinandDandelionwerepretendingtofeedonapatchofscrub.Somewayaway,AcornwasmakingagreatbusinessoflickingHawkbit'sthroat,whileSpeedwellwatched.
"Keepstillifyoucan,pooroldchap,"saidAcorn,whoobviouslywantedtobe
overheard."Justletmecleanthebloodout.Steady,now!"Hawkbitwincedinanexaggeratedmannerandbackedaway.AsHazelcameup,alltherabbitsturnedandstaredathimexpectantly.
"Look,"saidHazel,"Iknowthere'sbeensometrouble,butthebestthingwillbetotrytoforgetit.Thisisabadplace,butwe'llsoongetoutofit."
"Doyoureallythinkwewill?"askedDandelion.
"Ifyou'llfollowmenow,"repliedHazeldesperately,"I'llhaveyououtofitbysunrise."
"IfIdon't,"hethought,"they'llverylikelytearmetobits:andmuchgoodmayitdothem."
Forthesecondtimehe
madehiswayoutofthepit,andtheothersfollowed.Theweary,frighteningjourneybeganagain,brokenonlybyalarms.Onceawhiteowlsweptsilentlyoverhead,solowthatHazelsawitsdark,searchingeyeslookingintohisown.Buteitheritwasnothuntingorhewastoobigtotackle,foritdisappearedovertheheather;andalthoughhewaitedmotionlessforsometime,itdidnotreturn.Once
Dandelionstruckthesmellofastoatandtheyalljoinedhim,whisperingandsniffingovertheground.Butthescentwasoldandafteratimetheywentonagain.Inthislowundergrowththeirdisorganizedprogressanduneven,differingrhythmsofmovementdelayedthemstillmorethaninthewood.Therewerecontinualstampingsofalarm,pausing,freezingtothespotatthesoundof
movementrealorimagined.ItwassodarkthatHazelseldomknewforcertainwhetherhewasleadingorwhetherBigwigorSilvermightnotbeahead.Once,hearinganunaccountablenoiseinfrontofhim,whichceasedontheinstant,hekeptstillforalongtime;andwhenatlasthemovedcautiouslyforward,foundSilvercrouchingbehindatussockofcocksfootforfearofthe
soundofhisownapproach.Allwasconfusion,ignorance,clamberingandexhaustion.Throughoutthebaddreamofthenight'sjourney,Pipkinseemedtobealwaysclosebesidehim.Thougheachoftheothersvanishedandreappearedlikefragmentsfloatingroundapool,Pipkinneverlefthim;andhisneedforencouragementbecameatlastHazel'sonlysupportagainsthisownweariness.
"Notfarnow,Hlao-roo,notfarnow,"hekeptmuttering,untilherealizedthatwhathesaidhadbecomemeaningless,amererefrain.HewasnotspeakingtoPipkinoreventohimself.Hewastalkinginhissleep,orsomethingverynearit.
Atlasthesawthefirstofthedawn,likelightfaintlyperceivedroundacorneratthefarendofanunknown
burrow;andinthesamemomentayellowhammersang.Hazel'sfeelingswerelikethosewhichmightpassthroughthemindofadefeatedgeneral.Wherewerehisfollowersexactly?Hehoped,notfaraway.Butwerethey?Allofthem?Wherehadheledthem?Whatwashegoingtodonow?Whatifanenemyappearedatthismoment?Hehadanswerstononeofthesequestionsand
nospiritlefttoforcehimselftothinkaboutthem.Behindhim,Pipkinshiveredinthedamp,andheturnedandnuzzledhim--muchasthegeneral,withnothinglefttodo,mightfalltoconsideringthewelfareofhisservant,simplybecausetheservanthappenedtobethere.
Thelightgrewstrongerandsoonhecouldseethatalittlewayaheadtherewasan
opentrackofbaregravel.Helimpedoutoftheheather,satonthestonesandshookthewetfromhisfur.HecouldseeFiver'shillsplainlynow,greenish-grayandseemingcloseintherain-ladenair.Hecouldevenpickoutthedotsoffurzebushesandstuntedyewtreesonthesteepslopes.Ashegazedatthem,heheardanexcitedvoicefurtherdownthetrack.
"He'sdoneit!Didn'tItellyouhe'ddoit?"
HazelturnedhisheadandsawBlackberryonthepath.Hewasbedraggledandexhausted,butitwashewhowasspeaking.OutoftheheatherbehindhimcameAcorn,SpeedwellandBuckthorn.Allfourrabbitswerenowstaringstraightathim.Hewonderedwhy.Then,astheyapproached,he
realizedthattheywerelookingnotathim,butpasthimatsomethingfurtheroff.Heturnedround.Thegraveltrackleddownhillintoanarrowbeltofsilverbirchandrowan.Beyondwasathinhedge;andbeyondthat,agreenfieldbetweentwocopses.Theyhadreachedtheothersideofthecommon.
"Oh,Hazel,"saidBlackberry,cominguptohim
roundapuddleinthegravel."Iwassotiredandconfused,Iactuallybegantowonderwhetheryouknewwhereyouweregoing.Icouldhearyouintheheather,saying'Notfarnow'anditwasannoyingme.Ithoughtyouweremakingitup.Ishouldhaveknownbetter.Frithrah,you'rewhatIcallaChiefRabbit!"
"Welldone,Hazel!"saidBuckthorn."Welldone!"
Hazeldidnotknowwhattoreply.HelookedattheminsilenceanditwasAcornwhospokenext.
"Comeon!"hesaid."Who'sgoingtobefirstintothatfield?Icanstillrun."Hewasoff,slowlyenough,downtheslope,butwhenHazelstampedforhimtostophedidsoatonce.
"Wherearetheothers?"
saidHazel."Dandelion?Bigwig?"
AtthatmomentDandelionappearedoutoftheheatherandsatonthepath,lookingatthefield.HewasfollowedfirstbyHawkbitandthenbyFiver.HazelwaswatchingFiverashetookinthesightofthefield,whenBuckthorndrewhisattentionbacktothefootoftheslope.
"Look,Hazel,"hesaid,"SilverandBigwigaredownthere.They'rewaitingforus."
Silver'slight-grayfurshowedupplainlyagainstalowsprayofgorse,butHazelcouldnotseeBigwiguntilhesatupandrantowardthem.
"Splendid,Hazel,"hesaid."Everybody'shere.Let'sgetthemintothatfield."
Afewmomentslatertheywereunderthesilverbirchesandasthesunrose,strikingflashesofredandgreenfromthedropsonfernsandtwigs,theyscrambledthroughthehedge,acrossashallowditchandintothethickgrassofthemeadow.
12.TheStrangerintheField
Nevertheless,eveninacrowdedwarren,visitorsintheformofyoungrabbitsseekingdesirabledryquartersmaybetolerated...andifpowerfulenoughtheymayobtainandholdaplace.
R.M.Lockley,ThePrivateLifeoftheRabbit
Tocometotheendofatimeofanxietyandfear!Tofeelthecloudthathungover
usliftanddisperse--thecloudthatdulledtheheartandmadehappinessnomorethanamemory!Thisatleastisonejoythatmusthavebeenknownbyalmosteverylivingcreature.
Hereisaboywhowaswaitingtobepunished.Butthen,unexpectedly,hefindsthathisfaulthasbeenoverlookedorforgivenandatoncetheworldreappearsin
brilliantcolors,fullofdelightfulprospects.Hereisasoldierwhowaswaiting,withaheavyheart,tosufferanddieinbattle.Butsuddenlytheluckhaschanged.Thereisnews!Thewarisoverandeveryoneburstsoutsinging!Hewillgohomeafterall!Thesparrowsintheplowlandwerecrouchinginterrorofthekestrel.Butshehasgone;andtheyflypell-mellupthehedgerow,frisking,chattering
andperchingwheretheywill.Thebitterwinterhadallthecountryinitsgrip.Theharesonthedown,stupidandtorpidwithcold,wereresignedtosinkingfurtherandfurtherintothefreezingheartofsnowandsilence.Butnow--whowouldhavedreamedit?--thethawistrickling,thegreattitisringinghisbellfromthetopofabarelimetree,theearthisscented;andthehares
boundandskipinthewarmwind.Hopelessnessandreluctanceareblownawaylikeafogandthedumbsolitudewheretheycrept,aplacedesolateasacrackintheground,openslikearoseandstretchestothehillsandthesky.
Thetiredrabbitsfedandbaskedinthesunnymeadowasthoughtheyhadcomenofurtherthanfromthebankat
theedgeofthenearbycopse.Theheatherandthestumblingdarknesswereforgottenasthoughthesunrisehadmeltedthem.BigwigandHawkbitchasedeachotherthroughthelonggrass.SpeedwelljumpedoverthelittlebrookthatrandownthemiddleofthefieldandwhenAcorntriedtofollowhimandfellshort,Silverjokedwithhimashescrambledoutandrolledhim
inapatchofdeadoakleavesuntilhewasdry.Asthesunrosehigher,shorteningtheshadowsanddrawingthedewfromthegrass,mostoftherabbitscamewanderingbacktothesun-fleckedshadeamongthecowparsleyalongtheedgeoftheditch.Here,HazelandFiverweresittingwithDandelionunderafloweringwildcherry.Thewhitepetalsspundownaroundthem,coveringthe
grassandspecklingtheirfur,whilethirtyfeetaboveathrushsang,"Cherrydew,cherrydew.Kneedeep,kneedeep,kneedeep."
"Well,thisistheplaceallright,isn'tit,Hazel?"saidDandelionlazily."Isupposewe'dbetterstarthavingalookalongthebankssoon,althoughImustsayI'minnoparticularhurry.ButI'vegotanideaitmaybegoingto
rainbeforemuchlonger."
Fiverlookedasthoughhewereabouttospeak,butthenshookhisearsandturnedtonibblingatadandelion.
"Thatlooksagoodbank,alongtheedgeofthetreesupthere,"answeredHazel."Whatdoyousay,Fiver?Shallwegouptherenoworshallwewaitabitlonger?"
Fiverhesitatedandthenreplied,"Justasyouthink,Hazel."
"Well,there'snoneedtodoanyseriousdigging,isthere?"saidBigwig."Thatsortofthing'sallrightfordoes,butnotforus."
"Still,we'dbettermakeoneortwoscrapes,don'tyouthink?"saidHazel."Somethingtogiveusshelter
atapinch.Let'sgouptothecopseandlookround.Wemightaswelltakeourtimeandmakequitesurewherewe'dliketohavethem.Wedon'twanttohavetodotheworktwice."
"Yes,that'sthestyle,"saidBigwig."Andwhileyou'redoingthat,I'lltakeSilverandBuckthornhereandhavearundownthefieldsbeyond,justtogetthelieoftheland
andmakesurethereisn'tanythingdangerous."
Thethreeexplorerssetoffbesidethebrook,whileHazelledtheotherrabbitsacrossthefieldanduptotheedgeofthewoodland.Theywentslowlyalongthefootofthebank,pushinginandoutoftheclumpsofredcampionandraggedrobin.Fromtimetotimeoneoranotherwouldbegintoscrapeinthegravelly
bank,orventurealittlewayinamongthetreesandnutbushestoscuffleintheleafmold.Aftertheyhadbeensearchingandmovingonquietlyforsometime,theyreachedaplacefromwhichtheycouldseethatthefieldbelowthembroadenedout.Bothontheirownsideandopposite,thewoodedgescurvedoutward,awayfromthebrook.Theyalsonoticedtheroofsofafarm,butsome
distanceoff.Hazelstoppedandtheygatheredroundhim.
"Idon'tthinkitmakesmuchdifferencewherewedoabitofscratching,"hesaid."It'sallgood,sofarasIcansee.Nottheslightesttraceofelil--noscentortracksordroppings.Thatseemsunusual,butitmaybejustthatthehomewarrenattractedmoreelilthanotherplaces.Anyway,weoughtto
dowellhere.NowI'lltellyouwhatseemstherightthingtome.Let'sgobackalittleway,betweenthewoods,andhaveascratchnearthatoaktreethere--justbythatwhitepatchofstitchwort.Iknowthefarm'salongwayoff,butthere'snopointinbeingnearertoitthanweneed.Andifwe'refairlyclosetothewoodopposite,thetreeswillhelptobreakthewindabitinwinter."
"Splendid,"saidBlackberry."It'sgoingtocloudover,doyousee?Rainbeforesunsetandwe'llbeinshelter.Well,let'smakeastart.Oh,look!There'sBigwigcomingbackalongthebottom,andtheothertwowithhim."
ThethreerabbitswerereturningdownthebankofthestreamandhadnotyetseenHazelandtheothers.
Theypassedbelowthem,intothenarrowerpartofthefieldbetweenthetwocopses,anditwasnotuntilAcornhadbeensenthalfwaydowntheslopetoattracttheirattentionthattheyturnedandcameuptotheditch.
"Idon'tthinkthere'sgoingtobemuchtotroubleushere,Hazel,"saidBigwig."Thefarm'sagoodwayawayandthefieldsbetweendon'tshow
anysignsofelilatall.There'samantrack--infact,thereareseveral--andtheylookasthoughtheywereusedagooddeal.Scent'sfreshandtherearetheendsofthoselittlewhitesticksthattheyburnintheirmouths.Butthat'sallforthebest,Ireckon.Wekeepawayfromthemenandthemenfrightentheelilaway."
"Whydothemencome,doyousuppose?"askedFiver.
"Whoknowswhymendoanything?Theymaydrivecowsorsheepinthefields,orcutwoodinthecopses.Whatdoesitmatter?I'dratherdodgeamanthanastoatorafox."
"Well,that'sfine,"saidHazel."You'vefoundoutalot,Bigwig,andalltothegood.Wewerejustgoingtomakesomescrapesalongthebankthere.We'dbetterstart.
Therainwon'tbelongnow,ifIknowanythingaboutit."
Buckrabbitsontheirownseldomornevergoinforseriousdigging.Thisisthenaturaljobofadoemakingahomeforherlitterbeforetheyareborn,andthenherbuckhelpsher.Allthesame,solitarybucks--iftheycanfindnoexistingholestomakeuseof--willsometimesscratchoutshorttunnelsfor
shelter,althoughitisnotworkthattheytackleatallseriously.Duringthemorningthediggingproceededinalight-heartedandintermittentway.Thebankoneachsideoftheoaktreewasbareandconsistedofalight,gravellysoil.Therewereseveralfalsestartsandfreshchoices,butbyni-Friththeyhadthreescrapesofasort.Hazel,watching,lenthelphereandthereandencouragedthe
others.Everysooftenheslippedbacktolookoutoverthefieldandmakesurethatallwassafe.OnlyFiverremainedsolitary.Hetooknopartinthediggingbutsquattedontheedgeoftheditch,fidgetingbackwardandforward,sometimesnibblingandthenstartingupsuddenlyasthoughhecouldhearsomesoundinthewood.Afterspeakingtohimonceortwiceandreceivingnoreply,Hazel
thoughtitbesttolethimalone.ThenexttimeheleftthedigginghekeptawayfromFiverandsatlookingatthebank,asthoughentirelyconcernedwiththework.
Alittlewhileafterni-Friththeskycloudedoverthickly.Thelightgrewdullandtheycouldsmellrainapproachingfromthewest.Thebluetitthathadbeenswingingonabramble,singing"Heighho,
go-and-get-another-bit-of-moss,"stoppedhisacrobaticsandflewintothewood.HazelwasjustwonderingwhetheritwouldbeworthwhilestartingasidepassagetolinkBigwig'sholetoDandelion's,whenhefeltastampofwarningfromsomewherecloseby.Heturnedquickly.ItwasFiverwhohadstampedandhewasnowstaringintentlyacrossthefield.
Besideatussockofgrassalittlewayoutsidetheoppositecopse,arabbitwassittingandgazingatthem.Itsearswereerectanditwasevidentlygivingthemthefullattentionofsight,smellandhearing.Hazelroseonhishindlegs,paused,andthensatbackonhishaunches,infullview.Theotherrabbitremainedmotionless.Hazel,nevertakinghiseyesoffit,heardthreeorfouroftheothers
comingupbehindhim.Afteramomenthesaid,
"Blackberry?"
"He'sdownthehole,"repliedPipkin.
"Goandgethim."
Stillthestrangerabbitmadenomove.Thewindroseandthelonggrassbegantoflutterandrippleinthedip
betweenthem.Frombehind,Blackberrysaid,
"Youwantedme,Hazel?"
"I'mgoingovertospeaktothatrabbit,"saidHazel."Iwantyoutocomewithme."
"CanIcome?"askedPipkin.
"No,Hlao-roo.Wedon'twanttofrightenhim.Three's
toomany."
"Becareful,"saidBuckthorn,asHazelandBlackberrysetoffdowntheslope."Hemaynotbetheonlyone."
Atseveralpointsthebrookwasnarrow--notmuchwiderthanarabbitrun.Theyjumpeditandwentuptheoppositeslope.
"Justbehaveasifwewerebackathome,"saidHazel."Idon'tseehowitcanbeatrap,andanywaywecanalwaysrun."
Astheyapproached,theotherrabbitkeptstillandwatchedthemintently.Theycouldseenowthathewasabigfellow,sleekandhandsome.Hisfurshoneandhisclawsandteethwereinperfectcondition.
Nevertheless,hedidnotseemaggressive.Onthecontrary,therewasacurious,ratherunnaturalgentlenessaboutthewayinwhichhewaitedforthemtocomenearer.Theystoppedandlookedathimfromalittledistance.
"Idon'tthinkhe'sdangerous,"whisperedBlackberry."I'llgouptohimfirstifyoulike."
"We'llbothgo,"repliedHazel.Butatthismomenttheotherrabbitcametowardthemofhisownaccord.HeandHazeltouchedtheirnosestogether,sniffingandquestioningsilently.Thestrangerhadanunusualsmell,butitwascertainlynotunpleasant.ItgaveHazelanimpressionofgoodfeeding,ofhealthandofacertainindolence,asthoughtheothercamefromsomerich,
prosperouscountrywherehehimselfhadneverbeen.HehadtheairofanaristocratandasheturnedtogazeatBlackberryfromhisgreatbrowneyes,Hazelbegantoseehimselfasaraggedwanderer,leaderofagangofvagabonds.Hehadnotmeanttobethefirsttospeak,butsomethingintheother'ssilencecompelledhim.
"We'vecomeoverthe
heather,"hesaid.
Theotherrabbitmadenoreply,buthislookwasnotthatofanenemy.Hisdemeanorhadakindofmelancholywhichwasperplexing.
"Doyoulivehere?"askedHazel,afterapause.
"Yes,"repliedtheotherrabbit;andthenadded,"We
sawyoucome."
"Wemeantolivehere,too,"saidHazelfirmly.
Theotherrabbitshowednoconcern.Hepausedandthenanswered,"Whynot?Wesupposedyouwould.ButIdon'tthinkthereareenoughofyou,arethere,toliveverycomfortablyonyourown?"
Hazelfeltpuzzled.
Apparentlythestrangerwasnotworriedbythenewsthattheymeanttostay.Howbigwashiswarren?Wherewasit?Howmanyrabbitswereconcealedinthecopseandwatchingthemnow?Weretheylikelytobeattacked?Thestranger'smannertoldnothing.Heseemeddetached,almostbored,butperfectlyfriendly.Hislassitude,hisgreatsizeandbeautiful,well-groomedappearance,his
unhurriedairofhavingallhewantedandofbeingunaffectedbythenewcomersonewayortheother--allthesepresentedHazelwithaproblemunlikeanythinghehadhadtodealwithbefore.Iftherewassomekindoftrick,hehadnoideawhatitmightbe.Hedecidedthathehimself,atanyrate,wouldbeperfectlycandidandplain.
"Thereareenoughofusto
protectourselves,"hesaid."Wedon'twanttomakeenemies,butifwemeetwithanykindofinterference--"
Theotherinterruptedsmoothly."Don'tgetupset--you'reallverywelcome.Ifyou'regoingbacknow,I'llcomeoverwithyou:thatis,unlessyouhaveanyobjection."
Hesetoffdowntheslope.
HazelandBlackberry,afterlookingateachotherforamoment,caughthimupandwentbesidehim.Hemovedeasily,withouthasteandshowedlesscautionthantheyincrossingthefield.Hazelfeltmoremystifiedthanever.Theotherrabbitevidentlyhadnofearthattheymightsetuponhim,hrairtoone,andkillhim.Hewasreadytogoaloneamongacrowdofsuspiciousstrangers,butwhat
hestoodtogainfromthisriskitwasimpossibletoguess.Perhaps,thoughtHazelwryly,teethandclawswouldmakenoimpressiononthatgreat,firmbodyandshiningpelt.
Whentheyreachedtheditch,alltheotherrabbitsweresquattingtogether,watchingtheirapproach.Hazelstoppedinfrontofthembutdidnotknowwhat
tosay.Ifthestrangerhadnotbeenthere,hewouldhavegiventhemanaccountofwhathadhappened.IfBlackberryandhehaddriventhestrangeracrossthefieldbyforce,hecouldhavehandedhimoverforsafekeepingtoBigwigorSilver.Buttohavehimsittingbesidehim,lookinghisfollowersoverinsilenceandcourteouslywaitingforsomeoneelsetospeakfirst--
thiswasasituationbeyondHazel'sexperience.ItwasBigwig,straightforwardandbluntasalways,whobrokethetension.
"Whoisthis,Hazel?"hesaid."Whyhashecomebackwithyou?"
"Idon'tknow,"answeredHazel,tryingtolookfrankandfeelingfoolish."Hecameofhisownaccord."
"Well,we'dbetteraskhim,then,"saidBigwig,withsomethinglikeasneer.Hecameclosetothestrangerandsniffed,asHazelhaddone.He,too,wasevidentlyaffectedbythepeculiarsmellofprosperity,forhepausedasthoughinuncertainty.Then,witharough,abruptair,hesaid,"Whoareyouandwhatdoyouwant?"
"MynameisCowslip,"
saidtheother."Idon'twantanything.Ihearyou'vecomealongway."
"Perhapswehave,"saidBigwig."Weknowhowtodefendourselves,too."
"I'msureyoudo,"saidCowslip,lookingroundatthemud-stained,bedraggledrabbitswithanairofbeingtoopolitetocomment."Butitcanbehardtodefendoneself
againsttheweather.There'sgoingtoberainandIdon'tthinkyourscrapesarefinished."HelookedatBigwig,asthoughwaitingforhimtoaskanotherquestion.Bigwigseemedconfused.Clearly,hecouldmakenomoreofthesituationthanHazel.Therewassilenceexceptforthesoundoftherisingwind.Abovethem,thebranchesoftheoaktreewerebeginningtocreakandsway.
Suddenly,Fivercameforward.
"Wedon'tunderstandyou,"hesaid."It'sbesttosaysoandtrytogetthingsclear.Canwetrustyou?Aretheremanyotherrabbitshere?Thosearethethingswewanttoknow."
CowslipshowednomoreconcernatFiver'stensemannerthanhehadat
anythingthathadgonebefore.Hedrewaforepawdownthebackofoneearandthenreplied,
"Ithinkyou'repuzzlingyourselvesunnecessarily.Butifyouwanttheanswerstoyourquestions,thenI'dsayyes,youcantrustus:wedon'twanttodriveyouaway.Andthereisawarrenhere,butnotasbigaoneasweshouldlike.Whyshouldwewantto
hurtyou?There'splentyofgrass,surely?"
Inspiteofhisstrange,cloudedmanner,hespokesoreasonablythatHazelfeltratherashamed.
"We'vebeenthroughalotofdanger,"hesaid."Everythingnewseemslikedangertous.Afterall,youmightbeafraidthatwewerecomingtotakeyourdoesor
turnyououtofyourholes."
Cowsliplistenedgravely.Thenheanswered,
"Well,astoholes,thatwassomethingIthoughtImightmention.Thesescrapesaren'tverydeeporcomfortable,arethey?Andalthoughthey'refacingoutofthewindnow,yououghttoknowthatthisisn'ttheusualwindwegethere.It'sblowingupthisrain
fromthesouth.Weusuallyhaveawestwindandit'llgostraightintotheseholes.Thereareplentyofemptyburrowsinourwarrenandifyouwanttocomeacrossyou'llbewelcome.Andnowifyou'llexcuseme,Iwon'tstayanylonger.Ihatetherain.Thewarrenisroundthecornerofthewoodopposite."
Herandowntheslopeandoverthebrook.Theywatched
himleapthebankofthefurthercopseanddisappearthroughthegreenbracken.Thefirstscattersofrainwerebeginningtofall,patteringintotheoakleavesandprickingthebarepinkskininsidetheirears.
"Fine,bigfellow,isn'the?"saidBuckthorn."Hedoesn'tlookasthoughhehadmuchtobotherabout,livinghere."
"Whatshouldwedo,Hazel,doyouthink?"askedSilver."It'struewhathesaid,isn'tit?Thesescrapes--well,wecancrouchinthemoutoftheweather,butnomorethanthat.Andaswecan'tallgetintoone,weshallhavetosplitup."
"We'lljointhemtogether,"saidHazel,"andwhilewe'redoingthatI'dliketotalkaboutwhathesaid.Fiver,
BigwigandBlackberry,canyoucomewithme?Therestofyousplithowyoulike."
Thenewholewasshort,narrowandrough.Therewasnoroomfortworabbitstopass.Fourwerelikebeansinapod.Forthefirsttime,Hazelbegantorealizehowmuchtheyhadleftbehind.Theholesandtunnelsofanoldwarrenbecomesmooth,reassuringandcomfortable
withuse.Therearenosnagsorroughcorners.Everylengthsmellsofrabbit--ofthatgreat,indestructiblefloodofRabbitryinwhicheachoneiscarriedalong,sure-footedandsafe.Theheavyworkhasallbeendonebycountlessgreat-grandmothersandtheirmates.Allthefaultshavebeenputrightandeverythinginuseisofprovedvalue.Theraindrainseasilyandeventhewindofmidwintercannot
penetratethedeeperburrows.NotoneofHazel'srabbitshadeverplayedanypartinrealdigging.Theworktheyhaddonethatmorningwastriflingandalltheyhadtoshowforitwasroughshelterandlittlecomfort.
Thereisnothinglikebadweathertorevealtheshortcomingsofadwelling,particularlyifitistoosmall.Youare,astheysay,stuck
withitandhaveleisuretofeelallitspeculiarirritationsanddiscomforts.Bigwig,withhisusualbriskenergy,settowork.Hazel,however,returnedandsatpensiveatthelipofthehole,lookingoutatthesilent,ripplingveilsofrainthatdriftedacrossandacrossthelittlevalleybetweenthetwocopses.Closer,beforehisnose,everybladeofgrass,everybrackenfrondwasbent,drippingand
glistening.Thesmelloflastyear'soakleavesfilledtheair.Ithadturnedchilly.Acrossthefieldthebloomofthecherrytreeunderwhichtheyhadsatthatmorninghungsoddenandspoiled.WhileHazelgazed,thewindslowlyveeredroundintothewest,asCowsliphadsaiditwould,andbroughttheraindrivingintothemouthofthehole.Hebackeddownandrejoinedtheothers.The
patteringandwhisperingoftherainsoundedsoftlybutdistinctlyoutside.Thefieldsandwoodswereshutinunderit,emptiedandsubdued.Theinsectlifeoftheleavesandgrasswasstilled.Thethrushshouldhavebeensinging,butHazelcouldhearnothrush.Heandhiscompanionswereamuddyhandfulofscratchers,crouchinginanarrow,draftypitinlonelycountry.Theywerenotoutof
theweather.Theywerewaiting,uncomfortably,fortheweathertochange.
"Blackberry,"saidHazel,"whatdidyouthinkofourvisitorandhowwouldyouliketogotohiswarren?"
"Well,"repliedBlackberry,"whatIthinkisthis.There'snowayoffindingoutwhetherhe'stobetrustedexcepttotryit.Heseemed
friendly.Butthen,ifalotofrabbitswereafraidofsomenewcomersandwantedtodeceivethem--getthemdownaholeandattackthem--they'dstart--wouldn'tthey?--bysendingsomeonewhowasplausible.Theymightwanttokillus.Butthenagain,ashesaid,there'splentyofgrassandasforturningthemoutortakingtheirdoes,ifthey'realluptohissizeandweightthey'venothingtofearfroma
crowdlikeus.Theymusthaveseenuscome.Weweretired.Surelythatwasthetimetoattackus?Orwhilewewereseparated,beforewebegandigging?Buttheydidn't.Ireckonthey'remorelikelytobefriendlythanotherwise.There'sonlyonethingbeatsme.Whatdotheystandtogetfromaskingustojointheirwarren?"
"Foolsattractelilbybeing
easyprey,"saidBigwig,cleaningthemudoutofhiswhiskersandblowingthroughhislongfrontteeth."Andwe'refoolsuntilwe'velearnedtolivehere.Safertoteachus,perhaps.Idon'tknow--giveitup.ButI'mnotafraidtogoandfindout.Iftheydotryanytricks,they'llfindIknowafewaswell.Iwouldn'tmindtakingachance,tosleepsomewheremorecomfortablethanthis.
Wehaven'tsleptsinceyesterdayafternoon."
"Fiver?"
"Ithinkweoughttohavenothingtodowiththatrabbitorhiswarren.Weoughttoleavethisplaceatonce.Butwhat'sthegoodoftalking?"
Coldanddamp,Hazelfeltimpatient.Hehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtorelyon
Fiverandnow,whenhereallyneededhim,hewaslettingthemdown.Blackberry'sreasoninghadbeenfirst-rateandBigwighadatleastshownwhichwayanysound-heartedrabbitwouldbelikelytolean.ApparentlytheonlycontributionFivercouldmakewasthisbeetle-spiritedvaporing.HetriedtorememberthatFiverwasundersizedandthattheyhad
hadananxioustimeandwereallweary.Atthismomentthesoilatthefarendoftheburrowbegantocrumbleinward:thenitfellawayandSilver'sheadandfrontpawsappeared.
"Hereweare,"saidSilvercheerfully."We'vedonewhatyouwanted,Hazel:andBuckthorn'sthroughnextdoor.ButwhatI'dliketoknowis,howaboutWhat's-
His-Name?Cowpat--no--Cowslip?Arewegoingtohiswarrenornot?Surelywe'renotgoingtositcoweringinthisplacebecausewe'refrightenedtogoandseehim.Whateverwillhethinkofus?"
"I'lltellyou,"saidDandelion,fromoverhisshoulder."Ifhe'snothonest,he'llknowwe'reafraidtocome:andifheis,he'llthink
we'resuspicious,cowardlyskulkers.Ifwe'regoingtoliveinthesefields,we'llhavetogetontermswithhislotsoonerorlater,anditgoesagainstthegraintohangaboutandadmitwedaren'tvisitthem."
"Idon'tknowhowmanyofthemthereare,"saidSilver,"butwe'requiteacrowd.Anyhow,Ihatetheideaofjustkeepingaway.Howlong
haverabbitsbeenelil?OldCowslipwasn'tafraidtocomeintothemiddleofus,washe?"
"Verywell,"saidHazel."That'showIfeelmyself.Ijustwantedtoknowwhetheryoudid.WouldyoulikeBigwigandmetogoovertherefirst,byourselves,andreportback?"
"No,"saidSilver."Let'sall
go.Ifwe'regoingatall,forFrith'ssakelet'sdoitasthoughweweren'tafraid.Whatdoyousay,Dandelion?"
"Ithinkyou'reright."
"Thenwe'llgonow,"saidHazel."Gettheothersandfollowme."
Outside,inthethickeninglightofthelateafternoon,
withtheraintricklingintohiseyesandunderhisscut,hewatchedthemastheyjoinedhim.Blackberry,alertandintelligent,lookingfirstupandthendowntheditchbeforehecrossedit.Bigwig,cheerfulattheprospectofaction.Thesteady,reliableSilver.Dandelion,thedashingstoryteller,soeagertobeoffthathejumpedtheditchandranalittlewayintothefieldbeforestoppingto
waitfortherest.Buckthorn,perhapsthemostsensibleandstaunchofthemall.Pipkin,wholookedroundforHazelandthencameovertowaitbesidehim.Acorn,HawkbitandSpeedwell,decentenoughrank-and-filersaslongastheywerenotpushedbeyondtheirlimits.LastofallcameFiver,dejectedandreluctantasasparrowinthefrost.AsHazelturnedfromthehole,thecloudsinthe
westbrokeslightlyandtherewasasuddendazzleofwatery,palegoldlight.
"OEl-ahrairah!"thoughtHazel."Thesearerabbitswe'regoingtomeet.Youknowthemaswellasyouknowus.LetitbetherightthingthatI'mdoing."
"Now,braceup,Fiver!"hesaidaloud."We'rewaitingforyou,andgettingwetterevery
moment."
Asoakingbumblebeecrawledoverathistlebloom,vibrateditswingsforafewsecondsandthenflewawaydownthefield.Hazelfollowed,leavingadarktrackbehindhimoverthesilveredgrass.
13.Hospitality
Intheafternoontheycame
untoaland
Inwhichitseemedalwaysafternoon.
Allroundthecoastthelanguidairdidswoon,
Breathinglikeonethathathawearydream.
Tennyson,TheLotus-Eaters
Thecorneroftheoppositewoodturnedouttobeanacutepoint.Beyondit,theditchandtreescurvedbackagaininare-entrant,sothatthefieldformedabaywithabankrunningallthewayround.ItwasevidentnowwhyCowslip,whenheleftthem,hadgoneamongthetrees.Hehadsimplyruninadirectlinefromtheirholestohisown,passingonhiswaythroughthenarrowstripof
woodlandthatlaybetween.Indeed,asHazelturnedthepointandstoppedtolookabouthim,hecouldseetheplacewhereCowslipmusthavecomeout.Aclearrabbittrackledfromthebracken,underthefenceandintothefield.Inthebankonthefurthersideofthebaytherabbitholeswereplaintosee,showingdarkanddistinctinthebareground.Itwasasconspicuousawarrenas
couldwellbeimagined.
"Skyaboveus!"saidBigwig."Everylivingcreatureformilesmustknowthat'sthere!Lookatallthetracksinthegrass,too!Doyouthinktheysinginthemorning,likethethrushes?"
"Perhapsthey'retoosecuretobotheraboutconcealingthemselves,"saidBlackberry."Afterall,thehomewarren
wasfairlyplaintobeseen."
"Yes,butnotlikethat!Acoupleofhrududilcouldgodownsomeofthoseholes."
"SocouldI,"saidDandelion."I'mgettingdreadfullywet."
Astheyapproached,abigrabbitappearedovertheedgeoftheditch,lookedatthemquicklyandvanishedintothe
bank.Afewmomentslatertwootherscameoutandwaitedforthem.They,too,weresleekandunusuallylarge.
"ArabbitcalledCowslipofferedusshelterhere,"saidHazel."Perhapsyouknowthathecametoseeus?"
Bothrabbitstogethermadeacurious,dancingmovementoftheheadandfrontpaws.
Apartfromsniffing,asHazelandCowsliphaddonewhentheymet,formalgestures--exceptbetweenmatingrabbits--wereunknowntoHazelandhiscompanions.Theyfeltmystifiedandslightlyillatease.Thedancerspaused,evidentlywaitingforsomeacknowledgmentorreciprocalgesture,buttherewasnone.
"Cowslipisinthegreatburrow,"saidoneofthematlength."Wouldyouliketofollowusthere?"
"Howmanyofus?"askedHazel.
"Why,allofyou,"answeredtheother,surprised."Youdon'twanttostayoutintherain,doyou?"
Hazelhadsupposedthathe
andoneortwoofhiscomradeswouldbetakentoseetheChiefRabbit--whowouldprobablynotbeCowslip,sinceCowsliphadcometoseethemunattended--inhisburrow,afterwhichtheywouldallbegivendifferentplacestogoto.Itwasthisseparationofwhichhehadbeenafraid.Henowrealizedwithastonishmentthattherewasapparentlyapartofthewarren
undergroundwhichwasbigenoughtocontainthemalltogether.Hefeltsocurioustovisititthathedidnotstoptomakeanydetailedarrangementsabouttheorderinwhichtheyshouldgodown.However,heputPipkinimmediatelybehindhim."It'llwarmhislittleheartforonce,"hethought,"andiftheleadersdogetattacked,Isupposewecansparehimeasierthansome."Bigwighe
askedtobringuptherear."Ifthere'sanytrouble,getoutofit,"hesaid,"andtakeasmanyasyoucanwithyou."Thenhefollowedtheirguidesintooneoftheholesinthebank.
Therunwasbroad,smoothanddry.Itwasobviouslyahighway,forotherrunsbranchedoffitinalldirections.TherabbitsinfrontwentfastandHazelhadlittletimetosniffaboutashe
followed.Suddenlyhechecked.Hehadcomeintoanopenplace.Hiswhiskerscouldfeelnoearthinfrontandnonewasnearhissides.Therewasagooddealofairaheadofhim--hecouldfeelitmoving--andtherewasaconsiderablespaceabovehishead.Also,therewereseveralrabbitsnearhim.Ithadnotoccurredtohimthattherewouldbeaplaceundergroundwherehewould
beexposedonthreesides.HebackedquicklyandfeltPipkinathistail."WhatafoolIwas!"hethought."Whydidn'tIputSilverthere?"AtthismomentheheardCowslipspeaking.Hejumped,forhecouldtellthathewassomewayaway.Thesizeoftheplacemustbeimmense.
"Isthatyou,Hazel?"saidCowslip."You'rewelcome,
andsoareyourfriends.We'regladyou'vecome."
Nohumanbeings,exceptthecourageousandexperiencedblind,areabletosensemuchinastrangeplacewheretheycannotsee,butwithrabbitsitisotherwise.Theyspendhalftheirlivesundergroundindarknessornear-darkness,andtouch,smellandhearingconveyasmuchormoretothemthan
sight.Hazelnowhadtheclearestknowledgeofwherehewas.Hewouldhaverecognizedtheplaceifhehadleftatonceandcomebacksixmonthslater.Hewasatoneendofthelargestburrowhehadeverbeenin;sandy,warmanddry,withahard,barefloor.Therewereseveraltreerootsrunningacrosstheroofanditwasthesethatsupportedtheunusualspan.Therewasagreatnumberof
rabbitsintheplace--manymorethanhewasbringing.Allhadthesamerich,opulentsmellasCowslip.
CowsliphimselfwasattheotherendofthehallandHazelrealizedthathewaswaitingforhimtoreply.Hisowncompanionswerestillcomingoutoftheentranceburrowonebyoneandtherewasagooddealofscrabblingandshuffling.Hewonderedif
heoughttobeveryformal.WhetherornothecouldcallhimselfaChiefRabbit,hehadhadnoexperienceofthissortofthing.TheThrearahwouldnodoubthaverisentotheoccasionperfectly.Hedidnotwanttoappearatalossortolethisfollowersdown.Hedecidedthatitwouldbebesttobeplainandfriendly.Afterall,therewouldbeplentyoftime,astheysettleddowninthewarren,toshowthese
strangersthattheywereasgoodasthemselves,withoutriskingtroublebyputtingonairsatthestart.
"We'regladtobeoutofthebadweather,"hesaid."We'relikeallrabbits--happiestinacrowd.Whenyoucameovertoseeusinthefield,Cowslip,yousaidyourwarrenwasn'tlarge,butjudgingbytheholeswesawalongthebank,itmustbe
whatwe'dreckonafine,bigone."
AshefinishedhesensedthatBigwighadjustenteredthehall,andknewthattheywerealltogetheragain.Thestrangerrabbitsseemedslightlydisconcertedbyhislittlespeechandhefeltthatforsomereasonorotherhehadnotstrucktherightnoteincomplimentingthemontheirnumbers.Perhapsthere
werenotverymanyofthemafterall?Hadtherebeendisease?Therewasnosmellorsignofit.Thesewerethebiggestandhealthiestrabbitshehadevermet.Perhapstheirfidgetingandsilencehadnothingtodowithwhathehadsaid?Perhapsitwassimplythathehadnotspokenverywell,beingnewtoit,andtheyfeltthathewasnotuptotheirfineways?"Nevermind,"hethought."Afterlast
nightI'msureofmyownlot.Wewouldn'tbehereatallifweweren'thandyinapinch.Theseotherfellowswilljusthavetogettoknowus.Theydon'tseemtodislikeus,anyway."
Therewerenomorespeeches.Rabbitshavetheirownconventionsandformalities,butthesearefewandshortbyhumanstandards.IfHazelhadbeena
humanbeinghewouldhavebeenexpectedtointroducehiscompanionsonebyoneandnodoubteachwouldhavebeentakeninchargeasaguestbyoneoftheirhosts.Inthegreatburrow,however,thingshappeneddifferently.Therabbitsminglednaturally.Theydidnottalkfortalking'ssake,intheartificialmannerthathumanbeings--andsometimeseventheirdogsandcats--do.But
thisdidnotmeanthattheywerenotcommunicating;merelythattheywerenotcommunicatingbytalking.Allovertheburrow,boththenewcomersandthosewhowereathomewereaccustomingthemselvestoeachotherintheirownwayandtheirowntime;gettingtoknowwhatthestrangerssmelledlike,howtheymoved,howtheybreathed,howtheyscratched,thefeel
oftheirrhythmsandpulses.Theseweretheirtopicsandsubjectsofdiscussion,carriedonwithouttheneedofspeech.Toagreaterextentthanahumaninasimilargathering,eachrabbit,ashepursuedhisownfragment,wassensitivetothetrendofthewhole.Afteratime,allknewthattheconcoursewasnotgoingtoturnsourorbreakupinafight.Justasabattlebeginsinastateof
equilibriumbetweenthetwosides,whichgraduallyaltersonewayortheotheruntilitisclearthatthebalancehastiltedsofarthattheissuecannolongerbeindoubt--sothisgatheringofrabbitsinthedark,beginningwithhesitantapproaches,silences,pauses,movements,crouchingssidebysideandallmanneroftentativeappraisals,slowlymoved,likeahemisphereoftheworldintosummer,toa
warmer,brighterregionofmutuallikingandapproval,untilallfeltsurethattheyhadnothingtofear.Pipkin,somewayawayfromHazel,crouchedathiseasebetweentwohugerabbitswhocouldhavebrokenhisbackinasecond,whileBuckthornandCowslipstartedaplayfulscuffle,nippingeachotherlikekittensandthenbreakingofftocombtheirearsinacomicalpretenseofsudden
gravity.OnlyFiversataloneandapart.Heseemedeitherillorverymuchdepressed,andthestrangersavoidedhiminstinctively.
TheknowledgethatthegatheringwassafelyroundthecornercametoHazelintheformofarecollectionofSilver'sheadandpawsbreakingthroughgravel.Atonce,hefeltwarmandrelaxed.Hehadalready
crossedthewholelengthofthehallandwaspressedclosetotworabbits,abuckandadoe,eachofwhomwasfullyaslargeasCowslip.Whenbothtogethertookafewslowhopsdownoneoftherunsnearby,Hazelfollowedandlittlebylittletheyallthreemovedoutofthehall.Theycametoasmallerburrow,deeperunderground.Evidentlythisbelongedtothecouple,fortheysettleddown
asthoughathomeandmadenoobjectionwhenHazeldidthesame.Here,whilethemoodofthegreathallslowlypassedfromthem,allthreeweresilentforatime.
"IsCowsliptheChiefRabbit?"askedHazelatlength.
Theotherrepliedwithaquestion."AreyoucalledChiefRabbit?"
Hazelfoundthisawkwardtoanswer.Ifherepliedthathewas,hisnewfriendsmightaddresshimsoforthefuture,andhecouldimaginewhatBigwigandSilverwouldhavetosayaboutthat.Asusual,hefellbackonplainhonesty.
"We'reonlyafew,"hesaid."Weleftourwarreninahurrytoescapefrombadthings.Moststayedbehind
andtheChiefRabbitwasoneofthem.I'vebeentryingtoleadmyfriends,butIdon'tknowwhetherthey'dcaretohearmecalledChiefRabbit."
"That'llmakehimaskafewquestions,"hethought."'Whydidyouleave?Whydidn'ttherestcome?Whatwereyouafraidof?'AndwhateveramIgoingtosay?"
Whentheotherrabbit
spoke,however,itwasclearthateitherhehadnointerestinwhatHazelhadsaid,orelsehehadsomeotherreasonfornotquestioninghim.
"Wedon'tcallanyoneChiefRabbit,"hesaid."ItwasCowslip'sideatogoandseeyouthisafternoon,sohewastheonewhowent."
"Butwhodecideswhattodoaboutelil?Anddigging
andsendingoutscoutingpartiesandsoon?"
"Oh,weneverdoanythinglikethat.Elilkeepawayfromhere.Therewasahombalastwinter,butthemanwhocomesthroughthefields,heshotitwithhisgun."
Hazelstared."Butmenwon'tshootahomba."
"Well,hekilledthisone,
anyway.Hekillsowlstoo.Weneverneedtodig.Noone'sduginmylifetime.Alotoftheburrowsarelyingempty,youknow:rats,liveinonepart,butthemankillsthemaswell,whenhecan.Wedon'tneedexpeditions.There'sbetterfoodherethananywhereelse.Yourfriendswillbehappylivinghere."
Buthehimselfdidnotsoundparticularlyhappyand
onceagainHazelfeltoddlyperplexed."Wheredoestheman--"hebegan.Buthewasinterrupted.
"I'mcalledStrawberry.Thisismydoe,Nildro-hain.*Someofthebestemptyburrowsarequiteclose.I'llshowyou,incaseyourfriendswanttosettleintothem.Thegreatburrowisasplendidplace,don'tyouthink?I'msuretherecan'tbe
manywarrenswherealltherabbitscanmeettogetherunderground.Theroofsalltreeroots,youknow,andofcoursethetreeoutsidekeepstherainfromcomingthrough.It'sawonderthetree'salive,butitis."
HazelsuspectedthatStrawberry'stalkinghadtherealpurposeofpreventinghisownquestions.Hewaspartlyirritatedandpartlymystified.
"Nevermind,"hethought."Ifweallgetasbigasthesechaps,weshalldoprettywell.Theremustbesomegoodfoodroundheresomewhere.Hisdoe'sabeautifulcreature,too.Perhapstherearesomemorelikeherinthewarren."
StrawberrymovedoutoftheburrowandHazelfollowedhimintoanotherrun,leadingdeeperdown
belowthewood.Itwascertainlyawarrentoadmire.Sometimes,whentheycrossedarunthatledupwardtoahole,hecouldheartherainoutside,stillfallinginthenight.Butalthoughithadnowbeenrainingforseveralhours,therewasnottheleastdamporcoldeitherinthedeeprunsorinthemanyburrowsthattheypassed.Boththedrainageandtheventilationwerebetterthan
hehadbeenaccustomedto.Hereandthereotherrabbitswereonthemove.OncetheycameuponAcorn,whowasevidentlybeingtakenonatourofthesamekind."Veryfriendly,aren'tthey?"hesaidtoHazelastheypassedoneanother."Ineverdreamedwe'dreachaplacelikethis.You'vegotwonderfuljudgment,Hazel."StrawberrywaitedpolitelyforhimtofinishspeakingandHazel
couldnothelpfeelingpleasedthathemusthaveheard.
Atlast,afterskirtingcarefullyroundsomeopeningsfromwhichtherewasadistinctsmellofrats,theyhaltedinakindofpit.Asteeptunnelledupintotheair.Rabbitrunstendtobebow-shaped;butthiswasstraight,sothatabovethem,throughthemouthofthehole,Hazelcouldseeleaves
againstthenightsky.Herealizedthatonewallofthepitwasconvexandmadeofsomehardsubstance.Hesniffedatituncertainly.
"Don'tyouknowwhatthoseare?"saidStrawberry."They'rebricks;thestonesthatmenmaketheirhousesandbarnsoutof.Thereusedtobeawellherelongago,butit'sfilledupnow--themendon'tuseitanymore.That's
theoutersideofthewellshaft.Andthisearthwallhereiscompletelyflatbecauseofsomemanthingfixedbehinditintheground,butI'mnotsurewhat."
"There'ssomethingstuckonit,"saidHazel."Why,they'restones,pushedintothesurface!Butwhatfor?"
"Doyoulikeit?"askedStrawberry.
Hazelpuzzledoverthestones.Theywereallthesamesize,andpushedatregularintervalsintothesoil.Hecouldmakenothingofthem.
"Whataretheyfor?"heaskedagain.
"It'sEl-ahrairah,"saidStrawberry."ArabbitcalledLaburnumdidit,sometimeagonow.Wehaveothers,but
thisisthebest.Worthavisit,don'tyouthink?"
Hazelwasmoreatalossthanever.Hehadneverseenalaburnumandwaspuzzledbythename,whichinLapineis"PoisonTree."HowcouldarabbitbecalledPoison?AndhowcouldstonesbeEl-ahrairah?What,exactly,wasitthatStrawberrywassayingwasEl-ahrairah?Inconfusionhesaid,"Idon'tunderstand."
"It'swhatwecallaShape,"explainedStrawberry."Haven'tyouseenonebefore?ThestonesmaketheshapeofEl-ahrairahonthewall.StealingtheKing'slettuce.Youknow?"
HazelhadnotfeltsomuchbewilderedsinceBlackberryhadtalkedabouttheraftbesidetheEnborne.Obviously,thestonescouldnotpossiblybeanythingtodo
withEl-ahrairah.ItseemedtohimthatStrawberrymightaswellhavesaidthathistailwasanoaktree.Hesniffedagainandthenputapawuptothewall.
"Steady,steady,"saidStrawberry."Youmightdamageitandthatwouldn'tdo.Nevermind.We'llcomeagainsomeothertime."
"Butwhereare--"Hazel
wasbeginning,whenStrawberryoncemoreinterruptedhim.
"Iexpectyou'llbehungrynow.IknowIam.It'sgoingonrainingallnight,I'mcertainofthat,butwecanfeed
undergroundhere,youknow.Andthenyoucansleepinthegreatburrow,orinmyplaceifyouprefer.We
cangobackmorequicklythanwecame.There'sarunthatgoesalmoststraight.Actually,itpassesacross--"
Hechattedonrelentlessly,astheymadetheirwayback.ItsuddenlyoccurredtoHazelthatthesedesperateinterruptionsseemedtofollowanyquestionbeginning"Where?"Hethoughthewouldputthistotheproof.Afterawhile
Strawberryendedbysaying,"We'renearlyatthegreatburrownow,butwe'recominginbyadifferentway."
"Andwhere--"saidHazel.InstantlyStrawberryturnedintoasiderunandcalled,"Kingcup?Areyoucomingdowntothegreatburrow?"Therewassilence,"That'sodd!"saidStrawberry,returningandoncemore
leadingtheway."He'sgenerallythereaboutthistime.Ioftencallforhim,youknow."
Hazel,hangingback,madeaquicksearchwithnoseandwhiskers.Thethresholdoftheburrowwascoveredwithaday-oldfallofsoftsoilfromtheroofabove.Strawberry'sprintshadmarkeditplainlyandtherewerenootherswhatsoever.
*SongoftheBlackbird."
14.''LikeTreesinNovember"
Courtsandcampsaretheonlyplacestolearntheworldin....Takethetoneofthecompanythatyouarein.
TheEarlofChesterfield,LetterstoHisSon
Thegreatburrowwaslesscrowdedthanwhentheyhadleftit.Nildro-hainwasthefirstrabbittheymet.Shewasamongagroupofthreeorfourfinedoeswhoweretalkingquietlytogetherandseemedtobefeedingaswell.Therewasasmellofgreenstuff.Evidentlysomekindoffoodwasavailableunderground,liketheThrearah'slettuce.HazelstoppedtospeaktoNildro-
hain.SheaskedwhetherhehadgoneasfarasthewellpitandtheEl-ahrairahofLaburnum.
"Yes,wedid,"saidHazel."It'ssomethingquitestrangetome,I'mafraid.ButI'dratheradmireyouandyourfriendsthanstonesonawall."
Ashesaidthis,henoticedthatCowsliphadjoinedthemandthatStrawberrywas
talkingtohimquietly.Hecaughtthewords"neverbeennearaShape"andamomentlaterCowslipreplied,"Well,itmakesnodifferencefromourpointofview."
Hazelsuddenlyfelttiredanddepressed.HeheardBlackberrybehindCowslip'ssleek,heavyshoulderandwentacrosstohim.
"Comeoutintothegrass,"
hesaidquietly."Bringanyoneelsewho'llcome."
AtthatmomentCowslipturnedtohimandsaid,"You'llbegladofsomethingtoeatnow.I'llshowyouwhatwe'vegotdownhere."
"Oneortwoofusarejustgoingtosilflay,"*saidHazel.
"Oh,it'sstillrainingmuchtoohardforthat,"said
Cowslip,,asthoughtherecouldbenotwowaysaboutit."We'llfeedyouhere."
"Ishouldbesorrytoquarreloverit,"saidHazelfirmly,"butsomeofusneedtosilflay.We'reusedtoit,andraindoesn'tbotherus."
CowslipseemedtakenabackforamomentThenhelaughed.
Thephenomenonoflaughterisunknowntoanimals;thoughitispossiblethatdogsandelephantsmayhavesomeinklingofit.TheeffectonHazelandBlackberrywasoverwhelming.Hazel'sfirstideawasthatCowslipwasshowingthesymptomofsomekindofdisease.Blackberryclearlythoughtthathemightbegoingtoattackthemandbackedaway.
Cowslipsaidnothing,buthiseerielaughtercontinued.HazelandBlackberryturnedandscuttledupthenearestrunasthoughhehadbeenaferret.HalfwayuptheymetPipkin,whowassmallenoughfirsttoletthempassandthentoturnroundandfollowthem.
Therainwasstillfallingsteadily.Thenightwasdarkand,forMay,cold.Theyall
threehunchedthemselvesinthegrassandnibbledwhiletherainranofftheirfurinstreams.
"Mygoodness,Hazel,"saidBlackberry,"didyoureallywanttosilflay?Thisisterrible!Iwasjustgoingtoeatwhateveritistheyhaveandthengotosleep.What'stheidea?"
"Idon'tknow,"replied
Hazel."IsuddenlyfeltIhadtogetoutandIwantedyourcompany.Icanseewhat'stroublingFiver;thoughhe'llgetoverit,Idaresay.Thereissomethingstrangeabouttheserabbits.Doyouknowtheypushstonesintothewall?"
"Theydowhat?"
Hazelexplained.Blackberrywasasmuchata
lossashehadbeenhimself."ButI'lltellyouanotherthing,"hesaid."Bigwigwasn'tsofarwrong.Theydosinglikethebirds.IwasinaburrowbelongingtoarabbitcalledBetony.Hisdoehasalitterandshewasmakinganoiseoverthemratherlikearobininautumn.Tosendthemtosleep,shesaid.Itmademefeelqueer,Icantellyou."
"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthem,Hlao-roo?"askedHazel.
"They'reveryniceandkind,"answeredPipkin,"butI'lltellyouhowtheystrikeme.Theyallseemterriblysad.Ican'tthinkwhy,whenthey'resobigandstrongandhavethisbeautifulwarren.ButtheyputmeinmindoftreesinNovember.IexpectI'mbeingsilly,though,Hazel.
YoubroughtushereandI'msureitmustbeafine,safeplace."
"No,you'renotbeingsilly.Ihadn'trealizedit,butyou'reperfectlyright.Theyallseemtohavesomethingontheirminds."
"Butafterall,"saidBlackberry,"wedon'tknowwhythey'resofew.Theydon'tfillthewarren,anything
like.Perhapsthey'vehadsomesortoftroublethat'sleftthemsad."
"Wedon'tknowbecausetheydon'ttellus.Butifwe'regoingtostayherewe'vegottolearntogetonwiththem.Wecan'tfightthem:they'retoobig.Andwedon'twantthemfightingus."
"Idon'tbelievetheycanfight,Hazel,"saidPipkin.
"Althoughthey'resobig,theydon'tseemlikefighterstome.NotlikeBigwigandSilver."
"Younoticealot,don'tyou,Hlao-roo?"saidHazel."Doyounoticeit'srainingharderthanever?I'vegotenoughgrassinmystomachforabit.We'llgodownagainnow,butlet'skeeptoourselvesforawhile."
"Whynotsleep?"said
Blackberry."It'soveranightandadaynowandI'mdropping."
Theyreturneddownadifferentholeandsoonfoundadry,emptyburrow,wheretheycurleduptogetherandsleptinthewarmthoftheirowntiredbodies.
WhenHazelwokeheperceivedatoncethatitwasmorning--sometimeafter
sunrise,bythesmellofit.Thescentofappleblossomwasplainenough.Thenhepickedupthefaintersmellsofbuttercupsandhorses.Mingledwiththesecameanother.Althoughitmadehimuneasy,hecouldnottellforsomemomentswhatitwas.Adangeroussmell,anunpleasantsmell,atotallyunnaturalsmell--quitecloseoutside:asmokesmell--somethingwasburning.Then
herememberedhowBigwig,afterhisreconnaissanceonthepreviousday,hadspokenofthelittlewhitesticksinthegrass.Thatwasit.Amanhadbeenwalkingoverthegroundoutside.Thatmusthavebeenwhathadawakenedhim.
Hazellayinthewarm,darkburrowwithadelightfulsenseofsecurity.Hecouldsmelltheman.Themancouldnotsmellhim.Allthe
mancouldsmellwasthenastysmokehewasmaking.HefelltothinkingoftheShapeinthewellpit,andthendroppedintoadrowsyhalf-dream,inwhichEl-ahrairahsaidthatitwasallatrickofhistodisguisehimselfasPoisonTreeandputthestonesinthewall,toengageStrawberry'sattentionwhilehehimselfwasgettingacquaintedwithNildro-hain.
Pipkinstirredandturnedinhissleep,murmuring,"Saynlaynarn,Marli?"("Isgroundselnice,Mother?")andHazel,touchedtothinkthathemustbedreamingofolddays,rolledoveronhissidetogivehimroomtosettleagain.Atthatmoment,however,heheardarabbitapproachingdownsomeruncloseby.Whoeveritwas,hewascalling--andstampingaswell,Hazelnoticed--inan
unnaturalway.Thesound,asBlackberryhadsaid,wasnotunlikebirdsong.Ashecamecloser,Hazelcoulddistinguishtheword.
"Flayrah!Flayrah!"
ThevoicewasStrawberry's.PipkinandBlackberrywerewaking,moreatthestampingthanthevoice,whichwasthinandnovel,notstrikingthrough
theirsleeptoanydeepinstinct.HazelslippedoutoftheburrowintotherunandatoncecameuponStrawberrybusilythumpingahindlegonthehardearthfloor.
"Mymotherusedtosay,'Ifyouwereahorsetheceilingwouldfalldown,'"saidHazel."Whydoyoustampunderground?"
"Towakeeveryone,"
answeredStrawberry."Therainwentonnearlyallnight,youknow.Wegenerallysleeprightthroughtheearlymorningifit'sroughweather.Butit'sturnedfinenow."
"Whyactuallywakeeverybody,though?"
"Well,theman'sgonebyandCowslipandIthoughttheflayrahoughtnottolieaboutforlong.Ifwedon'tgoand
getittheratsandrookscomeandIdon'tlikefightingrats.Iexpectit'sallintheday'sworktoanadventurouslotlikeyou."
"Idon'tunderstand,"
"Well,comealongwithme.I'mjustgoingbackalongthisrunforNildro-hain.Wehaven'tgotalitteratpresent,yousee,soshe'llcomeoutwiththerestofus."
OtherrabbitsweremakingtheirwayalongtherunandStrawberryspoketoseveralofthem,morethanonceremarkingthathewouldenjoytakingtheirnewfriendsacrossthefield.HazelbegantorealizethathelikedStrawberry.Onthepreviousdayhehadbeentootiredandbewilderedtosizehimup.Butnowthathehadhadagood
sleep,hecouldseethatStrawberrywasreallyaharmless,decentsortoffellow.HewastouchinglydevotedtothebeautifulNildro-hain;andheevidentlyhadmoodsofgaietyandagreatcapacityforenjoyment.AstheycameupintotheMaymorninghehoppedovertheditchandskippedintothelonggrassasblitheasasquirrel.Heseemedquitetohavelostthepreoccupiedair
thathadtroubledHazelthenightbefore.Hazelhimselfpausedinthemouthofthehole,ashealwayshadbehindthebramblecurtainathome,andlookedoutacrossthevalley.
Thesun,risenbehindthecopse,threwlongshadowsfromthetreessouthwestwardacrossthefield.Thewetgrassglitteredandnearbyanuttreesparklediridescent,
winkingandgleamingasitsbranchesmovedinthelightwind.ThebrookwasswollenandHazel'searscoulddistinguishthedeeper,smoothersound,changedsincethedaybefore.Betweenthecopseandthebrook,theslopewascoveredwithpalelilaclady's-smocks,eachstandingseparatelyinthegrass,afrailstalkofbloomaboveaspreadofcressyleaves.Thebreezedropped
andthelittlevalleylaycompletelystill,heldinlongbeamsoflightandenclosedoneithersidebythelinesofthewoods.Uponthisclearstillness,likefeathersonthesurfaceofapool,fellthecallingofacuckoo.
"It'squitesafe,Hazel,"saidCowslipbehindhiminthehole."Iknowyou'reusedtotakingagoodlookroundwhenyousilflay,butherewe
generallygostraightout."
HazeldidnotmeantoalterhiswaysortakeinstructionsfromCowslip.However,noonehadpushedhimandtherewasnopointinbickeringovertrifles.Hehoppedacrosstheditchtothefurtherbankandlookedroundhimagain.Severalrabbitswerealreadyrunningdownthefieldtowardadistanthedgedappledwhitewithgreat
patchesofmaybloom.HesawBigwigandSilverandwenttojointhem,flickingthewetoffhisfrontpawsstepbystep,likeacat.
"Ihopeyourfriendshavebeenlookingafteryouaswellasthesefellowshavelookedafterus,Hazel,"said
Bigwig."SilverandIreallyfeelathomeagain.Ifyouaskme,Ireckonwe'veallmadea
bigchangeforthebetter.EvenifFiver'swrongandnothingterriblehashappenedbackattheoldwarren,I'dstillsaywe'rebetteroffhere.Areyoucomingalongtofeed?"
"Whatisthisbusinessaboutgoingtofeed,doyouknow?"askedHazel.
"Haven'ttheytoldyou?Apparentlythere'sflayrahto
behaddownthefields.Mostofthemgoeveryday."
(Rabbitsusuallyeatgrass,aseveryoneknows.Butmoreappetizingfood--e.g.,lettuceorcarrots,forwhichtheywillmakeanexpeditionorrobagarden--isflayrah.)
"Flayrah?Butisn'titratherlateinthemorningtoraidagarden?"saidHazel,glancingatthedistantroofsofthe
farmbehindthetrees.
"No,no,"saidoneofthewarrenrabbits,whohadoverheardhim."Theflayrah'sleftinthefield,usuallyneartheplacewherethebrookrises.Weeithereatitthereorbringitback--orboth.Butwe'llhavetobringsomebacktoday.Therainwassobadlastnightthatnoonewentoutandweatealmosteverythinginthewarren."
Thebrookranthroughthehedgerow,andtherewasacattlewadeinthegap.Aftertheraintheedgeswereaswamp,withwaterstandingineveryhoofprint.Therabbitsgavethemawideberthandcamethroughbyanothergapfurtherup,closetothegnarledtrunkofanoldcrab-appletree.Beyond,surroundingathicketofrushes,stoodanenclosureofpostsandrailshalfashighas
aman.Insideit,thekingcupsbloomedandthebrookwhelmedupfromitssource.
OnthepasturenearbyHazelcouldseescattered,russet-and-orange-coloredfragments,somewithfeatherylightgreenfoliageshowingupagainstthedarkergrass.Theygaveoffapungent,horsysmell,asiffreshlycut.Itattractedhim.Hebegantosalivateand
stoppedtopasshraka.Cowslip,comingupnearby,turnedtowardhimwithhisunnaturalsmile.ButnowHazel,inhiseagerness,paidnoattention.Powerfullydrawn,heranoutofthehedgerowtowardthescatteredground.Hecametooneofthefragments,sniffeditandtastedit.Itwascarrot.
Hazelhadeatenvariousrootsinhislife,butonlyonce
beforehadhetastedcarrot,whenacarthorsehadspilledanosebagnearthehomewarren.Thesewereoldcarrots,somehalfeatenalreadybymiceorfly.Buttotherabbitstheywereredolentwithluxury,afeasttodriveallotherfeelingsoutofmind.Hazelsatnibblingandbiting,therich,fulltasteofthecultivatedrootsfillinghimwithawaveofpleasure.Hehoppedaboutthegrass,
gnawingonepieceafteranother,eatingthegreentopsalongwiththeslices.Nooneinterruptedhim.Thereseemedtobeplentyforall.Fromtimetotime,instinctively,helookedupandsniffedthewind,buthiscautionwashalf-hearted."Ifelilcome,letthem,"hethought."I'llfightthelot.Icouldn'trun,anyway.Whatacountry!Whatawarren!Nowonderthey'reallasbigas
haresandsmelllikeprinces!""Hello,Pipkin!Fillyourselfuptotheears!Nomoreshiveringonthebanksofstreamsforyou,oldchap!"
"Hewon'tknowhowtoshiverinaweekortwo,"saidHawkbit,withhismouthfull."Ifeelsomuchbetterforthis!I'dfollowyouanywhere,Hazel.Iwasn'tmyselfintheheatherthatnight.It'sbadwhenyouknowyoucan'tget
underground.Ihopeyouunderstand."
"It'sallforgotten,"answeredHazel."I'dbetteraskCowslipwhatwe'resupposedtodoabouttakingsomeofthisstuffbacktothewarren."
HefoundCowslipnearthespring.Hehadevidentlyfinishedfeedingandwaswashinghisfacewithhis
frontpaws.
"Arethererootshereeveryday?"askedHazel."Where--"Hecheckedhimselfjustintime."I'mlearning,"hethought.
"Notalwaysroots,"repliedCowslip."Thesearelastyear's,asyou'llhavenoticed.Isupposetheremainsarebeingclearedout.Itmaybeanything--roots,greenstuff,
oldapples:italldepends.Sometimesthere'snothingatall,especiallyingoodsummerweather.Butinhardweather,inwinter,there'snearlyalwayssomething.Bigroots,usually,orkale,orsometimescorn.Weeatthattoo,youknow."
"Food'snoproblem,then.Thewholeplaceoughttobefullofrabbits.Isuppose--"
"Ifyoureallyhavefinished,"interruptedCowslip,"--andthere'snohurry;dotakeyourtime--youcouldtrycarrying.It'seasywiththeseroots--easierthananythingexceptlettuce.Yousimplybiteontoone,takeitbacktothewarrenandputitinthegreatburrow.Igenerallytaketwoatatime,butthenI'vehadalotofpractice.Rabbitsdon'tusuallycarryfood,Iknow,butyou'll
learn.It'susefultohaveastore.Thedoesneedsomefortheiryoungwhenthey'regettingbigger;andit'sparticularlyconvenientforallofusinbadweather.ComebackwithmeandI'llhelpifyoufindthecarryingdifficultatfirst."
IttookHazelsometroubletoleamtogriphalfacarrotinhismouthandcarryit,likeadog,acrossthefieldandback
tothewarren.Hehadtoputitdownseveraltimes.ButCowslipwasencouragingandhewasdeterminedtokeepuphispositionastheresourcefulleaderofthenewcomers.Athissuggestiontheybothwaitedatthemouthofoneofthelargerholestoseehowhiscompanionswereshaping.Theyallseemedtobemakinganeffortanddoingtheirbest,althoughthesmallerrabbits--especiallyPipkin--clearly
foundthetaskanawkwardone.
"Cheerup,Pipkin,"saidHazel."Thinkhowmuchyou'llenjoyeatingittonight.Anyway,I'msureFivermustfinditashardasyou:he'sjustassmall."
"Idon'tknowwhereheis,"saidPipkin."Haveyouseenhim?"
NowthatHazelthoughtaboutit,hehadnot.Hebecamealittleanxiousand,ashereturnedacrossthefieldwithCowslip,didhisbesttoexplainsomethingofFiver'speculiartemperament."Idohopehe'sallright,"hesaid."IthinkperhapsI'llgoandlookforhimwhenwe'vecarriedthisnextlot.Haveyouanyideawherehemightbe?"
HewaitedforCowslipto
reply,buthewasdisappointed.AfterafewmomentsCowslipsaid,"Look,doyouseethosejackdawshangingroundthecarrots?They'vebeenanuisanceforseveraldaysnow.Imustgetsomeonetotrytokeepthemoffuntilwe'vefinishedcarrying.Butthey'rereallytoobigforarabbittotackle.Now,sparrows--"
"What'sthatgottodowithFiver?"askedHazelsharply.
"Infact,"saidCowslip,breakingintoarun,"I'llgomyself."
ButhedidnotengagethejackdawsandHazelsawhimpickupanothercarrotandstartbackwithit.Annoyed,hejoinedBuckthornandDandelionandthethreeofthemreturnedtogether.As
theycameuptothewarrenbankhesuddenlycaughtsightofFiver.Hewassittinghalfconcealedunderthelowspreadofayewtreeontheedgeofthecopse,somewayfromtheholesofthewarren.Puttingdownhiscarrot,Hazelranacross,scrambledupthebankandjoinedhimonthebaregroundunderthelow,closeboughs.Fiversaidnothingandcontinuedtostareoverthefield.
"Aren'tyoucomingtolearntocarry,Fiver?"askedHazelatlength."It'snottoodifficultonceyougetthehangofit."
"I'llhavenothingtodowithit,"answeredFiverinalowvoice."Dogs--you'relikedogscarryingsticks."
"Fiver!Areyoutryingtomakemeangry?I'mnotgoingtogetangrybecause
youcallmestupidnames.Butyou'relettingtheothersdoallthework."
"I'mtheonewhooughttogetangry,"saidFiver."ButI'mnogoodatit,that'sthetrouble.Whyshouldtheylistentome?HalfofthemthinkI'mmad.You'retoblame,Hazel,becauseyouknowI'mnotandstillyouwon'tlisten."
"Soyoudon'tlikethiswarrenanybetterevennow?Well,Ithinkyou'rewrong.Everyonemakesmistakessometimes.Whyshouldn'tyoumakeamistake,likeeverybodyelse?Hawkbitwaswrongintheheatherandyou'rewrongnow."
"Thosearerabbitsdownthere,trottingalonglikealotofsquirrelswithnuts.Howcanthatberight?"
"Well,I'dsaythey'vecopiedagoodideafromthesquirrelsandthatmakesthembetterrabbits."
"Doyousupposetheman,whoeverheis,putstherootsouttherebecausehehasakindheart?What'sheupto?"
"He'sjustthrowingawayrubbish.Howmanyrabbitshavehadagoodmealoffmen'srubbishheaps?Shot
lettuces,oldturnips?Youknowwealldo,whenwecan.It'snotpoisoned,Fiver,Icantellyouthat.Andifhewantedtoshootrabbitshe'shadplentyofchancesthismorning.Buthehasn'tdoneit."
Fiverseemedtogrowevensmallerasheflattenedhimselfonthehardearth."I'mafooltotrytoargue,"hesaidmiserably."Hazel--dear
oldHazel--it'ssimplythatIknowthere'ssomethingunnaturalandeviltwistedallroundthisplace.Idon'tknowwhatitis,sonowonderIcan'ttalkaboutit.Ikeepgettingnearit,though.Youknowhowyoupokeyournoseagainstwirenettingandpushitupagainstanappletree,butyoustillcan'tbitethebarkbecauseofthewire.I'mclosetothis--whateveritis--butIcan'tgripit.IfIsithere
aloneImayreachityet."
"Fiver,whynotdoasIsay?Haveamealonthoserootsandthengoundergroundandsleep.You'llfeelallthebetterforit."
"ItellyouI'llhavenothingtodowiththeplace,"saidFiver."Asforgoingunderground,I'drathergobackovertheheather.Theroofofthathallismadeof
bones."
"No,no--treeroots.But,afterall,youwereundergroundallnight."
"Iwasn't,"saidFiver.
"What?Wherewereyou,then?"
"Here."
"Allnight?"
"Yes.Ayewtreegivesgoodshelter,youknow."
Hazelwasnowseriouslyworried.IfFiver'shorrorshadkepthimabovegroundallnightintherain,obliviousofcoldandprowlingelil,thenclearlyitwasnotgoingtobeeasytotalkhimoutofthem.Hewassilentforsometime.Atlasthesaid,"Whatashame!Istillthinkyou'ddobettertocomeandjoinus.
ButI'llletyoualonenowandcomeandseehowyou'refeelinglater.Don'tgoeatingtheyewtree,either."
FivermadenoreplyandHazelwentbacktothefield.
Thedaywascertainlynotonetoencourageforeboding.Byni-Frithitwassohotthatthelowerpartofthefieldwashumid.Theairwasheavywiththick,herbalsmells,as
thoughitwerealreadylateJune;thewatermintandmarjoram,notyetflowering,gaveoffscentfromtheirleavesandhereandthereanearlymeadowsweetstoodinbloom.Thechiffchaffwasbusyallmorning,highinasilverbirchneartheabandonedholesacrossthedip;andfromdeepinthecopse,somewherebythedisusedwell,camethebeautifulsongofthe
blackcap.Byearlyafternoontherewasastillnessofheat,andaherdofcowsfromthehigherfieldsslowlygrazedtheirwaydownintotheshade.Onlyafewoftherabbitsremainedaboveground.Almostallwereasleepintheburrows.ButstillFiversataloneundertheyewtree.
IntheearlyeveningHazelsoughtoutBigwigand
togethertheyventuredintothecopsebehindthewarren.Atfirsttheymovedcautiously,butbeforelongtheygrewconfidentatfindingnotraceofanycreaturelargerthanamouse.
"There'snothingtosmell,"saidBigwig,"andnotracks.IthinkCowslip'stoldusnomorethanthetruth.Therereallyaren'tanyelilhere.Differentfromthatwood
wherewecrossedtheriver.Idon'tmindtellingyou,Hazel,Iwasscaredstiffthatnight,butIwasn'tgoingtoshowit."
"SowasI,"answeredHazel."ButIagreewithyouaboutthisplace.Itseemscompletelyclear.Ifwe--"
"Thisisodd,though,"interruptedBigwig.Hewasinaclumpofbrambles,inthemiddleofwhichwasarabbit
holethatledupfromoneofthewarrenpassagesbelow.Thegroundwassoftanddamp,witholdleavesthickinthemold.WhereBigwighadstoppedthereweresignsofcommotion.Therottenleaveshadbeenthrownupinshowers.Somewerehangingonthebramblesandafewflat,wetclotswerelyingwelloutinopengroundbeyondtheclump.Inthecentertheearthhadbeenlaidbareand
wasscoredwithlongscratchesandfurrows,andtherewasanarrow,regularhole,aboutthesamesizeasoneofthecarrotstheyhadcarriedthatmorning.Thetworabbitssniffedandstared,butcouldmakenothingofit.
"Thefunnythingisthere'snosmell,"saidBigwig.
"No--onlyrabbit,andthat'severywhere,ofcourse.And
man--that'severywhere,too.Butthatsmellmightverywellhavenothingtodowithit.Allittellsusisthatamanwalkedthroughthewoodandthrewawhitestickdown.Itwasn'tamanthattoreupthisground."
"Well,thesemadrabbitsprobablydanceinthemoonlightorsomething."
"Iwouldn'tbesurprised,"
saidHazel."Itwouldbejustlikethem.Let'saskCowslip."
"That'stheonlysillythingyou'vesaidsofar.Tellme,sincewecameherehasCowslipansweredanyquestionyou'veaskedhim?"
"Well,no--notmany."
"Tryaskinghimwherehedancesinthemoonlight.Say'Cowslip,where--'"
"Oh,you'venoticedthat,too,haveyou?Hewon'tanswer'Where'anything.NeitherwillStrawberry.Ithinktheymaybenervousofus.Pipkinwasrightwhenhesaidtheyweren'tfighters.Sothey'rekeepingupamysterytostayevenwithus.It'sbestjusttoputupwithit.Wedon'twanttoupsetthemandit'sboundtosmoothitselfoutintime."
"There'smoreraincomingtonight,"saidBigwig."Soon,too,Ithink.Let'sgoundergroundandseeifwecangetthemtotalkabitmorefreely."
"Ithinkthat'ssomethingwecanonlywaitfor.ButIagreeaboutgoingundergroundnow.Andforgoodness'sakelet'sgetFivertocomewithus.Hetroublesme.Doyouknowhewasout
allnightintherain?"
AstheywentbackthroughthecopseHazelrecountedhistalkwithFiverthatmorning.Theyfoundhimundertheyewtreeandafteraratherstormyscene,duringwhichBigwiggrewroughandimpatient,hewasbulliedratherthanpersuadedintogoingdownwiththemintothegreatburrow.
Itwascrowded,andastherainbegantofallmorerabbitscamedowntheruns.Theypushedabout,cheerfulandchattering.Thecarrotswhichhadbeenbroughtinwereeatenbetweenfriendsorcarriedawaytodoesandfamiliesinburrowsalloverthewarren.Butwhentheywerefinishedthehallremainedfull.Itwaspleasantlywarmwiththeheatofsomanybodies.Gradually
thetalkativegroupssettledintoacontentedsilence,butnooneseemeddisposedtogotosleep.Rabbitsarelivelyatnightfall,andwheneveningraindrivesthemundergroundtheystillfeelgregarious.Hazelnoticedthatalmostallhiscompanionsseemedtohavebecomefriendlywiththewarrenrabbits.Also,hefoundthatwheneverhemovedintoonegrouporanother,thewarrenrabbits
evidentlyknewwhohewasandtreatedhimastheleaderofthenewcomers.HecouldnotfindStrawberry,butafteratimeCowslipcameuptohimfromtheotherendofthehall.
"I'mgladyou'rehere,Hazel,"hesaid."Someofourlotaresuggestingastoryfromsomebody.We'rehopingoneofyourpeoplewouldliketotellone,butwe
canbeginourselves,ifyou'dprefer."
Thereisarabbitsaying,"Inthewarren,morestoriesthanpassages";andarabbitcannomorerefusetotellastorythananIrishmancanrefusetofight.Hazelandhisfriendsconferred.AfterashorttimeBlackberryannounced,"We'veaskedHazeltotellyouaboutouradventures:howwemadeour
journeyhereandhadthegoodlucktojoinyou."
Therewasanuncomfortablesilence,brokenonlybyshufflingandwhispering.Blackberry,dismayed,turnedbacktoHazelandBigwig.
"What'sthematter?"heaskedinalowvoice."Surelythere'snoharminthat?"
"Wait,"repliedHazelquietly."Letthemtellusiftheydon'tlikeit.Theyhavetheirownwayshere."
However,thesilencecontinuedforsometime,asthoughtheotherrabbitsdidnotcaretomentionwhattheythoughtwaswrong.
"It'snogood,"saidBlackberryatlast."You'llhavetosaysomething
yourself,Hazel.No,whyshouldyou?I'lldoit."Hespokeupagain."Onsecondthoughts,Hazelremembersthatwehaveagoodstorytelleramongus.DandelionwilltellyouastoryofEl-ahrairah.Thatcan'tgowrong,anyway,"hewhispered.
"Whichone,though?"saidDandelion.
Hazelrememberedthestonesbythewellpit."TheKing'sLettuce,"heanswered."Theythinkalotofthat,Ibelieve."
Dandeliontookuphiscuewiththesamepluckyreadinessthathehadshowninthewood."I'lltellthestoryoftheKing'sLettuce,"hesaidaloud.
"Weshallenjoythat,"
repliedCowslipimmediately.
"He'dbetter,"mutteredBigwig.
Dandelionbegan.
*Goabovegroundtofeed.
15.TheStoryoftheKing'sLettuce
DonAlfonso:"Eccoviilmedico,signorebelle."
FerrandoandGuglielmo:"Despinainmaschera,chetristepelle!"
LorenzodaPonte,CosìfanTutte
"TheysaythattherewasatimewhenEl-ahrairahandhisfollowerslostalltheirluck.Theirenemiesdrovethemoutandtheywereforcedtolivedowninthemarshesof
Kelfazin.Now,wherethemarshesofKelfazinmaybeIdonotknow,butatthetimewhenEl-ahrairahandhisfollowerswerelivingthere,ofallthedrearyplacesintheworldtheywerethedreariest.Therewasnofoodbutcoarsegrassandeventhegrasswasmixedwithbitterrushesanddocks.Thegroundwastoowetfordigging:thewaterstoodinanyholethatwasmade.Butalltheother
animalshadgrownsosuspiciousofEl-ahrairahandhistricksthattheywouldnotlethimoutofthatwretchedcountryandeverydayPrinceRainbowusedtocomewalkingthroughthemarshestomakesurethatEl-ahrairahwasstillthere.PrinceRainbowhadthepoweroftheskyandthepowerofthehillsandFrithhadtoldhimtoordertheworldashethoughtbest.
"Oneday,whenPrinceRainbowwascomingthroughthemarshes,El-ahrairahwentuptohimandsaid,'PrinceRainbow,mypeoplearecoldandcannotgetundergroundbecauseofthewet.Theirfoodissodullandpoorthattheywillbeillwhenthebadweathercomes.Whydoyoukeepushereagainstourwill?Wedonoharm.'
"'El-ahrairah,'replied
PrinceRainbow,'alltheanimalsknowthatyouareathiefandatrickster.Nowyourtrickshavecaughtupwithyouandyouhavetolivehereuntilyoucanpersuadeusthatyouwillbeanhonestrabbit.'
"'Thenweshallnevergetout,'saidEl-ahrairah,'forIwouldbeashamedtotellmypeopletostoplivingontheirwits.WillyouletusoutifI
canswimacrossalakefullofpike?'
"'No,'saidPrinceRainbow,'forIhaveheardofthattrickofyours,El-ahrairah,andIknowhowitisdone.'
"'WillyouletusgoifIcanstealthelettucesfromKingDarzin'sgarden?'askedEl-ahrairah.
"Now,KingDarzinruledoverthebiggestandrichestoftheanimalcitiesintheworldatthattime.Hissoldierswereveryfierceandhislettucegardenwassurroundedbyadeepditchandguardedbyathousandsentriesdayandnight.Itwasnearhispalace,ontheedgeofthecitywhereallhisfollowerslived.SowhenEl-ahrairahtalkedofstealingKingDarzin'slettuces,PrinceRainbow
laughedandsaid,
"'Youcantry,El-ahrairah,andifyousucceedIwillmultiplyyourpeopleeverywhereandnoonewillbeabletokeepthemoutofavegetablegardenfromnowtilltheendoftheworld.Butwhatwillreallyhappenisthatyouwillbekilledbythesoldiersandtheworldwillberidofasmooth,plausiblerascal.'
"'Verywell,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Weshallsee.'
"Now,Yonathehedgehogwasnearby,lookingforslugsandsnailsinthemarshes,andheheardwhatpassedbetweenPrinceRainbowandEl-ahrairah.HeslippedawaytothegreatpalaceofKingDarzinandbeggedtoberewardedforwarninghimagainsthisenemies.
"'KingDarzin,'hesniffled,'thatwickedthiefEl-ahrairahhassaidhewillstealyourlettucesandheiscomingtotrickyouandgetintothegarden.'
"KingDarzinhurrieddowntothelettucegardenandsentforthecaptainoftheguard.
"'Youseetheselettuces?'hesaid.'Notoneofthemhasbeenstolensincetheseed
wassown.VerysoonnowtheywillbereadyandthenImeantoholdagreatfeastforallmypeople.ButIhaveheardthatthatscoundrelEh-ahrairahmeanstocomeandstealthemifhecan.Youaretodoubletheguards:andallthegardenersandweedersaretobeexaminedeveryday.NotoneleafistogooutofthegardenuntileitherIormychieftastergivestheorder.'
"Thecaptainoftheguarddidashewastold.ThatnightEl-ahrairahcameoutofthemarshesofKelfazinandwentsecretlyuptothegreatditch.WithhimwashistrustyCaptainofOwsla,Rabscuttle.Theysquattedinthebushesandwatchedthedoubledguardspatrollingupanddown.Whenthemorningcametheysawallthegardenersandweederscominguptothewalland
everyonewaslookedatbythreeguards.Onewasnewandhadcomeinsteadofhisunclewhowasill,buttheguardswouldnotlethiminbecausetheydidnotknowhimbysightandtheynearlythrewhimintotheditchbeforetheywouldevenlethimgohome.El-ahrairahandRabscuttlecameawayinperplexityandthatday,whenPrinceRainbowcamewalkingthroughthefields,he
said,'Well,well,PrincewiththeThousandEnemies,wherearethelettuces?'
"'Iamhavingthemdelivered,'answeredEl-ahrairah.'Therewillberathertoomanytocarry.'ThenheandRabscuttlewentsecretlydownoneoftheirfewholeswheretherewasnowater,putasentryoutsideandthoughtandtalkedforadayandanight.
"OnthetopofthehillnearKingDarzin'spalacetherewasagardenandherehismanychildrenandhischieffollowers'childrenusedtobetakentoplaybytheirmothersandnursemaids.Therewasnowallroundthegarden.Itwasguardedonlywhenthechildrenwerethere:atnightitwasempty,becausetherewasnothingtostealandnoonetobehunted.ThenextnightRabscuttle,whohadbeentold
byEl-ahrairahwhathehadtodo,wenttothegardenanddugascrape.Hehidinthescrapeallnight;andthenextmorning,whenthechildrenwerebroughttoplay,heslippedoutandjoinedthem.Thereweresomanychildrenthateachoneofthemothersandnursemaidsthoughtthathemustbelongtosomebodyelse,butashewasaboutthesamesizeasthechildrenandnotmuchdifferenttolookat,
hewasabletomakefriendswithsomeofthem.Rabscuttlewasfulloftricksandgamesandquitesoonhewasrunningandplayingjustasifhehadbeenoneofthechildrenhimself.Whenthetimecameforthechildrentogohome,Rabscuttlewent,too.TheycameuptothegateofthecityandtheguardssawRabscuttlewithKingDarzin'sson.Theystoppedhimandaskedwhichwashismother,
buttheKing'ssonsaid,'Youlethimalone.He'smyfriead,'andRabscuttlewentinwithalltheothers.
"Now,assoonasRabscuttlegotinsidetheKing'spalace,hescurriedoffandwentintooneofthedarkburrows;andherehehidallday.Butintheeveninghecameoutandmadehiswaytotheroyalstorerooms,wherethefoodwasbeinggot
readyfortheKingandhischieffollowersandwives.Thereweregrassesandfruitsandrootsandevennutsandberries,forKingDarzin'speoplewenteverywhereinthosedays,throughthewoodsandfields.TherewerenosoldiersinthestoreroomsandRabscuttlehidthereinthedark.Andhedidallhecouldtomakethefoodbad,exceptwhatheatehimself.
"ThateveningKingDarzinsentforthechieftasterandaskedhimwhetherthelettuceswereready.Thechieftastersaidthatseveralofthemwereexcellentandthathehadalreadyhadsomebroughtintothestores.
"'Good,'saidtheKing.'Wewillhavetwoorthreetonight.'
"Butthenextmorningthe
Kingandseveralofhispeopleweretakenillwithbadstomachs.Whatevertheyate,theykeptongettingill,becauseRabscuttlewashidinginthestoreroomsandspoilingthefoodasfastasitwasbroughtin.TheKingateseveralmorelettuces,buthegotnobetter.Infact,hegotworse.
"AfterfivedaysRabscuttleslippedoutagainwiththe
childrenandcamebacktoEl-ahrairah.WhenheheardthattheKingwasillandthatRabscuttlehaddoneallhewanted,El-ahrairahsettoworktodisguisehimself.HeclippedhiswhitetailandmadeRabscuttlenibblehisfurshortandstainitwithmudandblackberries.Thenhecoveredhimselfalloverwithtrailingstrandsofgoosegrassandbigburdocksandheevenfoundwaystoalterhis
smell.Atlastevenhisownwivescouldnotrecognizehim,andEl-ahrairahtoldRabscuttletofollowsomewaybehindandoffhewenttoKingDarzin'spalace.ButRabscuttlewaitedoutside,onthetopofthehill.
"Whenhegottothepalace,El-ahrairahdemandedtoseethecaptainoftheguard.'YouaretotakemetotheKing,'hesaid.'PrinceRainbowhas
sentme.HehasheardthattheKingisillandhehassentforme,fromthedistantlandbeyondKelfazin,tofindthecauseofhissickness.Bequick!Iamnotaccustomedtobekeptwaiting.'
"'HowdoIknowthisistrue?'askedthecaptainoftheguard.
"'Itisallonetome,'repliedEl-ahrairah.'Whatis
thesicknessofalittlekingtothechiefphysicianofthelandbeyondthegoldenriverofFrith?IwillreturnandtellPrinceRainbowthattheKing'sguardwerefoolishandgavemesuchtreatmentasonemightexpectfromacrowdofflea-bittenlouts.'
"Heturnedandbegantogoaway,butthecaptainoftheguardbecamefrightenedandcalledhimback.El-ahrairah
allowedhimselftobepersuadedandthesoldierstookhimtotheKing.
"Afterfivedaysofbadfoodandbadstomach,theKingwasnotinclinedtobesuspiciousofsomeonewhosaidthatPrinceRainbowhadsenthimtomakehimbetter.HebeggedEl-ahrairahtoexaminehimandpromisedtodoallhesaid.
"El-ahrairahmadeagreatbusinessofexaminingtheKing.Helookedathiseyesandhisearsandhisteethandhisdroppingsandtheendsofhisclawsandheinquiredwhathehadbeeneating.Thenhedemandedtoseetheroyalstoreroomsandthelettucegarden.Whenhecamebackhelookedverygraveandsaid,'GreatKing,Iknowwellwhatsorrynewsitwillbetoyou,butthecauseof
yoursicknessisthoseverylettucesbywhichyousetsuchstore.'
"'Thelettuces?'criedKingDarzin.'Impossible!Theyareallgrownfromgood,healthyseedandguardeddayandnight.'
"'Alas!'saidEh-ahrairah.'Iknowitwell!ButtheyhavebeeninfectedbythedreadedLousepedoodle,thatfliesin
everdecreasingcirclesthroughtheGunpatoftheCludge--adeadlyvirus--dearme,yes!--isolatedbythepurpleAvvagoandmaturinginthegray-greenforestsoftheOkeyPokey.This,youunderstand,istoputthematterforyouinsimpleterms,insofarasIcan.Medicallyspeaking,therearecertaincomplexitieswithwhichIwillnotwearyyou.'
"'Icannotbelieveit,'saidtheKing.
"'Thesimplestcourse,'saidEl-ahrairah,willbetoproveittoyou.Butweneednotmakeoneofyoursubjectsill.Tellthesoldierstogooutandtakeaprisoner.'
"ThesoldierswentoutandthefirstcreaturetheyfoundwasRabscuttle,grazingonthehilltop.Theydraggedhim
throughthegatesandintotheKing'spresence.
"'Ah,arabbit,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Nastycreature!Somuchthebetter.Disgustingrabbit,eatthatlettuce!'
"Rabscuttledidsoandsoonafterwardhebegantomoanandthrashabout.Hekickedinconvulsionsandrolledhiseyes.Hegnawedatthefloorandfrothedatthe
mouth.
"'Heisveryill,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Hemusthavegotanexceptionallybadone.Orelse,whichismoreprobable,theinfectionisparticularlydeadlytorabbits.But,inanyevent,letusbethankfulitwasnotYourMajesty.Well,hehasservedourpurpose.Throwhimout!IwouldstronglyadviseYourMajesty,'wentonEl-ahrairah,
'nottoleavethelettuceswheretheyare,fortheywillshootandflowerandseed.Theinfectionwillspread.Iknowitisdisappointing,butyoumustgetridofthem.'
"Atthatmoment,asluckwouldhaveit,incamethecaptainoftheguard,withYonathehedgehog.
"'YourMajesty,'hecried,'thiscreaturereturnsfromthe
marshesofKelfazin.ThepeopleofEl-ahrairaharemusteringforwar.TheysaytheyarecomingtoattackYourMajesty'sgardenandstealtheroyallettuces.MayIhaveYourMajesty'sordertotakeoutthesoldiersanddestroythem?'
"'Aha!'saidtheKing.'Ihavethoughtofatrickworthtwoofthat."Particularlydeadlytorabbits."Well!
Well!Letthemhaveallthelettucestheywant.Infact,youaretotakeathousanddowntothemarshesofKelfazinandleavethemthere.Ho!Ho!Whatajoke!Ifeelallthebetterforit!'
"'Ah,whatdeadlycunning!'saidEl-ahrairah.'NowonderYourMajestyisrulerofagreatpeople.Ibelieveyouarealreadyrecovering.Aswithmany
illnesses,thecureissimple,onceperceived.No,no,Iwillacceptnoreward.Inanycase,thereisnothingherethatwouldbethoughtofvalueintheshininglandbeyondthegoldenriverofFrith.IhavedoneasPrinceRainbowrequired.Itissufficient.Perhapsyouwillbesogoodastotellyourguardstoaccompanymetothefootofthehill?'Hebowed,andleftthepalace.
"Laterthatevening,asEl-ahrairahwasurginghisrabbitstogrowlmorefiercelyandrunupanddowninthemarshesofKelfazin,PrinceRainbowcameovertheriver.
"'El-ahrairah,'hecalled,'amIbewitched?'
"'Itisquitepossible,'saidEl-ahrairah.'ThedreadedLousepedoodle--'
"'Thereareathousandlettucesinapileatthetopofthemarsh.Whoputthemthere?'
"'Itoldyoutheywerebeingdelivered,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Youcouldhardlyexpectmypeople,weakandhungryastheyare,tocarrythemallthewayfromKingDarzin'sgarden.However,theywillsoonrecovernow,underthetreatmentthatI
shallprescribe.Iamaphysician,Imaysay,andifyouhavenotheardasmuch,PrinceRainbow,youmaytakeitthatyousoonwill,fromanotherquarter.Rabscuttle,gooutandcollectthelettuces.'
"ThenPrinceRainbowsawthatEl-ahrairahhadbeenasgoodashisword,andthathehimselfmustkeephispromise,too.Heletthe
rabbitsoutofthemarshesofKelfazinandtheymultipliedeverywhere.Andfromthatdaytothis,nopoweronearthcankeeparabbitoutofavegetablegarden,forEl-ahrairahpromptsthemwithathousandtricks,thebestintheworld."
16.Silverweed
Hesaid,"Danceforme"
andhesaid,
"Youaretoobeautifulforthewind
Topickat,orthesuntoburn."Hesaid,
"I'mapoortatteredthing,butnotunkind
Tothesaddancerandthedancingdead."
SidneyKeyes,FourPosturesofDeath
"Welldone,"saidHazel,asDandelionended.
"He'sverygood,isn'the?"saidSilver."We'reluckytohavehimwithus.Itraisesyourspiritsjusttohearhim."
"That'sputtheirearsflatforthem,"whisperedBigwig."Let'sjustseethemfinda
storytellertobeathim."
TheywereallinnodoubtthatDandelionhaddonethemcredit.Eversincetheirarrivalmostofthemhadfeltoutoftheirdepthamongthesemagnificent,well-fedstrangers,withtheirdetachedmanners,theirShapesonthewall,theirelegance,theiradroitevasionofalmostallquestions--aboveall,theirfitsofun-rabbitlikemelancholy.
Now,theirownstorytellerhadshownthattheywerenomerebunchoftramps.Certainly,noreasonablerabbitcouldwithholdadmiration.Theywaitedtobetoldasmuch,butafterafewmomentsrealizedwithsurprisethattheirhostswereevidentlylessenthusiastic.
"Verynice,"saidCowslip.Heseemedtobesearchingforsomethingmoretosay,
butthenrepeated,"Yes,verynice.Anunusualtale."
"Buthemustknowit,surely?"mutteredBlackberrytoHazel.
"Ialwaysthinkthesetraditionalstoriesretainalotofcharm,"saidanotheroftherabbits,"especiallywhenthey'retoldinthereal,old-fashionedspirit."
"Yes,"saidStrawberry."Conviction,that'swhatitneeds.YoureallyhavetobelieveinEl-ahrairahandPrinceRainbow,don'tyou?Thenalltherestfollows."
"Don'tsayanything,Bigwig,"whisperedHazel:forBigwigwasscufflinghispawsindignantly."Youcan'tforcethemtolikeitiftheydon't.Let'swaitandseewhattheycandothemselves."
Aloud,hesaid,"Ourstorieshaven'tchangedingenerations,youknow.Afterall,wehaven'tchangedourselves.Ourliveshavebeenthesameasourfathers'andtheirfathers'beforethem.Thingsaredifferenthere.Werealizethat,andwethinkyournewideasandwaysareveryexciting.We'reallwonderingwhatkindofthingsyoutellstoriesabout."
"Well,wedon'ttelltheoldstoriesverymuch,"saidCowslip."Ourstoriesandpoemsaremostlyaboutourownliveshere.Ofcourse,thatShapeofLaburnumthatyousaw--that'sold-fashionednow.El-ahrairahdoesn'treallymeanmuchtous.Notthatyourfriend'sstorywasn'tverycharming,"headdedhastily.
"El-ahrairahisatrickster,"
saidBuckthorn,"andrabbitswillalwaysneedtricks."
"No,"saidanewvoicefromthefurtherendofthehall,beyondCowslip."Rabbitsneeddignityand,aboveall,thewilltoaccepttheirfate."
"WethinkSilverweedisoneofthebestpoetswe'vehadformanymonths,"saidCowslip."Hisideashavea
greatfollowing.Wouldyouliketohearhimnow?"
"Yes,yes,"saidvoicesfromallsides."Silverweed!"
"Hazel,"saidFiversuddenly,"IwanttogetaclearideaofthisSilverweed,butIdaren'tgocloserbymyself.Willyoucomewithme?"
"Why,Fiver,whateverdo
youmean?Whatistheretobeafraidof?"
"Oh,Frithhelpme!"saidFiver,trembling."Icansmellhimfromhere.Heterrifiesme."
"Oh,Fiver,don'tbeabsurd!Hejustsmellsthesameastherestofthem."
"Hesmellslikebarleyraineddownandlefttorotin
thefields.Hesmellslikeawoundedmolethatcan'tgetunderground."
"Hesmellslikeabig,fatrabbittome,withalotofcarrotsinside.ButI'llcomewithyou."
Whentheyhadedgedtheirwaythroughthecrowdtothefarendoftheburrow,HazelwassurprisedtorealizethatSilverweedwasamere
youngster.IntheSandlefordwarrennorabbitofhisagewouldhavebeenaskedtotellastory,exceptperhapstoafewfriendsalone.Hehadawild,desperateairandhisearstwitchedcontinually.Ashebegantospeak,heseemedtogrowlessandlessawareofhisaudienceandcontinuallyturnedhishead,asthoughlisteningtosomesound,audibleonlytohimself,fromtheentrancetunnelbehind
him.Buttherewasanarrestingfascinationinhisvoice,likethemovementofwindandlightonameadow,andasitsrhythmenteredintohishearersthewholeburrowbecamesilent.
Thewindisblowing,blowingoverthegrass.
Itshakesthewillowcatkins;theleavesshinesilver.
Whereareyougoing,wind?Far,faraway
Overthehills,overtheedgeoftheworld.
Takemewithyou,wind,highoverthesky.
Iwillgowithyou,Iwillberabbit-of-the-wind,
Intothesky,thefeatheryskyandtherabbit.
Thestreamisrunning,runningoverthegravel,
Throughthebrooklime,thekingcups,theblueandgoldofspring.
Whereareyougoing,stream?Far,faraway
Beyondtheheather,slidingawayallnight.
Takemewithyou,stream,
awayinthestarlight.
Iwillgowithyou,Iwillberabbit-of-the-stream,
Downthroughthewater,thegreenwaterandtherabbit.
Inautumntheleavescomeblowing,yellowandbrown.
Theyrustleintheditches,theytugandhangonthe
hedge.
Whereareyougoingleaves?Far,faraway
Intotheearthwego,withtherainandtheberries.
Takeme,leaves,Otakemeonyourdarkjourney.
Iwillgowithyou,Iwillberabbit-of-the-leaves,
Inthedeepplacesoftheearth,theearthandtherabbit.
Frithliesintheeveningsky.Thecloudsareredabouthim.
Iamhere,LordFrith,Iamrunningthroughthelonggrass.
Otakemewithyou,droppingbehindthewoods,
Faraway,totheheartoflight,thesilence.
ForIamreadytogiveyoumybreath,mylife,
Theshiningcircleofthesun,thesunandtherabbit.
Fiver,ashelistened,hadshownamixtureofintenseabsorptionandincreduloushorror.Atoneandthesametimeheseemedtoaccept
everywordandyettobestrickenwithfear.Oncehedrewinhisbreath,asthoughstartledtorecognizehisownhalf-knownthoughts:andwhenthepoemwasendedheseemedtobestrugglingtocometohimself.Hebaredhisteethandlickedhislips,asBlackberryhaddonebeforethedeadhedgehogontheroad.
Arabbitinfearofan
enemywillsometimescrouchstockstill,eitherfascinatedorelsetrustingtoitsnaturalinconspicuousnesstoremainunnoticed.Butthen,unlessthefascinationistoopowerful,therecomesthepointwhenkeepingstillisdiscardedandtherabbit,asthoughbreakingaspell,turnsinaninstanttoitsotherresource--flight.SoitseemedtobewithFivernow.Suddenlyheleapedupand
begantopushhiswayviolentlyacrossthegreatburrow.Severalrabbitswerejostledandturnedangrilyonhim,buthetooknonotice.Thenhecametoaplacewherehecouldnotpushbetweentwoheavywarrenbucks.Hebecamehysterical,kickingandscuffling,andHazel,whowasbehindhim,haddifficultyinpreventingafight.
"Mybrother'sasortofpoet,too,youknow,"hesaidtothebristlingstrangers."Thingsaffecthimverystronglysometimesandhedoesn'talwaysknowwhy."
OneoftherabbitsseemedtoacceptwhatHazelhadsaid,buttheotherreplied,"Oh,anotherpoet?Let'shearhim,then.That'llbesomereturnformyshoulder,anyway.He'sscratcheda
greattuftoffurout."
Fiverwasalreadybeyondthemandthrustingtowardthefurtherentrancetunnel.Hazelfeltthathemustfollowhim.Butafterallthetroublethathehimselfhadtakentobefriendly,hefeltsocrossatthewayinwhichFiverhadantagonizedtheirnewfriendsthatashepassedBigwig,hesaid,"Comeandhelpmetogetsomesenseintohim.The
lastthingwewantisafightnow."HefeltthatFiverreallydeservedashorttouchofBigwig.
TheyfollowedFiveruptherunandovertookhimattheentrance.Beforeeitherofthemcouldsayaword,heturnedandbegantospeakasthoughtheyhadaskedhimaquestion.
"Youfeltit,then?Andyou
wanttoknowwhetherIdid?OfcourseIdid.That'stheworstpartofit.Thereisn'tanytrick.Hespeaksthetruth.Soaslongashespeaksthetruthitcan'tbefolly--that'swhatyou'regoingtosay,isn'tit?I'mnotblamingyou,Hazel.Ifeltmyselfmovingtowardhimlikeoneclouddriftingintoanother.ButthenatthelastmomentIdriftedwide.Whoknowswhy?Itwasn'tmyownwill;itwasan
accident.Therewasjustsomelittlepartofmethatcarriedmewideofhim.DidIsaytheroofofthathallwasmadeofbones?No!It'slikeagreatmistoffollythatcoversthewholesky:andweshallneverseetogobyFrith'slightanymore.Oh,whatwillbecomeofus?Athingcanbetrueandstillbedesperatefolly,Hazel."
"Whatonearth'sallthis?"
saidHazeltoBigwiginperplexity.
"He'stalkingaboutthatlop-earednitwitofapoetdownthere,"answeredBigwig."Iknowthatmuch.Butwhyheseemstothinkweshouldwanttohaveanythingtodowithhimandhisfancytalk--that'smorethanIcanimagine.Youcansaveyourbreath,Fiver.Theonlythingthat'sbotheringusistherow
you'vestarted.AsforSilverweed,allIcansayis,I'llkeepSilverandhecanbejustplainWeed."
Fivergazedbackathimwitheyesthat,likeafly's,seemedlargerthanhishead."Youthinkthat,"hesaid."Youbelievethat.Buteachofyou,inhisownway,isthickinthatmist.Whereisthe--"
HazelinterruptedhimandashedidsoFiverstarted."Fiver,Iwon'tpretendthatIdidn'tfollowyouupheretospeakangrily.You'veendangeredourgoodstartinthiswarren--"
"Endangered?"criedFiver."Endangered?Why,thewholeplace--"
"Bequiet.Iwasgoingtobeangry,butyou're
obviouslysomuchupsetthatitwouldbepointless.Butwhatyouaregoingtodonowistocomeundergroundwiththetwoofusandsleep.Comeon!Anddon'tsayanymoreforthemoment."
Onerespectinwhichrabbits'livesarelesscomplicatedthanthoseofhumansisthattheyarenotashamedtouseforce.Havingnoalternative,Fiver
accompaniedHazelandBigwigtotheburrowwhereHazelhadspentthepreviousnight.Therewasnoonethereandtheylaydownandslept.
17.TheShiningWire
Whenthegreenfieldcomesofflikealid
Revealingwhatwasmuch
betterhid,
Unpleasant;
Andlook!Behind,withoutasound
Thewoodshavecomeupandarestandinground
Indeadlycrescent.
Andtheboltisslidinginitsgroove,
Outsidethewindowistheblackremover'svan,
Andnowwithsudden,swiftemergence
Comethewomenindarkglasses,thehump-backedsurgeons
Andthescissor-man.
W.H.Auden,TheWitnesses
Itwascold,itwascoldandtheroofwasmadeofbones.Theroofwasmadeoftheinterlacedspraysoftheyewtree,stifftwigstwistedinandout,overandunder,hardasiceandsetwithdullredberries."Comeon,Hazel,"saidCowslip."We'regoingtocarrytheyewberrieshomeinourmouthsandeattheminthegreatburrow.Yourfriendsmustlearntodothatiftheywanttogoourway."
"No!No!"criedFiver."Hazel,no!"ButthencameBigwig,twistinginandoutofthebranches,hismouthfullofberries."Look,"saidBigwig,"Icandoit.I'mrunninganotherway.Askmewhere,Hazel!Askmewhere!Askmewhere!"Thentheywererunninganotherway,running,nottothewarrenbutoverthefieldsinthecold,andBigwigdroppedtheberries--blood-reddrops,red
droppingshardaswire."It'snogood,"hesaid."Nogoodbitingthem.They'recold."
Hazelwoke.Hewasintheburrow.Heshivered.Whywastherenowarmthofrabbitbodieslyingclosetogether?WherewasFiver?Hesatup.Nearby,Bigwigwasstirringandtwitchinginhissleep,searchingforwarmth,tryingtopressagainstanotherrabbit'sbodynolongerthere.
TheshallowhollowinthesandyfloorwhereFiverhadlainwasnotquitecold:butFiverwasgone.
"Fiver!"saidHazelinthedark.
Assoonashehadspokenheknewtherewouldbenoreply.HepushedBigwigwithhisnose,buttingurgently."Bigwig!Fiver'sgone!Bigwig!"
BigwigwaswideawakeontheinstantandHazelhadneverfeltsogladofhissturdyreadiness.
"Whatdidyousay?What'swrong?"
"Fiver'sgone."
"Where'shegone?"
"Silf--outside.Itcanonlybesilf.Youknowhewouldn't
gowanderingaboutinthewarren.Hehatesit."
"He'sanuisance,isn'the?He'sleftthisburrowcold,too.Youthinkhe'sindanger,don'tyou?Youwanttogoandlookforhim?"
"Yes,Imust.He'supsetandoverwroughtandit'snotlightyet.Theremaybeelil,whateverStrawberrysays."
Bigwiglistenedandsniffedforafewmoments.
"It'sverynearlylight,"hesaid."There'llbelightenoughtofindhimby.Well,I'dbettercomewithyou,Isuppose.Don'tworry--hecan'thavegonefar.ButbytheKing'sLettuce!Iwon'thalfgivehimapieceofmymindwhenwecatchhim."
"I'llholdhimdownwhile
youkickhim,ifonlywecanfindhim.Comeon!"
Theywentuptheruntothemouthoftheholeandpausedtogether."Sinceourfriendsaren'theretopushus,"saidBigwig,"wemayaswellmakesuretheplaceisn'tcrawlingwithstoatsandowlsbeforewegoout."
Atthatmomentabrownowl'scallsoundedfromthe
oppositewood.Itwasthefirstcall,andbyinstincttheybothcrouchedmotionless,countingfourheartbeatsuntilthesecondfollowed.
"It'smovingaway,"saidHazel.
"Howmanyfieldmicesaythateverynight,Iwonder?Youknowthecall'sdeceptive.It'smeanttobe."
"Well,Ican'thelpit,"saidHazel."Fiver'ssomewhereoutthereandI'mgoingafterhim.Youwereright,anyway.Itislight--just."
"Shallwelookundertheyewtreefirst?"
ButFiverwasnotundertheyewtree.Thelight,asitgrew,begantoshowtheupperfield,whilethedistanthedgeandbrookremained
dark,linearshapesbelow.Bigwigjumpeddownfromthebankintothefieldandraninalongcurveacrossthewetgrass.Hestoppedalmostoppositetheholebywhichtheyhadcomeup,andHazeljoinedhim.
"Here'shisline,allright,"saidBigwig."Fresh,too.Fromtheholestraightdowntowardthebrook.Hewon'tbefaraway."
Whenraindropsarelyingitiseasytoseewheregrasshasrecentlybeencrossed.Theyfollowedthelinedownthefieldandreachedthehedgebesidethecarrotgroundandthesourceofthebrook.Bigwighadbeenrightwhenhesaidthelinewasfresh.AssoonastheyhadcomethroughthehedgetheysawFiver.Hewasfeeding,alone.Afewfragmentsofcarrotwerestilllyingaboutnearthe
spring,buthehadlefttheseuntouchedandwaseatingthegrassnotfarfromthegnarledcrab-appletree.Theyapproachedandhelookedup.
Hazelsaidnothingandbegantofeedbesidehim.HewasnowregrettingthathehadbroughtBigwig.InthedarknessbeforemorningandthefirstshockofdiscoveringthatFiverwasgone,Bigwighadbeenacomfortanda
stand-by.Butnow,ashesawFiver,smallandfamiliar,incapableofhurtinganyoneorofconcealingwhathefelt,tremblinginthewetgrass,eitherfromfearorfromcold,hisangermeltedaway.Hefeltonlysorryforhimandsurethat,iftheycouldstayalonetogetherforawhile,Fiverwouldcomeroundtoaneasierstateofmind.ButitwasprobablytoolatetopersuadeBigwigtobegentle:
hecouldonlyhopeforthebest.
Contrarytohisfears,however,Bigwigremainedassilentashimself.EvidentlyhehadbeenexpectingHazeltospeakfirstandwassomewhatataloss.Forsometimeallthreemovedonquietlyoverthegrass,whiletheshadowsgrewstrongerandthewoodpigeonsclatteredamongthedistanttrees.Hazelwas
beginningtofeelthatallwouldbewellandthatBigwighadmoresensethanhehadgivenhimcreditfor,whenFiversatuponhishindlegs,cleanedhisfacewithhispawsandthen,forthefirsttime,lookeddirectlyathim.
"I'mgoingnow,"hesaid."Ifeelverysad.I'dliketowishyouwell,Hazel,butthere'snogoodtowishyouinthisplace.Sojustgoodbye."
"Butwhereareyougoing,Fiver?"
"Away.Tothehills,ifIcangetthere."
"Byyourself,alone?Youcan't.You'ddie."
"Youwouldn'thaveahope,oldchap,"saidBigwig."Somethingwouldgetyoubeforeni-Frith."
"No,"saidFiververyquietly."YouareclosertodeaththanI."
"Areyoutryingtofrightenme,youmiserablelittlelumpofchatteringchickweed?"criedBigwig."I'veagoodmind--"
"Wait,Bigwig,"saidHazel."Don'tspeakroughlytohim."
"Why,yousaidyourself--"beganBigwig.
"Iknow.ButIfeeldifferentlynow.I'msorry,Bigwig.Iwasgoingtoaskyoutohelpmetomakehimcomebacktothewarren.Butnow--well,I'vealwaysfoundthattherewassomethinginwhatFiverhadtosay.ForthelasttwodaysI'verefusedtolistentohimandIstillthinkhe'soutofhissenses.ButI
haven'tthehearttodrivehimbacktothewarren.Ireallybelievethatforsomereasonorothertheplaceisfrighteninghimoutofhiswits.I'llgowithhimalittlewayandperhapswecantalk.Ican'taskyoutoriskit,too.Anyway,theothersoughttoknowwhatwe'redoingandtheywon'tunlessyougoandtellthem.I'llbebackbeforeni-Frith.Ihopewebothshall."
Bigwigstared.ThenheturnedfuriouslyonFiver."Youwretchedlittleblackbeetle,"hesaid."You'veneverlearnedtoobeyorders,haveyou?It'sme,me,meallthetime.'Oh,I'vegotafunnyfeelinginmytoe,sowemustallgoandstandonourheads!'Andnowwe'vefoundafinewarrenandgotintoitwithoutevenhavingtofight,you'vegottodoyourbesttoupseteveryone!Andthenyou
riskthelifeofoneofthebestrabbitswe'vegot,justtoplaynurseywhileyougowanderingaboutlikeamoonstruckfieldmouse.Well,I'mfinishedwithyou,I'lltellyouplain.AndnowI'mgoingbacktothewarrentomakesureeveryoneelseisfinishedwithyouaswell.Andtheywillbe--don'tmakeanymistakeaboutthat."
Heturnedanddashedback
throughthenearestgapinthehedge.Ontheinstant,afearfulcommotionbeganonthefartherside.Thereweresoundsofkickingandplunging.Astickflewintotheair.Thenaflat,wetclodofdeadleavesshotcleanthroughthegapandlandedclearofthehedge,closetoHazel.Thebramblesthrashedupanddown.HazelandFiverstaredateachother,bothfightingagainsttheimpulse
torun.Whatenemywasatworkontheothersideofthehedge?Therewerenocries--nospittingofacat,nosquealingofarabbit--onlythecracklingoftwigsandthetearingofthegrassinviolence.
Byaneffortofcourageagainstallinstinct,Hazelforcedhimselfforwardintothegap,withFiverfollowing.Aterriblesightlaybefore
them.Therottenleaveshadbeenthrownupinshowers.Theearthhadbeenlaidbareandwasscoredwithlongscratchesandfurrows.Bigwigwaslyingonhisside,hisbacklegskickingandstruggling.Alengthoftwistedcopperwire,gleamingdullyinthefirstsunlight,wasloopedroundhisneckandrantautacrossoneforepawtotheheadofastoutpegdrivenintothe
ground.Therunningknothadpulledtightandwasburiedinthefurbehindhisear.Theprojectingpointofonestrandhadlaceratedhisneckanddropsofblood,darkandredasyewberries,welledonebyonedownhisshoulder.Forafewmomentshelaypanting,hissideheavinginexhaustion.Thenagainbeganthestrugglingandfighting,backwardandforward,jerkingandfalling,untilhe
chokedandlayquiet.
Frenziedwithdistress,Hazelleapedoutofthegapandsquattedbesidehim.Bigwig'seyeswereclosedandhislipspulledbackfromthelongfrontteethinafixedsnarl.Hehadbittenhislowerlipandfromthis,too,thebloodwasrunning.Frothcoveredhisjawsandchest
"Thlayli!"saidHazel,
stamping."Thlayli!Listen!You'reinasnare--asnare!WhatdidtheysayintheOwsla?Comeon--think.Howcanwehelpyou?"
Therewasapause.ThenBigwig'sbacklegsbegantokickoncemore,butfeebly.Hisearsdrooped.Hiseyesopenedunseeingandthewhitesshowedbloodshotasthebrownirisesrolledonewayandtheother.Aftera
momenthisvoicecamethickandlow,bubblingoutofthebloodyspumeinhismouth.
"Owsla--nogood--bitingwire.Peg--gotto--digout."
Aconvulsionshookhimandhescrabbledattheground,coveringhimselfinamaskofwetearthandblood.Thenhewasstillagain.
"Run,Fiver,runtothe
warren,"criedHazel."Gettheothers--Blackberry,Silver.Bequick!He'lldie."
Fiverwasoffupthefieldlikeahare.Hazel,leftalone,triedtounderstandwhatwasneeded.Whatwasthepeg?Howwashetodigitout?Helookeddownatthefoulmessbeforehim.Bigwigwaslyingacrossthewire,whichcameoutunderhisbellyandseemedtodisappearintothe
ground.Hazelstruggledwithhisownincomprehension.Bigwighadsaid,"Dig."Thatatleastheunderstood.Hebegantoscratchintothesoftearthbesidethebody,untilafteratimehisclawsscrapedagainstsomethingsmoothandfirm.Ashepaused,perplexed,hefoundBlackberryathisshoulder.
"Bigwigjustspoke,"hesaidtohim,"butIdon'tthink
hecannow.Hesaid,'Digoutthepeg.'Whatdoesthatmean?Whathavewegottodo?"
"Waitamoment,"saidBlackberry."Letmethink,andtrynottobeimpatient."
Hazelturnedhisheadandlookeddownthecourseofthebrook.Faraway,betweenthetwocopses,hecouldseethecherrytreewheretwodays
beforehehadsatwithBlackberryandFiverinthesunrise.HerememberedhowBigwighadchasedHawkbitthroughthelonggrass,forgettingthequarrelofthepreviousnightinthejoyoftheirarrival.HecouldseeHawkbitrunningtowardhimnowandtwoorthreeoftheothers--Silver,DandelionandPipkin.Dandelion,wellinfront,dasheduptothegapandchecked,twitchingand
staring.
"Whatisit,Hazel?What'shappened?Fiversaid--"
"Bigwig'sinawire.LethimalonetillBlackberrytellsus.Stoptheotherscrowdinground."
DandelionturnedandracedbackasPipkincameup.
"IsCowslipcoming?"said
Hazel."Perhapsheknows--"
"Hewouldn'tcome,"repliedPipkin."HetoldFivertostoptalkingaboutit."
"Toldhimwhat?"askedHazelincredulously.ButatthatmomentBlackberryspokeandHazelwasbesidehiminaflash.
"Thisisit,"saidBlackberry."Thewire'sona
pegandthepeg'sintheground--there,look.We'vegottodigitout.Comeon--digbesideit."
Hazeldugoncemore,hisforepawsthrowingupthesoft,wetsoilandslippingagainstthehardsidesofthepeg.Dimly,hewasawareoftheotherswaitingnearby.Afteratimehewasforcedtostop,panting.Silvertookhisplace,andwasfollowedby
Buckthorn.Thenasty,smooth,clean,man-smellingpegwaslaidbaretothelengthofarabbit'sear,butstillitdidnotcomeloose.Bigwighadnotmoved.Helayacrossthewire,tornandbloody,withclosedeyes.Buckthorndrewhisheadandpawsoutoftheholeandrubbedthemudoffhisface.
"Thepeg'snarrowerdownthere,"hesaid."Ittapers.I
thinkitcouldbebittenthrough,butIcan'tgetmyteethtoit."
"SendPipkinin,"saidBlackberry."He'ssmaller."
Pipkinplungedintothehole.Theycouldhearthewoodsplinteringunderhisteeth--asoundlikeamouseinashedwainscotatmidnight.Hecameoutwithhisnosebleeding.
"Thesplintersprickyouandit'shardtobreathe,butthepeg'snearlythrough."
"Fiver,goin,"saidHazel.
Fiverwasnotlonginthehole.He,too,cameoutbleeding.
"It'sbrokenintwo.It'sfree."
Blackberrypressedhis
noseagainstBigwig'shead.Ashenuzzledhimgentlytheheadrolledsidewaysandbackagain.
"Bigwig,"saidBlackberryinhisear,"thepeg'sout."
Therewasnoresponse.Bigwiglaystillasbefore.Agreatflysettledononeofhisears.Blackberrythrustatitangrilyanditflewup,buzzing,intothesunshine.
"Ithinkhe'sgone,"saidBlackberry."Ican'tfeelhisbreathing."
HazelcroucheddownbyBlackberryandlaidhisnostrilsclosetoBigwig's,butalightbreezewasblowingandhecouldnottellwhethertherewasbreathornot.Thelegswereloose,thebellyflaccidandlimp.Hetriedtothinkofwhatlittlehehadheardofsnares.Astrong
rabbitcouldbreakhisneckinasnare.Orhadthepointofthesharpwirepiercedthewindpipe?
"Bigwig,"hewhispered,"we'vegotyouout.You'refree."
Bigwigdidnotstir.SuddenlyitcametoHazelthatifBigwigwasdead--andwhatelsecouldholdhimsilentinthemud?--thenhe
himselfmustgettheothersawaybeforethedreadfullosscoulddraintheircourageandbreaktheirspirit--asitwouldiftheystayedbythebody.Besides,themanwouldcomesoon.Perhapshewasalreadycoming,withhisgun,totakepoorBigwigaway.Theymustgo;andhemustdohisbesttoseethatallofthem--evenhehimself--putwhathadhappenedoutofmind,forever.
"MyhearthasjoinedtheThousand,formyfriendstoppedrunningtoday,"hesaidtoBlackberry,quotingarabbitproverb.
"IfonlyitwerenotBigwig,"saidBlackberry."Whatshallwedowithouthim?"
"Theothersarewaiting,"saidHazel."Wehavetostayalive.Therehastobe
somethingforthemtothinkabout.Helpme,oritwillbemorethanIcando."
HeturnedawayfromthebodyandlookedforFiveramongtherabbitsbehindhim.ButFiverwasnowheretobeseenandHazelwasafraidtoaskforhim,incasetodososhouldseemlikeweaknessandaneedforcomfort.
"Pipkin,"hesnapped,"whydon'tyoucleanupyourfaceandstopthebleeding?Thesmellofbloodattractselil.Youknowthat,don'tyou?"
"Yes,Hazel.I'msorry.WillBigwig--"
"Andanotherthing,"saidHazeldesperately."WhatwasityouweretellingmeaboutCowslip?DidyousayhetoldFivertobequiet?"
"Yes,Hazel.Fivercameintothewarrenandtoldusaboutthesnare,andthatpoorBigwig--"
"Yes,allright.AndthenCowslip--?"
"CowslipandStrawberryandtheotherspretendednottohear.Itwasridiculous,becauseFiverwascallingouttoeverybody.AndthenaswewererunningoutSilversaid
toCowslip,'Surelyyou'recoming?'AndCowslipsimplyturnedhisback.SothenFiverwentupandspoketohimveryquietly,butIheardwhatCowslipanswered.Hesaid,'HillsorInlé,it'sallonetomewhereyougo.Youholdyourtongue.'AndthenhestruckatFiverandscratchedhisear."
"I'llkillhim,"gaspedalow,chokingvoicebehind
them.Theyallleapedround.Bigwighadraisedhisheadandwassupportinghimselfonhisforepawsalone.Hisbodywastwistedandhishindpartsandbacklegsstilllayalongtheground.Hiseyeswereopen,buthisfacewassuchafearfulmaskofblood,foam,vomitandearththathelookedmorelikesomedemoncreaturethanarabbit,Theimmediatesightofhim,whichshouldhavefilled
themwithreliefandjoy,broughtonlyterror.Theycringedawayandnonesaidaword.
"I'llkillhim,"repeatedBigwig,splutteringthroughhisfouledwhiskersandclottedfur."Helpme,rotyou!Can'tanyonegetthisstinkingwireoffme?"Hestruggled,dragginghishindlegs.Thenhefellagainandcrawledforward,trailingthe
wirethroughthegrasswiththebrokenpegsnickeringbehindit.
"Lethimalone!"criedHazel,fornowtheywereallpressingforwardtohelphim."Doyouwanttokillhim?Lethimrest!Lethimbreathe!"
"No,notrest,"pantedBigwig."I'mallright."Ashespokehefellagainandimmediatelystruggledupon
hisforepawsasbefore."It'smybacklegs.Won'tmove.ThatCowslip!I'llkillhim!"
"Whydoweletthemstayinthatwarren?"criedSilver."Whatsortofrabbitsarethey?TheyleftBigwigtodie.
YouallheardCowslipintheburrow.They'recowards.Let'sdrivethemout--killthem!Takethewarrenandlive
thereourselves!"
"Yes!Yes!"theyallanswered."Comeon!Backtothewarren!DownwithCowslip!DownwithSilverweed!Kill
them!"
"OembleerFrith!"criedasquealingvoiceinthelonggrass.
Atthisshockingimpiety,thetumultdiedaway.Theylookedaboutthem,wonderingwhocouldhavespoken.
Therewassilence.Then,frombetweentwogreattussocksofhairgrasscameFiver,hiseyesblazingwitha
franticurgency.Hegrowledandgibberedatthemlikeawitchhareandthose
nearesttohimfellbackinfear.EvenHazelcouldnothavesaidawordforhislife.Theyrealizedthathewasspeaking.
"Thewarren?You'regoingtothewarren?Youfools!Thatwarren'snothingbutadeathhole!Thewholeplaceisonefoulelil'slarder!It'ssnared--everywhere,everyday!Thatexplainseverything:everythingthat's
happenedsincewecamehere."
Hesatstillandhiswordsseemedtocomecrawlingupthesunlight,overthegrass.
"Listen,Dandelion.You'refondofstories,aren'tyou?I'lltellyouone--yes,oneforEl-ahrairahtocryat.Oncetherewasafinewarrenontheedgeofawood,overlookingthemeadowsofafarm.Itwas
big,fullofrabbits.Thenonedaythewhiteblindnesscameandtherabbitsfellsickanddied.Butafewsurvived,astheyalwaysdo.Thewarrenbecamealmostempty.Onedaythefarmerthought,'Icouldincreasethoserabbits:makethempartofmyfarm--theirmeat,theirskins.WhyshouldIbothertokeeprabbitsinhutches?They'lldoverywellwheretheyare.'Hebegantoshootallelil--lendri,
homba,stoat,owl.Heputoutfoodfortherabbits,butnottoonearthewarren.Forhispurposetheyhadtobecomeaccustomedtogoingaboutinthefieldsandthewood.Andthenhesnaredthem--nottoomany:asmanyashewantedandnotasmanyaswouldfrightenthemallawayordestroythewarren.Theygrewbigandstrongandhealthy,forhesawtoitthattheyhadallofthebest,
particularlyinwinter,andnothingtofear--excepttherunningknotinthehedgegapandthewoodpath.Sotheylivedashewantedthemtoliveandallthetimetherewereafewwhodisappeared.Therabbitsbecamestrangeinmanyways,differentfromotherrabbits.Theyknewwellenoughwhatwashappening.Buteventothemselvestheypretendedthatallwaswell,forthefoodwasgood,they
wereprotected,theyhadnothingtofearbuttheonefear;andthatstruckhereandthere,neverenoughatatimetodrivethemaway.Theyforgotthewaysofwildrabbits.TheyforgotEl-ahrairah,forwhatusehadtheyfortricksandcunning,livingintheenemy'swarrenandpayinghisprice?Theyfoundoutothermarvelousartstotaketheplaceoftricksandoldstories.Theydanced
inceremoniousgreeting.TheysangsongslikethebirdsandmadeShapesonthewalls;andthoughthesecouldhelpthemnotatall,yettheypassedthetimeandenabledthemtotellthemselvesthattheyweresplendidfellows,theveryflowerofRabbitry,clevererthanmagpies.TheyhadnoChiefRabbit--no,howcouldthey?--foraChiefRabbitmustbeEl-ahrairahtohiswarrenandkeepthem
fromdeath:andheretherewasnodeathbutone,andwhatChiefRabbitcouldhaveananswertothat?Instead,Frithsentthemstrangesingers,beautifulandsicklikeoakapples,likerobins'pincushionsonthewildrose.Andsincetheycouldnotbearthetruth,thesesingers,whomightinsomeotherplacehavebeenwise,weresqueezedundertheterribleweightofthewarren'ssecret
untiltheygulpedoutfinefolly--aboutdignityandacquiescence,andanythingelsethatcouldmakebelievethattherabbitlovedtheshiningwire.Butonestrictruletheyhad;ohyes,thestrictest.Noonemusteveraskwhereanotherrabbitwasandanyonewhoasked'Where?'--exceptinasongorapoem--mustbesilenced.Tosay'Where?'wasbadenough,buttospeakopenlyofthe
wires--thatwasintolerable.Forthattheywouldscratchandkill."
Hestopped.Noonemoved.Then,inthesilence,Bigwiglurchedtohisfeet,swayedamoment,totteredafewstepstowardFiverandfellagain.Fiverpaidhimnoheed,butlookedfromonetoanotheramongtherabbits.Thenhebeganspeakingagain.
"Andthenwecame,overtheheatherinthenight.Wildrabbits,makingscrapesacrossthevalley.Thewarrenrabbitsdidn'tshowthemselvesatonce.Theyneededtothinkwhatwasbesttobedone.Buttheyhitonitquitesoon.Tobringusintothewarrenandtellusnothing.Don'tyousee?Thefarmeronlysetssomanysnaresatatime,andifonerabbitdies,theotherswill
livethatmuchlonger.YousuggestedthatHazelshouldtellthemouradventures,Blackberry,butitdidn'tgodownwell,didit?Whowantstohearaboutbravedeedswhenhe'sashamedofhisown,andwholikesanopen,honesttalefromsomeonehe'sdeceiving?Doyouwantmetogoon?Itellyou,everysinglethingthat'shappenedfitslikeabeeinafoxglove.Andkillthem,yousay,and
helpourselvestothegreatburrow?Weshallhelpourselvestoaroofofbones,hungwithshiningwires!Helpourselvestomiseryanddeath!"
Fiversankdownintothegrass.Bigwig,stilltrailinghishorrible,smoothpeg,staggereduptohimandtouchedhisnosewithhisown.
"I'mstillalive,Fiver,"hesaid."Soareallofus.You'vebittenthroughabiggerpegthanthisoneI'mdragging.Telluswhattodo."
"Do?"repliedFiver."Why,go--now.ItoldCowslipweweregoingbeforeIlefttheburrow."
"Where?"saidBigwig.ButitwasHazelwhoanswered.
"Tothehills,"hesaid.
Southofthem,thegroundrosegentlyawayfromthebrook.Alongthecrestwasthelineofacarttrackandbeyond,acopse.Hazelturnedtowarditandtherestbegantofollowhimuptheslopeinonesandtwos.
"Whataboutthewire,Bigwig?"saidSilver."Thepegwillcatchandtightenit
again."
"No,it'sloosenow,"saidBigwig"IcouldshakeitoffifIhadn'thurtmyneck."
"Try,"saidSilver."Youwon'tgetfarotherwise."
"Hazel,"saidSpeedwellsuddenly,"there'sarabbitcomingdownfromthewarren.Look!"
"Onlyone?"saidBigwig."Whatapity!Youtakehim,Silver.Iwon'tdepriveyou.Makeagoodjobofitwhileyou'reatit."
Theystoppedandwaited,dottedhereandthereabouttheslope.Therabbitwhowascomingwasrunninginacurious,headlongmanner.Onceheranstraightintoathick-stemmedthistle,knockinghimselfsideways
androllingoverandover.Buthegotupandcameblunderingontowardthem.
"Isitthewhiteblindness?"saidBuckthorn."He'snotlookingwherehe'sgoing."
"Frithforbid!"saidBlackberry."Shallwerunaway?"
"No,hecouldn'trunlikethatwiththewhite
blindness,"saidHazel."Whateverailshim,itisn'tthat."
"It'sStrawberry!"criedDandelion.
Strawberrycamethroughthehedgebythecrab-appletree,lookedabouthimandmadehiswaytoHazel.Allhisurbaneself-possessionhadvanished.Hewasstaringandtremblingandhisgreat
sizeseemedonlytoaddtohisairofstrickenmisery.HecringedbeforetheminthegrassasHazelwaited,sternandmotionless,withSilverathisside.
"Hazel,"saidStrawberry,"areyougoingaway?"
Hazelmadenoanswer,butSilversaidsharply,"What'sthattoyou?"
"Takemewithyou."Therewasnoreplyandherepeated,"Takemewithyou."
"Wedon'tcareforcreatureswhodeceiveus,"saidSilver."BettergobacktoNildro-hain.Nodoubtshe'slessparticular."
Strawberrygaveakindofchokingsqueal,asthoughhehadbeenwounded.HelookedfromSilvertoHazel
andthentoFiver.Atlast,inapitifulwhisper,hesaid,
"Thewires."
Silverwasabouttoanswer,butHazelspokefirst.
"Youcancomewithus,"hesaid."Don'tsayanymore.Poorfellow."
Afewminuteslatertherabbitshadcrossedthecart
trackandvanishedintothecopsebeyond.Amagpie,seeingsomelight-coloredobjectconspicuousontheemptyslope,flewclosertolook.Butallthatlaytherewasasplinteredpegandatwistedlengthofwire.
PARTIIOnWatershipDown
18.Watership
Down
Whatisnowprovedwasonceonlyimagin'd.
WilliamBlake,TheMarriageofHeavenandHell
Itwaseveningofthefollowingday.Thenorth-facingescarpmentofWatershipDown,inshadowsinceearlymorning,nowcaughtthewesternsunforan
hourbeforetwilight.Threehundredfeetthedownroseverticallyinastretchofnomorethansixhundred--aprecipitouswall,fromthethinbeltoftreesatthefoottotheridgewherethesteepflattenedout.Thelight,fullandsmooth,laylikeagoldrindovertheturf,thefurzeandyewbushes,thefewwind-stuntedthorntrees.Fromtheridge,thelightseemedtocoveralltheslope
below,drowsyandstill.Butdowninthegrassitself,betweenthebushes,inthatthickforesttroddenbythebeetle,thespiderandthehuntingshrew,themovinglightwaslikeawindthatdancedamongthemtosetthemscurryingandweaving.Theredraysflickeredinandoutofthegrassstems,flashingminutelyonmembranouswings,castinglongshadowsbehindthe
thinnestoffilamentarylegs,breakingeachpatchofbaresoilintoamyriadindividualgrains.Theinsectsbuzzed,whined,hummed,stridulatedanddronedastheairgrewwarmerinthesunset.Louderyetcalmerthanthey,amongthetrees,soundedtheyellowhammer,thelinnetandgreenfinch.Thelarkswentup,twitteringinthescentedairabovethedown.Fromthesummit,theapparent
immobilityofthevastbluedistancewasbroken,hereandthere,bywispsofsmokeandtiny,momentaryflashesofglass.Farbelowlaythefieldsgreenwithwheat,theflatpasturesgrazedbyhorses,thedarkergreensofthewoods.They,too,likethehillsidejungle,weretumultuouswithevening,butfromtheremoteheightturnedtostillness,theirfiercenesstemperedbytheairthatlaybetween.
Atthefootoftheturfcliff,Hazelandhiscompanionswerecrouchingunderthelowbranchesoftwoorthreespindletrees.Sincethepreviousmorningtheyhadjourneyednearlythreemiles.Theirluckhadbeengood,foreveryonewhohadleftthewarrenwasstillalive.Theyhadsplashedthroughtwobrooksandwanderedfearfullyinthedeepwoodlandswestof
Ecchinswell.Theyhadrestedinthestrawofastarveall,orlonelybarn,andwokentofindthemselvesattackedbyrats.SilverandBuckthorn,withBigwighelpingthem,hadcoveredtheretreatuntil,onceallweretogetheroutside,theyhadtakentoflight.Buckthornhadbeenbittenintheforeleg,andthewound,inthemannerofaratbite,wasirritantandpainful.Skirtingasmalllake,they
hadstaredtoseeagreatgrayfisherbirdthatstabbedandpaddledinthesedge,untilaflightofwildduckhadfrightenedthemawaywiththeirclamor.Theyhadcrossedmorethanhalfamileofopenpasturewithoutatraceofcover,expectingeverymomentsomeattackthatdidnotcome.Theyhadheardtheunnaturalhummingofapyloninthesummerair;andhadactuallygone
beneathit,onFiver'sassurancethatitcoulddothemnoharm.Nowtheylayunderthespindletreesandsniffedinwearinessanddoubtatthestrange,barecountryroundthem.
Sinceleavingthewarrenofthesnarestheyhadbecomewarier,shrewder,atenaciousbandwhounderstoodeachotherandworkedtogether.Therewasnomore
quarreling.Thetruthaboutthewarrenhadbeenagrimshock.Theyhadcomeclosertogether,relyingonandvaluingeachother'scapacities.Theyknewnowthatitwasontheseandonnothingelsethattheirlivesdepended,andtheywerenotgoingtowasteanythingtheypossessedbetweenthem.InspiteofHazel'seffortsbesidethesnare,therewasnotoneofthemwhohadnotturned
sickathearttothinkthatBigwigwasdeadandwondered,likeBlackberry,whatwouldbecomeofthemnow.WithoutHazel,withoutBlackberry,BuckthornandPipkin--Bigwigwouldhavedied.Withouthimselfhewouldhavedied,forwhichelse,ofthemall,wouldnothavestoppedrunningaftersuchpunishment?TherewasnomorequestioningofBigwig'sstrength,Fiver's
insight,Blackberry'switsorHazel'sauthority.Whentheratscame,BuckthornandSilverhadobeyedBigwigandstoodtheirground.TheresthadfollowedHazelwhenherousedthemand,withoutexplanation,toldthemtogoquicklyoutsidethebarn.Later,HazelhadsaidthattherewasnothingforitbuttocrosstheopenpastureandunderSilver'sdirectiontheyhadcrossedit,with
Dandelionrunningaheadtoreconnoiter.WhenFiversaidtheirontreewasharmlesstheybelievedhim.
Strawberryhadhadabadtime.Hismiserymadehimslow-wittedandcarelessandhewasashamedoftheparthehadplayedatthewarren.Hewassoftandmoreusedthanhedaredadmittoindolenceandgoodfood.Buthemadenocomplaintanditwasplain
thathewasdeterminedtoshowwhathecoulddoandnottobeleftbehind.Hehadprovedusefulinthewoodland,beingbetteraccustomedtothickwoodsthananyoftheothers."He'llbeallright,youknow,ifwegivehimachance,"saidHazeltoBigwigbythelake."Sohedarnedwelloughttobe,"repliedBigwig,"thegreatdandy"--forbytheirstandardsStrawberrywas
scrupulouslycleanandfastidious."Well,Iwon'thavehimbrow-beaten,Bigwig,mind.Thatwon'thelphim."ThisBigwighadaccepted,thoughrathersulkily.Yethehimselfhadbecomelessoverbearing.Thesnarehadlefthimweakandoverwrought.Itwashewhohadgiventhealarminthebarn,forhecouldnotsleepandatthesoundofscratchinghadstartedupatonce.He
wouldnotletSilverandBuckthornfightalone,buthehadfeltobligedtoleavetheworstofittothem.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,Bigwighadfoundhimselfdriventomoderationandprudence.
Asthesunsanklowerandtouchedtheedgeofthecloudbeltonthehorizon,Hazelcameoutfromunderthebranchesandlookedcarefullyroundthelowerslope.Then
hestaredupwardovertheanthills,totheopendownrisingabove.FiverandAcornfollowedhimoutandfelltonibblingatapatchofsainfoin.Itwasnewtothem,buttheydidnotneedtobetoldthatitwasgoodanditraisedtheirspirits.Hazelturnedbackandjoinedthemamongthebig,rosy-veined,magentaflowerspikes.
"Fiver,"hesaid,"letmeget
thisright.Youwantustoclimbupthisplace,howeverfaritis,andfindshelter
onthetop.Isthatit?"
"Yes,Hazel."
"Butthetopmustbeveryhigh.Ican'tevenseeitfromhere.It'llbeopenandcold."
"Notintheground:andthesoil'ssolightthatweshallbe
abletoscratchsomesheltereasilywhenwefind
therightplace."
Hazelconsideredagain."It'sgettingstartedthatbothersme.Hereweare,alltiredout.I'msureit'sdangeroustostayhere.We'venowheretorunto.Wedon'tknowthecountryandwecan'tgetunderground.Butitseemsout
ofthequestionforeverybodytoclimbuptheretonight.Weshouldbeevenlesssafe."
"Weshallbeforcedtodig,shan'twe?"saidAcorn."Thisplaceisalmostasopenasthatheatherwecrossed,
andthetreeswon'thideusfromanythinghuntingonfourfeet."
"Itwouldhavebeenthesameanytimewecame,"saidFiver.
"I'mnotsayinganythingagainstit,Fiver,"repliedAcorn,"butweneedholes.It'sabadplacenottobeabletogetunderground."
"Beforeeveryonegoesuptothetop,"saidHazel,"weoughttofindoutwhatit'slike.I'mgoingupmyselfto
havealookround.I'llbeasquickasIcanandyou'llhavetohopeforthebestuntilIgetback.Youcanrestandfeed,anyway."
"You'renotgoingalone,"saidFiverfirmly.
Sinceeachoneofthemwasreadytogowithhiminspiteoftheirfatigue,HazelgaveinandchoseDandelionandHawkbit,whoseemed
lesswearythantheothers.Theysetoutupthehillside,goingslowly,pickingtheirwayfromonebushandtussocktoanotherandpausingcontinuallytosniffandstarealongthegreatexpanseofgrass,whichstretchedoneithersideasfarastheycouldsee.
Amanwalksupright.Forhimitisstrenuoustoclimbasteephill,becausehehasto
keeppushinghisownverticalmassupwardandcannotgainanymomentum.Therabbitisbetteroff.Hisforelegssupporthishorizontalbodyandthegreatbacklegsdothework.Theyaremorethanequaltothrustinguphillthelightmassinfrontofthem.Rabbitscangofastuphill.Infact,theyhavesomuchpowerbehindthattheyfindgoingdownhillawkward,andsometimes,inflightdowna
steepplace,theymayactuallygoheadoverheels.Ontheotherhand,themanisfiveorsixfeetabovethehillsideandcanseeallround.Tohimthegroundmaybesteepandroughbutonthewholeitiseven,andhecanpickhisdirectioneasilyfromthetopofhismoving,six-foottower.Therabbits'anxietiesandstraininclimbingthedownweredifferent,therefore,fromthosewhichyou,reader,
willexperienceifyougothere.Theirmaintroublewasnotbodilyfatigue.WhenHazelhadsaidthattheywerealltiredout,hehadmeantthattheywerefeelingthestrainofprolongedinsecurityandfear.
Rabbitsaboveground,unlesstheyareinproved,familiarsurroundingsclosetotheirholes,liveincontinualfear.Ifitgrowsintense
enoughtheycanbecomeglazedandparalyzedbyit--"tharn,"tousetheirownword.Hazelandhiscompanionshadbeenonthejumpfornearlytwodays.Indeed,eversincetheyhadlefttheirhomewarren,fivedaysbefore,theyhadfacedonedangerafteranother.Theywereallonedge,sometimesstartingatnothingand,again,lyingdowninanypatchoflonggrassthat
offered.BigwigandBuckthornsmelledofbloodandeveryoneelseknewtheydid.WhatbotheredHazel,DandelionandHawkbitwastheopennessandstrangenessofthedownandtheirinabilitytoseeveryfarahead.Theyclimbednotoverbutthroughthesun-redgrass,amongtheawakenedinsectmovementandthelightablaze.Thegrassundulatedaboutthem.Theypeeredover
anthillsandlookedcautiouslyroundclumpsofteazle.Theycouldnottellhowfarawaytheridgemightbe.Theytoppedeachshortslopeonlytofindanotheraboveit.ToHazel,itseemedalikelyplaceforaweasel:orthewhiteowl,perhaps,mightflyalongtheescarpmentattwilight,lookinginwardwithitsstonyeyes,readytoturnafewfeetsidewaysandpickofftheshelfanythingthat
moved.Someelilwaitfortheirprey,butthewhiteowlisaseekerandhecomesinsilence.
AsHazelstillwentup,thesouthwindbegantoblowandtheJunesunsetreddenedtheskytothezenith.Hazel,likenearlyallwildanimals,wasunaccustomedtolookupatthesky.Whathethoughtofastheskywasthehorizon,usuallybrokenbytreesand
hedges.Now,withhisheadpointingupward,hefoundhimselfgazingattheridge,asovertheskylinecamethesilent,moving,red-tingedcumuli.Theirmovementwasdisturbing,unlikethatoftreesorgrassorrabbits.Thesegreatmassesmovedsteadily,noiselesslyandalwaysinthesamedirection.Theywerenotofhisworld.
"OFrith,"thoughtHazel,
turninghisheadforamomenttothebrightglowinthewest,"areyousendingustoliveamongtheclouds?IfyouspoketrulytoFiver,helpmetotrusthim."AtthismomenthesawDandelion,whohadrunwellahead,squattingonananthillclearagainstthesky.Alarmed,hedashedforward.
"Dandelion,getdown!"hesaid."Whyareyousittingup
there?"
"BecauseIcansee,"repliedDandelion,withakindofexcitedjoy."Comeandlook!Youcanseethewholeworld."
Hazelcameuptohim.TherewasanotheranthillnearbyandhecopiedDandelion,sittinguprightonhishindlegsandlookingabouthim.Herealizednow
thattheywerealmostonlevelground.Indeed,theslopewasnomorethangentleforsomewaybackalongthelinebywhichtheyhadcome;buthehadbeenpreoccupiedwiththeideaofdangerintheopenandhadnotnoticedthechange.Theywereontopofthedown.Perchedabovethegrass,theycouldseefarineverydirection.Theirsurroundingswereempty.Ifanythinghadbeenmoving
theywouldhaveseenitimmediately:andwheretheturfended,theskybegan.Aman,afox--evenarabbit--comingoverthedownwouldbeconspicuous.Fiverhadbeenright.Uphere,theywouldhaveclearwarningofanyapproach.
Thewindruffledtheirfurandtuggedatthegrass,whichsmelledofthymeandself-heal.Thesolitude
seemedlikeareleaseandablessing.Theheight,theskyandthedistancewenttotheirheadsandtheyskippedinthesunset."OFrithonthehills!"criedDandelion."Hemusthavemadeitforus!"
"Hemayhavemadeit,butFiverthoughtofitforus,"answeredHazel."Waittillwegethimuphere!Fiver-rah!"
"Where'sHawkbit?"said
Dandelionsuddenly.
Althoughthelightwasstillclear,Hawkbitwasnottobeseenanywhereontheupland.Afterstaringaboutforsometime,theyranacrosstoalittlemoundsomewayawayandlookedagain.Buttheysawnothingexceptafieldmouse,whichcameoutofitsholeandbeganfurrickinginapathofseededgrasses.
"Hemusthavegonedown,"saidDandelion.
"Well,whetherhehasornot,"saidHazel,"wecan'tgoonlookingforhim.Theothersarewaitingandtheymaybeindanger.Wemustgodownourselves."
"Whatashametolosehim,though,"saidDandelion,"justwhenwe'dreachedFiver'shillswithoutlosinganyone.
He'ssuchaduffer;weshouldn'thavebroughthimup.Buthowcouldanythinghavegotholdofhimhere,withoutourseeing?"
"No,he'sgoneback,forsure,"saidHazel."IwonderwhatBigwigwillsaytohim?Ihopehewon'tbitehimagain.We'dbettergeton."
"Areyougoingtobringthemuptonight?"asked
Dandelion.
"Idon'tknow,"saidHazel."It'saproblem.Where'sthesheltertobefound?"
Theymadeforthesteepedge.Thelightwasbeginningtofail.Theypickedtheirdirectionbyaclumpofstuntedtreeswhichtheyhadpassedontheirwayup.Theseformedakindofdryoasis--alittlefeaturecommononthe
downs.Halfadozenthornsandtwoorthreeeldersgrewtogetheraboveandbelowabank.Betweenthemthegroundwasbareandthenakedchalkshowedapallid,dirtywhiteunderthecream-coloredelderbloom.Astheyapproached,theysuddenlysawHawkbitsittingamongthethorntrunks,cleaninghisfacewithhispaws.
"We'vebeenlookingfor
you,"saidHazel."Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen?"
"I'msorry,Hazel,"repliedHawkbitmeekly."I'vebeenlookingattheseholes.Ithoughttheymightbesomegood
tous."
Inthelowbankbehindhimwerethreerabbitholes.Thereweretwomoreflatonthe
ground,betweenthethick,gnarledroots.Theycouldseenofootmarksandnodroppings.Theholeswereclearlydeserted.
"Haveyoubeendown?"askedHazel,sniffinground.
"Yes,Ihave,"saidHawkbit."Threeofthem,anyway.They'reshallowandratherrough,butthere'snosmellofdeathordiseaseand
they'reperfectlysound.Ithoughttheymightdoforus--justforthemoment,anyway."
InthetwilightaswiftflewscreamingoverheadandHazelturnedtoDandelion.
"News!News!"hesaid."Goandgetthemuphere."
Thusitfelltooneoftherankandfiletomakealucky
findthatbroughtthematlasttothedowns:andprobablysavedalifeortwo,fortheycouldhardlyhavespentthenightintheopen,eitheronorunderthehill,withoutbeingattackedbysomeenemyorother.
19.FearintheDark
"Who'sinthenextroom?--
who?
Afigurewan
Withamessagetooneinthereofsomethingdue?
ShallIknowhimanon?"
"Yea,he;andhebroughtsuch;andyou'llknowhimanon."
ThomasHardy,Who'sin
theNextRoom?
Theholescertainlywererough--"Justrightforalotofvagabonds*likeus,"saidBigwig--buttheexhaustedandthosewhowanderinstrangecountryarenotparticularabouttherrquarters.Atleasttherewasroomfortwelverabbitsandtheburrowsweredry.Twooftheruns--theonesamongthethorntrees--ledstraightdown
toburrowsscoopedoutofthetopofthechalksubsoil.Rabbitsdonotlinetheirsleepingplacesandahard,almostrockyfloorisuncomfortableforthosenotaccustomedtoit.Theholesinthebank,however,hadrunsoftheusualbowshape,leadingdowntothechalkandthencurvingupagaintoburrowswithfloorsoftrampledearth.Therewerenoconnectingpassages,butthe
rabbitsweretoowearytocare.Theysleptfourtoaburrow,snugandsecure.Hazelremainedawakeforsometime,lickingBuckthorn'sleg,whichwasstiffandtender.Hewasreassuredtofindnosmellofinfection,butallthathehadeverheardaboutratsdecidedhimtoseethatBuckthorngotagooddealofrestandwaskeptoutofthedirtuntilthewoundwasbetter."That'sthe
thirdoneofustogethurt:still,allinall,thingscouldhavebeenfarworse,"hethought,ashefellasleep.
TheshortJunedarknessslippedbyinafewhours.Thelightreturnedearlytothehighdown,buttherabbitsdidnotstir.Wellafterdawntheywerestillsleeping,undisturbedinasilencedeeperthantheyhadeverknown.Nowadays,among
fieldsandwoods,thenoiselevelbydayishigh--toohighforsomekindsofanimaltotolerate.Fewplacesarefarfromhumannoise--cars,buses,motorcycles,tractors,lorries.Thesoundofahousingestateinthemorningisaudiblealongwayoff.Peoplewhorecordbirdsonggenerallydoitveryearly--beforesixo'clock--iftheycan.Soonafterthat,theinvasionofdistantnoisein
mostwoodlandbecomestooconstantandtooloud.Duringthelastfiftyyearsthesilenceofmuchofthecountryhasbeendestroyed.Buthere,onWatershipDown,therefloateduponlyfainttracesofthedaylightnoisebelow.
Thesunwaswellup,thoughnotyetashighasthedown,whenHazelwoke.WithhimintheburrowwereBuckthorn,FiverandPipkin.
Hewasnearesttothemouthoftheholeanddidnotwakethemasheslippeduptherun.Outside,hestoppedtopasshrakaandthenhoppedthroughthethornpatchtotheopengrass.Below,thecountrywascoveredwithearly-morningmistwhichwasbeginningtoclear.Hereandthere,faroff,weretheshapesoftreesandroofs,fromwhichstreamersofmisttraileddownlikebroken
wavespouringfromrocks.Theskywascloudlessanddeepblue,darkeningtomauvealongthewholerimofthehorizon.Thewindhaddroppedandthespidershadalreadygonewelldownintothegrass.Itwasgoingtobeahotday.
Hazelrambledaboutintheusualwayofarabbitfeeding--fiveorsixslow,rockinghopsthroughthegrass;a
pausetolookround,sittingupwithearserect;thenbusynibblingforashorttime,followedbyanothermoveofafewyards.Forthefirsttimeformanydayshefeltrelaxedandsafe.Hebegantowonderwhethertheyhadmuchtolearnabouttheirnewhome.
"Fiverwasright,"hethought."Thisistheplaceforus.Butweshallneedtogetusedtoitandthefewer
mistakeswemakethebetter.Iwonderwhatbecameoftherabbitswhomadetheseholes?Didtheystoprunningordidtheyjustmoveaway?Ifwecouldonlyfindthemtheycouldtellusalot."
Atthismomenthesawarabbitcomeratherhesitantlyoutoftheholefurthestfromhimself.ItwasBlackberry.He,too,passedhraka,scratchedhimselfandthen
hoppedintothefullsunlightandcombedhisears.Ashebegantofeed,Hazelcameupandfellinwithhim,nibblingamongthegrasstussocksandwanderingonwhereverhisfriendpleased.Theycametoapatchofmilkwort--ablueasdeepasthatofthesky--withlongstemscreepingthroughthegrassandeachminuteflowerspreadingitstwoupperpetalslikewings.Blackberrysniffedatit,but
theleavesweretoughandunappetizing.
"Whatisthisstuff,doyouknow?"heasked.
"No,Idon't,"saidHazel."I'veneverseenitbefore."
"There'salotwedon'tknow,"saidBlackberry."Aboutthisplace,Imean.Theplantsarenew,thesmellsarenew.We'regoing
toneedsomenewideasourselves."
"Well,you'rethefellowforideas,"saidHazel."Ineverknowanythinguntilyoutellme."
"Butyougoinfrontandtaketherisksfirst,"answeredBlackberry."We'veallseenthat.Andnowourjourney'sover,isn'tit?ThisplaceisassafeasFiversaiditwouldbe.
Nothingcangetnearuswithoutourknowing:thatis,aslongaswecansmellandseeandhear."
"Wecanalldothat."
"Notwhenwe'reasleep:andwecan'tseeinthedark."
"It'sboundtobedarkatnight,"saidHazel,"andrabbitshavegottosleep."
"Intheopen?"
"Well,wecangoonusingtheseholesifwewantto,butIexpectagoodmanywilllieout.Afterall,youcan'texpectabunchofbuckstodig.Theymightmakeascrapeortwo--likethatdayafterwecameovertheheather--buttheywon'tdomorethanthat."
"That'swhatI'vebeenthinkingabout,"said
Blackberry."Thoserabbitsweleft--Cowslipandtherest--alotofthethingstheydidweren'tnaturaltorabbits--pushingstonesintotheearthandcarryingfoodundergroundandFrithknowswhat."
"TheThrearah'slettucewascarriedunderground,ifitcomestothat."
"Exactly.Don'tyousee,
they'dalteredwhatrabbitsdonaturallybecausetheythoughttheycoulddobetter?Andiftheyalteredtheirways,socanweifwelike.Yousaybuckrabbitsdon'tdig.Northeydo.Buttheycould,iftheywantedto.Supposewehaddeep,comfortableburrowstosleepin?Tobeoutofbadweatherandundergroundatnight?Thenwewouldbesafe.Andthere'snothingtostopus
havingthem,exceptthatbuckrabbitswon'tdig.Notcan't--won't."
"What'syouridea,then?"askedHazel,halfinterestedandhalfreluctant."Doyouwantustotrytoturntheseholesintoaregularwarren?"
"No,theseholeswon'tdo.It'seasytoseewhythey'vebeendeserted.Onlyalittlewaydownandyoucometo
thishardwhitestuffthatnoonecandig.Theymustbebitterlycoldinwinter.Butthere'sawoodjustoverthetopofthehill.Igotaglimpseofitlastnightwhenwecame.Supposewegouphighernow,justyouandI,andhavealookatit?"
Theyranuphilltothesummit.Thebeechhangerlaysomelittlewayofftothesoutheast,onthefarsideofa
grassytrackthatranalongtheridge.
"Therearesomebigtreesthere,"saidBlackberry."Therootsmusthavebrokenupthegroundprettydeep.Wecoulddigholesandbeaswelloffaseverwewereintheoldwarren.ButifBigwigandtheotherswon'tdigorsaytheycan't--well,it'sbareandbleakhere.That'swhyit'slonelyandsafe,ofcourse;butwhen
badweathercomesweshallbedrivenoffthehillsforsure."
"Itneverenteredmyheadtotrytomakealotofbucksdigregularholes,"saidHazeldoubtfully,astheyreturneddowntheslope."Rabbitkittensneedholes,ofcourse;butdowe?"
"Wewereallborninawarrenthatwasdugbefore
ourmotherswereborn,"saidBlackberry."We'reusedtoholesandnotoneofushaseverhelpedtodigone.Andifevertherewasanewone,whodugit?Adoe.I'mquitesure,myself,thatifwedon'tchangeournaturalwaysweshan'tbeabletostayhereverylong.Somewhereelse,perhaps;butnothere."
"It'llmeanalotofwork."
"Look,there'sBigwigcomeupnowandsomeoftheotherswithhim.Whynotputittothemandseewhattheysay?"
Duringsilflay,however,HazelmentionedBlackberry'sideatonoonebutFiver.Lateron,whenmostoftherabbitshadfinishedfeedingandwereeitherplayinginthegrassorlyinginthesunshine,hesuggestedthattheymight
goacrosstothehanger--"Justtoseewhatsortofawooditis."BigwigandSilveragreedatonceandintheendnoonestayedbehind.
Itwasdifferentfromthemeadowcopsestheyhadleft:anarrowbeltoftrees,fourorfivehundredyardslongbutbarelyfiftywide;akindofwindbreakcommononthedowns.Itconsistedalmostentirelyofwell-grown
beeches.Thegreat,smoothtrunksstoodmotionlessintheirgreenshade,thebranchesspreadingflat,oneaboveanotherincrisp,light-dappledtiers.Betweenthetreesthegroundwasopenandofferedhardlyanycover.Therabbitswereperplexed.Theycouldnotmakeoutwhythewoodwassolightandstillandwhytheycouldseesofarbetweenthetrees.Thecontinuous,gentlerustlingof
thebeechleaveswasunlikethesoundstobeheardinacopseofnutbushes,oakandsilverbirch.
Movinguncertainlyinandoutalongtheedgeofthehanger,theycametothenortheastcorner.Heretherewasabankfromwhichtheylookedoutovertheemptystretchesofgrassbeyond.Fiver,absurdlysmallbesidethehulkingBigwig,turnedto
Hazelwithanairofhappyconfidence.
"I'msureBlackberry'sright,Hazel,"hesaid."Weoughttodoourbesttomakesomeholeshere.I'mreadytotry,anyway."
Theothersweretakenaback.Pipkin,however,readilyjoinedHazelatthefootofthebankandsoontwoorthreemorebegan
scratchingatthelightsoil.Thediggingwaseasyandalthoughtheyoftenbrokeofftofeedormerelytositinthesun,beforemiddayHazelwasoutofsightandtunnelingbetweenthetreeroots.
Thehangermighthavelittleornoundergrowthbutatleastthebranchesgavecoverfromthesky:andkestrels,theysoonrealized,werecommoninthissolitude.
Althoughkestrelsseldompreyonanythingbiggerthanarat,theywillsometimesattackyoungrabbits.Nodoubtthisiswhymostgrownrabbitswillnotremainunderahoveringkestrel.Beforelong,Acornspottedoneasitflewupfromthesouth.Hestampedandboltedintothetrees,followedbytheotherrabbitswhowereintheopen.Theyhadnotlongcomeoutandresumeddiggingwhen
theysawanother--orperhapsthesameone--hoveringsomewayoff,highovertheveryfieldsthattheyhadcrossedthepreviousmorning.HazelplacedBuckthornasasentrywhiletheday'shaphazardworkwenton,andtwicemoreduringtheafternoonthealarmwasgiven.Intheearlyeveningtheyweredisturbedbyahorsemancanteringalongtheridgetrackthatpassedthenorthendofthe
wood.Otherwisetheysawnothinglargerthanapigeonallday.
AfterthehorsemanhadturnedsouthnearthesummitofWatershipanddisappearedinthedistance,Hazelreturnedtotheedgeofthewoodandlookedoutnorthwardtowardthebright,stillfieldsandthedimpylonlinestalkingawayintothedistancenorthofKingsclere.
Theairwascoolerandthesunwasbeginningoncemoretoreachthenorthescarpment.
"Ithinkwe'vedoneenough,"hesaid,"fortoday,anyway.Ishouldliketogodowntothebottomofthehillandfindsomereallygoodgrass.Thisstuff'sallrightinitswaybutit'sratherthinanddry.Doesanyonefeellikecomingwithme?"
Bigwig,DandelionandSpeedwellwereready,buttheotherspreferredtograzetheirwaybacktothethorntreesandgoundergroundwiththesun.BigwigandHazelpickedthelinethatofferedmostcoverand,withtheothersfollowing,setoutonthefourorfivehundredyardstothefootofthehill.Theymetnotroubleandweresoonfeedinginthegrassattheedgeofthewheatfield,the
verypictureofrabbitsinaneveninglandscape.Hazel,tiredthoughhewas,didnotforgettolookforsomewheretoboltifthereshouldbeanalarm.Hewasluckyenoughtocomeuponashortlengthofold,overgrownditch,partlyfalleninandsoheavilyoverhungwithcowparsleyandnettlesthatitwasalmostasshelteredasatunnel;andallfourofthemmadesurethattheycouldreachit
quicklyfromtheopen.
"That'llbegoodenoughatapinch,"saidBigwig,munchingcloverandsniffingatthefallenbloomfromawayfaringtree."Mygoodness,we'velearnedafewthingssincewelefttheoldwarren,haven'twe?Morethanwe'dhavelearnedinalifetimebackthere.Anddigging!It'llbeflyingnext,Isuppose.Haveyounoticed
thatthissoil'squitedifferentfromthesoilintheoldwarren?Itsmellsdifferentlyanditslidesandfallsquitedifferently,too."
"Thatremindsme,"saidHazel."Imeanttoaskyou.TherewasonethingatthatterriblewarrenofCowslip'sthatIadmiredverymuch--thegreatburrow.I'dliketocopyit.It'sawonderfulideatohaveaplaceunderground
whereeverybodycanbetogether--talkandtellstoriesandsoon.Whatdoyouthink?Coulditbedone?"
Bigwigconsidered."Iknowthis,"hesaid."Ifyoumakeaburrowtoobigtheroofstartsfallingin.Soifyouwantaplacelikethatyou'llneedsomethingtoholdtheroofup.WhatdidCowsliphave?"
"Treeroots."
"Well,therearethosewherewe'redigging.Butaretheytherightsort?"
"We'dbettergetStrawberrytotelluswhatheknowsaboutthegreatburrow;butitmaynotbemuch,I'msurehewasn'talivewhenitwasdug."
"Hemaynotbedeadwhen
itfallsineither.Thatwarren'stharnasanowlindaylight.Hewaswisetoleavewhenhedid."
Twilighthadfallenoverthecornfield,foralthoughlongredraysstilllittheupperdown,thesunhadsetbelow.Theunevenshadowofthehedgehadfadedanddisappeared.Therewasacoolsmellofmoistureandapproachingdarkness.A
cockchaferdronedpast.Thegrasshoppershadfallensilent.
"Owls'llbeout,"saidBigwig."Let'sgoupagain."
Atthismoment,fromoutinthedarkeningfield,therecamethesoundofastampontheground.Itwasfollowedbyanother,closertothem,andtheycaughtaglimpseofawhitetail.Theyboth
immediatelyrantotheditch.Nowthattheyhadtouseitinearnest,theyfounditevennarrowerthantheyhadthought.TherewasjustroomtoturnroundatthefarendandastheydidsoSpeedwellandDandeliontumbledinbehindthem.
"Whatisit?"askedHazel."Whatdidyouhear?"
"There'ssomethingcoming
upthelineofthehedge,"repliedSpeedwell."Ananimal.Makingalotofnoise,too."
"Didyouseeit?"
"No,andIcouldn'tsmelliteither.It'sdownwind.ButIhearditplainlyenough."
"Iheardit,too,"saidDandelion."Somethingfairlybig--asbigasarabbit,
anyway--movingclumsilybuttryingtokeepconcealed,orsoitseemedtome."
"Homba?"
"No,thatweshouldhavesmelled,"saidBigwig,"windornowind.Fromwhatyousay,itsoundslikeacat.Ihopeit'snotastoat.Hoi,hoi,uembleerhrair!Whatanuisance!We'dbettersittightforabit.Butgetreadytobolt
ifitspotsus."
Theywaited.Soonitgrewdark.Onlythefaintestlightcamethroughthetangledsummergrowthabovethem.Thefarendoftheditchwassomuchovergrownthattheycouldnotseeoutofit,buttheplacewheretheyhadcomeinshowedasapatchofsky--anarcofverydarkblue.Asthetimepassed,astarcreptoutfromamongtheoverhanging
grasses.Itseemedtopulsateinarhythmasfaintandunevenasthatofthewind.AtlengthHazelturnedhiseyesawayfromwatchingit.
"Well,wecansnatchsomesleephere,"hesaid."Thenight'snotcold.Whateveritwasyouheard,we'dbetternotriskgoingout."
"Listen,"saidDandelion."What'sthat?"
ForamomentHazelcouldhearnothing.Thenhecaughtadistantbutclearsound--akindofwailingorcrying,waveringandintermittent.Althoughitdidnotsoundlikeanysortofhuntingcall,itwassounnaturalthatitfilledhimwithfear.Ashelistened,itceased.
"WhatinFrith'snamemakesanoiselikethat?"saidBigwig,hisgreatfurcap
hacklingbetweenhisears.
"Acat?"saidSpeedwell,wide-eyed.
"That'snocat!"saidBigwig,hislipsdrawnbackinastiffened,unnaturalgrimace,"That'snocat!Don'tyouknowwhatitis?Yourmother--"Hebrokeoff.Thenhesaid,verylow,"Yourmothertoldyou,didn'tshe?"
"No!"criedDandelion."No!It'ssomebird--somerat--wounded--"
Bigwigstoodup.Hisbackwasarchedandhisheadnoddedonhisstiffenedneck.
"TheBlackRabbitofInlé,"hewhispered,"Whatelse--inaplacelikethis?"
"Don'ttalklikethat!"saidHazel.Hecouldfeelhimself
trembling,andbracedhislegsagainstthesidesofthenarrowcut.
Suddenlythenoisesoundedagain,nearer:andnowtherecouldbenomistake.Whattheyheardwasthevoiceofarabbit,butchangedoutofallrecognition.Itmighthavecomefromthecoldspacesofthedarkskyoutside,sounearthlyanddesolatewas
thesound.Atfirsttherewasonlyawailing.Then,distinctandbeyondmistaking,theyheard--theyallheard--words.
"Zorn!Zorn!"*criedthedreadful,squealingvoice."Alldead!Ozorn!"
Dandelionwhimpered.Bigwigwasscufflingintotheground.
"Bequiet!"saidHazel.
"Andstopkickingthatearthoverme!Iwanttolisten,"
Atthatmoment,quitedistinctly,thevoicecried,"Thlayli!OThlayli!"
Atthis,allfourrabbitsfeltthetranceofutterpanic.Theygrewrigid.ThenBigwig,hiseyessetinafixed,glazedstare,begantojerkhiswayuptheditchtowardtheopening."Youhavetogo,"
hemuttered,sothicklythatHazelcouldhardlycatchthewords."Youhavetogowhenhecallsyou."
Hazelfeltsomuchfrightenedthathecouldnolongercollecthiswits.Asontheriverbank,hissurroundingsbecameunrealanddream-like.Who--orwhat--wascallingBigwigbyname?Howcouldanylivingcreatureinthisplaceknow
hisname?Onlyoneidearemainedtohim--Bigwigmustbepreventedfromgoingout,forhewashelpless.Hescrambledpasthim,pressinghimagainstthesideoftheditch.
"Staywhereyouare,"hesaid,panting,"Whateversortofrabbititis,I'mgoingtoseeformyself."Then,hislegsalmostgivingwaybeneathhim,hepulledhimselfout
intotheopen.
Forafewmomentshecouldseelittleornothing;butthesmellsofdewandelderbloomwereunchangedandhisnosebrushedagainstcoolgrassblades.Hesatupandlookedabouthim.Therewasnocreaturenearby.
"Who'sthere?"hesaid.
Therewassilence,andhe
wasabouttospeakagainwhenthevoicereplied,"Zorn!Ozorn!"
Itcamefromthehedgealongthesideofthefield.Hazelturnedtowardthesoundandinafewmomentsmadeout,underaclumpofhemlock,thehunchedshapeofarabbit.Heapproacheditandsaid,"Whoareyou?"buttherewasnoreply.Ashehesitated,hehearda
movementbehindhim.
"I'mhere,Hazel,"saidDandelion,inakindofchokinggasp.
Togethertheywentcloser.Thefiguredidnotmoveastheycameup.Inthefaintstarlighttheybothsawarabbitasrealasthemselves:arabbitinthelaststagesofexhaustion,itsbacklegstrailingbehinditsflattened
rumpasthoughparalyzed:arabbitthatstared,white-eyed,fromonesidetotheother,seeingnothing,yetfindingnorespitefromitsfear,andthenfelltolickingwretchedlyatonerippedandbloodyearthatdroopedacrossitsface:arabbitthatsuddenlycriedandwailedasthoughentreatingtheThousandtocomefromeveryquartertoriditofamiserytooterribletobeborne.
ItwasCaptainHollyoftheSandlefordOwsla.
*Bigwig'swordwashlessil,whichIhaverenderedinvariousplacesinthestoryaswanderers,scratchers,vagabonds.Ahlessiisarabbitlivingintheopen,withoutahole.Solitarybucksandunmatedrabbitswhoarewanderingdothisforquitelongperiods,especiallyinsummer.Bucksdonot
usuallydigmuchinanycase,althoughtheywillscratchshallowsheltersormakeuseofexistingholeswheretheseareavailable.Realdiggingisdoneforthemostpartbydoespreparingforlitters.
*Zornmeans"finished"or"destroyed,"inthesenseofsometerriblecatastrophe.
20.AHoneycomb
andaMouse
Hisfacewasthatofonewhohasundergonealongjourney.
TheEpicofGilgamesh
IntheSandlefordwarren,Hollyhadbeenarabbitofconsequence.HewasgreatlyrelieduponbytheThrearahandhadmorethanoncecarriedoutdifficultorders
withagooddealofcourage.Duringtheearlyspring,whenafoxhadmovedintoaneighboringcopse,Holly,withtwoorthreevolunteers,hadkeptitsteadilyunderobservationforseveraldaysandreportedallitsmovements,untiloneeveningitleftassuddenlyasithadcome.AlthoughhehaddecidedonhisowninitiativetoarrestBigwig,hehadnotthereputationofbeing
vindictive.Hewas,rather,astanderofnononsensewhoknewwhendutywasdoneanddidithimself.Sound,unassuming,conscientious,abitlackingintherabbitsenseofmischief,hewassomethingofthebornsecond-in-command.TherecouldhavebeennoquestionoftryingtopersuadehimtoleavethewarrenwithHazelandFiver.TofindhimunderWatershipDownatall,
therefore,wasastonishingenough.Buttofindhiminsuchaconditionwasallbutincredible.
Inthefirstmomentsaftertheyhadrecognizedthepoorcreatureunderthehemlock,HazelandDandelionfeltcompletelystupefied,asthoughtheyhadcomeuponasquirrelundergroundorastreamthatfloweduphill.Theycouldnottrusttheir
senses.Thevoiceinthedarkhadprovednottobesupernatural,buttherealitywasfrighteningenough.HowcouldCaptainHollybehere,atthefootofthedown?Andwhatcouldhavereducedhim--ofallrabbits--tothisstate?
Hazelpulledhimselftogether.Whatevertheexplanationmightbe,theimmediateneedwastotake
firstthingsfirst.Theywereinopencountry,atnight,awayfromanyrefugebutanovergrownditch,witharabbitwhosmelledofblood,wascryinguncontrollablyandlookedasthoughhecouldnotmove.Theremightverywellbeastoatonhistrailatthismoment.Iftheyweregoingtohelphimtheyhadbetterbequick.
"GoandtellBigwigwhoit
is,"hesaidtoDandelion,"andcomebackwithhim.SendSpeedwellupthehilltotheothersandtellhimtomakeitclearthatnooneistocomedown.Theycouldn'thelpanditwouldonlyaddtotherisk."
DandelionhadnosoonergonethanHazelbecameawarethatsomethingelsewasmovinginthehedge.Buthehadnotimetowonder
whatitmightbe,foralmostimmediatelyanotherrabbitappearedandlimpedtowhereHollywaslying.
"Youmusthelpusifyoucan,"hesaidtoHazel."We'vehadaverybadtimeandmymaster'sill.Canwegetundergroundhere?"
HazelrecognizedhimasoneoftherabbitswhohadcometoarrestBigwig,buthe
didnotknowhisname.
"Whydidyoustayinthehedgeandleavehimtocrawlaboutintheopen?"heasked.
"IranawaywhenIheardyoucoming,"repliedtheotherrabbit."Icouldn'tgetthecaptaintomove.Ithoughtyouwereelilandtherewasnopointinstayingtobekilled.Idon'tthinkIcouldfightafieldmouse."
"Doyouknowme?"saidHazel.Butbeforetheothercouldanswer,DandelionandBigwigcameoutofthedarkness.BigwigstaredatHollyforamomentandthencrouchedbeforehimandtouchednoses.
"Holly,thisisThlayli,"hesaid."Youwerecallingme."
Hollydidnotanswer,butonlystaredfixedlybackat
him.Bigwiglookedup."Who'sthatwhocamewithhim?"hesaid."Oh,it'syou,Bluebell.Howmanymoreofyou?"
"Nomore,"saidBluebell.HewasabouttogoonwhenHollyspoke.
"Thlayli,"hesaid."Sowehavefoundyou."
Hesatupwithdifficulty
andlookedaroundatthem.
"You'reHazel,aren'tyou?"heasked."Andthat's--oh,Ishouldknow,butI'minverypoorshape,I'mafraid."
"It'sDandelion,"saidHazel."Listen--Icanseethatyou'reexhausted,butwecan'tstayhere.We'reindanger.Canyoucomewithustoourholes?"
"Captain,"saidBluebell,"doyouknowwhatthefirstbladeofgrasssaidtothesecondbladeofgrass?"
Hazellookedathimsharply,butHollyreplied,"Well?"
"Itsaid,'Look,there'sarabbit!We'reindanger!'"
"Thisisnotime--"beganHazel.
"Don'tsilencehim,"saidHolly."Wewouldn'tbehereatallwithouthisbluetit'schatter.Yes,Icangonow.Isitfar?"
"Nottoofar,"saidHazel,thinkingitalltoolikelythatHollywouldnevergetthere.
Ittookalongtimetoclimbthehill.Hazelmadethemseparate,himselfremainingwithHollyandBluebell
whileBigwigandDandelionwentouttoeitherside.HollywasforcedtostopseveraltimesandHazel,fulloffear,hadhardworktosuppresshisimpatience.Onlywhenthemoonbegantorise--theedgeofitsgreatdiscgrowingbrighterandbrighterontheskylinebelowandbehindthem--didheatlastbegHollytohurry.Ashespokehesaw,inthewhitelight,Pipkincomingdowntomeetthem.
"Whatareyoudoing?"hesaidsternly."ItoldSpeedwellnoonewastocomedown."
"Itisn'tSpeedwell'sfault,"saidPipkin."Youstoodbymeattheriver,soIthoughtI'dcomeandlookforyou,Hazel.Anyway,theholesarejusthere.IsitreallyCaptainHollyyou'vefound?"
BigwigandDandelionapproached.
"I'lltellyouwhat,"saidBigwig."Thesetwowillneedtorestforagoodlongtime.SupposePipkinhereandDandeliontakethemtoanemptyburrowandstaywiththemaslongastheywant?Therestofushadbetterkeepawayuntiltheyfeelbetter."
"Yes,that'sbest,"saidHazel."I'llgoupwithyounow."
Theyrantheshortdistancetothethorntrees.Alltheotherrabbitswereaboveground,waitingandwhisperingtogether.
"Shutup,"saidBigwig,beforeanyonehadaskedaquestion."Yes,itisHolly,andBluebelliswithhim--nooneelse.They'reinabadwayandthey'renottobetroubled.We'llleavethisholeemptyforthem.NowI'mgoing
undergroundmyselfandsowillyouifyou'vegotanysense."
Butbeforehewent,BigwigturnedtoHazelandsaid,"Yougotyourselfoutofthatditchdownthereinsteadofme,didn'tyou,Hazel?Ishan'tforgetthat."
HazelrememberedBuckthorn'slegandtookhimdownwithhim.Speedwell
andSilverfollowedthem.
"Isay,what'shappened,Hazel?"askedSilver."Itmustbesomethingverybad.HollywouldneverleavetheThrearah."
"Idon'tknow,"repliedHazel,"andneitherdoesanyoneelseyet.We'llhavetowaituntiltomorow.Hollymaystoprunning,butIdon'tthinkBluebellwill.Nowlet
mealonetodothislegofBuckthorn's."
ThewoundwasagreatdealbetterandsoonHazelfellasleep.
Thenextdaywasashotandcloudlessasthelast.NeitherPipkinnorDandelionwasatmorningsilflay;andHazelrelentlesslytooktheothersuptothebeechhangertogoonwiththedigging.He
questionedStrawberryaboutthegreatburrowandlearnedthatitsceiling,aswellasbeingvaultedwithatangleoffibers,wasstrengthenedbyrootsgoingverticallydownintothefloor.Heremarkedthathehadnotnoticedthese.
"Therearen'tmany,butthey'reimportant,"saidStrawberry."Theytakealotoftheload.Ifitweren'tforthoserootstheceilingwould
fallafterheavyrain.Onstormynightsyoucouldsensetheextraweightintheearthabove,buttherewasnodanger."
HazelandBigwigwentundergroundwithhim.Thebeginningsofthenewwarrenhadbeenhollowedoutamongtherootsofoneofthebeechtrees.Itwasstillnomorethanasmall,irregularcavewithoneentrance.Theysetto
worktoenlargeit,diggingbetweentherootsandtunnelingupwardtomakeasecondrunthatwouldemergeinsidethewood.AfteratimeStrawberrystoppeddiggingandbeganmovingaboutbetweentheroots,sniffing,bitingandscufflinginthesoilwithhisfrontpaws.Hazelsupposedthathewastiredandpretendingtobebusywhilehehadarest,butatlengthhecamebacktothem
andsaidthathehadsomesuggestions.
"It'sthisway,"heexplained."Thereisn'tabigspreadoffinerootsabovehere.ThatwasaluckychanceinthegreatburrowandIdon'tthinkyoucanexpecttofinditagain.But,allthesame,wecandoprettywellwithwhatwe'vegot."
"Andwhathavewegot?"
askedBlackberry,whohadcomedowntherunwhilehewastalking.
"Well,we'vegotseveralthickrootsthatgostraightdown--morethantherewereinthegreatburrow.Thebestthingwillbetodigroundthemandleavethem.Theyshouldn'tbegnawedthroughandtakenout.Weshallneedthemifwe'regoingtohaveahallofanysize."
"Thenourhallwillbefullofthesethick,verticalroots?"askedHazel.Hefeltdisappointed.
"Yes,itwill,"saidStrawberry,"butIcan'tseethatit'sgoingtobeanytheworseforthat.Wecangoinandoutamongthemandtheywon'thinderanyonewho'stalkingortellingastory.They'llmaketheplacewarmerandthey'llhelpto
conductsoundfromabove,whichmightbeusefulsometimeorother."
Theexcavationofthehall(whichcametobeknownamongthemastheHoneycomb)turnedouttobesomethingofatriumphforStrawberry.HazelcontentedhimselfwithorganizingthediggersandleftittoStrawberrytosaywhatwasactuallytobedone.Thework
wentoninshiftsandtherabbitstookitinturnstofeed,playandlieinthesunaboveground.Throughoutthedaythesolituderemainedunbrokenbynoise,men,tractors,orevencattle,andtheybegantofeelstillmoredeeplywhattheyowedtoFiver'sinsight.Bythelateafternoonthebigburrowwasbeginningtotakeshape.Atthenorthend,thebeechrootsformedakindofirregular
colonnade.Thisgavewaytoamoreopencentralspace:andbeyond,wheretherewerenosupportingroots,Strawberryleftblocksoftheearthuntouched,sothatthesouthendconsistedofthreeorfourseparatebays.Thesenarrowedintolow-roofedrunsthatledawayintosleepingburrows.
Hazel,muchbetterpleasednowthathecouldseefor
himselfhowthebusinesswasgoingtoturnout,wassittingwithSilverinthemouthoftherunwhensuddenlytherewasastampingof"Hawk!Hawk!"andadashforcoverbytherabbitsoutside.Hazel,safewherehewas,remainedlookingoutpasttheshadowofthewoodtotheopen,sunlitgrassbeyond.Thekestrelsailedintoviewandtookupstation,theblack-edgedflangeofitstailbent
downanditspointedwingsbeatingrapidlyasitsearchedthedownbelow.
"Butdoyouthinkitwouldattackus?"askedHazel,watchingitdroplowerandrecommenceitspoisedfluttering."Surelyit'stoosmall?"
"You'reprobablyright,"repliedSilver."Allthesame,wouldyoucaretogoout
thereandstartfeeding?"
"I'dliketotrystandinguptosomeoftheseelil,"saidBigwig,whohadcomeuptherunbehindthem."We'reafraidoftoomany.Butabirdfromtheairwouldbeawkward,especiallyifitcamefast.Itmightgetthebetterofevenabigrabbitifittookhimbysurprise."
"Seethemouse?"said
Silversuddenly."There,look.Poorlittlebeast."
Theycouldallseethefieldmouse,whichwasexposedinapatchofsmoothgrass.Ithadevidentlystrayedtoofarfromitsholeandnowcouldnottellwhattodo.Thekestrel'sshadowhadnotpassedoverit,buttherabbits'suddendisappearancehadmadeituneasyanditwaspressedtotheground,
lookinguncertainlythiswayandthat.Thekestrelhadnotyetseenit,butcouldhardlyfailtodosoassoonasitmoved.
"Anymomentnow,"saidBigwigcallously.
Onanimpulse,Hazelhoppeddownthebankandwentalittlewayintotheopengrass.MicedonotspeakLapine,butthereisa
verysimple,limitedlinguafrancaofthehedgerowandwoodland.Hazeluseditnow.
"Run,"hesaid."Here;quick."
Themouselookedathim,butdidnotmove.Hazelspokeagainandthemousebegansuddenlytoruntowardhimasthekestrelturnedandslidsidewaysanddownward.Hazelhastenedbacktothe
hole.Lookingout,hesawthemousefollowinghim.Whenithadalmostreachedthefootofthebankitscutteredoverafallentwigwithtwoorthreegreenleaves.Thetwigturned,oneoftheleavescaughtthesunlightslantingthroughthetreesandHazelsawitflashforaninstant.Immediatelythekestrelcamelowerinanobliqueglide,closeditswingsanddropped.
BeforeHazelcouldspringbackfromthemouthofthehole,themousehaddashedbetweenhisfrontpawsandwaspressedtothegroundbetweenhisbacklegs.Atthesamemomentthekestrel,allbeakandtalons,hitthelooseearthimmediatelyoutsidelikeamissilethrownfromthetreeabove.Itscuffledsavagelyandforaninstantthethreerabbitssawitsround,darkeyeslooking
straightdowntherun.Thenitwasgone.Thespeedandforceofthepounce,notalengthaway,wereterrifyingandHazelleapedbackward,knockingSilveroffhisbalance.Theypickedthemselvesupinsilence.
"Liketotrystandinguptothatone?"saidSilver,lookingroundatBigwig."Letmeknowwhen.I"llcomeand
watch."
"Hazel,"saidBigwig,"Iknowyou'renotstupid,butwhatdidwegetoutofthat?Areyougoinginforprotectingeverymoleandshrewthatcan'tgetunderground?"
Themousehadnotmoved.Itwasstillcrouchingalittleinsidetherun,onalevelwiththeirheadsandoutlined
againstthelight.Hazelcouldseeitwatchinghim.
"Perhapshawknotgone,"hesaid."Youstaynow.Golater."
BigwigwasabouttospeakagainwhenDandelionappearedinthemouthofthehole.Helookedatthemouse,pusheditgentlyasideandcamedowntherun.
"Hazel,"hesaid,"IthoughtIoughttocomeandtellyouaboutHolly.He'smuchbetterthisevening,buthehadaverybadnightandsodidwe.Everytimeheseemedtobegoingtosleep,hekeptstartingupandcrying.Ithoughthewasgoingoutofhismind.Pipkinkepttalkingtohim--hewasfirst-rate--andheseemstosetalotofstorebyBluebell.Bluebellkeptonmakingjokes.Hewasworn
outbeforethemorningandsowerethelotofus--we'vebeensleepingallday.Holly'sbeenmoreorlesshimselfsincehewokeupthisafternoon,andhe'sbeenuptosilflay.Heaskedwhereyouandtheotherswouldbetonightand,asIdidn'tknow,Icametoask."
"Ishefittotalktous,then?"askedBigwig.
"Ithinkso.Itwouldbethebestthingforhim,ifI'manyjudge:andifhewaswithallofustogetherhe'dbelesslikelytohaveanotherbadnight."
"Well,wherearewegoingtosleep?"saidSilver.
Hazelconsidered.TheHoneycombwasstillrough-dugandhalffinished,butitwouldprobablybeas
comfortableastheholesunderthethorntrees.Besides,ifitprovedotherwise,theywouldhaveallthemoreinducementtoimproveit.Toknowthattheywereactuallymakinguseoftheirday'shardworkwouldpleaseeverybodyandtheywerelikelytopreferthistoathirdnightinthechalkholes.
"Ishouldthinkhere,"hesaid."Butwe'llseehowthe
othersfeel."
"What'sthismousedoinginhere?"askedDandelion.
Hazelexplained.DandelionwasaspuzzledasBigwighadbeen.
"Well,I'lladmitIhadn'tanyparticularideawhenIwentouttohelpit,"saidHazel."Ihavenow,though,andI'llexplainlaterwhatit
is.But,firstofall,BigwigandIoughttogoandtalktoHolly.And,Dandelion,yougoandtelltherestwhatyoutoldme,willyou,andseewhattheywanttodotonight?"
TheyfoundHollywithBluebellandPipkin,ontheturfbytheanthillwhereDandelionhadfirstlookedoverthedown.Hollywassniffingatapurpleorchis.
Theheadofmauvebloomsrockedgentlyonitsstemashepushedhisnoseagainstit.
"Don'tfrightenit,master,"saidBluebell."Itmightflyaway.Afterall,it'sgotalotofspotstochoosefrom.Lookatthemallovertheleaves."
"Oh,getalongwithyou,Bluebell,"answeredHolly,good-humoredly."Weneedtolearnabouttheground
here.Halftheplantsarestrangetome.Thisisn'tonetoeat,butatleastthere'splentyofburnetandthat'salwaysgood."Aflysettledonhiswoundedearandhewincedandshookhishead.
HazelwasgladtoseethatHollywasevidentlyinbetterspirits.Hebegantosaythathehopedhefeltwellenoughtojointheothers,butHollysooninterruptedhimwith
questions.
"Aretheremanyofyou?"heasked.
"Hrair,"saidBigwig.
"Allthatleftthewarrenwithyou?"
"Everyone,"repliedHazelproudly.
"Noonehurt?"
"Oh,severalhavebeenhurt,onewayandanother."
"Neveradullmoment,really,"saidBigwig.
"Who'sthiscoming?Idon'tknowhim."
Strawberrycamerunningdownfromthehangerandashejoinedthembegantomakethesamecuriousdancinggestureofheadandforepaws
whichtheyhadfirstseenintherainymeadowbeforetheyenteredthegreatburrow.Hecheckedhimselfinsomeconfusionand,toforestallBigwig'srebuke,spoketoHazelatonce.
"Hazel-rah,"hesaid(Hollylookedstartled,butsaidnothing),"everyonewantstostayinthenewwarrentonight:andthey'reallhopingthatCaptainHollywillfeel
abletotellthemwhat'shappenedandhowhecamehere."
"Well,naturally,weallwanttoknow,"saidHazeltoHolly."ThisisStrawberry.Hejoinedusonourjourneyandwe'vebeengladtohavehim.Butdoyouthinkyoucanmanageit?"
"Icanmanageit,"saidHolly."ButImustwarnyou
thatitwillstrikethefrostintotheheartofeveryrabbitthathearsit."
Hehimselflookedsosadanddarkashespokethatnoonemadeanyreply,andafterafewmomentsallsixrabbitsmadetheirwayuptheslopeinsilence.Whentheyreachedthecornerofthewood,theyfoundtheothersfeedingorbaskingintheeveningsunonthenorthsideofthebeech
trees.AfteraglanceroundamongthemHollywentuptoSilver,whowasfeedingwithFiverinapatchofyellowtrefoil.
"I'mgladtoseeyouhere,Silver,"hesaid."Ihearyou'vehadaroughtime."
"Ithasn'tbeeneasy,"answeredSilver."Hazel'sdonewondersandweowealottoFiverhereaswell."
"I'veheardofyou,"saidHolly,turningtoFiver."You'retherabbitwhosawitallcoming.YoutalkedtotheThrearah,didn'tyou?"
"Hetalkedtome,"saidFiver.
"Ifonlyhe'dlistenedtoyou!Well,itcan'tbechangednow,tillacornsgrowonthistles.Silver,there'ssomethingIwanttosayandI
cansayitmoreeasilytoyouthantoHazelorBigwig.I'mnotouttomakeanytroublehere--troubleforHazel,Imean.He'syourChiefRabbitnow,that'splain.Ihardlyknowhim,buthemustbegoodoryou'dallbedead;andthisisnotimetobesquabbling.IfanyoftheotherrabbitsarewonderingwhetherImightwanttoalterthings,willyouletthemknowthatIshan't?"
"Yes,Iwill,"saidSilver.
Bigwigcameup."Iknowit'snotowltimeyet,"hesaid,"buteveryone'ssoeagertohearyou,Holly,thattheywanttogoundergroundatonce.Willthatsuityou?"
"Underground?"repliedHolly."Buthowcanyouallhearmeunderground?Iwasexpectingtotalkhere."
"Comeandsee,"saidBigwig.
HollyandBluebellwereimpressedbytheHoneycomb.
"Thisissomethingquitenew,"saidHolly."Whatkeepstheroofup?"
"Itdoesn'tneedtobekeptup,"saidBluebell."It'srightupthehillalready."
"Anideawefoundontheway,"saidBigwig.
"Lyinginafield,"saidBluebell."It'sallright,master,I'llbequietwhileyou'respeaking."
"Yes,youmust,"saidHolly."Soonnoonewillwantjokes."
Almostalltherabbitshadfollowedthemdown.The
Honeycomb,thoughbigenoughforeverybody,wasnotsoairyasthegreatburrowandonthisJuneeveningitseemedsomewhatclose.
"Wecaneasilymakeitcooler,youknow,"saidStrawberrytoHazel."Inthegreatburrowtheyusedtoopentunnelsforthesummerandclosethemforthewinter.Wecandiganotherrunon
theeveningsidetomorrowandpickupthebreeze."
HazelwasjustgoingtoaskHollytobeginwhenSpeedwellcamedowntheeasternrun."Hazel,"hesaid,"your--er--visitor--yourmouse.Hewantstospeaktoyou."
"Oh,I'dforgottenhim,"saidHazel."Whereishe?"
"Uptherun."
Hazelwentup.Themousewaswaitingatthetop.
"Yougonow?"saidHazel."Youthinksafe?"
"Gonow,"saidthemouse."Nowaitowl.ButawhatIlikeasay.You'elpamouse.Onetimeamouse'elpayou.Youwant'im'ecome."
"Frithinapond!"mutteredBigwig,furtherdowntherun."Andsowillallhisbrothersandsisters.Idaresaytheplace'llbecrawling.Whydon'tyouaskthemtodigusaburrowortwo,Hazel?"
Hazelwatchedthemousemakeoffintothelonggrass.ThenhereturnedtotheHoneycombandsettleddownnearHolly,whohadjustbeguntospeak.
21."ForEl-ahrairahtoCry"
Lovetheanimals.Godhasgiventhemtherudimentsofthoughtandjoyuntroubled.Don'ttroubleit,don'tharassthem,don'tdeprivethemoftheirhappiness,don'tworkagainstGod'sintent.
Dostoevsky,TheBrothersKaramazov
Actsofinjusticedone
Betweenthesettingandtherisingsun
Inhistorylielikebones,eachone.
W.H.Auden,TheAscentofF.6
"Thenightyouleftthewarren,theOwslawereturnedouttolookforyou.
Howlongagoitseemsnow!Wefollowedyourscentdowntothebrook,butwhenwetoldtheThrearahthatyouappearedtohavesetoffdownstream,hesaidtherewasnopointinriskinglivesbyfollowingyou.Ifyouweregone,youweregone.Butanyonewhocamebackwastobearrested.SothenIcalledoffthesearch.
"Nothingunusual
happenedthenextday.TherewasacertainamountoftalkaboutFiverandtherabbitswho'dgonewithhim.EveryoneknewthatFiverhadsaidthatsomethingbadwasgoingtohappenandallsortsofrumorsstarted.Alotofrabbitssaidtherewasnothinginit,butsomethoughtthatFivermighthaveforeseenmenwithgunsandferrets.Thatwastheworstthinganyonecouldthinkof--thator
thewhiteblindness.
"WillowandItalkedthingsoverwiththeThrearah.'Theserabbits,'hesaid,'whoclaimtohavethesecondsight--I'veknownoneortwoinmytime.Butit'snotusuallyadvisabletotakemuchnoticeofthem.Foronething,manyarejustplainmischievous.Aweakrabbitwhocan'thopetogetfarbyfightingsometimestriesto
makehimselfimportantbyothermeansandprophecyisafavorite.Thecuriousthingisthatwhenheturnsouttobewrong,hisfriendsseldomseemtonotice,aslongasheputsonagoodactandkeepstalking.Butthenagain,youmaygetarabbitwhoreallyhasthisoddpower,foritdoesexist.Heforetellsafloodperhaps,orferretsandguns.Allright;soacertainnumberofrabbitswillstoprunning.
What'sthealternative?Toevacuateawarrenisatremendousbusiness.Somerefusetogo.TheChiefRabbitleaveswithasmanyaswillcome.Hisauthorityislikelytobeputtothemostseveretestandifhelosesithewon'tgetitbackinahurry.Atthebest,you'vegotabigbunchofhlessiltrailingroundintheopen,probablywithdoesandkittenstackedon.Elilappearinhordes.The
remedy'sworsethanthedisease.Almostalways,it'sbetterforthewarrenasawholeifrabbitssittightanddotheirbesttododgetheirdangersunderground.'"
"Ofcourse,Ineversatdownandthought,"saidFiver."ItwouldtaketheThrearahtothinkallthatout.Isimplyhadthescreaminghorrors.GreatgoldenFrith,IhopeIneverhavethemlike
thatagain!Ishallneverforgetit--thatandthenightIspentundertheyewtree.There'sterribleevilintheworld."
"Itcomesfrommen,"saidHolly."AllotherelildowhattheyhavetodoandFrithmovesthemashemovesus.Theyliveontheearthandtheyneedfood.Menwillneverresttillthey'vespoiledtheearthanddestroyedtheanimals.ButI'dbettergoon
withthistaleofmine.
"Thenextdayintheafternoon,itbegantorain.
("Thosescrapesweduginthebank,"whisperedBuckthorntoDandelion.)
"Everyonewasunderground,justchewingpelletsorsleeping.I'dgoneupforafewminutestopasshraka.Iwasontheedgeof
thewood,quiteneartheditch,whenIsawsomemencomethroughthegateatthetopoftheoppositeslope,upbythatboardthing.Idon'tknowhowmanytherewere--threeorfour,Isuppose.Theyhadlongblacklegsandtheywereburningwhitesticksintheirmouths.Theydidn'tseemtobegoinganywhere.Theybeganwalkingslowlyaboutintherain,lookingatthehedgesandthebrook.
Afteratimetheycrossedthebrookandcameclumpinguptowardthewarren.Whenevertheycametoarabbithole,oneofthemwouldprodatit;andtheykepttalkingallthetime.Irememberthesmelloftheelderbloomintherainandthesmellofthewhitesticks.Later,whentheycamecloser,Islippedundergroundagain.Icouldhearthemforsometime,thumpingaboutandtalking.Ikeptthinking,
'Well,they'vegotnogunsandnoferrets.'ButsomehowIdidn'tlikeit."
"WhatdidtheThrearahsay?"askedSilver.
"I'venoidea.Ididn'taskhimandneitherdidanyoneelse,asfarasIknow.IwenttosleepandwhenIwoketherewasnosoundupabove.ItwaseveningandIdecidedtosilflay.Therainhadsettled
in,butIpotteredroundandfedforawhileallthesame.Icouldn'tseethatanythingwasaltered,exceptthathereandtherethemouthofaholehadbeenpokedin.
"Thenextmorningwasclearandfine.Everyonewasoutforsilflayasusual.IrememberNightshadetoldtheThrearahthatheoughttobecarefulnottotirehimselfnowthathewasgettingonin
years:andtheThrearahsaidhe'dshowhimwhowasgettingoninyearsandcuffedhimandpushedhimdownthebank.Itwasallquitegood-humored,youknow,buthediditjusttoshowNightshadethattheChiefRabbitwasstillamatchforhim.IwasgoingoutforlettucesthatmorningandforsomereasonorotherI'ddecidedtogoalone."
"Three'stheusualnumber
foralettuceparty,"saidBigwig.
"Yes,Iknowthreeusedtobetheusualnumber,buttherewassomespecialreasonwhyIwentalonethatday.Oh,yes,Iremember--Iwantedtoseeiftherewereanyearlycarrots.Ithoughttheymightjustbeready,andIreckonedthatifIwasgoinghuntingaboutinastrangepartofthegardenI'dbebetter
offbymyself.Iwasoutmostofthemorninganditcan'thavebeenlongbeforeni-FrithwhenIcamebackthroughthewood.IwascomingdownSilentBank--IknowmostrabbitspreferredtheGreenLoose,butInearlyalwayswentbySilentBank.I'dgotintotheopenpartofthewood,whereitcomesdown,towardtheoldfence,whenInoticedahrududuinthelaneatthetopofthe
oppositeslope.Itwasstandingatthegatebytheboardandalotofmenweregettingout.Therewasaboywiththemandhehadagun.Theytookdownsomebig,longthings--Idon'tknowhowtodescribethemtoyou--theyweremadeofthesamesortofstuffasahrududuandtheymusthavebeenheavy,becauseittooktwomentocarryoneofthem.Themencarriedthesethingsintothe
fieldandthefewrabbitswhowereabovegroundwentdown.Ididn't.I'dseenthegunandIthoughttheywereprobablygoingtouseferretsandperhapsnets.SoIstayedwhereIwasandwatched.Ithought,'AssoonasI'msurewhatthey'reupto,I'llgoandwarntheThrearah.'
"Therewasmoretalkingandmorewhitesticks.Menneverhurry,dothey?Then
oneofthemgotaspadeandbeganfillinginthemouthsofalltheholeshecouldfind.Everyholehecameto,hecutouttheturfaboveandpusheditintothehole.Thatpuzzledme,becausewithferretstheywanttodrivetherabbitsout.ButIwasexpectingthatthey'dleaveafewholesopenandnetthem:althoughthatwouldhavebeenafoolishwaytoferret,becausearabbitthatwentupablockedrun
wouldbekilledundergroundandthenthemanwouldn'tgethisferretbackveryeasily,youknow."
"Don'tmakeittoogrim,Holly,"saidHazel,forPipkinwasshudderingatthethoughtoftheblockedrunandthepursuingferret.
"Toogrim?"repliedHollybitterly."I'vehardlystartedyet.Wouldanyoneliketogo
away?"Noonemovedandafterafewmomentshecontinued.
"Thenanotherofthemenfetchedsomelong,thin,bendingthings.Ihaven'tgotwordsforallthesementhings,buttheyweresomethinglikelengthsofverythickbramble.Eachofthementookoneandputitononeoftheheavythings.Therewasakindofhissing
noiseand--and--well,Iknowyoumustfindthisdifficulttounderstand,buttheairbegantoturnbad.ForsomereasonIgotastrongscentofthisstuffthatcameoutofthebramblethings,eventhoughIwassomewayoff:andIcouldn'tseeorthink.Iseemedtobefalling.Itriedtojumpupandrun,butIdidn'tknowwhereIwasandIfoundI'drundowntotheedgeofthewood,towardthemen.Istopped
justintime.IwasbewilderedandI'dlostallideaofwarningtheThrearah.AfterthatIjustsatwhereIwas.
"Themenputabrambleintoeachholethey'dleftopenandafterthatnothinghappenedforalittlewhile.AndthenIsawScabious--yourememberScabious?Hecameoutofaholealongthehedge--onetheyhadn'tnoticed.Icouldseeatonce
thathe'dsmelledthisstuff.Hedidn'tknowwhathewasdoing.Themendidn'tseehimforafewmomentsandthenoneofthemstuckouthisarmtoshowwherehewasandtheboyshothim.Hedidn'tkillhim--Scabiousbegantoscream--andoneofthemenwentoverandpickedhimupandhithim.Ireallybelievehemaynothavesufferedverymuch,becausethebadairhadturnedhim
silly:butIwishIhadn'tseenit.Afterthat,themanstoppeduptheholethatScabioushadcomeoutof.
"Bythistimethepoisonedairmusthavebeenspreadingthroughtherunsandburrowsunderground.Icanimaginewhatitmusthavebeenlike--"
"Youcan't,"saidBluebell.HollystoppedandafterapauseBluebellwenton.
"IheardthecommotionbeginningbeforeIsmelledthestuffmyself.Thedoesseemedtogetitfirstandsomeofthembegantryingtogetout.Buttheoneswhohadlitterswouldn'tleavethekittensandtheywereattackinganyrabbitwhocamenearthem.Theywantedtofight--toprotectthekittens,youknow.Verysoontherunswerecrammedwithrabbitsclawingandclamberingover
eachother.Theywentuptherunstheywereaccustomedtouseandfoundthemblocked.Somemanagedtoturnround,buttheycouldn'tgetbackbecauseoftherabbitscomingup.Andthentherunsbegantobeblockedlowerdownwithdeadrabbitsandtheliverabbitstorethemtopieces.
"IshallneverknowhowIgotawaywithwhatIdid.Itwasachanceinathousand.I
wasinaburrownearoneoftheholesthatthemenwereusing.TheymadealotofnoiseputtingthebramblethinginandI'vegotanideaitwasn'tworkingproperly.AssoonasIpickedupthesmellofthestuffIjumpedoutoftheburrow,butIwasstillfairlyclear-headed.Icameuptherunjustasthemenweretakingthebrambleoutagain.Theywerealllookingatitandtalkingandtheydidn't
seeme.Iturnedround,actuallyinthemouthofthehole,andwentdownagain.
"DoyouremembertheSlackRun?Isupposehardlyarabbitwentdownthereinourlifetime--itwassoverydeepanditdidn'tleadanywhereinparticular.Nooneknowsevenwhomadeit.Frithmusthaveguidedme,forIwentstraightdownintotheSlackRunandbegan
creepingalongit.Iwasactuallydiggingattimes.Itwasalllooseearthandfallenstones.Therewereallsortsofforgottenshaftsanddropsthatledinfromabove,anddownthosewerecomingthemostterriblesounds--criesforhelp,kittenssquealingfortheirmothers,Owslatryingtogiveorders,rabbitscursingandfightingeachother.Oncearabbitcametumblingdownoneoftheshaftsandhis
clawsjustscratchedme,likeahorse-chestnutburfallinginautumn.ItwasCelandineandhewasdead.IhadtotearathimbeforeIcouldgetoverhim--theplacewassolowandnarrow--andthenIwenton.Icouldsmellthebadair,butIwassodeepdownthatImusthavebeenbeyondtheworstofit.
"SuddenlyIfoundtherewasanotherrabbitwithme.
HewastheonlyoneImetinthewholelengthoftheSlackRun.ItwasPimpernelandIcouldtellatoncethathewasinabadway.Hewassplutteringandgasping,buthewasabletokeepgoing.HeaskedifIwasallright,butallIsaidwas,'Wheredowegetout?''Icanshowyouthat,'hesaid,'ifyoucanhelpmealong.'SoIfollowedhimandeverytimehestopped--hekeptforgettingwherewe
were--Ishovedhimhard.Ievenbithimonce.Iwasterrifiedthathewasgoingtodieandblocktherun.AtlastwebegantocomeupandIcouldsmellfreshair.Wefoundwe'dgotintooneofthoserunsthatledoutintothewood."
"Themenhaddonetheirworkbadly,"resumedHolly."Eithertheydidn'tknowaboutthewoodholesorthey
couldn'tbebotheredtocomeandblockthem.Almosteveryrabbitthatcameupinthefieldwasshot,butIsawtwogetaway.OnewasNose-in-the-Air,butIdon'trememberwhotheotherwas.ThenoisewasveryfrighteningandIwouldhaverunmyself,butIkeptwaitingtoseewhethertheThrearahwouldcome.AfterawhileIbegantorealizethattherewereafewotherrabbitsinthewood.
PineNeedleswasthere,Iremember,andButterburandAsh.IgotholdofallIcouldandtoldthemtosittightundercover.
"Afteralongtimethemenfinished.Theytookthebramblethingsoutoftheholesandtheboyputthebodiesonastick--"
HollystoppedandpressedhisnoseunderBigwig'sflank.
"Well,nevermindaboutthatbit,"saidHazelinasteadyvoice."Tellushowyoucameaway."
"Beforethathappened,"saidHolly,"agreathrududucameintothefieldfromthelane.Itwasn'ttheonethemencamein.Itwasverynoisyanditwasyellow--asyellowascharlock:andinfronttherewasagreatsilver,shiningthingthatitheldinits
hugefrontpaws.Idon'tknowhowtodescribeittoyou.ItlookedlikeInlé,butitwasbroadandnotsobright.Andthisthing--howcanItellyou--ittorethefieldtobits.Itdestroyedthefield."
Hestoppedagain.
"Captain,"saidSilver,"weallknowyou'veseenthingsbadbeyondtelling.Butsurelythat'snotquitewhatyou
mean?"
"Uponmylife,"saidHolly,trembling,"itburieditselfinthegroundandpushedgreatmassesofearthinfrontofituntilthefieldwasdestroyed.Thewholeplacebecamelikeacattlewadeinwinterandyoucouldnolongertellwhereanypartofthefieldhadbeen,betweenthewoodandthebrook.Earthandrootsandgrassandbushesit
pushedbeforeitand--andotherthingsaswell,fromunderground.
"AfteralongtimeIwentbackthroughthewood.I'dforgottenanyideaofcollectingotherrabbits,buttherewerethreewhojoinedmeallthesame--BluebellhereandPimpernelandyoungToadflax.ToadflaxwastheonlymemberoftheOwslaI'dseenandIasked
himabouttheThrearah,buthecouldn'ttalkanykindofsense.IneverfoundoutwhathappenedtotheThrearah.Ihopehediedquickly.
"Pimpernelwaslight-headed--chatteringnonsense--andBluebellandIweren'tmuchbetter.ForsomereasonallIcouldthinkofwasBigwig.IremembedhowI'dgonetoarresthim--tokillhim,really--andIfeltIhadto
findhimandtellhimI'dbeenwrong:andthisideawasallthesenseIhadleft.Thefourofuswentwanderingawayandwemusthavegonealmostinahalf-circle,becauseafteralongtimewecametothebrook,belowwhathadbeenourfield.Wefolloweditdownintoabigwood;andthatnight,whilewewerestillinthewood,Toadflaxdied.Hewasclear-headedforashorttimebefore
andIremembersomethinghesaid.Bluebellhadbeensayingthatheknewthemenhatedusforraidingtheircropsandgardens,andToadflaxanswered,'Thatwasn'twhytheydestroyedthewarren.Itwasjustbecausewewereintheirway.Theykilledustosuitthemselves.'Soonafterthathewenttosleep,andalittlelater,whenwewerealarmedbysomenoiseorother,wetriedto
wakehimandrealizedhewasdead.
"Welefthimlyingwherehewasandwentonuntilwereachedtheriver.Ineedn'tdescribeitbecauseIknowyouwereallthere.Itwasmorningbythistime.Wethoughtyoumightbesomewherenearandwebegantogoalongthebank,upstream,lookingforyou.Itwasn'tlongbeforewefound
theplacewhereyoumusthavecrossed.Thereweretracks--agreatmany--inthesandunderasteepbank,andhrakaaboutthreedaysold.Thetracksdidn'tgoupstreamordownstream,soIknewyoumusthavegoneover.Iswamacrossandfoundmoretracksontheotherside:sothentheotherscameover,too.Theriverwashigh.Isupposeyoumusthavehaditeasier,beforealltherain.
"Ididn'tlikethefieldsontheothersideoftheriver.Therewasamanwithagunwhokeptwalkingeverywhere.Itooktheothertwoon,acrossaroad,andsoonwecametoabadplace--allheatherandsoftblackearth.Wehadahardtimethere,butagainIcameuponhrakaaboutthreedaysoldandnosignofholesorrabbits,soIthoughttherewasachancethattheywere
yours.Bluebellwasallright,butPimpernelwasfeverishandIwasafraidhewasgoingtodie,too.
"Thenwehadabitofluck--orsowethoughtatthetime.Thatnightwefellinwithahlessiontheedgeoftheheather--anold,toughrabbitwithhisnoseallscratchedandscarred--andhetoldusthattherewasawarrennotfaroffandshoweduswhich
waytogo.Wecametowoodsandfieldsagain,butweweresomuchexhaustedthatwecouldn'tstartlookingforthewarren.WecreptintoaditchandIhadn'tthehearttotelloneoftheotherstokeepawake.Itriedtokeepawakemyself,butIcouldn't."
"Whenwasthis?"askedHazel.
"Thedaybefore
yesterday,"saidHolly,"earlyinthemorning.WhenIwokeitwasstillsometimebeforeni-Frith.EverythingwasquietandallIcouldsmellwasrabbit,butIfeltatoncethatsomethingwaswrong.IwokeBluebellandIwasjustgoingtowakePimpernelwhenIrealizedthattherewasawholebunchofrabbitsallroundus.Theyweregreat,bigfellowsandtheyhadaveryoddsmell.Itwaslike--
well,like--"
"Weknowwhatitwaslike,"saidFiver.
"Ithoughtyouprobablydid.Thenoneofthemsaid,'Myname'sCowslip.Whoareyouandwhatareyoudoinghere?'Ididn'tlikethewayhespoke,butIcouldn'tseethattheyhadanyreasontowishusharm,soItoldhimthatwe'dhadabadtimeandcome
alongwayandthatwewerelookingforsomerabbitsfromourwarren--Hazel,FiverandBigwig.AssoonasIsaidthosenamesthisrabbitturnedtotheothersandcried,'Iknewit!Tearthemtopieces!'Andtheyallsetonus.OneofthemgotmebytheearandrippeditupbeforeBluebellcouldpullhimoff.Wewerefightingthelotofthem.IwassomuchtakenbysurprisethatIcouldn'tdoagreatdeal
atfirst.Butthefunnythingwasthatalthoughtheyweresobigandyellingforourblood,theycouldn'tfightatall:theyobviouslydidn'tknowthefirstthingaboutfighting.Bluebellknockeddownacoupletwicehissize,andalthoughmyearwaspouringwithbloodIwasneverreallyindanger.Allthesame,theyweretoomanyforus,andwehadtorun.BluebellandIhadjustgot
clearoftheditchwhenwerealizedthatPimpernelwasstillthere.Hewasill,asItoldyou,andhedidn'twakeintime.Soafterallhe'dbeenthrough,poorPimpernelwaskilledbyrabbits.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?"
"Ithinkitwasadamnedshame,"saidStrawberry,beforeanyoneelsecouldspeak.
"Wewererunningdownthefields,besidealittlestream,"Hollywenton."SomeoftheserabbitswerestillchasingusandsuddenlyIthought,'Well,I'llhaveoneofthemanyway.'Ididn'tcarefortheideaofdoingnothingmorethanjustrunawaytosaveourskins--notafterPimpernel.IsawthatthisCowslipwasaheadoftheothersandoutonhisown,soIlethimcatchmeupand
thenIsuddenlyturnedandwentforhim.IhadhimdownandIwasjustgoingtoriphimupwhenhesquealedout,'Icantellyouwhereyourfriendshavegone.''Hurryup,then,'Isaid,withmybacklegsbracedinhisstomach.'They'vegonetothehills,'hepanted.'Thehighhillsyoucanseeawayoverthere.Theywentyesterdaymorning.'Ipretendednottobelievehimandactedas
thoughIwasgoingtokillhim.Buthedidn'talterhisstory,soIscratchedhimandlethimgoandawaywecame.Itwasclearweatherandwecouldseethehillsplainlyenough.
"Afterthatwehadtheworsttimeofall.Ifithadn'tbeenforBluebell'sjokesandchatterwe'dhavestoppedrunningforcertain."
"Hrakaoneend,jokestheother,"saidBluebell."Iusedtorollajokealongthegroundandwebothfollowedit.Thatwashowwekeptgoing."
"Ican'treallytellyoumuchabouttherestofit,"saidHolly."MyearwasterriblypainfulandallthetimeIkeptthinkingthatPimpernel'sdeathwasmyfault.IfIhadn'tgonetosleep
hewouldn'thavedied.Oncewetriedtosleepagain,butmydreamsweremorethanIcouldbear.Iwasoutofmymind,really.Ihadonlythisoneidea--tofindBigwigandtellhimthathe'dbeenrighttoleavethewarren.
"Atlastwereachedthehills,justatnightfallofthenextday.Wewerepastcaring--wecameovertheflat,openlandatowltime.Idon't
knowwhatI'dbeenexpecting.Youknowhowyouletyourselfthinkthateverythingwillbeallrightifyoucanonlygettoacertainplaceordoacertainthing.Butwhenyougetthereyoufindit'snotthatsimple.IsupposeI'dhadsomesortoffoolishnotionthatBigwigwouldbewaitingtomeetus.Wefoundthehillswereenormous--biggerthananythingwe'deverseen.No
woods,nocover,norabbits:andnightsettingin.Andtheneverythingseemedtogotopieces.IsawScabious,asplainasgrass--andheardhimcrying,too:andIsawtheThrearahandToadflaxandPimpernel.Itriedtotalktothem.IwascallingBigwig,butIdidn'treallyexpecthimtohearbecauseIwassurehewasn'tthere.IcanremembercomingoutfromahedgeintotheopenandIknowIwas
reallyhopingthattheelilwouldcomeandmakeanendofme.ButwhenIcametomysenses,therewasBigwig.MyfirstthoughtwasthatImustbedead,butthenIbegantowonderwhetherhewasrealornot.Well,youknowtherest.It'sapityIfrightenedyousomuch.ButifIwasn'tthe--theBlackRabbit,there'shardlyalivingcreaturethatcaneverhavebeenclosertohimthanwe
have."
Afterasilence,headded,"YoucanimaginewhatitmeanstoBluebellandmetofindourselvesunderground,amongfriends.Itwasn'tIwhotriedtoarrestyou,Bigwig--thatwasanotherrabbit,long,longago."
22.TheStoryoftheTrialofEl-ahrairah
Hashenotarogue'sface?...Hasadamn'dTyburn-face,withoutthebenefitoftheclergy.
Congreve,LoveforLove
Rabbits(saysMr.Lockley)arelikehumanbeingsinmanyways.Oneoftheseiscertainlytheirstaunchabilitytowithstanddisasterandtoletthestreamoftheirlifecarrythemalong,past
reachesofterrorandloss.Theyhaveacertainqualitywhichitwouldnotbeaccuratetodescribeascallousnessorindifference.Itis,rather,ablessedlycircumscribedimaginationandanintuitivefeelingthatLifeisNow.Aforagingwildcreature,intentabovealluponsurvival,isasstrongasthegrass.Collectively,rabbitsrestsecureuponFrith'spromisetoEl-ahrairah.
HardlyafulldayhadelapsedsinceHollyhadcomecrawlingindeliriumtothefootofWatershipDown.Yetalreadyhewasnearrecovery,whilethemorelight-heartedBluebellseemedevenlesstheworseforthedreadfulcatastrophethathehadsurvived.HazelandhiscompanionshadsufferedextremesofgriefandhorrorduringthetellingofHolly'stale.Pipkinhadcriedand
trembledpiteouslyatthedeathofScabious,andAcornandSpeedwellhadbeenseizedwithconvulsivechokingasBluebelltoldofthepoisonousgasthatmurderedunderground.Yet,aswithprimitivehumans,theverystrengthandvividnessoftheirsympathybroughtwithitatruerelease.Theirfeelingswerenotfalseorassumed.Whilethestorywasbeingtold,theyheardit
withoutanyofthereserveordetachmentthatthekindestofcivilizedhumansretainsashereadshisnewspaper.Tothemselves,theyseemedtostruggleinthepoisonedrunsandtoblazewithrageforpoorPimpernelintheditch.Thiswastheirwayofhonoringthedead.Thestoryover,thedemandsoftheirownhard,roughlivesbegantore-assertthemselvesintheirhearts,intheirnerves,
theirbloodandappetites.Wouldthatthedeadwerenotdead!Butthereisgrassthatmustbeeaten,pelletsthatmustbechewed,hrakathatmustbepassed,holesthatmustbedug,sleepthatmustbeslept.Odysseusbringsnotonemantoshorewithhim.YethesleepssoundbesideCalypsoandwhenhewakesthinksonlyofPenelope.
EvenbeforeHollyhad
finishedhisstory,Hazelhadfallentosniffingathiswoundedear.Hehadnotpreviouslybeenabletogetagoodlookatit,butnowthathedid,herealizedthatterrorandfatiguehadprobablynotbeentheprincipalcausesofHolly'scollapse.Hewasbadlywounded--worsethanBuckthorn.Hemusthavelostalotofblood.Hisearwasinribbonsandtherewasanyamountofdirtinit.Hazelfelt
annoyedwithDandelion.Asseveraloftherabbitsbegantosilflay,attractedbythemildJunenightandthefullmoon,heaskedBlackberrytowait.Silver,whohadbeenabouttoleavebytheotherrun,returnedandjoinedthem.
"Dandelionandtheothertwoseemtohavecheeredyouup,allright,"saidHazeltoHolly."It'sapitytheydidn'tcleanyouupaswell.That
dirt'sdangerous."
"Well,yousee--"beganBluebell,whohadremainedbesideHolly.
"Don'tmakeajoke,"saidHazel."Youseemtothink--"
"Iwasn'tgoingto,"saidBluebell."IwasonlygoingtosaythatIwantedtocleanthecaptain'sear,butit'stootendertobetouched."
"He'squiteright,"saidHolly."I'mafraidImadethemneglectit,butdoasyouthinkbest,Hazel,I'mfeelingmuchbetternow."
Hazelbeganontheearhimself.Thebloodhadcakedblackandthetaskneededpatience.Afterawhilethelong,jaggedwoundsbledagainastheyslowlybecameclean.Silvertookover.Holly,bearingitaswellashecould,
growledandscuffled,andSilvercastaboutforsomethingtooccupyhisattention.
"Hazel,"heasked,"whatwasthisideayouhad--aboutthemouse?Yousaidyou'dexplainitlater.Howabouttryingitoutonusnow?"
"Well,"saidHazel,"theideaissimplythatinoursituationwecan'taffordto
wasteanythingthatmightdousgood.We'reinastrangeplacewedon'tknowmuchaboutandweneedfriends.Now,elilcan'tdousgood,obviously,buttherearemanycreaturesthataren'telil--birds,mice,yonilandsoon.Rabbitsdon'tusuallyhavemuchtodowiththem,buttheirenemiesareourenemies,forthemostpart.Ithinkweoughttodoallwecantomakethesecreatures
friendly.Itmightturnouttobewellworththetrouble."
"Ican'tsayIfancytheideamyself,"saidSilver,wipingHolly'sbloodoutofhisnose."Thesesmallanimalsaremoretobedespisedthanreliedupon,Ireckon.Whatgoodcantheydous?Theycan'tdigforus,theycan'tgetfoodforus,theycan'tfightforus.They'dsaytheywerefriendly,nodoubt,aslongas
wewerehelpingthem;butthat'swhereitwouldstop.Iheardthatmousetonight--'Youwant'im,'ecome.'Youbethewill,aslongasthere'sanygruborwarmthgoing,butsurelywe'renotgoingtohavethewarrenoverrunwithmiceand--andstagbeetles,arewe?"
"No,Ididn'tmeanquitethat,"saidHazel."I'mnotsuggestingweshouldgo
aboutlookingforfieldmiceandinvitingthemtojoinus.Theywouldn'tthankusforthat,anyway.Butthatmousetonight--wesavedhislife--"
"Yousavedhislife,"saidBlackberry.
"Well,hislifewassaved.He'llrememberthat."
"Buthow'sitgoingtohelpus?"askedBluebell.
"Tostartwith,hecantelluswhatheknowsabouttheplace--"
"Whatmiceknow.Notwhatrabbitsneedtoknow."
"Well,Iadmitamousemightormightnotcomeinhandy,"saidHazel."ButI'msureabirdwould,ifwecouldonlydoenoughforit.Wecan'tfly,butsomeofthemknowthecountryforalong
wayround.Theyknowalotabouttheweather,too.AllI'msayingisthis.Ifanyonefindsananimalorbird,thatisn'tanenemy,inneedofhelp,forgoodness'sakedon'tmisstheopportunity.Thatwouldbelikeleavingcarrotstorotintheground."
"Whatdoyouthink?"saidSilvertoBlackberry.
"Ithinkit'sagoodidea,but
realopportunitiesofthekindHazelhasinmindaren'tlikelytocomeveryoften."
"Ithinkthat'saboutright,"saidHolly,wincingasSilverresumedlicking."Theidea'sallrightasfarasitgoes,butitwon'tcometoagreatdealinpractice."
"I'mreadytogiveitatry,"saidSilver."Ireckonit'llbeworthit,justtoseeBigwig
tellingbedtimestoriestoa
mole."
"El-ahrairahdiditonce,"saidBluebell,"anditworked.Doyouremember?"
"No,"saidHazel,"Idon'tknowthatstory.Let'shaveit."
"Let'ssilflayfirst,"saidHolly."Thisear'shadallI
canstandforthetimebeing."
"Well,atleastit'scleannow,"saidHazel."ButI'mafraidit'llneverbeasgoodastheother,youknow.You'llhavearaggedear."
"Nevermind,"saidHolly."I'mstilloneoftheluckyones."
Thefullmoon,wellriseninacloudlesseasternsky,
coveredthehighsolitudewithitslight.Wearenotconsciousofdaylightasthatwhichdisplacesdarkness.Daylight,evenwhenthesunisclearofclouds,seemstoussimplythenaturalconditionoftheearthandair.Whenwethinkofthedowns,wethinkofthedownsindaylight,aswethinkofarabbitwithitsfuron.Stubbsmayhaveenvisagedtheskeletoninsidethehorse,butmostofusdo
not:andwedonotusuallyenvisagethedownswithoutdaylight,eventhoughthelightisnotapartofthedownitselfasthehideispartofthehorseitself.Wetakedaylightforgranted.Butmoonlightisanothermatter.Itisinconstant.Thefullmoonwanesandreturnsagain.Cloudsmayobscureittoanextenttowhichtheycannotobscuredaylight.Waterisnecessarytous,buta
waterfallisnot.Whereitistobefounditissomethingextra,abeautifulornament.Weneeddaylightandtothatextentitisutilitarian,butmoonlightwedonotneed.Whenitcomes,itservesnonecessity.Ittransforms.Itfallsuponthebanksandthegrass,separatingonelongbladefromanother;turningadriftofbrown,frostedleavesfromasingleheaptoinnumerableflashing
fragments;orglimmeringlengthwaysalongwettwigsasthoughlightitselfwereductile.Itslongbeamspour,whiteandsharp,betweenthetrunksoftrees,theirclarityfadingastheyrecedeintothepowdery,mistydistanceofbeechwoodsatnight.Inmoonlight,twoacresofcoarsebentgrass,undulantandankledeep,tumbledandroughasahorse'smane,appearlikeabayofwaves,
allshadowytroughsandhollows.Thegrowthissothickandmattedthateventhewinddoesnotmoveit,butitisthemoonlightthatseemstoconferstillnessuponit.Wedonottakemoonlightforgranted.Itislikesnow,orlikethedewonaJulymorning.Itdoesnotrevealbutchangeswhatitcovers.Anditslowintensity--somuchlowerthanthatofdaylight--makesusconscious
thatitissomethingaddedtothedown,togiveit,foronlyalittletime,asingularandmarvelousqualitythatweshouldadmirewhilewecan,forsoonitwillbegoneagain.
Astherabbitscameupbytheholeinsidethebeechwood,aswiftgustofwindpassedthroughtheleaves,checkeringanddapplingthegroundbeneath,stealingandgivinglightunderthe
branches.Theylistened,butbeyondtherustleoftheleavestherecamefromtheopendownoutsidenosoundexceptthemonotonoustremoloofagrasshopperwarbler,faroffinthegrass.
"Whatamoon!"saidSilver."Let'senjoyitwhileit'shere."
AstheywentoverthebanktheymetSpeedwelland
Hawkbitreturning.
"Oh,Hazel,"saidHawkbit,"we'vebeentalkingtoanothermouse.He'dheardaboutthekestrelthiseveningandwasveryfriendly.Hetoldusaboutaplacejusttheothersideofthewoodwherethegrasshasbeencutshort--somethingtodowithhorses,hesaid.'Youlikeaniceagrass?'Everyfinegrass.'Sowewentthere.It'sfirst-rate."
Thegallopturnedouttobeagoodfortyyardswide,mowntolessthansixinches.Hazel,withadelightfulsenseofhavingbeenprovedrightbyevents,settoworkonapatchofclover.Theyallmunchedforsometimeinsilence.
"You'reacleverchap,Hazel,"saidHollyatlast"Youandyourmouse.Mindyou,we'dhavefoundthe
placeourselvessoonerorlater,butnotassoonasthis."
Hazelcouldhavepressedhischinglandsforsatisfaction,butherepliedmerely,"Weshan'tneedtogodownthehillsomuch,afterall."Thenheadded,"But,Holly,yousmellofblood,youknow.Itmaybedangerous,evenhere.Let'sgobacktothewood.It'ssuchabeautifulnightthatwecan
sitneartheholestochewpelletsandBluebellcantellushisstory."
TheyfoundStrawberryandBuckthornonthebank;andwheneveryonewascomfortablychewing,withearslaidfiat,Bluebellbegan.
***
"DandelionwastellingmelastnightaboutCowslip's
warrenandhowhetoldthestoryoftheKing'sLettuce.That'swhatputmeinmindofthistale,evenbeforeHazelexplainedhisidea.IusedtohearitfrommygrandfatherandhealwayssaidthatithappenedafterEl-ahrairahhadgothispeopleoutofthemarshesofKelfazin.TheywenttothemeadowsofFenloandtheretheydugtheirholes.ButPrinceRainbowhadhiseyeonEl-ahrairah;
andhewasdeterminedtoseethathedidn'tgetuptoanymoreofhistricks.
"Nowoneevening,whenEl-ahrairahandRabscuttleweresittingonasunnybank,PrinceRainbowcamethroughthemeadowsandwithhimwasarabbitthatEl-ahrairahhadneverseenbefore.
"'Goodevening,El-
ahrairah,'saidPrinceRainbow.'ThisisagreatimprovementonthemarshesofKelfazin.Iseeallyourdoesarebusydiggingholesalongthebank.Havetheydugaholeforyou?'
"'Yes,'saidEl-ahrairah.'ThisholeherebelongstoRabscuttleandmyself.Welikedthelookofthisbankassoonaswesawit.'
"'Averynicebank,'saidPrinceRainbow.'ButIamafraidIhavetotellyou,El-ahrairah,thatIhavestrictordersfromLordFrithhimselfnottoallowyoutoshareaholewithRabscuttle.'
"'NotshareaholewithRabscuttle?'saidEl-ahrairah.'Whyevernot?'
"'El-ahrairah,'saidPrinceRainbow,'weknowyouand
yourtricks:andRabscuttleisnearlyasslipperyasyouare.Bothofyouinoneholewouldbealtogethertoomuchofagoodthing.Youwouldbestealingthecloudsoutoftheskybeforethemoonhadchangedtwice.No--Rabscuttlemustgoandlookaftertheholesattheotherendofthewarren.Letmeintroduceyou.ThisisHufsa.Iwantyoutobehisfriendandlookafterhim.'
"'Wheredoeshecomefrom?'askedEl-ahrairah.'Icertainlyhaven'tseenhimbefore.'
"'Hecomesfromanothercountry,'saidPrinceRainbow,'butheisnodifferentfromanyotherrabbit.Ihopeyouwillhelphimtosettledownhere.Andwhileheisgettingtoknowtheplace,I'msureyouwillbegladtolethimshareyour
hole.'
"El-ahrairahandRabscuttlefeltdesperatelyannoyedthattheywerenottobeallowedtolivetogetherintheirhole.ButitwasoneofEl-ahrairah'srulesnevertoletanyoneseewhenhewasangryand,besides,hefeltsorryforHufsabecausehesupposedthathewasfeelinglonelyandawkward,beingfarawayfromhisown
people.Sohewelcomedhimandpromisedtohelphimsettledown.Hufsawasperfectlyfriendlyandseemedanxioustopleaseeveryone;andRabscuttlemoveddowntotheotherendofthewarren.
"Afteratime,however,El-ahrairahbegantofindthatsomethingwasalwaysgoingwrongwithhisplans.Onenight,inthespring,whenhehadtakensomeofhispeople
toacornfieldtoeatthegreenshoots,theyfoundamanwithagunwalkingaboutinthemoonlightandwereluckytogetawaywithouttrouble.Anothertime,afterEl-ahrairahhadreconnoiteredthewaytoacabbagegardenandscratchedaholeunderthefence,hearrivedthenextmorningtofinditblockedwithwire,andhebegantosuspectthathisplanswereleakingouttopeoplewho
werenotintendedtolearnthem.
"OnedayhedeterminedtosetatrapforHufsa,tofindoutwhetheritwashewhowasatthebottomofthetrouble.Heshowedhimapathacrossthefieldsandtoldhimthatitledtoalonelybarnfullofswedesandturnips:andhewentontosaythatheandRabscuttlemeanttogotherethenextmorning.In
factEl-ahrairahhadnosuchplansandtookcarenottosayanythingaboutthepathorthebarntoanyoneelse.Butnextday,whenhewentcautiouslyalongthepath,hefoundawiresetinthegrass.
"ThismadeEl-ahrairahreallyangry,foranyofhispeoplemighthavebeensnaredandkilled.OfcoursehedidnotsupposethatHufsawassettingwireshimself,or
eventhathehadknownthatawirewasgoingtobeset.ButevidentlyHufsawasintouchwithsomebodywhodidnotstickatsettingawire.Intheend,El-ahrairahdecidedthatprobablyPrinceRainbowwaspassingonHufsa'sinformationtoafarmeroragamekeeperandnotbotheringhimselfaboutwhathapppenedasaresult.Hisrabbits'liveswereindangerbecauseofHufsa--tosay
nothingofallthelettucesandcabbagestheyweremissing.Afterthis,El-ahrairahtriednottotellHufsaanythingatall.Butitwasdifficulttopreventhimfromhearingthingsbecause,asyouallknow,rabbitsareverygoodatkeepingsecretsfromotheranimals,butnogoodatkeepingsecretsfromeachother.Warrenlifedoesn'tmakeforsecrecy.HeconsideredkillingHufsa.But
heknewthatifhedid,PrinceRainbowwouldcomeandtheywouldendinmoretrouble.HefeltdecidedlyuneasyevenaboutkeepingthingsfromHufsa,becausehethoughtthatifHufsarealizedthattheyknewhewasaspy,hewouldtellPrinceRainbowandPrinceRainbowwouldprobablytakehimawayandthinkofsomethingworse.
"El-ahrairahthoughtandthought.Hewasstillthinkingthenextevening,whenPrinceRainbowpaidoneofhisvisitstothewarren.
"'Youarequiteareformedcharacterthesedays,El-ahrairah,'saidPrinceRainbow.'Ifyouarenotcareful,peoplewillbegintotrustyou.SinceIwaspassingby,IthoughtIwouldjuststoptothankyouforyour
kindnessinlookingafterHufsa.Heseemsquiteathomewithyou.'
"'Yes,hedoes,doesn'the?'saidEl-ahrairah.'Wegrowinbeautysidebyside;wefilloneholewithglee.ButIalwayssaytomypeople,"Putnotyourtrustinprinces,norinany--"'
"'Well,El-ahrairah,'saidPrinceRainbow,interrupting
him,'IamsureIcantrustyou.Andtoproveit,IhavedecidedthatIwillgrowanicecropofcarrotsinthefieldbehindthehill.ItisanexcellentbitofgroundandIamsuretheywilldowell.Especiallyasnoonewoulddreamofstealingthem.Infact,youcancomeandwatchmeplantthem,ifyoulike.'
"'Iwill,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Thatwillbedelightful.'
"El-ahrairah,Rabscuttle,HufsaandseveralotherrabbitsaccompaniedPrinceRainbowtothefieldbehindthehill;andtheyhelpedhimtosowitwithlongrowsofcarrotseed.Itwasalight,drysortofsoil--justthethingforcarrots--andthewholebusinessinfuriatedEl-ahrairah,becausehewascertainthatPrinceRainbowwasdoingittoteasehimandtoshowthathefeltsurethat
hehadclippedhisclawsatlast.
"'Thatwilldosplendidly,'saidPrinceRainbowwhentheyhadfinished.'Ofcourse,Iknowthatnoonewoulddreamofstealingmycarrots.Butiftheydid--iftheydidstealthem,El-ahrairah--Ishouldbeveryangryindeed.IfKingDarzinstolethem,forinstance,IfeelsurethatLordFrithwouldtakeawayhis
kingdomandgiveittosomeoneelse.'
"El-ahrairahknewthatPrinceRainbowmeantthatifhecaughthimstealingthecarrotshewouldeitherkillhimorelsebanishhimandputsomeotherrabbitoverhispeople:andthethoughtthattheotherrabbitwouldprobablybeHufsamadehimgrindhisteeth.Buthesaid,'Ofcourse,ofcourse.Very
rightandproper.'AndPrinceRainbowwentaway.
"Onenight,inthesecondmoonaftertheplanting,El-ahrairahandRabscuttlewenttolookatthecarrots.Noonehadthinnedthemoutandthetopswerethickandgreen.El-ahrairahjudgedthatmostoftherootswouldbealittlethinnerthanaforepaw.Anditwaswhilehewaslookingattheminthemoonlightthathis
plancametohim.HehadbecomesocautiousaboutHufsa--andindeednooneeverknewwhereHufsawouldbenext--thatonthewaybackheandRabscuttlemadeforaholeinalonelybankandwentdownittotalktogether.AndthereEl-ahrairahpromisedRabscuttlenotonlythathewouldstealPrinceRainbow'scarrots,butalsothatbetweenthemtheywouldseethebackofHufsa
intothebargain.TheycameoutoftheholeandRabscuttlewenttothefarmtostealsomeseedcorn.El-ahrairahspenttherestofthenightgatheringslugs;andanastybusinessitwas.
"ThenexteveningEl-ahrairahwentoutearlyandafteralittlewhilefoundYonathehedgehogpotteringalongthehedge.
"'Yona,'hesaid,"wouldyoulikeawholelotofnice,fatslugs?'
"'Yes,Iwould,El-ahrairah,'saidYona,'butthey'renotsoeasilyfound.You'dknowthatifyouwereahedgehog.'
"'Well,herearesomeniceones,'saidEl-ahrairah,'andyoucanhavethemall.ButIcangiveyouagreatmany
moreifyouwilldowhatIsayandasknoquestions.Canyousing?'
"'Sing,El-ahrairah?Nohedgehogcansing.'
"'Good,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Excellent.Butyouwillhavetotryifyouwantthoseslugs.Ah!Thereisanold,emptybox,Isee,thatthefarmerhasleftintheditch.Betterandbetter.Nowyoulistentome.'
"Meanwhile,inthewood,RabscuttlewastalkingtoHawockthepheasant.
"'Hawock,'hesaid,'canyouswim?'
"'InevergonearwaterifIcanavoidit,Rabscuttle,'saidHawock.'Idislikeitverymuch.ButIsupposeifIhadto,Icouldmakeshifttokeepafloatforalittlewhile.'
"'Splendid,'saidRabscuttle.'Nowattend.Ihaveawholelotofcorn--andyouknowhowscarceitisatthistimeofyear--andyoucanhaveitall,ifonlyyouwilldoalittleswimminginthepondontheedgeofthewood.Justletmeexplainaswegodownthere.'Andofftheywentthroughthewood.
"FuInlé,El-ahrairahstrolledintohisholeand
foundHufsachewingpellets.'Ah,Hufsa,you'rehere,'hesaid.'That'sfine.Ican'ttrustanyoneelse,butyou'llcomewithme,won'tyou?JustyouandI--nooneelsemustknow.'
"'Why,what'stobedone,El-ahrairah?'askedHufsa.
"'I'vebeenlookingatthosecarrotsofPrinceRainbow's,'repliedEl-ahrairah.'Ican't
standitanylonger.They'rethebestI'veeverseen.I'mdeterminedtostealthem--ormostofthem,anyway.Ofcourse,ifItookalotofrabbitsonanexpeditionofthiskindwe'dsoonbeintrouble.ThingswouldleakoutandPrinceRainbowwouldbesuretogettohear.ButifyouandIgoalone,noonewilleverknowwhodidit.'
"'I'llcome,'saidHufsa.'Let'sgotomorrownight.'ForhethoughtthatthatwouldgivehimtimetotellPrinceRainbow.
"'No,'saidEl-ahrairah,'I'mgoingnow.Atonce.'
"HewonderedwhetherHufsawouldtrytoturnhimagainstthisidea,butwhenhelookedathimhecouldseethatHufsawasthinkingthat
thiswouldbetheendofEl-ahrairahandthathehimselfwouldbemadekingoftherabbits.
"Theysetouttogetherinthemoonlight.
"Theyhadgoneagoodwayalongthehedgewhentheycameuponanoldboxlyingintheditch.SittingontopoftheboxwasYonathehedgehog.Hisprickleswere
stuckalloverwithdog-rosepetalsandhewasmakinganextraordinarysqueaking,gruntingnoiseandwavinghisblackpaws.Theystoppedandlookedathim.
"'Whateverareyoudoing,Yona?'askedHufsainastonishment.
"'Singingtothemoon,'answeredYona.'Allhedgehogshavetosingtothe
moontomaketheslugscome.Surelyyouknowthat?
"'OSlug-a-Moon,OSlug-a-Moon,
Ograntthyfaithfulhedgehog'sboon!'
"'Whatafrightfulnoise!'saidEl-ahrairahandindeeditwas.'Let'sgetonquicklybeforehebringsalltheelilroundus.'Andontheywent.
"Afteratimetheydrewnearthepondontheedgeofthewood.AstheyapproachedittheyheardasquawkingandsplashingandthentheysawHawockthepheasantscutteringaboutinthewater,withhislongtailfeathersfloatingoutbehindhim.
"'Whateverhashappened?'saidHufsa.'Hawock,haveyoubeenshot?'
"'No,no,'repliedHawock.'Ialwaysgoswimminginthefullmoon.Itmakesmytailgrowlongerand,besides,myheadwouldn'tstayred,whiteandgreenwithoutswimming.Butyoumustknowthat,Hufsa,surely?Everyoneknowsthat.'
"'Thetruthis,hedoesn'tlikeotheranimalstocatchhimatit,'whisperedEl-ahrairah.'Let'sgoon.'
"Alittlefurtherontheycametoanoldwellbyabigoaktree.Thefarmerhadfilledituplongago,butthemouthlookedverydeepandblackinthemoonlight.
"'Let'shavearest,'saidEl-ahrairah,'justforashorttime.'
"Ashespoke,amostcurious-lookingcreaturecameoutofthegrass.It
lookedsomethinglikearabbit,buteveninthemoonlighttheycouldseethatithadaredtailandlonggreenears.Initsmouthitwascarryingtheendofoneofthewhitesticksthatmenburn.ItwasRabscuttle,butnotevenHufsacouldrecognizehim.Hehadfoundsomesheep-dippowderatthefarmandsatinittomakehistailred.Hisearswerefestoonedwithtrailsofbryonyandthewhite
stickwasmakinghimfeelill.
"'Frithpreserveus!'saidEl-ahrairah.'Whatcanitbe?Let'sonlyhopeitisn'toneoftheThousand!'Heleapedup,readytorun.'Whoareyou?'heasked,trembling.
"Rabscuttlespatoutthewhitestick.
"'So!'hesaidcommandingly.'Soyouhave
seenme,El-ahrairah!Manyrabbitsliveouttheirlivesanddie,butfewseeme.Fewornone!IamoneoftherabbitmessengersofLordFrith,whogoabouttheearthsecretlybydayandreturnnightlytohisgoldenpalace!HeisevennowawaitingmeontheothersideoftheworldandImustgotohimswiftly,throughtheheartoftheearth!Farewell,El-ahrairah!'
"Thestrangerabbitleapedovertheedgeofthewellanddisappearedintothedarknessbelow.
"'Wehaveseenwhatweshouldnot!'saidEl-ahrairahinanawe-strickenvoice.'Howdreadfulisthisplace!Letusgoquickly!'
"TheyhurriedonandpresentlytheycametoPrinceRainbow'sfieldofcarrots.
HowmanytheystoleIcannotsay;butofcourse,asyouknow,El-ahrairahisagreatprinceandnodoubtheusedpowersunknowntoyouandme.Butmygrandfatheralwayssaidthatbeforemorningthefieldwasstrippedbare.ThecarrotswerehiddendownadeepholeinthebankbesidethewoodandEl-ahrairahandHufsamadetheirwayhome.El-ahrairahcollectedtwoor
threefollowersandstayedundergroundwiththemallday,butHufsawentoutintheafternoonwithoutsayingwherehewasgoing.
"Thatevening,asEl-ahrairahandhispeoplebegantosilflayunderafineredsky,PrinceRainbowcameoverthefields.Behindhimweretwogreatblackdogs.
"'El-ahrairah,'hesaid,'you
areunderarrest.'
"'Whatfor?'askedEl-ahrairah.
"'Youknowverywellwhatfor,'saidPrinceRainbow.'Letmehavenomoreofyourtricksandinsolence,El-ahrairah.Wherearethecarrots?'
"'IfIamunderarrest,'saidEl-ahrairah,'mayIbetold
whatfor?ItisnotfairtotellmeIamunderarrestandthentoaskmequestions.'
"'Come,come,El-ahrairah,'saidPrinceRainbow,'youaremerelywastingtime.TellmewherethecarrotsareandIwillonlysendyoutothegreatNorthandnotkillyou.'
"'PrinceRainbow,'saidEl-ahrairah,'forthethirdtime,
mayIknowforwhatIamunderarrest?'
"'Verywell,'saidPrinceRainbow,'ifthisisthewayyouwanttodie,El-ahrairah,youshallhavethefullprocessoflaw.Youareunderarrestforstealingmycarrots.Areyouseriouslyaskingforatrial?IwarnyouthatIhavedirectevidenceanditwillgoillwithyou.'
"BythistimeallEl-ahrairah'speoplewerecrowdinground,asnearastheydaredforthedogs.OnlyRabscuttlewasnowheretobeseen.Hehadspentthewholedaymovingthecarrotstoanothersecretholeandhewasnowhidingbecausehecouldnotgethistailwhiteagain.
"'Yes,Iwouldlikeatrial,'saidEl-ahrairah,'andIwould
liketobejudgedbyajuryofanimals.Foritisnotright,PrinceRainbow,thatyoushouldbothaccusemeandbethejudgeaswell.'
"'Ajuryofanimalsyoushallhave,'saidPrinceRainbow.'Ajuryofelil,El-ahrairah.Forajuryofrabbitswouldrefusetoconvictyou,inspiteoftheevidence.'
"Toeveryone'ssurprise,
El-ahrairahimmediatelyrepliedthathewouldbecontentwithajuryofelil:andPrinceRainbowsaidthathewouldbringthemthatnight.El-ahrairahwassentdownhisholeandthedogswereputonguardoutside.Noneofhispeoplewasallowedtoseehim,althoughmanytried.
"Upanddownthehedgesandcopsesthenewsspread
thatEl-ahrairahwasontrialforhislifeandthatPrinceRainbowwasgoingtobringhimbeforeajuryofelil.Animalscamecrowdingin.FuInlé,PrinceRainbowreturnedwiththeelil--twobadgers,twofoxes,twostoats,anowlandacat.El-ahrairahwasbroughtupandplacedbetweenthedogs.Theelilsatstaringathimandtheireyesglitteredinthemoon.Theylickedtheirlips:
andthedogsmutteredthattheyhadbeenpromisedthetaskofcarryingoutthesentence.Therewereagreatmanyanimals--rabbitsandothers--andeveryoneofthemfeltsurethatthistimeitwasallupwithEl-ahrairah.
"'Now,'saidPrinceRainbow,'letusbegin.Itwillnottakelong.WhereisHufsa?'
"ThenHufsacameout,bowingandbobbinghishead,andhetoldtheelilthatEl-ahrairahhadcomethenightbefore,whenhewasquietlychewingpellets,andterrifiedhimintogoingwithhimtostealPrinceRainbow'scarrots.Hehadwantedtorefuse,buthehadbeentoomuchfrightened.Thecarrotswerehiddeninaholethathecouldshowthem.Hehadbeenforcedtodowhathe
did,butthenextdayhehadgoneasquicklyaspossibletotellPrinceRainbow,whoseloyalservanthewas.
"'Wewillrecoverthecarrotslater,'saidPrinceRainbow.'Now,El-ahrairah,haveyouanyevidencetocalloranythingtosay?Makehaste.'
"'Iwouldliketoaskthewitnesssomequestions,'said
El-ahrairah;andtheelilagreedthatthiswasonlyfair.
"'Now,Hufsa,'saidEl-ahrairah,'canwehearalittlemoreaboutthisjourneythatyouandIaresupposedtohavemade?ForreallyIcanremembernothingaboutitatall.Yousaywewentoutoftheholeandsetoffinthenight.Whathappenedthen?'
"'Why,El-ahrairah,'said
Hufsa,'youcan'tpossiblyhaveforgotten.Wecamealongbytheditch,anddon'tyourememberthatwesawahedgehogsittingonaboxsingingasongtothemoon?'
"'Ahedgehogdoingwhat?'saidoneofthebadgers.
"'Singingasongtothemoon,'saidHufsaeagerly.Theydothat,youknow,tomaketheslugscome.Hehad
rosepetalsstuckalloverhimandhewaswavinghispawsand--'
"'Now,steady,steady,'saidEl-ahrairahkindly,'Iwouldn'tlikeyoutosayanythingyoudon'tmean.Poorfellow,'headdedtothejury,'hereallybelievesthesethingshesays,youknow.Hedoesn'tmeananyharm,but--'
"'Buthewas,'shouted
Hufsa.'Hewassinging,"OSlug-a-Moon!OSlug-a-Moon!Ogrant--"'
"'Whatthehedgehogsangisnotevidence,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Really,oneisinclinedtowonderwhatis.Well,allright.Wesawahedgehogcoveredwithroses,singingasongonabox.Whathappenedthen?'
"'Well,'saidHufsa,'then
wewentonandcametothepond,wherewesawapheasant.'
"'Pheasant,eh?'saidoneofthefoxes.'IwishI'dseenit.Whatwasitdoing?'
"'Itwasswimmingroundandroundinthewater,'saidHufsa.
"'Wounded,eh?'saidthefox.
"'No,no,'saidHufsa.'Theyalldothat,tomaketheirtailsgrowlonger.I'msurprisedyoudon'tknow.'
"'Tomakewhat?'saidthefox.
"'Tomaketheirtailsgrowlonger,'saidHufsasulkily.'Hesaidsohimself.'
"'You'veonlyhadthisstuffforaveryshorttime,'
saidEl-ahrairahtotheelil.'Ittakesabitofgettingusedto.Lookatme.I'vebeenforcedtolivewithitforthelasttwomonths,dayinanddayout.I'vebeenaskindandunderstandingasIcan,butapparentlyjusttomyownharm.'
"Asilencefell.El-ahrairah,withanairoffatherlypatience,turnedbacktothewitness.
"'Mymemoryissobad,'hesaid.'Dogoon.'
"'Well,El-ahrairah,'saidHufsa,'you'repretendingverycleverly,butevenyouwon'tbeabletosayyou'veforgottenwhathappenednext.Ahuge,terrifyingrabbit,witharedtailandgreenears,cameoutofthegrass.Hehadawhitestickinhismouthandheplungedintothegrounddownagreat
hole.HetoldushewasgoingthroughthemiddleoftheearthtoseeLordFrithontheotherside.'
"Thistimenotoneoftheelilsaidaword.TheywerestaringatHufsaandshakingtheirheads.
"'They'reallmad,youknow,'whisperedoneofthestoats,'nastylittlebeasts.They'llsayanythingwhen
they'recornered.ButthisoneistheworstI'veeverheard.Howmuchlongerhavewegottostayhere?I'mhungry.'
"NowEl-ahrairahhadknownbeforehandthatwhileelildetestallrabbits,theywoulddislikemosttheonewholookedthebiggestfool.Thatwaswhyhehadagreedtoajuryofelil.Ajuryofrabbitsmighthavetried,togettothebottomofHufsa's
story;butnottheelil,fortheyhatedanddespisedthewitnessandwantedtobeoffhuntingassoonastheycould.
"'Soitcomestothis,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Wesawahedgehogcoveredwithroses,singingasong:andthenwesawaperfectlyhealthypheasantswimmingroundandroundthepond:andthenwesawarabbitwitharedtail,greenearsandawhite
stick,andhejumpedstraightdownadeepwell.Isthatright?'
"'Yes,'saidHufsa.
"'Andthenwestolethecarrots?'
"'Yes.'
"'Weretheypurplewithgreenspots?'
"'Werewhatpurplewithgreenspots?'
"'Thecarrots.'
"'Well,youknowtheyweren't,El-ahrairah.Theyweretheordinarycolor.They'redownthehole!'shoutedHufsadesperately.'Downthehole!Goandlook!'
"Thecourtadjournedwhile
HufsaledPrinceRainbowtothehole.Theyfoundnocarrotsandreturned.
"'I'vebeenundergroundallday,'saidEl-ahrairah,'andIcanproveit.Ioughttohavebeenasleep,butit'sverydifficultwhenm'learnedfriend--well,nevermind.IsimplymeanthatobviouslyIcouldn'thavebeenoutmovingcarrotsoranythingelse.Ifthereeverwereany
carrots,'headded.'ButI'venothingmoretosay.'
"'PrinceRainbow,'saidthecat,'Ihateallrabbits.ButIdon'tseehowwecanpossiblysaythatit'sbeenprovedthatthatrabbittookyourcarrots.Thewitnessisobviouslyoutofhismind--madasthemistandsnow--andtheprisonerwillhavetobereleased.'Theyallagreed.
"'Youhadbettergoquickly,'saidPrinceRainbowtoEl-ahrairah.'Godownyourhole,El-ahrairah,beforeIhurtyoumyself.'
"'Iwill,mylord,'saidEl-ahrairah.'ButmayIbegyoutoremovethatrabbityousentamongus,forhetroublesuswithhisfoolishness?'
"SoHufsawentawaywithPrinceRainbowandEl-
ahrairah'speoplewereleftinpeace,apartfromindigestionbroughtonbyeatingtoomanycarrots.ButitwasalongtimebeforeRabscuttlecouldgethistailwhiteagain,somygrandfatheralwayssaid."
23.Kehaar
Thewingtrailslikeabannerindefeat,
Nomoretousetheskyforeverbutlivewith
famineandpainafewdays.
Heisstrongandpainisworsetothestrong
incapacityisworse.
Noonebutdeaththeredeemerwillhumblethathead,
Theintrepidreadiness,theterribleeyes.
RobinsonJeffers,HurtHawks
Humanbeingssay,"Itneverrainsbutitpours."Thisisnotveryapt,foritfrequentlydoesrainwithoutpouring.Therabbits'proverbisbetterexpressed.Theysay,"Onecloudfeelslonely":andindeeditistruethatthe
appearanceofasinglecloudoftenmeansthattheskywillsoonbeovercast.Howeverthatmaybe,theverynextdayprovidedadramaticsecondopportunitytoputHazel'sideaintopractice.
Itwasearlymorningandtherabbitswerebeginningtosilflay,comingupintocleargraysilence.Theairwasstillchilly.Therewasagooddealofdewandnowind.Fiveor
sixwildduckflewoverheadinaswiftlymovingV,intentonsomefar-offdestination.Thesoundmadebytheirwingscamedowndistinctly,diminishingastheywentawaysouthward.Thesilencereturned.Withthemeltingofthelastofthetwilighttheregrewakindofexpectancyandtension,asthoughitwerethawingsnowabouttoslidefromaslopingroof.Thenthewholedownandallbelowit,
earthandair,gavewaytothesunrise.Asabull,withaslightbutirresistiblemovement,tossesitsheadfromthegraspofamanwhoisleaningoverthestallandidlyholdingitshorn,sothesunenteredtheworldinsmooth,giganticpower.Nothinginterruptedorobscureditscoming.Withoutasound,theleavesshoneandthegrasscoruscatedalongthemilesoftheescarpment.
Outsidethewood,BigwigandSilvercombedtheirears,sniffedtheairandhoppedaway,followingtheirownlongshadowstothegrassofthegallop.Astheymovedovertheshortturf--nibbling,sittingupandlookingroundthem--theyapproachedalittlehollow,nomorethanthreefeetacross.BeforetheyreachedtheedgeBigwig,whowasaheadofSilver,checkedandcrouched,
staring.Althoughhecouldnotseeintothehollow,heknewthattherewassomecreatureinit--somethingfairlybig.Peeringthroughthebladesofgrassroundhishead,hecouldseethecurveofawhiteback.Whateverthecreaturewas,itwasnearlyasbigashimself.Hewaited,stockstill,forsomelittletime,butitdidnotmove.
"Whathasawhiteback,
Silver?"whisperedBigwig.
Silverconsidered."Acat?"
"Nocatshere."
"Howdoyouknow?"
Atthatmomenttheybothheardalow,breathyhissingfromthehollow.Itlastedforafewmoments.Thentherewassilenceoncemore.
BigwigandSilverhadagoodopinionofthemselves.ApartfromHolly,theyweretheonlysurvivorsoftheSandlefordOwslaandtheyknewthattheircomradeslookeduptothem.Theencounterwiththeratsinthebarnhadbeennojokeandhadprovedtheirworth.Bigwig,whowasgenerousandhonest,hadneverforamomentresentedHazel'scourageonthenightwhenhis
ownsuperstitiousfearhadgotthebetterofhim.ButtheideaofgoingbacktotheHoneycombandreportingthathehadglimpsedanunknowncreatureinthegrassandleftitalonewasmorethanhecouldswallow.HeturnedhisheadandlookedatSilver.Seeingthathewasgame,hetookafinallookatthestrangewhitebackandthenwentstraightuptotheedgeofthehollow.Silver
followed.
Itwasnocat.Thecreatureinthehollowwasabird--abigbird,nearlyafootlong.Neitherofthemhadeverseenabirdlikeitbefore.Thewhitepartofitsback,whichtheyhadglimpsedthroughthegrass,wasinfactonlytheshouldersandneck.Thelowerbackwaslightgrayandsowerethewings,whichtaperedtolong,black-tipped
primariesfoldedtogetheroverthetail.Theheadwasverydarkbrown--almostblack--insuchsharpcontrasttothewhiteneckthatthebirdlookedasthoughitwerewearingakindofhood.Theonedarkredlegthattheycouldseeendedinawebbedfootandthreepowerful,talonedtoes.Thebeak,hookedslightlydownwardattheend,wasstrongandsharp.Astheystared,itopened,
disclosingaredmouthandthroat.Thebirdhissedsavagelyandtriedtostrike,butstillitdidnotmove.
"It'shurt,"saidBigwig.
"Yes,youcantellthat,"repliedSilver."Butit'snotwoundedanywherethatIcansee.I'llgoround--"
"Lookout!"saidBigwig."He'llhaveyou!"
Silver,ashestartedtomoveroundthehollow,hadcomeclosertothebird'shead.Hejumpedbackjustintimetoavoidaquick,dartingblowofthebeak.
"Thatwouldhavebrokenyourfoot,"saidBigwig.
Astheysquatted,lookingatthebird--fortheybothsensedintuitivelythatitwouldnotrise--itsuddenly
burstintoloud,raucouscries--"Yark!Yark!Yark!"--atremendoussoundatclosequarters--thatsplitthemorningandcarriedfaracrossthedown.BigwigandSilverturnedandran.
Theycollectedthemselvessufficientlytopullupshortofthewoodandmakeamoredignifiedapproachtothebank.Hazelcametomeettheminthegrass.Therewas
nomistakingtheirwideeyesanddilatednostrils.
"Elil?"askedHazel.
"Well,I'mblessedifIknow,totellyouthetruth,"repliedBigwig."There'sagreatbirdoutthere,likenothingI'veeverseen."
"Howbig?Asbigasapheasant?"
"Notquitesobig,"admittedBigwig,"butbiggerthanawoodpigeon:andalotfiercer."
"Isthatwhatcried?"
"Yes.Itstartledme,allright.Wewereactuallybesideit.Butforsomereasonorotheritcan'tmove."
"Dying?"
"Idon'tthinkso."
"I'llgoandhavealookatit,"saidHazel.
"It'ssavage.Forgoodness'sakebecareful."
BigwigandSilverreturnedwithHazel.Thethreeofthemsquattedoutsidethebird'sreachasitlookedsharplyanddesperatelyfromonetotheother.Hazelspokeinthe
hedgerowpatois.
"Youhurt?Younofly?"
Theanswerwasaharshgabblingwhichtheyallfeltimmediatelytobeexotic.Whereverthebirdcamefrom,itwassomewherefaraway.Theaccentwasstrangeandguttural,thespeechdistorted.Theycouldcatchonlyawordhereandthere.
"Comekeel--kah!kah!--youcomekeel--yark!--t'inkmefinish--menofinish--'urtyoudamnplenty--"Thedarkbrownheadflickeredfromsidetoside.Then,unexpectedly,thebirdbegantodriveitsbeakintotheground.Theynoticedforthefirsttimethatthegrassinfrontofitwastornandscoredwithlines.Forsomemomentsitstabbedhereandthere,thengaveup,lifteditsheadand
watchedthemagain.
"Ibelieveit'sstarving,"saidHazel."We'dbetterfeedit.Bigwig,goandgetsomewormsorsomething,there'sagoodfellow."
"Er--whatdidyousay,Hazel?"
"Worms."
"Medigforworms?"
"Didn'ttheOwslateach--oh,allright,I'lldoit,"saidHazel."YouandSilverwaithere."
Afterafewmoments,however,BigwigfollowedHazelbacktotheditchandbegantojoinhiminscratchingatthedryground.Wormsarenotplentifulonthedownsandtherehadbeennorainfordays.AfteratimeBigwiglookedup.
"Whataboutbeetles?Woodlice?Somethinglikethat?"
Theyfoundsomerottensticksandcarriedthemback.Hazelpushedoneforwardcautiously.
"Insects."
Thebirdsplitthestickthreewaysinasmanysecondsandsnappedupthe
fewinsectsinside.Soontherewasasmallpileofdebrisinthehollowastherabbitsbroughtanythingfromwhichitcouldgetfood.Bigwigfoundsomehorsedungalongthetrack,dugthewormsoutofit,overcamehisdisgustandcarriedthemonebyone.WhenHazelpraisedhim,hemutteredsomethingabout"thefirsttimeanyrabbit'sdonethisanddon'ttelltheblackbirds."Atlast,longafter
theyhadallgrownweary,thebirdstoppedfeedingandlookedatHazel.
"Finisheat."Itpaused."Vatforyoudo?"
"Youhurt?"saidHazel.
Thebirdlookedcrafty."Nohurt.Plentyfight.Staysmalltime,dengo."
"Youstaythereyou
finish,"saidHazel."Badplace.Comehomba,comekestrel."
"Damndelot.Fightplenty."
"Ibetitwould,too,"saidBigwig,lookingwithadmirationatthetwo-inchbeakandthickneck.
"Wenowantyoufinish,"saidHazel."Youstayhere
youfinish.Wehelpyoumaybe."
"Pissoff!"
"Comeon,"saidHazelimmediatelytotheothers."Letitalone."Hebegantolollopbacktothewood."Letittrykeepingthekestrelsoffforabit."
"What'stheidea,Hazel?"saidSilver."That'sasavage
brute.Youcan'tmakeafriendoutofthat."
"Youmayberight,"saidHazel."Butwhat'sthegoodofabluetitorarobintous?Theydon'tflyanydistance.Weneedabigbird."
"Butwhydoyouwantabirdsoparticularly?"
"I'llexplainlater,"saidHazel."I'dlikeBlackberry
andFivertohearaswell.Butlet'sgoundergroundnow.Ifyoudon'twanttochewpellets,Ido."
DuringtheafternoonHazelorganizedmoreworkonthewarren.TheHoneycombwasasgoodasfinished--thoughrabbitsarenotmethodicalandareneverreallycertainwhenanythingisfinished--andthesurroundingburrowsandrunsweretakingshape.
Quiteearlyintheevening,however,hemadehiswayoncemoretothehollow.Thebirdwasstillthere.Itlookedweakerandlessalert,butsnappedfeeblyasHazelcameup.
"Stillhere?"saidHazel."Youfighthawk?"
"Nofight,"answeredthebird."Nofight,butvatch,vatch,alvaysvatch.Eesno
good."
"Hungry?"
Thebirdmadenoreply.
"Listen,"saidHazel."Rabbitsnoteatbirds.Rabbitseatgrass.Wehelpyou."
"Vatfor'elpme?"
"Nevermind.Wemake
yousafe.Bighole.Foodtoo."
Thebirdconsidered."Legsfine.Vingnogood.'Ebad."
"Well,walk,then."
"You'urtme,I'urtyoulikedamn."
Hazelturnedaway.Thebirdspokeagain.
"Eeslongvay?"
"No,notfar."
"Come,den."
Itgotupwithagooddealofdifficulty,staggeringonitsstrongblood-redlegs.ThenitopeneditswingshighaboveitsbodyandHazeljumpedback,startledbythegreat,archingspan.Butatonceitclosedthemagain,grimacingwithpain.
"Vingnogood.Icome."
ItfollowedHazeldocilelyenoughacrossthegrass,buthewascarefultokeepoutofitsreach.Theirarrivaloutsidethewoodcausedsomethingofasensation,whichHazelcutshortwithaperemptorysharpnessquiteunlikehisusualmanner.
"Comeon,getbusy,"hesaidtoDandelionand
Buckthorn."Thisbird'shurtandwe'regoingtoshelterituntilit'sbetter.AskBigwigtoshowyouhowtogetitsomefood.Iteatswormsandinsects.Trygrasshoppers,spiders--anything.Hawkbit!Acorn!Yes,andyoutoo,Fiver--comeoutofthatrapttrance,orwhateveryou'rein.Weneedanopen,widehole,broaderthanit'sdeep,withaflatflooralittlebelowtheleveloftheentrance:by
nightfall."
"We'vebeendiggingalltheafternoon,Hazel--"
"Iknow.I'llcomeandhelpyou,"saidHazel,"injustalittlewhile.Onlygetstarted.Thenight'scoming."
Theastonishedrabbitsobeyedhim,grumbling.Hazel'sauthoritywasputtosomethingofatest,butheld
firmwiththesupportofBigwig.AlthoughhehadnoideawhatHazelhadinmind,Bigwigwasfascinatedbythestrengthandcourageofthebirdandhadalreadyacceptedtheideaoftakingitin,withouttroublinghimselfaboutthereason.HeledthediggingwhileHazelexplainedtothebird,aswellashecould,howtheylived,theirwaysofprotectingthemselvesfromtheenemies
andthekindofsheltertheycouldprovide.Theamountoffoodtherabbitsproducedwasnotverylarge,butonceinsidethewoodthebirdclearlyfeltsaferandwasabletohobbleaboutanddosomeforagingforitself.
ByowltimeBigwigandhishelpershadscratchedoutakindoflobbyinsidetheentrancetooneoftherunsleadingdownfromthewood.
Theylinedthefloorwithbeechtwigsandleaves.Asdarknessbegantofall,thebirdwasinstalled.Itwasstillsuspicious,butseemedtobeinagooddealofpain.Evidently,sinceitcouldnotthinkofanybetterplanforitself,itwasreadytotryarabbitholetosaveitslife.Fromoutside,theycouldseeitsdarkheadalertinthegloom,theblackeyesstillwatchful.Itwasnotasleep
whentheythemselvesfinishedalatesilflayandwentunderground.
Black-headedgullsaregregarious.Theyliveincolonieswheretheyforageandfeed,chatterandfightalldaylong.Solitudeandreticenceareunnaturaltothem.Theymovesouthwardinthebreedingseasonandatsuchtimesawoundedoneisonlytoolikelytofinditself
deserted.Thegull'ssavageryandsuspicionhadbeenduepartlytopainandpartlytotheunnervingknowledgethatithadnocompanionsandcouldnotfly.Bythefollowingmorningitsnaturalinstinctstomixwithaflockandtotalkwerebeginningtoreturn.Bigwigmadehimselfitscompanion.Hewouldnothearofthegullgoingouttoforage.Beforeni-Friththerabbitshadmanagedto
produceasmuchasitcouldeat--foratime,atallevents--andwereabletosleepthroughtheheatoftheday.Bigwig,however,remainedwiththegull,makingnosecretofhisadmiration,talkingandlisteningtoitforseveralhours.AttheeveningfeedhejoinedHazelandHollynearthebankwhereBluebellhadtoldhisstoryofEl-ahrairah.
"How'sthebirdnow?"askedHazel.
"Agooddealbetter,Ithink,"repliedBigwig."He'sverytough,youknow.Mygoodness,whatalifehe'shad!Youdon'tknowwhatyou'remissing!Icouldsitandlistentohimallday."
"Howwasithurt?"
"Acatjumpedonhimina
farmyard.Heneverheardituntilthelastmoment.Ittorethemuscleofoneofhiswings,butapparentlyhegaveitsomethingtorememberbeforehemadeoff.Thenhegothimselfupheresomehoworotherandjustcollapsed.Thinkofstandinguptoacat!IcanseenowthatIhaven'treallystartedyet.Whyshouldn'tarabbitstanduptoacat?Let'sjustsupposethat--"
"Butwhatisthisbird?"interruptedHolly.
"Well,Ican'tquitemakeout,"answeredBigwig."ButifIunderstandhimproperly--andI'mnotatallsurethatIdo--hesaysthatwherehecomesfromtherearethousandsofhiskind--morethanwecanpossiblyimagine.Theirflocksmakethewholeairwhiteandinthebreedingseasontheirnestsarelike
leavesinawood--sohesays."
"Butwhere?I'veneverseenone,even."
"Hesays,"saidBigwig,lookingverystraightatHolly,"hesaysthatalongwayfromheretheearthstopsandthereisn'tanymore."
"Well,obviouslyitstopssomewhere.Whatistherebeyond?"
"Water."
"Ariver,youmean?"
"No,"saidBigwig,"notariver.Hesaysthere'savastplaceofwater,goingonandon.Youcan'tseetotheotherside.Thereisn'tanotherside.Atleastthereis,becausehe'sbeenthere.Oh,Idon'tknow--ImustadmitIcan'taltogetherunderstandit."
"Wasittellingyouthatit'sbeenoutsidetheworldandcomebackagain?Thatmustbeuntrue."
"Idon'tknow,"saidBigwig,"butI'msurehe'snotlying.Thiswater,apparently,movesallthetimeandkeepsbreakingagainsttheearth:andwhenhecan'thearthat,hemissesit.That'shisname--Kehaar.It'sthenoisethewatermakes."
Theotherswereimpressedinspiteofthemselves.
"Well,why'sithere?"askedHazel.
"Heshouldn'tbe.HeoughttohavebeenofftothisBigWaterplacealongtimeago,tobreed.Apparentlyalotofthemcomeawayinwinter,becauseitgetssocoldandwild.Thentheygobackinsummer.Buthe'sbeenhurt
oncealreadythisspring.Itwasnothingmuch,butitheldhimup.Herestedandhungaroundarookeryforabit.Thenhegotstrongerandleftthem,andhewascomingalongwhenhestoppedinthefarmyardandmetthisfoulcat."
"Sowhenit'sbetterit'llgoonagain?"saidHazel.
"Yes."
"We'vebeenwastingourtime,then."
"Why,Hazel,whatisityouhaveinmind?"
"GoandgetBlackberryandFiver:we'dbetterhaveSilver,too.ThenI'llexplain."
Thequietoftheeveningsilflay,whenthewesternsunshonestraightalongtheridge,thegrasstussocksthrew
shadowstwiceaslongasthemselvesandthecoolairsmelledofthymeanddogroses,wassomethingwhichtheyhadallcometoenjoyevenmorethanformereveningsinthemeadowsofSandleford.Althoughtheycouldnotknowit,thedownwasmorelonelythanithadbeenforhundredsofyears.Therewerenosheep,andvillagersfromKingsclereandSydmontonnolongerhadany
occasiontowalkoverthehills,eitherforbusinessorforpleasure.InthefieldsofSandlefordtherabbitshadseenmenalmosteveryday.Here,sincetheirarrival,theyhadseenone,andhimonahorse.Lookingroundthelittlegroupthatgatheredonthegrass,Hazelsawthatallofthem--evenHolly--werelookingstronger,sleekerandinbettershapethanwhentheyhadfirstcometothe
down.Whatevermightlieahead,atleasthecouldfeelthathehadnotfailedthemsofar.
"We'redoingwellhere,"hebegan,"orsoitseemstome.We'recertainlynotabunchofhlessilanymore.Butallthesame,there'ssomethingonmymind.I'msurprised,asamatteroffact,thatIshouldbethefirstoneofustostartthinkingaboutit.Unlesswe
canfindtheanswer,thenthiswarren'sasgoodasfinished,inspiteofallwe'vedone."
"Why,howcanthatbe,Hazel?"saidBigwig.
"DoyourememberNildro-hain?"askedHazel.
"Shestoppedrunning.PoorStrawberry."
"Iknow.Andwehaveno
does--notone--andnodoesmeansnokittensandinafewyearsnowarren."
Itmayseemincrediblethattherabbitshadgivennothoughttosovitalamatter.Butmenhavemadethesamemistakemorethanonce--leftthewholebusinessoutofaccount,orbeencontenttotrusttoluckandthefortuneofwar.Rabbitsliveclosetodeathandwhendeathcomes
closerthanusual,thinkingaboutsurvivalleaveslittleroomforanythingelse.Butnow,intheeveningsunshineonthefriendly,emptydown,withagoodburrowathisbackandthegrassturningtopelletsinhisbelly,Hazelknewthathewaslonelyforadoe.Theothersweresilentandhecouldtellthathiswordshadsunkin.
Therabbitsgrazedorlay
baskinginthesun.Alarkwenttwitteringupintothebrightersunshineabove,soaredandsangandcameslowlydown,endingwithasideways,spread-wingglideandawagtail'srunthroughthegrass.Thesundippedlower.AtlastBlackberrysaid,"What'stobedone?Setoutagain?"
"Ihopenot,"saidHazel."Italldepends.WhatI'dliketo
doisgetholdofsomedoesandbringthemhere."
"Wherefrom?"
"Anotherwarren."
"Butarethereanyonthesehills?Howdowefindout?Thewindneverbringstheleastsmellofrabbits."
"I'lltellyouhow,"saidHazel"Thebird.Thebird
willgoandsearchforus."
"Hazel-rah,"criedBlackberry,"whatamarvelousidea!Thatbirdcouldfindoutinadaywhatwecouldn'tdiscoverforourselvesinathousand!Butareyoucertainitcanbepersuadedtodoit?Surelyassoonasitgetsbetterifit'llsimplyflyawayandleaveus?"
"Ican'ttell,"answeredHazel."Allwecandoisfeeditandhopeforthebest.But,Bigwig,sinceyouseemtobegettingonwithitsowell,perhapsyoucanexplaintoithowmuchthismeanstous.Ithasonlytoflyoverthedownsandletusknowwhatitsees."
"Youleavehimtome,"saidBigwig."IthinkIknowhowtodoit."
Hazel'sanxietyandthereasonforitweresoonknowntoalltherabbitsandtherewasnotonewhodidnotrealizewhattheywereupagainst.Therewasnothingverystartlinginwhathehadsaid.Hewassimplytheone--asaChiefRabbitoughttobe--throughwhomastrongfeeling,latentthroughoutthewarren,hadcometothesurface.Buthisplantomakeuseofthegullexcited
everyoneandwasseenassomethingthatnotevenBlackberrycouldhavehitupon.Reconnaissanceisfamiliartoallrabbits--indeed,itissecondnature--buttheideaofmakinguseofabird,andonesostrangeandsavage,convincedthemthatHazel,ifhecouldreallydoit,mustbeascleverasEl-ahrairahhimself.
Forthenextfewdaysalot
ofhardworkwentintofeedingKehaar.AcornandPipkin,boastingthattheywerethebestinsect-catchersinthewarren,broughtingreatnumbersofbeetlesandgrasshoppers.Atfirstthegull'sprincipalhardshipwaslackofwater.Hesufferedagooddealandwasreducedtotearingatthestemsofthelonggrassesformoisture.However,duringhisthirdnightinthewarrenitrained
forthreeorfourhoursandpuddlesformedonthetrack.Aclutteryspellsetin,asitoftendoesinHampshirewhenhaytimeapproaches.Highwindsfromthesouthlaidthegrassflatallday,turningittoadull,damascenesilver.Thegreatbranchesofthebeechesmovedlittle,butspokeloudly.Thereweresquallsofrainonthewind.TheweathermadeKehaarrestless.He
walkedaboutagooddeal,watchedtheflyingcloudsandsnappedupeverythingtheforagersbrought.Searchingbecameharder,forinthewettheinsectsburrowedintothedeepgrassandhadtobescratchedout.
OneafternoonHazel,whonowsharedaburrowwithFiverasintheolddays,waswokenbyBigwigtobetoldthatKehaarhadsomethingto
saytohim.HemadehiswaytoKehaar'slobbywithoutcomingaboveground.Thefirstthinghenoticedwasthatthegull'sheadwasmoltingandturningwhite,thoughadarkbrownpatchremainedbehindeacheye.HazelgreetedHimandwassurprisedtobeansweredinafewwordsofhalting,brokenLapine.EvidentlyKehaarhadpreparedashortspeech.
"Meester'Azel,eesrabbitsvork'ard,"saidKehaar."Inofinishnow.SoonIgofine."
"That'sgoodnews,"saidHazel."I'mglad."
Kehaarrelapsedintohedgerowvernacular.
"MeesterPigvig,'eplentygoodfella."
"Yes,heis."
"'Esayyounogettingmudders.Eesfinishmudders.Plentytroubleforyou."
"Yes,that'strue.Wedon'tknowwhattodo.Nomothersanywhere."
"Listen.Igetpeeg,fineplan.Igofinenow.Ving,'ebetter.Vindfinish,denIfly.Flyforyou.Findplentymudders,tellyouveredeyare,ya?"
"Why,whatasplendididea,Kehaar!Howcleverofyoutothinkofit!Youveryfinebird."
"Eesfinishmuddersformedisyear.Eestoolate.Allmudderssittingonnestnow.Eggscome."
"I'msorry."
"NuddertimeIgetmudder.NowIflyforyou."
"We'lldoeverythingwepossiblycantohelpyou."
ThenextdaythewinddroppedandKehaarmadeoneortwoshortflights.However,itwasnotuntilthreedayslaterthathefeltabletosetoutonhissearch.ItwasaperfectJunemorning.Hewassnappingupnumbersofthelittlewhite-shelleddownlandsnailsfromthewetgrassandcracking
theminhisgreatbeak,whenhesuddenlyturnedtoBigwigandsaid,
"NowIflyforyou,"
Heopenedhiswings.Thetwo-footspanarchedaboveBigwig,whosatperfectlystillwhilethewhitefeathersbeattheairroundhisheadinakindofceremoniousfarewell.Layinghisearsflatinthefanneddraft,hestaredupat
Kehaarasthegullrose,ratherheavily,intotheair.Whenheflew,hisbody,solongandgracefulontheground,tookontheappearanceofathick,stumpycylinder,fromthefrontofwhichhisredbeakprojectedbetweenhisroundblackeyes.Forafewmomentshehovered,hisbodyrisingandfallingbetweenhiswings.Thenhebegantoclimb,sailedsidewaysoverthegrassand
disappearednorthwardbelowtheedgeoftheescarpment.BigwigreturnedtothehangerwiththenewsthatKehaarhadsetout.
Thegullwasawayseveraldays--longerthantherabbitshadexpected.Hazelcouldnothelpwonderingwhetherhereallywouldreturn,forheknewthatKehaar,likethemselves,feltthematingurgeandhethoughtitquite
likelythatafterallhewouldbeofftotheBigWaterandtheraucous,teeminggullcoloniesofwhichhehadspokenwithsuchfeelingtoBigwig.Asfarashewasable,hekepthisanxietytohimself,butonedaywhentheywerealone,heaskedFiverwhetherhethoughtKehaarwouldreturn.
"Hewillreturn,"saidFiverunhesitatingly.
"Andwhatwillhebringwithhim?"
"HowcanItell?"repliedFiver.Butlater,whentheywereunderground,silentanddrowsy,hesaidsuddenly,"ThegiftsofEl-ahrairah.Trickery;greatdanger;andblessingforthewarren."WhenHazelquestionedhimagain,heseemedtobeunawarethathehadspokenandcouldaddnothingmore.
BigwigspentmostofthehoursofdaylightwatchingforKehaar'sreturn.Hewasinclinedtobesurlyandshort,andonce,whenBluebellremarkedthathethoughtMeesterPigvig'sfurcapwasmoltinginsympathyforabsentfriends,heshowedaflashofhisoldsergeant-majorspiritandcuffedandabusedhimtwiceroundtheHoneycomb,untilHollyintervenedtosavehisfaithful
jesterfromfurthertrouble.
Itwaslateoneafternoon,withalightnorthwindblowingandthesmellofhaydriftingupfromthefieldsofSydmonton,whenBigwigcamehurtlingdownintotheHoneycombtoannouncethatKehaarwasback.Hazelsuppressedhisexcitementandtoldeveryonetokeepoutofthewaywhilehewenttoseehimalone.Onsecond
thoughts,however,hetookFiverandBigwigwithhim.
ThethreeofthemfoundKehaarbackinhislobby.Itwasfullofdroppings,messyandmalodorous.RabbitswillnotexcreteundergroundandKehaar'shabitoffoulinghisownnesthadalwaysdisgustedHazel.Now,inhiseagernesstohearhisnews,theguanosmellseemedalmostwelcome.
"Gladtoseeyouback,Kehaar,"hesaid."Areyoutired?"
"Ving'estillgotired.Flyliddlebit,stopliddlebit,everyt'inggofine."
"Areyouhungry?Shallwegetyousomeinsects?"
"Fine.Fine.Goodfellas.Plentybeetle."(Allinsectswere"beetle"toKehaar.)
Clearly,hehadmissedtheirattentionsandwasreadytoenjoybeingback.Althoughhenolongerneededtohavefoodbroughttothelobby,heevidentlyfeltthathedeservedit.BigwigwenttogethisforagersandKehaarkeptthembusyuntilsunsetAtlasthelookedshrewdlyatFiverandsaid,
"Eh,MeesterLiddleVon,youknowvatIpring,ya?"
"I'venoidea,"repliedFiver,rathershortly.
"DenItell.Alldispeeg'ill,Igoalong'im,disvay,datvay,veresuncomeup,veresungodown.Eesnorabbits.Eesnodings,nodings."
Hestopped.HazellookedatFiverapprehensively.
"DenIgodown,godowninbottom.Eesfarmvidpeeg
treesallround,onliddlehill.Youknow?"
"No,wedon'tknowit.Butgoon."
"Ishowyou.'Enotfar.Yousee'im.Undhereeesrabbits.Eesrabbitsliveinbox;livevidmen.Youknow?"
"Livewithmen?Didyousay'livewithmen'?"
"Ya,ya,livevidmen.Inshed;rabbitsliveinboxinshed.Menpringfood.Youknow?"
"Iknowthishappens,"saidHazel."I'veheardofit.That'sfine,Kehaar.You'vebeenverythorough.Butitcan'thelpus,canit?"
"It'inkeesmudders.Inpeegbox.Butelseeesnorabbits;notinfields,notin
voods.Norabbits.AnyvaysInosee'em."
"Thatsoundsbad."
"Vait.Itellmore.Nowyou'ear.Igoflying,odervay,veresungomiddleofday.Youknow,disvayeesPeegVater."
"DidyougototheBigWater,then?"askedBigwig.
"Na,na,notnearsofar.Butoutdisvayeesriver,youknow?"
"No,wehaven'tbeensofar."
"Eesriver,"repeatedKehaar."Undhereeestownofrabbits."
"Ontheothersideoftheriver?"
"Na,na.Yougodatvay,eespeegfieldsalldevay.Denafterlongvayeescometotownofrabbits,ver'big.Undafterdateesironroadunddenriver."
"Ironroad?"askedFiver.
"Ya,ya,ironroad.Younotseenheem--ironroad?Menmakeheem."
Kehaar'sspeechwasso
outlandishanddistortedatthebestoftimesthatitwasonlytoocommonfortherabbitstobeunsurewhathemeant.Thevernacularwordswhichheusednowfor"iron"and"road"(familiarenoughtoseagulls)hislistenershadscarcelyeverheard.Kehaarwasquicktoimpatienceandnow,asoften,theyfeltatadisadvantageinthefaceofhisfamiliaritywithawiderworldthantheirown.Hazel
thoughtquickly.Twothingswereclear.Kehaarhadevidentlyfoundabigwarrensomewayofftothesouth:andwhatevertheironroadwas,thewarrenwasonthissidebothofitandofariver.Ifhehadunderstoodrightly,itseemedtofollowthattheironroadandtherivercouldbeignoredfortheirpurposes.
"Kehaar,"hesaid,"Iwanttobecertain.Canwegetto
therabbits'townwithoutbotheringabouttheironroadandtheriver?"
"Ya,ya.Notgotoironroad.Rabbits'towninbushesforpeeg,lonelyfields.Plentymudders."
"Howlongwouldittaketogofromheretothe--tothetown?"
"It'inktwodays.Eeslong
vay."
"Goodforyou,Kehaar.You'vedoneeverythingwehoped.Yourestnow.We'llfeedyouaslongasyouwant"
"Sleepnow.Tomorrowplentybeetle,ya,ya."
TherabbitsmadetheirwaybacktotheHoneycomb.HazeltoldKehaar'snewsandalong,disorderly,
intermittentdiscussionbegan.Thiswastheirwayofreachingaconclusion.Thefactthattherewasawarrentwoorthreedays'journeytothesouthflickeredandoscillateddownamongthemasapennywaversdownthroughdeepwatermovingonewayandtheother,shifting,vanishing,reappearing,butalwayssinkingtowardthefirmbottom.Hazelletthetalkrun
onaslongasitwould,untilatlasttheydispersedandslept.
Thenextmorningtheywentabouttheirlivesasusual,feedingKehaarandthemselves,playinganddigging.Butallthistime,justasadropofwaterslowlyswellsuntilitisheavyenoughtofallfromatwig,theideaofwhattheymeanttodowasbecomingclearandunanimous.Bythefollowing
dayHazelsawitplain.Itsohappenedthatthetimeforspeakingcamewhenhewassittingonthebankatsunrise,withFiverandthreeorfourothers.Therewasnoneedtosummonageneralgathering.Thethingwassettled.Whenitreachedthem,thosewhowerenottherewouldacceptwhathehadsaidwithouthavingheardhimatall.
"ThiswarrenthatKehaar
found,"saidHazel,"hesaiditwasbig."
"Sowecan'ttakeitbyforce,"saidBigwig.
"Idon'tthinkIwanttogoandjoinit,"saidHazel."Doyou?"
"Andleavehere?"repliedDandelion."Afterallourwork?Besides,Ireckonwe'dhaveathintime.No,I'msure
noneofuswantstodothat."
"Whatwewantistogetsomedoesandbringthembackhere,"saidHazel."Willthatbedifficult,doyouthink?"
"Ishouldhavethoughtnot,"saidHolly."Bigwarrensareoftenovercrowdedandsomeoftherabbitscan'tgetenoughtoeat.Theyoungdoesgetedgyandnervous
andsomeofthemdon'thaveanykittensonthataccount.Atleast,thekittensbegintogrowinsidethemandthentheymeltawayagainintotheirbodies.Youknowthis?"
"Ididn'tknow,"saidStrawberry.
"That'sbecauseyou'veneverbeenovercrowded.Butourwarren--theThrearah'swarren--wasovercrowdeda
yearortwobackandalotoftheyoungerdoeswerere-absorbingtheirlittersbeforetheywereborn.TheThrearahtoldmethatlongagoEl-ahrairahmadeabargainwithFrith.Frithpromisedhimthatrabbitswerenottobeborndeadorunwanted.Ifthere'slittlechanceofadecentlifeforthem,it'sadoe'sprivilegetotakethembackintoherbodyunborn."
"Yes,Irememberthebargainstory,"saidHazel."Soyouthinktheremaybediscontenteddoes?That'shopeful.We'reagreed,then,thatweoughttosendanexpeditiontothiswarrenandthatthere'sagoodchanceofbeingsuccessfulwithoutfighting.Doyouwanteveryonetogo?"
"I'dsaynot,"saidBlackberry."Twoorthree
days'journey;andwe'reallindanger,bothgoingandcoming.Itwouldbelessdangerousforthreeorfourrabbitsthanforhrair.Threeorfourcantravelquicklyandaren'tconspicuous:andtheChiefRabbitofthiswarrenwouldbelesslikelytoobjecttoafewstrangerscomingwithacivilrequest."
"I'msurethat'sright,"saidHazel."We'llsendfour
rabbits:andtheycanexplainhowwecometobeinthisdifficultyandasktobeallowedtopersuadesomedoestocomebackwiththem.Idon'tseethatanyChiefRabbitcanobjecttothat.Iwonderwhichofuswouldbethebesttosend?"
"Hazel-rah,youmustn'tgo,"saidDandelion."You'reneededhereandwedon'twanttoriskyou.Everyone's
agreedonthat."
Hazelhadknownalreadythattheywouldnotlethimleadtheembassy.Itwasadisappointment,butneverthelesshefeltthattheywererightTheotherwarrenwouldhavelittleopinionofaChiefRabbitwhoranhisownerrands.Besides,hewasnotparticularlyimpressiveinappearanceorasaspeaker.Thiswasajobforsomeone
else.
"Allright,"hesaid."Iknewyouwouldn'tletmego.I'mnottherightfellowanyway--Hollyis.Heknowseverythingaboutmovingintheopenandhe'llbeabletotalkwellwhenhegetsthere."
Noonecontradictedthis.Hollywastheobviouschoice,buttoselecthiscompanionswaslesseasy.Everyonewas
readytogo,butthebusinesswassoimportantthatatlasttheyconsideredeachrabbitinturn,discussingwhowouldbethemostlikelytosurvivethelongjourney,toarriveingoodshapeandtogodownwellinastrangewarren.Bigwig,rejectedonthegroundsthathemightquarrelinstrangecompany,wasinclinedtobesulkyatfirst,butcameroundwhenherememberedthathecouldgo
onlookingafterKehaar.HollyhimselfwantedtotakeBluebellbut,asBlackberrysaid,onefunnyjokeattheexpenseoftheChiefRabbitmightruineverything.FinallytheychoseSilver,BuckthornandStrawberry.Strawberrysaidlittle,butwasobviouslyverymuchpleased.Hehadsufferedagooddealtoshowthathewasnocowardandnowhehadthesatisfactionofknowingthathewasworth
somethingtohisnewfriends.
Theystartedearlyinthemorning,inthegraylight.Kehaarhadundertakentoflyoutlaterintheday,tomakesuretheyweregoingintherightdirectionandbringbacknewsoftheirprogress.HazelandBigwigwentwiththemtothesouthernendofthehangerandwatchedastheyslippedaway,headingtothewestofthedistantfarm.
Hollyseemedconfidentandtheotherthreewereinhighspirits.SoontheywerelosttosightinthegrassandHazelandBigwigturnedbackintothewood.
"Well,we'vedonethebestwecan,"saidHazel."Therest'suptothemandtoEl-ahrairahnow.Butsurelyitoughttobeallright?"
"Notadoubtofit,"said
Bigwig."Let'shopethey'rebacksoon.I'mlookingforwardtoanicedoeandalitterofkittensinmyburrow.LotsoflittleBigwigs,Hazel!Thinkofthat,andtremble!"
24.NuthangerFarm
WhenRobyncametoNotyngham,
Sertenlywithoutenlayn,
HeprayedtoGodandmyldMary
Tobrynghymoutsaveagayn.
Besidehimstodagret-hedidmunke,
IpraytoGodwoohebe!
Ffulsoneheknewgode
Robyn,
Assoneashehymse.
RobinHoodandtheMonk(Child'sBallads,No.119)
HazelsatonthebankinthemidsummernightTherehadbeennomorethanfivehours'darknessandthatofapallid,twilitqualitywhichkepthimwakefulandrestless.Everythingwas
goingwell.KehaarhadfoundHollyduringtheafternoonandcorrectedhislinealittletothewestHehadlefthimintheshelterofathickhedge,sureofhiscourseforthebigwarren.Itseemedcertainnowthattwodayswouldbeenoughforthejourney.BigwigandsomeoftheotherrabbitshadalreadybegunenlargingtheirburrowsinpreparationforHolly'sreturn.Kehaarhadhadaviolent
quarrelwithakestrel,screaminginsultsinavoicefittostartleaCornishharbor:andalthoughithadendedinconclusively,thekestrelseemedlikelytoregardtheneighborhoodofthehangerwithhealthyrespectforthefuture.ThingshadnotlookedbettersincetheyhadfirstsetoutfromSandleford.
AspiritofhappymischiefenteredintoHazel.Hefeltas
hehadonthemorningwhentheycrossedtheEnborneandhehadsetoutaloneandfoundthebeanfield.Hewasconfidentandreadyforadventure.Butwhatadventure?SomethingworthtellingtoHollyandSilverontheirreturn.Somethingto--well,nottodiminishwhattheyweregoingtodo.No,ofcoursenot--butjusttoshowthemthattheirChiefRabbitwasuptoanythingthatthey
wereupto.Hethoughtitoverashehoppeddownthebankandsniffedoutapatchofsaladburnetinthegrass.What,now,wouldbelikelytogivethemjustalittle,notunpleasantshock?Suddenlyhethought,"Suppose,whentheygotback,thattherewereoneortwodoesherealready?"AndinthesamemomentherememberedwhatKehaarhadsaidaboutaboxfullofrabbitsatthefarm.
Whatsortofrabbitscouldtheybe?Didtheyevercomeoutoftheirbox?Hadtheyeverseenawildrabbit?Kehaarhadsaidthatthefarmwasnotfarfromthefootofthedown,onalittlehill.Soitcouldeasilybereachedintheearlymorning,beforeitsmenwereabout.Anydogswouldprobablybechained,butthecatswouldbeloose.Arabbitcouldoutrunacataslongashekeptintheopenandsawit
comingfirst.Theimportantthingwasnottobestalkedunawares.Heshouldbeabletomovealongthehedgerowswithoutattractingelil,unlesshewasveryunlucky.
Butwhatdidheintendtodo,exactly?Whywashegoingtothefarm?Hazelfinishedthelastoftheburnetandansweredhimselfinthestarlight."I'lljusthavealookround,"hesaid,"andifIcan
findthoseboxrabbitsI'lltrytotalktothem;nothingmorethanthat.I'mnotgoingtotakeanyrisks--well,notrealrisks--notuntilIseewhetherit'sworthit,anyway."
Shouldhegoalone?Itwouldbesaferandmorepleasanttotakeacompanion;butnotmorethanone.Theymustnotattractattention.Whowouldbebest?Bigwig?Dandelion?Hazelrejected
them.Heneededsomeonewhowoulddoashewastoldandnotstarthavingideasofhisown.AtoncehethoughtofPipkin.Pipkinwouldfollowhimwithoutquestionanddoanythingheasked.AtthismomenthewasprobablyasleepintheburrowwhichhesharedwithBluebellandAcorn,downashortrunleadingofftheHoneycomb.
Hazelwaslucky.Hefound
Pipkinclosetothemouthoftheburrowandalreadyawake.Hebroughthimoutwithoutdisturbingtheothertworabbitsandledhimupbytherunthatgaveonthebank.Pipkinlookedabouthimuncertainly,bewilderedandhalfexpectingsomedanger.
"It'sallright,Hlao-roo,"saidHazel."There'snothingtobeafraidof.Iwantyoutocomedownthehillandhelp
metofindafarmI'veheardabout.We'rejustgoingtohavealookroundit."
"Roundafarm,Hazel-rah?Whatfor?Won'titbedangerous?Catsanddogsand--"
"No,you'llbequiteallrightwithme.Justyouandme--Idon'twantanyoneelse.I'vegotasecretplan;youmustn'ttelltheothers--forthe
timebeing,anyway.Iparticularlywantyoutocomeandnooneelsewilldo."
ThishadexactlytheeffectthatHazelintended.Pipkinneedednofurtherpersuasionandtheysetofftogether,overthegrasstrack,acrosstheturfbeyondanddowntheescarpment.TheywentthroughthenarrowbeltoftreesandcameintothefieldwhereHollyhadcalled
Bigwiginthedark.HereHazelpaused,sniffingandlistening.Itwasthetimebeforedawnwhenowlsreturn,usuallyhuntingastheygo.Althoughafull-grownrabbitisnotreallyindangerfromowls,therearefewwhotakenoaccountofthem.Stoatsandfoxesmightbeabroadalso,butthenightwasstillanddampandHazel,secureinhismoodofgayconfidence,feltsurethathe
wouldeithersmellorhearanyhunteronfourfeet.
Whereverthefarmmightbe,itmustliebeyondtheroadthatranalongtheoppositeedgeofthefield.Heset
offataneasypace,withPipkinclosebehind.MovingquietlyinandoutofthehedgerowupwhichHollyandBluebellhadcomeand
passing,ontheirway,underthecableshummingfaintlyinthedarknessabove,theytookonlyafewminutestoreachtheroad.
Therearetimeswhenweknowforacertaintythatalliswell.Abatsmanwhohasplayedafineinningswillsayafterwardthathefelthecouldnotmisstheball,andaspeakeroranactor,onhisluckyday,cansensehis
audiencecarryinghimasthoughhewereswimminginmiraculous,buoyantwater.Hazelhadthisfeelingnow.Allroundhimwasthequietsummernight,luminouswithstarlightbutpalingtodawnononeside.Therewasnothingtofearandhefeltreadytoskipthroughathousandfarmyardsoneaftertheother.AshesatwithPipkinonthebankabovethetar-smellingroad,itdidnot
strikehimasparticularlyluckywhenhesawayoungratscuttleacrossfromtheoppositehedgeanddisappearintoaclumpoffadingstitchwortbelowthem.Hehadknownthatsomeguideorotherwouldturnup.Hescrambledquicklydownthebankandfoundtheratnosingintheditch.
"Thefarm,"saidHazel,"where'sthefarm--nearhere,
onalittlehill?"
Theratstaredathimwithtwitchingwhiskers.Ithadnoparticularreasontobefriendly,buttherewassomethinginHazel'slookthatmadeacivilanswernatural.
"Overroad.Uplane."
Theskywasgrowinglightereachmoment.Hazel
crossedtheroadwithoutwaitingforPipkin,whocaughthimupunderthehedgeborderingthenearsideofthelittlelane.Fromhere,afteranotherlisteningpause,theybegantomaketheirwayuptheslopetowardthenorthernskyline.
Nuthangerislikeafarminanoldtale.BetweenEcchinswellandthefootofWatershipDownandabout
halfamilefromeach,thereisabroadknoll,steeperonthenorthsidebutfallinggentlyonthesouth--likethedownridgeitself.Narrowlanesclimbbothslopesandcometogetherinagreatringofelmtreeswhichencirclestheflatsummit.Anywind--eventhelightest--drawsfromtheheightoftheelmsarushingsound,multifoliateandpowerful.Withinthisringstandsthefarmhouse,withits
barnsandoutbuildings.Thehousemaybetwohundredyearsoldoritmaybeolder,builtofbrick,withastone-facedfrontlookingsouthtowardthedown.Ontheeastside,infrontofthehouse,abarnstandsclearofthegroundonstaddlestones;andoppositeisthecowbyre.
AsHazelandPipkinreachedthetopoftheslope,thefirstlightshowedclearly
thefarmyardandbuildings.Thebirdssingingallaboutthemwerethosetowhichtheyhadbeenaccustomedinformerdays.Arobinonalowbranchtwitteredaphraseandlistenedforanotherthatansweredhimfrombeyondthefarmhouse.Achaffinchgaveitslittlefallingsongandfurtheroff,highinanelm,achiffchaffbegantocall.Hazelstoppedandthensatup,thebettertoscenttheair.
Powerfulsmellsofstrawandcowdungmingledwiththoseofelmleaves,ashesandcattlefeed.Faintertracescametohisnoseastheovertonesofabellsoundinatrainedear.Tobacco,naturally:agooddealofcatandratherlessdogandthen,suddenlyandbeyonddoubt,rabbit.HelookedatPipkinandsawthathe,too,hadcaughtit.
Whilethesescentsreachedthemtheywerealsolistening.Butbeyondthelightmovementsofbirdsandthefirstbuzzingofthefliesimmediatelyaroundthem,theycouldhearnothingbutthecontinualsusurrationofthetrees.Underthenorthernsteepofthedowntheairhadbeenstill,butherethesoutherlybreezewasmagnifiedbytheelms,withtheirmyriadsofsmall,
flutteringleaves,justastheeffectofsunlightonagardenismagnifiedbydew.Thesound,comingfromthetopmostbranches,disturbedHazelbecauseitsuggestedsomehugeapproach--anapproachthatwasnevercompleted:andheandPipkinremainedstillforsometime,listeningtenselytothisloudyetmeaninglessvehemencehighoverhead.
Theysawnocat,butnearthehousestoodaflat-roofeddogkennel.Theycouldjustglimpsethedogasleepinside--alarge,smooth-haired,blackdog,withheadonpaws.Hazelcouldnotseeachain;butthen,afteramoment,henoticedthelineofathinropethatcameoutthroughthekenneldoorandendedinsomesortoffasteningontheroof."Whyarope?"hewonderedandthen
thought,"Becausearestlessdogcannotrattleitinthenight."
Thetworabbitsbegantowanderamongtheoutbuildings.Atfirsttheytookcaretoremainincoverandcontinuallyonthewatchforcats.Buttheysawnoneandsoongrewbolder,crossingopenspacesandevenstoppingtonibbleatdandelionsinthepatchesof
weedsandroughgrass.Guidedbyscent,Hazelmadehiswaytoalow-roofedshed.Thedoorwashalfopenandhewentthroughitwithscarcelyapauseatthebrickthreshold.Immediatelyoppositethedoor,onabroadwoodenshelf--akindofplatform--stoodawire-frontedhutch.Throughthemeshhecouldseeabrownbowl,somegreenstuffandtheearsoftwoorthreerabbits.
Ashestared,oneoftherabbitscameclosetothewire,lookedoutandsawhim.
Besidetheplatform,onthenearside,wasanup-endedbaleofstraw.Hazeljumpedlightlyonitandfromtheretothethickplanks,whichwereoldandsoft-surfaced,dustyandcoveredwithchaff.ThenheturnedbacktoPipkin,waitingjustinsidethedoor.
"Hlao-roo,"hesaid,"there'sonlyonewayoutofthisplace.You'llhavetokeepwatchingforcatsorwemaybetrapped.Stayatthedoorandifyouseeacatoutside,tellmeatonce."
"Right,Hazel-rah,"saidPipkin."It'sallclearatthemoment."
Hazelwentuptothesideofthehutch.Thewiredfront
projectedovertheedgeoftheshelfsothathecouldneitherreachitnorlookin,buttherewasaknotholeinoneoftheboardsfacinghimandonthefarsidehecouldseeatwitchingnose.
"IamHazel-rah,"hesaid."Ihavecometotalktoyou.Canyouunderstandme?"
Theanswerwasinslightlystrangebutperfectly
intelligibleLapine.
"Yes,weunderstandyou.MynameisBoxwood.Wheredoyoucomefrom?"
"Fromthehills.MyfriendsandIliveasweplease,withoutmen.Weeatthegrass,lieinthesunandsleepunderground.Howmanyareyou?"
"Four.Bucksanddoes."
"Doyouevercomeout?"
"Yes,sometimes.Achildtakesusoutandputsusinapenonthegrass."
"Ihavecometotellyouaboutmywarren.Weneedmorerabbits.Wewantyoutorunawayfromthefarmandjoinus."
"There'sawiredooratthebackofthishutch,"said
Boxwood."Comedownthere:wecantalkmoreeasily."
Thedoorwasmadeofwirenettingonawoodenframe,withtwoleatherhingesnailedtotheuprightsandahaspandstaplefastenedwithatwistofwire.Fourrabbitswerecrowdedagainstthewire,pressingtheirnosesthroughthemesh.Two--LaurelandClover--wereshort-haired
blackAngoras.Theothers,BoxwoodandhisdoeHaystack,wereblack-and-whiteHimalayans.
Hazelbegantospeakaboutthelifeofthedownsandtheexcitementandfreedomenjoyedbywildrabbits.Inhisusualstraightforwardwayhetoldaboutthepredicamentofhiswarreninhavingnodoesandhowhehadcometolookforsome."But,"hesaid,
"wedon'twanttostealyourdoes.Allfourofyouarewelcometojoinus,bucksanddoesalike.There'splentyforeveryoneonthehills."Hewentontotalkoftheeveningfeedinthesunsetandofearlymorninginthelonggrass.
Thehutchrabbitsseemedatoncebewilderedandfascinated.Clover,theAngoradoe--astrong,activerabbit--wasclearlyexcitedby
Hazel'sdescriptionandaskedseveralquestionsaboutthewarrenandthedowns.Itbecameplainthattheythoughtoftheirlifeinthehutchasdullbutsafe.Theyhadlearnedagooddealaboutelilfromsomesourceorotherandseemedsurethatfewwildrabbitssurvivedforlong.Hazelrealizedthatalthoughtheyweregladtotalktohimandwelcomedhisvisitbecauseitbroughtalittle
excitementandchangeintotheirmonotonouslife,itwasnotwithintheircapacitytotakeadecisionandactonit.Theydidnotknowhowtomakeuptheirminds.Tohimandhiscompanions,sensingandactingwassecondnature;buttheserabbitshadneverhadtoacttosavetheirlivesoreventofindameal.Ifhewasgoingtogetanyofthemasfarasthedown,theywouldhavetobeurged.He
satquietforalittle,nibblingapatchofbranspilledontheboardsoutsidethehutch.Thenhesaid,
"Imustgobacknowtomyfriendsinthehills:butweshallreturn.Weshallcomeonenight,andwhenwedo,believeme,weshallopenyourhutchaseasilyasthefarmerdoes:andthen,anyofyouwhowishwillbefreetocomewithus."
BoxwoodwasabouttoreplywhensuddenlyPipkinspokefromthefloor."Hazel,there'sacatintheyardoutside!"
"We'renotafraidofcats,"saidHazeltoBoxwood,"aslongaswe'reintheopen."Tryingtoappearunhurried,hewentbacktothefloorbywayofthestrawbaleandcrossedovertothedoor.Pipkinwaslookingthrough
thehinge.Hewasplainlyfrightened.
"Ithinkit'ssmelledus,Hazel,"hesaid."I'mafraiditknowswhereweare."
"Don'tstaythere,then,"saidHazel."FollowmecloseandrunwhenIdo."Withoutwaitingtolookoutthroughthehinge,hewentroundthehalf-opendooroftheshedandstoppedonthethreshold.
Thecat,atabbywithwhitechestandpaws,wasatthefurtherendofthelittleyard,walkingslowlyanddeliberatelyalongthesideofapileoflogs.WhenHazelappearedinthedoorwayitsawhimatonceandstoodstockstill,withstaringeyesandtwitchingtail.Hazelhoppedslowlyacrossthethresholdandstoppedagain.Alreadysunlightwasslantingacrosstheyard,andinthe
stillnessthefliesbuzzedaboutapatchofdungafewfeetaway.Therewasasmellofstrawanddustandhawthorn.
"Youlookhungry,"saidHazeltothecat."Ratsgettingtooclever,Isuppose?"
Thecatmadenoreply.Hazelsatblinkinginthesunshine.Thecatcrouchedalmostflatontheground,
thrustingitsheadforwardbetweenitsfrontpaws.Closebehind,PipkinfidgetedandHazel,nevertakinghiseyesfromthecat,couldsensethathewastrembling.
"Don'tbefrightened,Hlao-roo,"hewhispered,"I'llgetyouaway,butyoumustwaittillitcomesforus.Keepstill."
Thecatbegantolashits
tail.Itshindquartersliftedandwaggedfromsidetosideinmountingexcitement.
"Canyourun?"saidHazel."Ithinknot.Why,youpop-eyed,back-doorsaucer-scraper--"
Thecatflungitselfacrosstheyardandthetworabbitsleapedintoflightwithgreatthrustsoftheirhindlegs.Thecatcameveryfastindeedand
althoughbothofthemhadbeenbracedreadytomoveontheinstant,theywerebarelyoutoftheyardintime.Racingupthesideofthelongbarn,theyheardtheLabradorbarkinginexcitementasitrantothefullextentofitsrope.Aman'svoiceshoutedtoit.Fromthecoverofthehedgebesidethelanetheyturnedandlookedback.Thecathadstoppedshortandwaslickingonepawwitha
pretenseofnonchalance.
"Theyhatetolooksilly,"saidHazel."Itwon'tgiveusanymoretrouble.Ifithadn'tchargedatuslikethat,itwouldhavefollowedusmuchfurtherandprobablycalledupanotheraswell.Andsomehowyoucan'tmakeadashunlesstheydoitfirst.It'sagoodthingyousawitcoming,Hlao-roo."
"I'mgladifIhelped,Hazel.Butwhatwereweupto,andwhydidyoutalktotherabbitsinthebox?"
"I'lltellyouallaboutitlateron.Let'sgointothefieldnowandfeed;thenwecanmakeourwayhomeasslowlyasyoulike."
25.TheRaid
Hewentconsenting,orelse
hewasnoking....Itwasnoone'splacetosaytohim,"Itistimetomaketheoffering."
MaryRenault,TheKingMustDie
Asthingsturnedout,HazelandPipkindidnotcomebacktotheHoneycombuntiltheevening.Theywerestillfeedinginthefieldwhenitcameontorain,withacoldwind,andtheytookshelter
firstinthenearbyditchandthen--sincetheditchwasonaslopeandhadafairflowofrainwaterinabouttenminutes--amongsomeshedshalfwaydownthelane.Theyburrowedintoathickpileofstrawandforsometimeremainedlisteningforrats.Butallwasquietandtheygrewdrowsyandfellasleep,whileoutsidetherainsettledinforthemorning.Whentheywokeitwasmid-
afternoonandstilldrizzling.ItseemedtoHazelthattherewasnoparticularhurry.Thegoingwouldbetroublesomeinthewet,andanywaynoself-respectingrabbitcouldleavewithoutaforageroundthesheds.Apileofmangelsandswedesoccupiedthemforsometimeandtheysetoutonlywhenthelightwasbeginningtofade.Theytooktheirtimeandreachedthehangeralittlebeforedark,
withnothingworsetotroublethemthanthediscomfortofsoaking-wetfur.Onlytwoorthreeoftherabbitswereouttoarathersubduedsilflayinthewet.NooneremarkedontheirabsenceandHazelwentundergroundatonce,tellingPipkintosaynothingabouttheiradventureforthetimebeing.Hefoundhisburrowempty,laydownandfellasleep.
Waking,hefoundFiverbesidehimasusual.Itwassometimebeforedawn.TheearthfloorfeltpleasantlydryandsnugandhewasabouttogobacktosleepwhenFiverspoke.
"You'vebeenwetthrough,Hazel."
"Well,whataboutit?Thegrassiswet,youknow."
"Youdidn'tgetsowetonsilflay.Youweresoaked.Youweren'thereatallyesterday,wereyou?"
"Oh,Iwentforagingdownthehill."
"Eatingswedes:andyourfeetsmelloffarmyard--hens'droppingsandbran.Butthere'ssomeotherfunnythingbesides--somethingIcan'tsmell.Whathappened?"
"Well,Ihadabitofabrushwithacat,butwhyworry?"
"Becauseyou'reconcealingsomething,Hazel.Somethingdangerous."
"It'sHollythat'sindanger,notI.Whybotheraboutme?"
"Holly?"repliedFiverinsurprise."ButHollyandtheothersreachedthebigwarren
earlyyesterdayevening.Kehaartoldus.Doyoumeantosayyoudidn'tknow?"
Hazelfeltfairlycaughtout."Well,Iknownow,"hereplied."I'mgladtohearit."
"Soitcomestothis,"saidFiver."Youwenttoafarmyesterdayandescapedfromacat.Andwhateveryouwereupto,itwassomuchonyourmindthatyouforgottoask
aboutHollylastnight."
"Well,allright,Fiver--I'lltellyouallaboutit.ItookPipkinandwenttothatfarmthatKehaartoldusaboutwheretherearerabbitsinahutch.IfoundtherabbitsandtalkedtothemandI'vetakenanotiontogobackonenightandgetthemout,tocomeandjoinushere."
"Whatfor?"
"Well,twoofthemaredoes,that'swhatfor."
"ButifHolly'ssuccessfulweshallsoonhaveplentyofdoes:andfromallI'veeverheardofhutchrabbits,theydon'ttakeeasilytowildlife.Thetruthis,you'rejustasillyshow-off."
"Asillyshow-off?"saidHazel."Well,we'lljustseewhetherBigwigand
Blackberrythinkso."
"Riskingyourlifeandotherrabbits'livesforsomethingthat'soflittleornovaluetous,"saidFiver."Oh,yes,ofcoursetheotherswillgowithyou.You'retheirChiefRabbit.You'resupposedtodecidewhat'ssensibleandtheytrustyou.Persuadingthemwillprovenothing,butthreeorfourdeadrabbitswillproveyou're
afool,whenit'stoolate."
"Oh,bequiet,"answeredHazel."I'mgoingtosleep."
Duringsilflaynextmorning,withPipkinforarespectfulchorus,hetoldtheothersabouthisvisittothefarm.Ashehadexpected,Bigwigjumpedattheideaofaraidtofreethehutchrabbits.
"Itcan'tgowrong,"hesaid."It'sasplendididea,Hazel!Idon'tknowhowyouopenahutch,butBlackberrywillseetothat.Whatannoysmeistothinkyouranfromthatcat.Agoodrabbit'samatchforacat,anyday.Mymotherwentforoneonceandshefairlygaveitsomethingtoremember,Icantellyou:scratcheditsfuroutlikewillowherbinautumn!Justleavethefarmcatstomeand
oneortwooftheothers!"
Blackberrytookalittlemoreconvincing:buthe,likeBigwigandHazelhimself,wassecretlydisappointednotto
havegoneontheexpeditionwithHolly:andwhentheothertwopointedoutthattheywererelyingonhimtotellthemhowtogetthehutchopen,heagreedto
come.
"Doweneedtotakeeveryone?"heasked."Yousaythedog'stiedupandIsupposetherecan'tbemorethanthreecats.Toomanyrabbitswillonlybeanuisanceinthedark:someonewillgetlostandweshallhavetospendtimelookingforhim."
"Well,Dandelion,
SpeedwellandHawkbit,then,"saidBigwig,"andleavetheothersbehind.Doyoumeantogotonight,Hazel-rah?"
"Yes,thesoonerthebetter,"saidHazel."Getholdofthosethreeandtellthem.Pityit'sgoingtobedark--wecouldhavetakenKehaar:he'dhaveenjoyedit."
However,theirhopesfor
thatnightweredisappointed,fortherainreturnedbeforedusk,settlinginonanorthwestwindandcarryingupthehillthesweet-soursmelloffloweringprivetfromcottagehedgesbelow.Hazelsatonthebankuntilthelighthadquitefaded.Atlast,whenitwasclearthattherainwasgoingtostayforthenight,hejoinedtheothersintheHoneycomb.TheyhadpersuadedKehaartocome
downoutofthewindandwet,andoneofDandelion'stalesofEl-ahrairahwasfollowedbyanextraordinarystorythatlefteveryonemystifiedbutfascinated,aboutatimewhenFrithhadtogoawayonajourney,leavingthewholeworldtobecoveredwithrain.ButamanbuiltagreatfloatinghutchthatheldalltheanimalsandbirdsuntilFrithreturnedandletthemout.
"Itwon'thappentonight,willit,Hazel-rah?"askedPipkin,listeningtotheraininthebeechleavesoutside."There'snohutchhere."
"Kehaar'llflyyouuptothemoon,Hlao-roo,"saidBluebell,"andyoucancomedownonBigwig'sheadlikeabirchbranchinthefrost.Butthere'stimetogotosleepfirst."
BeforeFiverslept,however,hetalkedagaintoHazelabouttheraid.
"Isupposeit'snogoodaskingyounottogo?"hesaid.
"Lookhere,"answeredHazel,"haveyougotoneofyourbadturnsaboutthefarm?Ifyouhave,whynotsaysostraightout?Thenwe'dallknowwherewewere."
"I'venofeelingsaboutthefarmonewayortheother,"saidFiver."Butthatdoesn'tnecessarilymeanit'sallright.Thefeelingscomewhentheywill--theydon'talwayscome.Notforthelendri,notforthecrow.Ifitcomestothat,I'venoideawhat'shappeningtoHollyandtheothers.Itmightbegoodorbad.Butthere'ssomethingthatfrightensmeaboutyouyourself,Hazel:justyou,notanyofthe
others.You'reallalone,sharpandclear,likeadeadbranchagainstthesky."
"Well,ifyoumeanyoucanseetroubleformeandnotforanyoftheothers,tellthemandI'llleaveittothemtodecidewhetherIoughttokeepoutofit.Butthat'sgivingupalot,Fiver,youknow.Evenwithyourwordforit,someone'sboundtothinkI'mafraid."
"Well,Isayit'snotworththerisk,Hazel.WhynotwaitforHollytocomeback?That'sallwehavetodo."
"I'llbesnaredifIwaitforHolly.Can'tyouseethattheverythingIwantistohavethesedoesherewhenhecomesback?Butlook,Fiver,I'lltellyouwhat.I'vecometotrustyousomuchthatI'lltakethegreatestcare.Infact,Iwon'tevengointothe
farmyardmyself.I'llstayoutside,atthetopofthelane:andifthat'snotmeetingyourfearshalfway,thenIdon'tknowwhatis."
FiversaidnomoreandHazelturnedhisthoughtstotheraidandthedifficultyheforesawofgettingthehutchrabbitstogothedistancebacktothewarren.
Thenextdaywasbright
anddry,withafreshwindthatclearedupwhatremainedofthewet.ThecloudscameracingovertheridgefromthesouthastheyhadontheMayeveningwhenHazelfirstclimbedthedown.Butnowtheywerehigherandsmaller,settlingatlastintoamackerelskylikeabeachatlowtide.HazeltookBigwigandBlackberrytotheedgeoftheescarpment,whencetheycouldlookacrossto
Nuthangeronitslittlehill.Hedescribedtheapproachandwentontoexplainhowtherabbithutchwastobefound.Bigwigwasinhighspirits.ThewindandtheprospectofactionexcitedhimandhespentsometimewithDandelion,HawkbitandSpeedwell,pretendingtobeacatandencouragingthemtoattackhimasrealisticallyastheycould.Hazel,whosetalkwithFiverhadsomewhat
cloudedhim,recoveredashewatchedthemtusslingoverthegrassandendedbyjoininginhimself,firstasanattackerandthenasthecat,staringandquiveringforalltheworldliketheNuthangertabby.
"Ishallbedisappointedifwedon'tmeetacatafterallthis,"saidDandelion,ashewaitedforhisturntorunatafallenbeechbranchfromone
side,clawittwiceanddashoutagain."Ifeelareallydangerousanimal."
"Youvatchheem,MeesterDando,"saidKehaar,whowashuntingforsnailsinthegrassnearby,"MeesterPigvig,'evantyout'inkallvunpeegyoke;makeyouprave.Cat'enoyoke.Younosee'im,youno'ear'im.Denyomp!'Ecome."
"Butwe'renotgoingtheretoeat,Kehaar,"saidBigwig."Thatmakesallthedifference.Weshan'tstopwatchingforcatsthewholetime."
"Whynoteatthecat?"saidBluebell."Orbringonebackhereforbreeding?Thatoughttoimprovethewarrenstocknoend."
HazelandBigwighad
decidedthattheraidshouldbecarriedoutassoonafterdarkasthefarmwasquiet.Thismeantthattheywouldcoverthehalfmiletotheoutlyingshedsatsunset,insteadofriskingtheconfusionofanightjourneyovergroundthatonlyHazelknew.Theycouldstealamealamongtheswedes,halttilldarknessandcovertheshortdistancetothefarmafteragoodrest.Then--
providedtheycouldcopewiththecats--therewouldbeplentyoftimetotacklethehutch;whereasiftheyweretoarriveatdawntheywouldbeworkingagainsttimebeforemencameonthescene.Finally,thehutchrabbitswouldnotbemisseduntilthefollowingmorning.
"Andremember,"saidHazel,"it'llprobablytaketheserabbitsalongtimeto
gettothedown.Weshallhavetobepatientwiththem.I'dratherdothatindarkness,elilornoelil.Wedon'twanttobemessingaboutinbroaddaylight."
"Ifitcomestotheworst,"saidBigwig,"wecanleavethehutchrabbitsandbolt.Eliltakethehindmost,don'tthey?Iknowit'stough,butifthere'srealtroubleweoughttosaveourownrabbitsfirst.
Let'shopethatdoesn'thappen,though."
Whentheycametosetout,Fiverwasnowheretobeseen.Hazelfeltrelieved,forhehadbeenafraidthatFivermightsaysomethingthatwouldlowertheirspirits.ButtherewasnothingworsetocontendwiththanPipkin'sdisappointmentatbeingleftbehind;andthiswasdispelledwhenHazelassuredhimthat
theonlyreasonwasthathehadalreadydonehisbit.Bluebell,AcornandPipkincamewiththemtothefootofthehillandwatchedthemdownthehedgerow.
TheyreachedtheshedsinthetwilightaftersunsetThesummernightfallwasunbrokenbyowlsandsoquietthattheycouldplainlyheartheintermittent,monotonous"Chugchug
chug"ofanightingaleinthedistantwoods.Tworatsamongtheswedesshowedtheirteeth,thoughtbetterofitandleftthemalone.Whentheyhadforaged,theyrestedcomfortablyinthestrawuntilthewesternlightwasquitegone.
Rabbitsdonotnamethestars,butneverthelessHazelwasfamiliarwiththesightofCapellarising;andhe
watcheditnowuntilitstoodgoldandbrightinthedarknortheasternhorizontotherightofthefarm.Whenitreachedacertainpointwhichhehadfixed,besideabarebranch,herousedtheothersandledthemuptheslopetowardtheelms.Nearthetopheslippedthroughthehedgeandbroughtthemdownintothelane.
Hazelhadalreadytold
BigwigofhispromisetoFivertokeepoutofdanger;andBigwig,whohadchangedmuchsincetheearlydays,hadnofaulttofind.
"Ifthat'swhatFiversays,you'dbetterdoit,Hazel,"hesaid."Anyhowit'llsuitus.Youstayoutsidethefarminasafeplaceandwe'llbringtherabbitsouttoyou:thenyoucantakeoverandgetusallaway."WhatHazelhadnot
saidwasthattheideathatheshouldremaininthelanewashisownsuggestion,andthatFiverhadacquiescedonlybecausehecouldnotpersuadehimtogiveuptheideaoftheraidaltogether.
Crouchingunderafallenbranchonthevergeofthelane,HazelwatchedtheothersastheyfollowedBigwigdowntowardthefarmyard.Theywentslowly,
rabbitfashion,hop,stepandpause.Thenightwasdarkandtheyweresoonoutofsight,thoughhecouldhearthemmovingdownthesideofthelongbarn.Hesettleddowntowait.
Bigwig'shopesofactionwerefulfilledalmostatonce.ThecatthathemetashereachedthefarendofthebarnwasnotHazel'stabby,butanother;ginger,blackand
white(andthereforeafemale);oneofthoseslim,trotting,quick-moving,tail-twitchingcatsthatsitonfarmwindowsillsintherainorkeepwatchfromthetopsofsacksonsunnyafternoons.Itcamebrisklyroundthecornerofthebarn,sawtherabbitsandstoppeddead.
Withoutaninstant'shesitationBigwigwentstraightforit,asthoughithad
beenthebeechbranchonthedown.ButquickereventhanheDandelionranforward,scratcheditandleapedclear.Asitturned,Bigwigthrewhisfullweightuponitfromtheotherside.Thecatclosedwithhim,bitingandscratching,andBigwigrolledoverontheground.Theotherscouldhearhimswearinglikeacathimselfandstrugglingforahold.Thenhesankonebackleg
intothecat'ssideandkickedbackwardrapidly,severaltimes.
Anyonewhoisfamiliarwithcatsknowsthattheydonotcareforadeterminedassailant.Adogthattriestomakeitselfpleasanttoacatmayverywellgetscratchedforitspains.Butletthatsamedogrushintotheattackandmanyacatwillnotwaittomeetit.Thefarmcatwas
bewilderedbythespeedandfuryofBigwig'scharge.Itwasnoweaklingandagoodratter,butithadthebadlucktobeupagainstadedicatedfighterwhowasspoilingforaction.AsitscrabbledoutofBigwig'sreach,Speedwellcuffeditacrosstheface.Thiswasthelastblowstruck,forthewoundedcatmadeoffacrosstheyardanddisappearedunderthefenceofthecowbyre.
Bigwigwasbleedingfromthreedeep,parallelscratchesontheinsideofonehindleg.Theothersgatheredround,praisinghim,buthecutthemshort,lookingroundthedarkyardashetriedtogethisbearings.
"Comeon,"hesaid."Quickly,too,whilethedog'sstillquiet.Theshed:thehutch--wheredowego?"
ItwasHawkbitwhofoundthelittleyard.Hazelhadbeenanxiousincasethesheddoormightbeshut;butitstoodjustajarandthefiveofthemslippedinoneaftertheother.Inthethickgloomtheycouldnotmakeoutthehutch,buttheycouldbothsmellandheartherabbits.
"Blackberry,"saidBigwigquickly,"youcomewithmeandgetthehutchopen.You
otherthree,keepwatching.
Ifanothercatcomes,you'llhavetotakeitonyourselves."
"Fine,"saidDandelion."Justleaveittous."
BigwigandBlackberryfoundthestrawbaleandclimbedontheplanks.Astheydidso,Boxwoodspokefromthehutch.
"Who'sthat?Hazel-rah,haveyoucomeback?"
"Hazel-rahhassentus,"answeredBlackberry."We'vecometoletyouout.Willyoucomewithus?"
TherewasapauseandsomemovementinthehayandthenCloverreplied,"Yes,letusout."
Blackberrysniffedhisway
roundtothewiredoorandsatup,nosingovertheframe,thehaspandthestaple.Ittookhimsometimetorealizethattheleatherhingesweresoftenoughtobite.Thenhefoundthattheylaysosmoothandflushwiththeframethathecouldnotgethisteethtothem.Severaltimeshetriedtofindagripandatlastsatbackonhishaunches,ataloss.
"Idon't-thinkthisdoor'sgoingtobeanygood,"hesaid."Iwonderwhetherthere'ssomeotherway?"
AtthatmomentithappenedthatBoxwoodstoodonhishindlegsandputhisfrontpawshighonthewire.Beneathhisweightthetopofthedoorwaspressedslightlyoutwardandtheupperofthetwoleatherhingesgaveslightlywhere
theouternailheldittothebodyofthehutchitself.AsBoxwooddroppedbackonallfours,Blackberrysawthatthehingehadbuckledandrisenjustclearofthewood.
"Tryitnow,"hesaidtoBigwig.
Bigwiggothisteethtothehingeandpulled.Ittoreaverylittle.
"ByFrith,that'lldo,"saidBlackberry,foralltheworldliketheDukeofWellingtonatSalamanca."Wejustneedtime,that'sall."
Thehingehadbeenwellmadeanddidnotgivewayuntiltheyhadputittoagreatdealmoretuggingandbiting.Dandeliongrewnervousandtwicegaveafalsealarm.Bigwig,realizingthatthesentrieswereonthejump
fromwatchingandwaitingwithnothingtodo,changedplaceswithhimandsentSpeedwelluptotakeoverfromBlackberry.WhenatlastDandelionandSpeedwellhadpulledtheleatherstripoffthenail,Bigwigcamebacktothehutchhimself.Buttheydidnotseemmuchnearertosuccess.Wheneveroneoftherabbitsinsidestoodupandresteditsforepawsontheupperpartofthewire,the
doorpivotedlightlyontheaxisofthestapleandthelowerhinge.Butthelowerhingedidnottear.Blowingthroughhiswhiskerswithimpatience,BigwigbroughtBlackberrybackfromthethreshold."What'stobedone?"hesaid."Weneedsomemagic,likethatlumpofwoodyoushovedintotheriver."
Blackberrylookedatthe
doorasBoxwood,inside,pusheditagain.Theuprightoftheframepressedtightagainstthelowerstripofleather,butitheldsmoothandfirm,offeringnopurchaseforteeth.
"Pushittheotherway--pushfromthisside,"hesaid,"Youpush,Bigwig.Tellthatrabbitinsidetogetdown."WhenBigwigstoodupandpushedthetopofthedoor
inward,theframeimmediatelypivotedmuchfurtherthanbefore,becausetherewasnosillalongthebottomoftheoutersidetostopit.TheleatherhingetwistedandBigwignearlylosthisbalance.Ifithadnotbeenforthemetalstaplearrestingthepivoting,hemightactuallyhavefalleninsidethehutch.Startled,hejumpedback,growling.
"Well,yousaidmagic,didn'tyou?"saidBlackberrywithsatisfaction."Doitagain."
Nostripofleatherheldbyonlyonebroad-headednailateachendcanstandupforlongtorepeatedtwisting.Soononeofthenailheadswasalmostoutofsightunderthefrayededges.
"Carefulnow,"said
Blackberry."Ifitgiveswaysuddenly,you'llgoflying.Justpullitoffwithyourteeth."
Twominuteslaterthedoorhungsaggingonthestaplealone.Cloverpushedthehingesideopenandcameout,
followedbyBoxwood.
Whenseveralcreatures--
menoranimals--haveworkedtogethertoovercomesomethingofferingresistanceandhaveatlastsucceeded,therefollowsoftenapause--asthoughtheyfelttheproprietyofpayingrespecttotheadversarywhohasputupsogoodafight.Thegreattreefalls,splitting,cracking,rushingdowninleavestothefinal,shudderingblowalongtheground.Thentheforestersaresilent,anddonotatonce
sitdown.Afterhours,thedeepsnowdrifthasbeenclearedandthelorryisreadytotakethemenhomeoutofthecold.Buttheystandawhile,leaningontheirspadesandonlynoddingunsmilinglyasthecar-driversgothrough,wavingtheirthanks.Thecunninghutchdoorhadbecomenothingbutapieceofwirenetting,tackedtoaframemadefromfourstripsofhalf-by-half;andthe
rabbitssatontheplanks,sniffingandnosingitwithouttalking.Afteralittlewhiletheothertwooccupantsofthehutch,LaurelandHaystack,camehesitantlyoutandlookedaboutthem.
"WhereisHazel-rah?"askedLaurel.
"Notfaraway,"saidBlackberry."He'swaitinginthelane."
"Whatisthelane?"
"Thelane?"saidBlackberryinsurprise."Surely--"
Hestoppedasitcameoverhimthattheserabbitsknewneitherlanenorfarmyard.Theyhadnottheleastideaoftheirmostimmediatesurroundings.HewasreflectingonwhatthismeantwhenBigwigspoke.
"Wemustn'twaitaboutnow,"hesaid."Followme,allofyou."
"Butwhere?"saidBoxwood.
"Well,outofhere,ofcourse,"saidBigwigimpatiently.Boxwoodlookedabouthim."Idon'tknow--"hebegan.
"Well,Ido,"saidBigwig.
"Justcomewithus.Nevermindanythingelse."
Thehutchrabbitslookedateachotherinbewilderment.Itwasplainthattheywereafraidofthegreat,bristlingbuck,withhisstrangeshockoffurandhissmelloffreshblood.Theydidnotknowwhattodoorunderstandwhatwasexpectedofthem.TheyrememberedHazel;theyhadbeenexcitedbythe
forcingofthedoorandcurioustocomethroughitonceitwasopen.Otherwise,theyhadnopurposewhateverandnomeansofformingone.Theyhadnomoreideaofwhatwasinvolvedthanasmallchildwhosayshewillaccompanytheclimbersupthefell.
Blackberry'sheartsank.Whatwastobedonewiththem?Lefttothemselves,
theywouldhopslowlyabouttheshedandtheyarduntilthecatsgotthem.Oftheirownaccordtheycouldnomoreruntothehillsthanflytothemoon.Wastherenosimple,plainideathatmightgetthem--orsomeofthem--onthemove?HeturnedtoClover.
"Idon'tsupposeyou'veevereatengrassbynight,"hesaid."Ittastesmuchbetter
thanbyday.Let'sallgoandhavesome,shallwe?"
"Oh,yes,"saidClover,"I'dlikethat.Butwillitbesafe?We'reallverymuchafraidofthecats,youknow.Theycomeandstareatussometimesthroughthewireanditmakesusshiver."
Thisshowedatleastthebeginningsofsense,thoughtBlackberry.
"Thebigrabbitisamatchforanycat,"hereplied."Henearlykilledoneonthewayheretonight."
"Andhedoesn'twanttofightanotherifhecanhelpit"saidBigwigbriskly."Soifyoudowanttoeatgrassbymoonlight,let'sgotowhereHazel-rah'swaitingforus."
AsBigwigledthewayintotheyard,hecouldmakeout
theshapeofthecatthathehadbeaten,watchingfromthewoodpile.Cat-like,itwasfascinatedbytherabbitsandcouldnotleavethemalone,butitevidentlyhadnostomachforanotherfightandastheycrossedtheyarditstayedwhereitwas.
Thepacewasfrighteninglyslow.BoxwoodandCloverseemedtohavegraspedthattherewassomesortof
urgencyandwereclearlydoingtheirbesttokeepup,but,theothertworabbits,oncetheyhadhoppedintotheyard,satupandlookedabouttheminafoolishmanner,completelyataloss.Afteragooddealofdelay,duringwhichthecatleftthewoodpileandbegantomovestealthilyroundtowardthesideoftheshed,Blackberrymanagedtogetthemoutintothefarmyard.Buthere,
findingthemselvesinanevenmoreopenplace,theysettledintoakindofstaticpanic,likethatwhichsometimescomesuponinexperiencedclimbersexposedonasheerface.Theycouldnotmove,butsatblinkingandstaringabouttheminthedarkness,takingnonoticeofBlackberry'scoaxingorBigwig'sorders.Atthismomentasecondcat--Hazel'stabby--cameroundthefurther
endofthefarmhouseandmadetowardthem.AsitpassedthekenneltheLabradorwokeandsatup,thrustingoutitsheadandshouldersandlookingfirsttoonesideandthentheother.Itsawtherabbits,rantothelengthofitsropeandbegantobark.
"Comeon!"saidBigwig."Wecan'tstayhere.Upthelane,everybody,andquickly,
too."Blackberry,SpeedwellandHawkbitranatonce,takingBoxwoodandCloverwiththemintothedarknessunderthebarn.DandelionremainedbesideHaystack,begginghertomoveandexpectingeverymomenttofeelthecat'sclawsinhisback.Bigwigleapedacrosstohim.
"Dandelion,"hesaidinhisear,"getoutofit,unlessyou
wanttobekilled!"
"Butthe--"beganDandelion.
"DoasIsay!"saidBigwig.Thenoiseofbarkingwasfearfulandhehimselfwasclosetopanic.Dandelionhesitatedamomentlonger.ThenheleftHaystackandshotupthelane,withBigwigbesidehim.
TheyfoundtheothersgatheredroundHazel,underthebank.BoxwoodandCloverweretremblingandseemed
exhausted.Hazelwastalkingtothemreassuringly,butbrokeoffasBigwigappearedoutofthedark.Thedogstoppedbarkingandtherewasquiet.
"We'reallhere,"said
Bigwig."Shallwego,Hazel?"
"Buttherewerefourhutchrabbits,"saidHazel."Wherearetheothertwo?"
"Inthefarmyard,"saidBlackberry."Wecouldn'tdoanythingwiththem:andthenthedogbegantobark."
"Yes,Iheardit.Youmeanthey'reloose?"
"They'llbealotloosersoon,"saidBigwigangrily."Thecatsarethere."
"Whydidyouleavethem,then?"
"Becausetheywouldn'tmove.Itwasbadenoughbeforethedogstarted."
"Isthedogtied?"askedHazel.
"Yes,it'stied.Butdoyouexpectanyrabbittostandhisgroundafewfeetfromanangrydog?"
"No,ofcoursenot,"repliedHazel."You'vedonewonders,Bigwig.Theywerejusttellingme,beforeyoucame,thatyougaveoneofthecatssuchabeatingthatitwasafraidtocomebackformore.Nowlook,doyouthinkyouandBlackberry,with
SpeedwellhereandHawkbit,cangetthesetworabbitsbacktothewarren?I'mafraidyoumayneedmostofthenight.Theycan'tgoveryfastandyou'llhavetobepatientwiththem.Dandelion,youcomewithme,willyou?"
"Where,Hazel-rah?"
"Tofetchtheothertwo,"saidHazel."You'rethefastest,soitwon'tbeso
dangerousforyou,willit?Now,don'thangabout,Bigwig,there'sagoodfellow.I'llseeyoutomorrow."
BeforeBigwigcouldreplyhehaddisappearedundertheelms.Dandelionremainedwherehewas,lookingatBigwiguncertainly.
"Areyougoingtodowhathesays?"askedBigwig.
"Well,areyou?"saidDandelion.
IttookBigwignomorethanamomenttorealizethatifhesaidhewasnot,completedisorganizationwouldfollow.Hecouldnottakealltheothersbackintothefarm,andhecouldnotleavethemalone.HemutteredsomethingaboutHazelbeingtooembleercleverbyhalf,cuffed
Hawkbitoffasowthistlehewasnibblingandledhisfiverabbitsoverthebankintothefield.Dandelion,leftalone,setoffafterHazelintothefarmyard.
Ashewentdownthesideofthebarn,hecouldhearHazeloutintheopen,nearthedoeHaystack.NeitherofthehutchrabbitshadmovedfromwhereheandBigwighadleftthem.Thedoghad
returnedtoitskennel;butalthoughitwasnottobeseen,hefeltthatitwasawakeandwatchful.HecamecautiouslyoutoftheshadowandapproachedHazel.
"I'mjusthavingachatwithHaystackhere,"saidHazel."I'vebeenexplainingthatwe'vegotalittlewaytogo.DoyouthinkyoucouldhopacrosstoLaurelandgethimtojoinus?"
Hespokealmostgaily,butDandelioncouldseehisdilatedeyesandtheslighttremblingofhisfrontpaws.Hehimselfwasnowsensingsomethingpeculiar--akindofluminosity--intheair.Thereseemedtobeacuriousvibrationsomewhereinthedistance.Helookedroundforthecatsandsawthat,ashefeared,bothwerecrouchinginfrontofthefarmhousealittlewayoff.Their
reluctancetocomeclosercouldbeattributedtoBigwig:buttheywouldnotgoaway.Lookingacrosstheyardatthem,Dandelionfeltasuddenclutchofhorror.
"Hazel!"hewhispered."Thecats!DearFrith,whyaretheireyesglitteringgreenlikethat?Look!"
HazelsatupquicklyandashedidsoDandelionleaped
backinrealterror,forHazel'seyeswereshiningadeep,glowingredinthedark.Atthatmomentthehummingvibrationgrewlouder,quenchingtherushingofthenightbreezeintheelms.Thenallfourrabbitssatasthoughtransfixedbythesudden,blindinglightthatpouredoverthemlikeacloudburst.Theirveryinstinctwasnumbedinthisterribleglare.Thedogbarked
andthenbecamesilentoncemore.Dandeliontriedtomove,butcouldnot.Theawfulbrightnessseemedtocutintohisbrain.
Thecar,whichhaddrivenupthelaneandoverthebrowundertheelms,cameonafewmoreyardsandstopped.
"Lucy'srabbitsisout,look!"
"Ah!Bestget'uninquick.Leaveloightson!"
Thesoundofmen'svoices,fromsomewherebeyondthefiercelight,broughtHazeltohissenses.Hecouldnotsee,butnothing,herealized,hadhappenedtohishearingorhisnose.Heshuthiseyesandatonceknewwherehewas.
"Dandelion!Haystack!Shutyoureyesandrun,"he
said.Amomentlaterhesmelledthelichenandcoolmoistureofoneofthestaddlestones.Hewasunderthebarn.DandelionwasnearhimandalittlefurtherawaywasHaystack.Outside,themen'sbootsscrapedandgratedoverthestones.
"That'sit!Getroundbe'ind'un."
"'Ewon'tgofar!"
"Pick'nup,then!"
HazelmovedacrosstoHaystack."I'mafraidwe'llhavetoleaveLaurel,"hesaid."Justfollowme."
Keepingundertheraisedfloorofthebarn,theyallthreescuttledbacktowardtheelmtrees.Themen'svoiceswereleftbehind.Comingoutintothegrassnearthelane,theyfoundthedarkness
behindtheheadlightsfullofthefumesofexhaust--ahostile,chokingsmellthataddedtotheirconfusion.Haystacksatdownoncemoreandcouldnotbepersuadedtomove.
"Shouldn'tweleaveher,Hazel-rah?"askedDandelion."Afterall,themenwon'thurther--they'vecaughtLaurelandtakenhimbacktothehutch."
"Ifitwasabuck,I'dsayyes,"saidHazel."Butweneedthisdoe.That'swhatwecamefor."
Atthismomenttheycaughtthesmellofburningwhitesticksandheardthemenreturningupthefarmyard.Therewasametallicbumpingastheyrummagedinthecar.ThesoundseemedtorouseHaystack.Shelookedround
atDandelion.
"Idon'twanttogobacktothehutch,"shesaid.
"You'resure?"askedDandelion.
"Yes.I'llgowithyou."
Dandelionimmediatelyturnedforthehedgerow.Itwasonlywhenhehadcrosseditandreachedthe
ditchbeyondthatherealizedthathewasontheoppositesideofthelanefromthatonwhichtheyhadfirstapproached.Hewasinastrangeditch.However,thereseemedtobenothingtoworryabout--theditchleddowntheslopeandthatwasthewayhome.Hemovedslowlyalongit,waitingforHazeltojointhem.
Hazelhadcrossedthelane
afewmomentsafterDandelionandHaystack.Behindhim,heheardthemenmovingawayfromthehrududu.Ashetoppedthebank,thebeamofatorchshoneupthelaneandpickedouthisredeyesandwhitetaildisappearingintothehedge.
"There'sol'woildrabbit,look!"
"Ah!Reckonrestofours
ain'ts'faroff.Gotuptherewith'un,see?Bestgo'n'avealook."
Intheditch,HazelovertookHaystackandDandelionunderaclumpofbrambles.
"Getonquicklyifyoucan,"hesaidtoHaystack."Themenarejustbehind."
"Wecan'tgeton,Hazel,"
saidDandelion,"withoutleavingtheditch.It'sblocked."
Hazelsniffedahead.Immediatelybeyondthebrambles,theditchwasclosedbyapileofearth,weedsandrubbish.Theywouldhavetocomeintotheopen.Alreadythemenwereoverthebankandthetorchlightwasflickeringupanddownthehedgerowand
throughthebramblesabovetheirveryheads.Then,onlyafewyardsaway,footfallsvibratedalongtheedgeoftheditch.HazelturnedtoDandelion.
"Listen,"hesaid,"I'mgoingtorunacrossthecornerofthefield,fromthisditchtotheotherone,sothattheyseeme.They'lltrytoshinethatlightonmeforsure.Whilethey'redoingthat,youand
Haystackclimbthebank,getintothelaneandrundowntotheswedeshed.YoucanhidethereandI'lljoinyou.Ready?"
Therewasnotimetoargue.AmomentlaterHazelbrokealmostunderthemen'sfeetandranacrossthefield.
"There'egoes!"
"Keeptorchon'un,then.
Noiceandsteady!"
DandelionandHaystackscrambledoverthebankanddroppedintothelane.Hazel,withthetorchbeambehindhim,hadalmostreachedtheotherditchwhenhefeltasharpblowononeofhishindlegsandahot,stingingpainalonghisside.Thereportofthecartridgesoundedaninstantlater.Ashesomersaultedintoaclumpof
nettlesintheditchbottom,herememberedvividlythescentofbeanflowersatsunset.Hehadnotknownthatthemenhadagun.
Hazelcrawledthroughthenettles,dragginghisinjuredleg.Inafewmomentsthemenwouldshinetheirtorchonhimandpickhimup.Hestumbledalongtheinnerwalloftheditch,feelingthebloodflowingoverhisfoot.
Suddenlyhewasawareofadraftagainstonesideofhisnose,asmellofdamp,rottenmatterandahollow,echoingsoundathisveryear.Hewasbesidethemouthofalanddrainwhichemptiedintotheditch--asmooth,coldtunnel,narrowerthanarabbithole,butwideenough.Withflattenedearsandbellypressedtothewetfloorhecrawledupit,pushingalittlepileofthinmudinfrontof
him,andlaystillashefeltthethudofbootscomingnearer.
"Idon'roightlyknow,John,whetheryou'it'eernot."
"Ah,I'it'unallroight.That'sblooddownthere,see?"
"Ah,well,butthatdon'tsignify.'Emightbealongwaysoffbynow.Ireckon
you'velost'e."
"Ireckon'e'sinthemnettles."
"'Avealook,then."
"No,'eain't."
"Well,uscan'tgobeggarin'upanddown'ere'alfbloodynight.Wegottocatchthemasgotoutth'utch.Didn'tought'avefiredberoights,
John.Froightenedtheyoff,see?Youc'n'avealookfor'imtomorrow,if'e's'ere."
Thesilencereturned,butstillHazellaymotionlessinthewhisperingchillofthetunnel.Acoldlassitudecameoverhimandhepassedintoadreaming,inertstupor,fullofcrampandpain.Afteratime,athreadofbloodbegantotrickleoverthelipofthedrainintothetrampled,
desertedditch.
***
Bigwig,crouchedclosetoBlackberryinthestrawofthecattleshed,leapedtoflightatthesoundoftheshottwohundredyardsupthelane.Hecheckedhimselfandturnedtotheothers.
"Don'trun!"hesaidquickly."Wheredoyouwant
torunto,anyway?Noholeshere."
"Furtherawayfromthegun,"repliedBlackberry,white-eyed.
"Wait!"saidBigwig,listening."They'rerunningdownthelane.Can'tyouhearthem?"
"Icanhearonlytworabbits,"answered
Blackberry,afterapause,"andoneofthemsoundsexhausted."
Theylookedateachotherandwaited.ThenBigwiggotupagain.
"Stayhere,allofyou,"hesaid."I'llgoandbringthemin."
OutonthevergehefoundDandelionurgingHaystack,
whowaslamedandspent.
"Comeinherequickly,"saidBigwig."ForFrith'ssake,where'sHazel?"
"Themenhaveshothim,"repliedDandelion.
Theyreachedtheotherfiverabbitsinthestraw.Dandeliondidnotwaitfortheirquestions.
"They'veshotHazel,"hesaid."They'dcaughtthatLaurelandputhimbackinthehutch.Thentheycameafterus.Thethreeofuswereattheendofablockedditch.Hazelwentoutofhisownaccord,todistracttheirattentionwhilewegotaway.Butwedidn'tknowtheyhadagun."
"Areyousuretheykilledhim?"saidSpeedwell.
"Ididn'tactuallyseehimhit,buttheywereveryclosetohim."
"We'dbetterwait,"saidBigwig.
Theywaitedalongtime.AtlastDandelionandBigwigwentcautiouslybackupthelane.Theyfoundthebottomoftheditchtrampledbybootsandstreakedwithblood,andreturnedtotelltheothers.
Thejourneyback,withthethreelimpinghutchrabbits,lastedmorethantwowearyhours.Allweredejectedandwretched.WhenatlasttheyreachedthefootofthedownBigwigtoldBlackberry,SpeedwellandHawkbittoleavethemandgoontothewarren.Theyapproachedthewoodjustatfirstlightandarabbitrantomeetthemthroughthewetgrass.ItwasFiver.Blackberrystopped
andwaitedbesidehimwhiletheothertwowentoninsilence.
"Fiver,"hesaid,"there'sbadnews.Hazel--"
"Iknow,"repliedFiver."Iknownow."
"Howdoyouknow?"askedBlackberry,startled.
"Asyoucamethroughthe
grassjustnow,"saidFiver,verylow,"therewasafourthrabbitbehindyou,limpingandcoveredwithblood.Irantoseewhoitwas,andthentherewereonlythreeofyou,sidebyside."
Hepausedandlookedacrossthedown,asthoughstillseekingthebleedingrabbitwhohadvanishedinthehalf-light.Then,asBlackberrysaidnothing
more,heasked,"Doyouknowwhathappened?"
WhenBlackberryhadtoldhisnews,Fiverreturnedtothewarrenandwentundergroundtohisemptyburrow.AlittlelaterBigwigbroughtthehutchrabbitsupthehillandatoncecalledeveryonetomeetintheHoneycomb.Fiverdidnotappear.
Itwasadismalwelcomeforthestrangers.NotevenBluebellcouldfindacheerfulword.DandelionwasinconsolabletothinkthathemighthavestoppedHazelbreakingfromtheditch.Themeetingcametoanendinadrearysilenceandahalf-heartedsilflay.
LaterthatmorningHollycamelimpingintothewarren.Ofhisthreecompanions,only
Silverwasalertandunharmed.BuckthornwaswoundedinthefaceandStrawberrywasshiveringandevidentlyillfromexhaustion.Therewerenootherrabbitswiththem.
26.FiverBeyond
Onhisdreadfuljourney,aftertheshamanhaswanderedthroughdark
forestsandovergreatrangesofmountains,...hereachesanopeningintheground.Themostdifficultstageoftheadventurenowbegins.Thedepthsoftheunderworldopenbeforehim.
UnoHarva,quotedbyJosephCampbellinTheHerowithaThousandFaces
Fiverlayontheearthflooroftheburrow.Outside,the
downswerestillintheintense,brightheatofnoon.Thedewandgossamerhaddriedearlyfromthegrassandbymidmorningthefincheshadfallensilent.Now,alongthelonelyexpansesofwiryturf,theairwavered.Onthefootpaththatledpastthewarren,brightthreadsoflight--watery,amirage--trickledandglitteredacrosstheshortest,smoothestgrass.Fromadistancethetrees
alongtheedgeofthebeechhangerappearedfullofgreat,denseshadows,impenetrabletothedazzledeye.Theonlysoundwasthe"Zip,zip"ofthegrasshoppers,theonlyscentthatofthewarmthyme.
Intheburrow,Fiversleptandwokeuneasilythroughtheheatoftheday,fidgetingandscratchingasthelasttracesofmoisturedriedoutoftheearthabovehim.Once,
whenatrickleofpowderysoilfellfromtheroof,heleapedoutofsleepandwasinthemouthoftherunbeforehecametohimselfandreturnedtowherehehadbeenlying.Eachtimehewoke,herememberedthelossofHazelandsufferedoncemoretheknowledgethathadpiercedhimastheshadowy,limpingrabbitdisappearedinthefirstlightofmorningonthedown.Wherewasthatrabbitnow?
Wherehaditgone?Hebegantofollowitamongthetangledpathsofhisownthoughts,overthecold,dew-wetridgeanddownintothedawnmistofthefieldsbelow.
ThemistswirledroundFiverashecreptthroughthistlesandnettles.Nowhecouldnolongerseethelimpingrabbitahead.Hewasaloneandafraid,yetperceivingold,familiar
soundsandsmells--thoseofthefieldwherehewasborn.Thethickweedsofsummerweregone.HewasunderthebareashboughsandthefloweringblackthornofMarch.Hewascrossingthebrook,goinguptheslopetowardthelane,towardtheplacewhereHazelandhehadcomeuponthenoticeboard.Wouldtheboardstillbethere?Helookedtimidlyuptheslope.Theviewwas
blottedwithmist,butashenearedthetophesawamanbusyoverapileoftools--aspade,aropeandother,smallerimplements,theuseofwhichhedidnotknow.Thenoticeboardlayflatontheground.Itwassmallerthanherememberedandfixedtoasingle,long,squarepost,sharpenedatthefurtherendtoputintotheearth.Thesurfaceoftheboardwaswhite,justashehadseenit
before,andcoveredwiththesharpblacklineslikesticks.Fivercamehesitantlyuptheslopeandstoppedclosetotheman,whostoodlookingdownintoadeep,narrowholesunkinthegroundathisfeet.ThemanturnedtoFiverwiththekindofamiabilitythatanogremightshowtoavictimwhomtheybothknowthathewillkillandeatassoonasitsuitshimtodoso.
"Ah!An'whatamIdoin',eh?"askedtheman.
"Whatareyoudoing?"answeredFiver,staringandtwitchingwithfear.
"I'mjustputt'nupthis'ereol'board,"saidtheman."AndIs'poseyouwantst'knowwhatfor,eh?"
"Yes,"whisperedFiver.
"It'sferthatthereold'Azel,"saidtheman."On'ywhere't'is,see,wegott'putupabitofanotice,like,on'isaccount.Andwhatd'youreckonitsays,eh?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidFiver."How--howcanaboardsayanything?"
"Ah,butitdo,see?"repliedtheman."That'swhereweknowswhatyou
don't.That'swhywekillsyouwhenwe'asamindto.Now,youwantstakeagoodlookatthatthereboardandthenverylikelyyou'llknowmore'nwhatyouknowsnow."
Inthelivid,foggytwilight,Fiverstaredattheboard.Ashestared,theblacksticksflickeredonthewhitesurface.Theyraisedtheirsharp,wedge-shapedlittleheadsandchatteredtogether
likeanestfulofyoungweasels.Thesound,mockingandcruel,camefaintlytohisears,asthoughmuffledbysandorsacking."InmemoryofHazel-rah!InmemoryofHazel-rah!InmemoryofHazel-rah!Hahahahahaha!"
"Well,that'swhere't'is,see?"saidtheman."AndI'vegott'ang'imuponthis'ereboard.That'st'say,soon'sI
getsitstoodupproper.Sameasyou'd'angupjay,like,oroldstoat.Ah!Gon''ang'imup."
"No!"criedFiver."No,youshan't!"
"On'yIain'tgot'im,see?"wentontheman."That'swhyIcan'tgetdone.Ican't'ang'imup,'cos'e'vegonedownth'bloody'ole,that'swhere'e'vegone.'E'vegonedown
th'bloody'ole,justwhenI'dgot'nlinedan'all,andIcan'tget'nout."
Fivercreptuptotheman'sbootsandpeeredintothehole.Itwascircular,acylinderofbakedearthenwarethatdisappearedverticallyintotheground.Hecalled,"Hazel!Hazel!"Fardowninthebole,somethingmovedandhewasabouttocallagain.Thenthemanbent
downandhithimbetweentheears.
Fiverwasstrugglinginathickcloudofearth,softandpowdery.Someonewassaying,"Steady,Fiver,steady!"Hesatup.Therewassoilinhiseyes,hisearsandnostrils.Hecouldnotsmell.Heshookhimselfandsaid,"Whoisit?"
"It'sBlackberry.Icameto
seehowyouwere.It'sallright;abitoftheroof'sfallen,that'sall.There'vebeenfallsalloverthewarrentoday--it'stheheat.Anyway,itwokeyoufromanightmare,ifIknowanything.YouwerethrashingaboutandcallingoutforHazel.Youpooroldchap!Whatamiserablethingitistohavehappened!Wemusttrytobearitasbestwecan.We'veallgottostoprunningoneday,youknow.
TheysayFrithknowsalltherabbits,everyone."
"Isitevening?"askedFiver.
"Notyet,no.Butit'safairtimeafterni-Frith.Hollyandtheothershavecomeback,youknow.Strawberry'sveryillandtheyhaven'tanydoeswiththem--notone.Everything'sasbadasitcouldbe.Holly'sstillasleep--
hewascompletelyexhausted.Hesaidhe'dtelluswhathappenedthisevening.WhenwetoldhimaboutpoorHazel,hesaid--Fiver,you'renotlistening.Iexpectyou'dratherIkeptquiet."
"Blackberry,"saidFiver,"doyouknowtheplacewhereHazelwasshot?"
"Yes,BigwigandIwentandlookedattheditchbefore
wecameaway.Butyoumustn't--"
"Couldyougotherewithmenow?"
"Gobackthere?Oh,no.It'salongway,Fiver,andwhatwouldbethegood?Therisk,andthisfearfulheat,andyou'donlymakeyourselfwretched."
"Hazelisn'tdead,"said
Fiver.
"Yes,thementookhimaway.Fiver,Isawtheblood."
"Yes,butyoudidn'tseeHazel,becauseheisn'tdead.Blackberry,youmustdowhatIask."
"You'reaskingtoomuch."
"ThenIshallhavetogoalone.ButwhatI'masking
youtodoistocomeandsaveHazel'slife."
WhenatlastBlackberryhadreluctantlygiveninandtheyhadsetoutdownthehill,Fiverwentalmostasfastasthoughhewererunningforcover.AgainandagainheurgedBlackberrytomakehaste.Thefieldswereemptyintheglare.Everycreaturebiggerthanabluebottlewasshelteringfromtheheat.
Whentheyreachedtheoutlyingshedsbesidethelane,BlackberrybegantoexplainhowheandBigwighadgonebacktosearch;butFivercuthimshort.
"Wehavetogouptheslope,Iknowthat:butyoumustshowmetheditch."
Theelmswerestill.Therewasnottheleastsoundintheleaves.Theditchwasthick
withcowparsley,hemlockandlongtrailsofgreen-floweringbryony.BlackberryledthewaytothetrampledpatchofnettlesandFiversatstillamongthem,sniffingandlookingabouthiminthesilence.Blackberrywatchedhimdisconsolately.Afaintbreathofwindstoleacrossthefieldsandablackbirdbegantosingfromsomewherebeyondtheelms.AtlastFiverbegantomove
alongthebottomoftheditch.Theinsectsbuzzedroundhisearsandsuddenlyalittlecloudoffliesflewup,disturbedfromaprojectingstone.No,notastone.Itwassmoothandregular--acircularlipofearthenware.Thebrownmouthofadrain,stainedblackattheloweredgebyathin,driedthreadofblood:ofrabbit'sblood.
"Thebloodyhole!"
whisperedFiver."Thebloodyhole!"
Hepeeredintothedarkopening.Itwasblocked.Blockedbyarabbit.Thatwasplaintobesmelled.Arabbitwhosefaintpulsecouldjustbeheard,magnifiedintheconfinedtunnel.
"Hazel?"saidFiver.
Blackberrywasbesidehim
atonce."Whatisit,Fiver?"
"Hazel'sinthathole,"saidFiver,"andhe'salive."
27."YouCan'tImagineItUnless
You'veBeenThere"
MyGoddabless,neverIseesuchapeople.
SignorPiozzi,quotedby
CeciliaThrale
IntheHoneycomb,BigwigandHollywerewaitingtobeginthesecondmeetingsincethelossofHazel.Astheairbegantocool,therabbitswokeandfirstoneandthenanothercamedowntherunsthatledfromthesmallerburrows.Allweresubduedanddoubtfulatheart.Likethepainofabadwound,theeffectofadeepshocktakes
somewhiletobefelt.Whenachildistold,forthefirsttimeinhislife,thatapersonhehasknownisdead,althoughhedoesnotdisbelieveit,hemaywellfailtocomprehenditandlaterask--perhapsmorethanonce--wherethedeadpersonisandwhenheiscomingback.WhenPipkinhadplantedinhimself,likesomesombertree,theknowledgethatHazelwouldneverreturn,his
bewildermentexceededhisgrief:andthisbewildermenthesawoneverysideamonghiscompanions.Facedwithnocrisisofactionandwithnothingtopreventthemfromcontinuingtheirlifeinthewarrenasbefore,therabbitswereneverthelessovercomebytheconvictionthattheirluckwasgone.HazelwasdeadandHolly'sexpeditionhadtotallyfailed.Whatwouldfollow?
Holly,gaunt,hisstaringpeltfullofgoosegrassandfragmentsofburdock,wastalkingwiththethreehutchrabbitsandreassuringthemasbesthecould.NoonecouldsaynowthatHazelhadthrownawayhislifeinafoolhardyprank.Thetwodoesweretheonlygainthatanyonehadmade--thewarren'sonlyasset.Buttheywereplainlysoillateaseintheirnewsurroundingsthat
Hollywasalreadycontendingagainsthisownbeliefthattherewaslittletobehopedforfromthem.Doeswhoareupsetandonedgetendtobeinfertile;andhowwerethesedoestomakethemselvesathomeinstrangeconditionsandaplacewhereeveryonewaslostsopoorlyinhisthoughts?Theywoulddie,perhaps,orwanderaway.Hebuckledoncemoretothetaskofexplainingthathewassure
bettertimeslayahead--andashedidso,felthimselftheleastconvincedofany.
BigwighadsentAcorntoseewhethertherewasanyonestilltocome.AcornreturnedtosaythatStrawberryfelttooillandthathecouldfindneitherBlackberrynorFiver.
"Well,leaveFiver,"saidBigwig."Poorfellow,he'llfeelbetterbyhimselffora
time,Idaresay."
"He'snotinhisburrow,though,"saidAcorn.
"Nevermind,"saidBigwig.Butthethoughtcametohim,"FiverandBlackberry?Couldtheyhaveleftthewarrenwithouttellinganyone?Iftheyhave,whatwillhappenwhentheothersgettoknow?"ShouldheaskKehaartogoandlookfor
themwhiletherewasstilllight?ButifKehaarfoundthem,whatthen?Theycouldnotbecompelledtoreturn.Oriftheywere,whatgoodwouldthatdo,iftheywantedtobegone?AtthatmomentHollybegantospeakandeveryonebecamequiet.
"Weallknowwe'reinamess,"saidHolly,"andIsupposebeforelongweshallhavetotalkaboutwhat'sbest
tobedone.ButIthoughtthatfirstofallIoughttotellyouhowitisthatwefour--Silver,Buckthorn,StrawberryandI--havecomebackwithoutanydoes.Youdon'thavetoremindmethatwhenwesetout,everyonethoughtitwasgoingtobestraightforward.Andhereweare,onerabbitsick,onewoundedandnothingtoshowforit.You'reallwonderingwhy."
"Noone'sblamingyou,Holly,"saidBigwig.
"Idon'tknowwhetherI'mtoblameornot,"repliedHolly."Butyou'lltellmethatwhenyou'veheardthestory.
"Thatmorningwhenweleft,itwasgoodweatherforhlessilonthemoveandweallfelttherewasnohurry.Itwascool,Iremember,andlookedasifitwouldbesome
timebeforethedaygotreallybrightandcloudless.There'safarmnotfarawayfromtheotherendofthiswood,andalthoughtherewerenomenaboutsoearly,Ididn'tfancygoingthatway,sowekeptuponhighgroundontheeveningside.Wewereallexpectingtocometotheedgeofthedown,butthereisn'tanysteepedgeasthereisonthenorth.Theuplandjustgoesonandon,open,dryand
lonely.There'splentyofcoverforrabbits--standingcorn,hedgesandbanks--butnorealwoodland:justgreat,openfieldsoflightsoilwithbigwhiteflintstones.Iwashopingthatwemightfindourselvesinthesortofcountryweusedtoknow--meadowsandwoods--butwedidn't.Anyhow,wefoundatrackwithagood,thickhedgealongonesideandwedecidedtofollowthat.We
tookiteasyandstoppedagooddeal,becauseIwastakingcaretoavoidrunningintoelil.I'msureit'sbadcountryforstoatsaswellasfoxes,andIhadn'tmuchideawhatweweregoingtodoifwemetone."
"I'mprettycertainwedidpassclosetoaweasel,"saidSilver."Icouldsmellit.Butyouknowhowitiswithelil--ifthey'renotactuallyhunting,
theyoftentakenonoticeofyou.Weleftverylittlescent,andburiedourhrakaasthoughwewerecats."
"Well,beforeni-Frith,"wentonHolly,"thetrackbroughtustoalong,thinwoodrunningrightacrossthewayweweregoing.Thesedownlandwoodsarequeer,aren'tthey?Thiswasnothickerthantheoneaboveusnow,butitstretchedasfaras
wecouldseeeitherway,inadeadstraightline.Idon'tlikestraightlines:menmakethem.Andsureenough,wefoundaroadbesidethiswood.Itwasaverylonely,emptyroad,butallthesameIdidn'twanttohangaboutthere,sowewentstraightthroughthewoodandouttheotherside.Kehaarspottedusinthefieldsbeyondandtoldustoalterourdirection.Iaskedhimhowwewere
gettingonandhesaidwewereabouthalfway,soIthoughtwemightaswellstartlookingforsomewheretolieupforthenight.Ididn'tfancytheopen,andintheendwemadescrapesinthebottomofakindoflittlepitwefound.Thenwehadagoodfeedandpassedthenightverywell.
"Idon'tthinkweneedtellyoueverythingaboutthejourney.Itcameontorain
justafterthemorningfeedandtherewasanasty,coldwindwithit,sowestayedwherewewereuntilafterni-Frith.Itbrightenedupthenandwewenton.Thegoingwasn'tverynicebecauseofthewet,butbyearlyeveningIreckonedweoughttobeneartheplace.IwaslookingroundwhenaharecamethroughthegrassandIaskedhimwhetherheknewofabigwarrencloseby.
"'Efrafa?'heasked.'AreyougoingtoEfrafa?'*
"'Ifthat'swhatit'scalled,'Ianswered.
"'Doyouknowit?'
"'No,'Isaid,'wedon't.Wewanttoknowwhereitis.'
"'Well,'hesaid,'myadvicetoyouistorun,andquickly.'
"Iwasjustwonderingwhattomakeofthat,whensuddenlythreebigrabbitscameoverthebank,justthewayIdidthatnightwhenIcametoarrestyou,Bigwig:andoneofthemsaid,'CanIseeyourmarks?'
"'Marks?'Isaid.'Whatmarks?Idon'tunderstand.'
"'You'renotfromEfrafa?'
"'No,'Isaid,'we'regoingthere.We'restrangers.'
"'Willyoucomewithme?'No'Haveyoucomefar?'or'Areyouwetthrough?'oranythinglikethat.
"SothenthesethreerabbitstookusoffdownthebankandthatwashowwecametoEfrafa,astheycallit.AndI'dbettertryandtellyousomethingaboutit,sothat
you'llknowwhatadirtylittlebunchofsnivelinghedge-scraperswearehere.
"Efrafaisabigwarren--agooddealbiggerthantheonewecamefrom--theThrearah's,Imean.Andtheonefearofeveryrabbitinitisthatmenaregoingtofindthemandinfectthemwiththewhiteblindness.Thewholewarrenisorganizedtoconcealitsexistence.The
holesareallhiddenandtheOwslahaveeveryrabbitintheplaceunderorders.Youcan'tcallyourlifeyourown:andinreturnyouhavesafety--ifit'sworthhavingatthepriceyoupay.
"AswellastheOwsla,theyhavewhattheycallaCouncil,andeachoftheCouncilrabbitshassomespecialthinghelooksafter.Onelooksafterfeeding;
another'sresponsibleforthewaysinwhichtheykeephidden;anotherlooksafterbreeding,andsoon.Asfarastheordinaryrabbitsareconcerned,onlyacertainnumbercanbeabovegroundatonetime.Everyrabbitismarkedwhenhe'sakitten:theybitethem,deep,andunderthechinorinahaunchorforepaw.Thentheycanbetoldbythescarfortherestoftheirlives.Youmustn'tbe
foundabovegroundunlessit'stherighttimeofdayforyourMark."
"Who'stostopyou?"growledBigwig.
"That'sthereallyfrighteningpart.TheOwsla--well,youcan'timagineitunlessyou'vebeenthere.TheChiefisarabbitnamedWoundwort:GeneralWoundwort,theycallhim.I'll
tellyoumoreabouthiminaminute.Thenunderhimtherearecaptains--eachoneinchargeofaMark--andeachcaptainhashisownofficersandsentries.There'saMarkcaptainwithhisbandondutyateverytimeofthedayandnight.Ifamanhappenstocomeanywherenear,whichisn'toften,thesentriesgivewarninglongbeforehecomescloseenoughtoseeanything.Theygivewarning
ofelil,too.Theypreventanyonedroppinghrakaexceptinspecialplacesintheditches,whereit'sburied.Andiftheyseeanyrabbitabovegroundwhomtheydon'trecognizeashavingtherighttobethere,theyasktoseehismark.Frithknowswhathappensifhecan'texplainhimself--butIcanguessprettywell.RabbitsinEfrafaquiteoftengodaysatatimewithoutthesightof
Frith.IftheirMark'sonnightsilflay,thentheyfeedbynight,wetorfine,warmorcold.They'reallusedtotalking,playingandmatingintheburrowsunderground.IfaMarkcan'tsilflayattheirappointedtimeforsomereasonorother--saytherewasamanworkingsomewherenear--that'sjusttoobad.Theymisstheirturntillnextday."
"Butsurelyitaltersthem
verymuch,livinglikethat?"askedDandelion.
"Verymuchindeed,"repliedHolly."Mostofthemcan'tdoanythingbutwhatthey'retold.They'veneverbeenoutofEfrafaandneversmelledanenemy.TheoneaimofeveryrabbitinEfrafaistogetintotheOwsla,becauseoftheprivileges:andtheoneaimofeveryoneintheOwslaistogetintothe
Council.TheCouncilhavethebestofeverything.ButtheOwslahavetokeepverystrongandtough.TheytakeitinturntodowhattheycallWidePatrol.Theygooutoverthecountry--allroundtheplace--livingintheopenfordaysatatime.It'spartlytofindoutanythingtheycan,andpartlytotrainthemandmakethemtoughandcunning.Anyhlessiltheyfindtheypickupandbringback
toEfrafa.Iftheywon'tcome,theykillthem.Theyreckonhlessiladanger,becausetheymayattracttheattentionofmen.TheWidePatrolsreportbacktoGeneralWoundwort,andtheCouncildecidewhattodoaboutanythingnewthattheythinkmaybedangerous."
"Theymissedyouonthewayin,then?"saidBluebell.
"Oh,no,theydidn't!Welearnedlaterthatsometimeafterwe'dbeenbroughtinbythisrabbit--CaptainCampion--arunnerarrivedfromaWidePatroltosaythatthey'dpickedupthetrackofthreeorfourrabbitscomingtowardEfrafafromthenorth,andwerethereanyorders?Hewassentbacktosaythatweweresafelyundercontrol.
"Anyway,thisCaptain
Campiontookusdowntoaholeintheditch.Themouthoftheholewasabitofoldearthenwarepipeandifamanhadpulleditout,theopeningwouldhavefalleninandshowednotraceoftheruninside.Andtherehehandedusovertoanothercaptain--becausehehadtogobackabovegroundfortherestofhisspellofduty,yousee.Weweretakentoabigburrowandtoldtomakeourselvesat
home.
"TherewereotherrabbitsintheburrowanditwasbylisteningtothemandaskingquestionsthatIlearnedmostofwhatI'vebeentellingyou.WegottalkingtosomeofthedoesandImadefriendswithonecalledHyzenthlay.*Itoldheraboutourproblemhereandwhywe'dcome,andthenshetoldusaboutEfrafa.Whenshe'dfinishedIsaid,'It
soundsterrible.Hasitalwaysbeenlikethis?'Shesaidno,hermotherhadtoldherthatinyearsgonebythewarrenhadbeenelsewhereandmuchsmaller,butwhenGeneralWoundwortcame,hehadmadethemmovetoEfrafaandthenhe'dworkedoutthiswholesystemofconcealmentandperfectedituntilrabbitsinEfrafawereassafeasstarsinthesky.'Mostrabbitsheredieofoldage,unlessthe
Owslakillthemoff,'shesaid.'Butthetroubleis,therearemorerabbitsnowthanthewarrencanhold.Anyfreshdiggingthat'sallowedhastobedoneunderOwslasupervisionandtheydoitterriblyslowlyandcarefully.Itallhastobehidden,yousee.We'reovercrowdedandalotofrabbitsdon'tgetabovegroundasmuchastheyneedto.Andforsomereasontherearenotenoughbucksandtoo
manydoes.Alotofushavefoundwecan'tproducelitters,becauseoftheovercrowding,butnooneiseverallowedtoleave.Onlyafewdaysago,severalofusdoeswenttotheCouncilandaskedwhetherwecouldformanexpeditiontostartanewwarrensomewhereelse.Wesaidwe'dgofar,faraway--asfarawayastheyliked.Buttheywouldn'thearofit--notonanyaccount.Thingscan'tgo
onlikethis--thesystem'sbreakingdown.Butitdoesn'tdotobeheardtalkingaboutit.'
"Well,Ithought,thissoundshopeful.Surelytheywon'tobjecttoourproposals?Weonlywanttotakeafewdoesandnobucks.They'vegotmoredoesthanthere'sroomforandwewanttotakethemfurtherawaythananyoneherecaneverhave
been.
"AlittlelateranothercaptaincameandsaidweweretocomewithhimtotheCouncilmeeting.
"TheCouncilmeetinakindofbigburrow.It'slongandrathernarrow--notasgoodasthisHoneycombofours,becausethey'vegotnotreerootstomakeawideroof.Wehadtowaitoutside
whiletheyweretalkingaboutallsortsofotherthings.WewerejustonepieceofdailyCouncilbusiness:'Strangersapprehended.'Therewasanotherrabbitwaitingandhewasunderspecialguard--Owslafa,theycallthem:theCouncilpolice.I'veneverbeennearanyonesofrightenedinmylife--Ithoughthe'dgomadwithfear.IaskedoneoftheseOwslafawhatwasthematter
andhesaidthatthisrabbit,Blackavar,hadbeencaughttryingtorunawayfromthewarren.Well,theytookhiminsideandfirstofallweheardthepoorfellowtryingtoexplainhimself,andthenhewascryingandbeggingformercy:andwhenhecameoutthey'drippedbothhisearstoshreds,worsethanthisoneofmine.Wewereallsniffingathim,absolutelyhorror-stricken;butoneofthe
Owslafasaid,'Youneedn'tmakesuchafuss.He'sluckytobealive.'Sowhilewewerechewingonthat,someonecameoutandsaidtheCouncilwerereadyforus.
"Assoonaswegotin,wewereputupinfrontofthisGeneralWoundwort,andhereallyisagrimcustomer.Idon'tthinkevenyou'dmatchuptohim,Bigwig.He'salmostasbigasahareand
there'ssomethingabouthismerepresencethatfrightensyou,asifbloodandfightingandkillingwerealljustpartoftheday'sworktohim.Ithoughthe'dbeginbyaskingussomequestionsaboutwhowewereandwhatwewanted,buthedidn'tdoanythinglikethat.Hesaid,'I'mgoingtoexplaintherulesofthewarrenandtheconditionsonwhichyou'lllivehere.Youmustlistencarefully,because
therulesaretobekeptandanybreakingofthemwillbepunished.'SothenIspokeupatonceandsaidthattherewasamisunderstanding.Wewereanembassy,Isaid,comefromanotherwarrentoaskforEfrafa'sgoodwillandhelp.AndIwentontoexplainthatallwewantedwastheiragreementtoourpersuadingafewdoestocomebackwithus.WhenI'dfinished,GeneralWoundwort
saidthatitwasoutofthequestion:therewasnothingtodiscuss.Irepliedthatwe'dliketostaywiththemforadayortwoandtrytopersuadethemtochangetheirmind.
"'Oh,yes,'hesaid,'you'llstay.Butthere'llbenofurtheroccasionforyoutotakeuptheCouncil'stime--forthenextfewdaysatanyrate.'
"Isaidthatseemedveryhard.Ourrequestwassurelyareasonableone.AndIwasjustgoingtoaskthemtoconsideroneortwothingsfromourpointofview,whenanotheroftheCouncillors--averyoldrabbit--said,'Youseemtothinkyou'reheretoarguewithusanddriveabargain.Butwe'retheonestosaywhatyou'regoingtodo.'
"Isaidtheyshould
rememberthatwewererepresentinganotherwarren,evenifitwassmallerthantheirs.Wethoughtofourselvesastheirguests.AnditwasonlywhenI'dsaidthatthatIrealizedwithahorribleshockthattheythoughtofusastheirprisoners:orasgoodasprisoners,whatevertheymightcallit.
"Well,I'drathersaynomoreabouttheendofthat
meeting.Strawberrytriedallhecouldtohelpme.Hespokeverywellaboutthedecencyandcomradeshipnaturaltoanimals.'Animalsdon'tbehavelikemen,'hesaid.'Iftheyhavetofight,theyfight;andiftheyhavetokilltheykill.Buttheydon'tsitdownandsettheirwitstoworktodevisewaysofspoilingothercreatures'livesandhurtingthem.Theyhavedignityandanimality.'
"Butitwasallnouse.AtlastwefellsilentandGeneralWoundwortsaid,'TheCouncilcan'tspareanymoretimeforyounow,andIshallhavetoleaveittoyourMarkcaptaintotellyoutherules.You'lljointheRightFlankMarkunderCaptainBugloss.Later,weshallseeyouagainandyou'llfindusperfectlyfriendlyandhelpfultorabbitswhounderstandwhat'sexpectedofthem.'
"SothentheOwslatookusouttojointheRightFlankMark.ApparentlyCaptainBuglosswastoobusytoseeusandItookcaretokeepoutofhisway,becauseIthoughthemightwanttostartmarkingusthenandthere.ButsoonIbegantounderstandwhatHyzenthlayhadmeantwhenshesaidthesystemwasn'tworkingproperlyanymore.Theburrowswereovercrowded--
atleastbyourstandards.Itwaseasytoescapeattention.EveninoneMarktherabbitsdon'tallknoweachother.Wefoundplacesinaburrowandtriedtogetsomesleep,butearlyinthenightwewerewokenandtoldtosilflay.Ithoughttheremightbeachancetorunforitinthemoonlight,butthereseemedtobesentrieseverywhere.Andbesidesthesentries,theCaptainkepttworunners
withhim,whosejobwastorushoffatonceinanydirectionfromwhichanalarmmightbegiven.
"Whenwe'dfedwewentundergroundagain.Nearlyalltherabbitswereverysubduedanddocile.Weavoidedthem,becausewemeanttoescapeifwecouldandwedidn'twanttogetknown.ButtryasIwould,Icouldn'tthinkofaplan.
"Wefedagainsometimebeforeni-Friththenextday,andthenitwasbackunderground.Thetimedraggedterribly.Atlast--itmusthavebeenaseveningwascomingon--Ijoinedalittlegroupofrabbitslisteningtoastory.Anddoyouknow,itwas'TheKing'sLettuce'?TherabbitwhowastellingitwasnowherenearasgoodasDandelion,butIlistenedallthesame,justfor
somethingtodo.AnditwaswhenhegottothebitwhereEl-ahrairahdressesupandpretendstobethedoctoratKingDarzin'spalacethatIsuddenlyhadanidea.Itwasaveryriskyone,butIthoughttherewasachancethatitmightwork,simplybecauseeveryrabbitinEfrafausuallydoeswhathe'stoldwithoutquestion.I'dbeenwatchingCaptainBuglossandhestruckmeasaniceenough
fellow,conscientiousandabitweakandratherharassedbyhavingmoretodothanhecouldreallycopewith.
"Thatnight,whenwewerecalledtosilflay,itwaspitchdarkandraining;butyoudon'tbotheraboutalittlethinglikethatinEfrafa--you'reonlytoogladtogetoutandgetsomefood.Alltherabbitstroopedup;andwewaiteduntiltheverylast.
CaptainBuglosswasoutonthebank,withtwoofhissentries.SilverandtheotherswentoutinfrontofmeandthenIcameuptohimpantingasifI'dbeenrunning.
"'CaptainBugloss?'
"'Yes?'hesaid.'Whatisit?'
"'You'rewantedbytheCouncil,atonce.'
"'Why,whatdoyoumean?'heasked.'Whatfor?'
"'Nodoubtthey'lltellyouthatwhentheyseeyou,'Ianswered.'Ishouldn'tkeepthemwaitingifIwereyou.'
"'Whoareyou?'hesaid.'You'renotoneoftheCouncilrunners.Iknowthemall.WhatMarkareyou?'
"'I'mnotheretoanswer
yourquestions,'Isaid.'ShallIgobackandtellthemyouwon'tcome?'
"HelookeddoubtfulatthatandImadeasifIweregoing.Butthen,allofasudden,hesaid,'Verywell'--helookedawfullyfrightened,poorfellow--'butwho'stotakeoverherewhileI'mgone?'
"'Iam,'Isaid.'GeneralWoundwort'sorders.But
comebackquickly.Idon'twanttohangabouthalfthenightdoingyourjob.'Hescuttledoff.Iturnedtotheothertwoandsaid,'Stayhere,andlookalive,too.I'mgoingroundthesentries.'
"Well,thenthefourofusranoffintothedarkand,sureenough,afterwe'dgonealittlewaytwosentriespoppedupandtriedtostopus.Weallpiledstraightintothem.I
thoughtthey'drun,buttheydidn't.TheyfoughtlikemadandoneofthemtoreBuckthornalldownthenose.Butofcoursetherewerefourofus;andintheendwebrokepastthemandsimplytoreacrossthefield.Wehadnoideawhichwayweweregoing,whatwiththerainandthenight:wejustran.IthinkthereasonwhythepursuitwasabitslowoffthemarkwasbecausepooroldBugloss
wasn'ttheretogivetheorders.Anyway,wehadafairstart.Butpresentlywecouldhearthatwewerebeingfollowed--and,whatwasworse,wewerebeingovertaken.
"TheEfrafanOwslaarenojoke,believeme.They'reallpickedforsizeandstrengthandthere'snothingtheydon'tknowaboutmovinginwetanddarkness.They'reallso
muchafraidoftheCouncilthatthey'renotafraidofanythingelse.Itwasn'tlongbeforeIknewwewereintrouble.Thepatrolthatwasafteruscouldactuallyfollowusinthedarkandrainfasterthanwecouldrunaway,andbeforelongtheywereclosebehind.Iwasjustgoingtotelltheothersthattherewasnothingforitbuttoturnandfightwhenwecametoagreat,steepbankthatseemed
toslopealmoststraightupintotheair.Itwassteeperthanthishillsidebelowushere,andtheslopeseemedtoberegular,asifmenhadmadeit.
"Well,therewasnotimetothinkaboutit,soupwewent.Itwascoveredwithroughgrassandbushes.Idon'tknowhowfaritwastothetopexactly,butIshouldguessitwasashighasawell-
grownrowantree--perhapsabithigher.Whenwegottothetopwefoundourselvesonsmall,lightstonesthatshiftedasweranonthem.Thatgaveusawaycompletely.Thenwecameuponbroad,flatpiecesofwoodandtwogreat,fixedbarsofmetalthatmadeanoise--akindoflow,hummingnoiseinthedark.Iwasjustsayingtomyself,'Thisismen'swork,allright,'whenIfellovertheother
side.Ihadn'trealizedthatthewholetopofthebankwasonlyaveryshortdistanceacrossandtheothersidewasjustassteep.Iwentheadoverheelsdownthebankinthedarkandfetchedupagainstanelderbush--andthereIlay."
Hollystoppedandfellsilent,asthoughponderingonwhatheremembered.Atlasthesaid,
"It'sgoingtobeveryhardtodescribetoyouwhathappenednext.Althoughallfourofuswerethere,wedon'tunderstanditourselves.ButwhatI'mgoingtosaynowisthecoldtruth.LordFrithsentoneofhisgreatMessengerstosaveusfromtheEfrafanOwsla.Eachoneofushadfallenovertheedgeofthebankinoneplaceoranother.Buckthorn,whowashalfblindedwithhisown
blood,wentdownalmosttothebottom.I'dpickedmyselfupandwaslookingbackatthetop.TherewasjustenoughlightintheskytoseetheEfrafansiftheycameover.Andthen--thenanenormousthing--Ican'tgiveyouanyideaofit--asbigasathousandhrududil--bigger--camerushingoutofthenight.Itwasfulloffireandsmokeandlightanditroaredandbeatonthemetallinesuntil
thegroundshookbeneathit.ItdroveinbetweenusandtheEfrafanslikeathousandthunderstormswithlightning.Itellyou,Iwasbeyondbeingafraid.Icouldn'tmove.Theflashingandthenoise--theysplitthewholenightapart.Idon'tknowwhathappenedtotheEfrafans:eithertheyranawayoritcutthemdown.Andthensuddenlyitwasgoneandwehearditdisappearing,rattleandbang,
rattleandbang,farawayinthedistance.Wewerecompletelyalone.
"ForalongtimeIcouldn'tmove.AtlastIgotupandfoundtheothers,onebyone,inthedark.Noneofussaidaword.Atthebottomoftheslopewediscoveredakindoftunnelthatwentrightthroughthebankfromonesidetotheother.Wecreptintoitandcameoutonthesidewhere
we'dgoneup.Thenwewentalongwaythroughthefields,untilIreckonedwemustbewellclearofEfrafa.Wecrawledintoaditchandsleptthere,allfourofus,untilmorning.Therewasnoreasonwhyanythingshouldn'thavecomeandkilledus,andyetweknewweweresafe.Youmaythinkit'sawonderfulthingtobesavedbyLordFrithinhispower.Howmanyrabbitshasthat
happenedto,Iwonder?ButItellyou,itwasfarmorefrighteningthanbeingchasedbytheEfrafans.Notoneofuswillforgetlyingonthatbankintherainwhilethefirecreaturewentbyaboveourheads.Whydiditcomeonouraccount?That'smorethanweshalleverknow.
"ThenextmorningIcastaroundabitandsoonIknewwhichwastherightdirection.
Youknowhowyoualwaysdo.Therainhadstoppedandwesetout.Butitwasaveryhardjourneyback.Wewereexhaustedlongbeforetheend--allexceptSilver:Idon'tknowwhatwe'dhavedonewithouthim.Wewentonforadayandanightwithoutanyrealrestatall.Weallfeltthattheonlythingwewantedtodowastogetbackhereassoonaswecould.WhenIreachedthewoodthis
morningIwasjustlimpingalonginabaddream.I'mnotreallymuchbetterthanpooroldStrawberry,I'mafraid.Henevercomplained,buthe'llneedalongrestandIratherthinkIshall,too.AndBuckthorn--that'sthesecondbadwoundhe'shad.Butthat'snottheworstnow,isit?We'velostHazel:theworstthingthatcouldhavehappened.SomeofyouaskedmeearlierthiseveningifI
wouldbeChiefRabbit.I'mgladtoknowyoutrustme,butI'mcompletelydoneinandIcan'tpossiblytakeitonyet.Ifeelasdryandemptyasanautumnpuffball--Ifeelasthoughthewindcouldblowmyfuraway."
*Thefirstsyllableisstressedandnotthesecond,asintheword"Majesty."
*Hyzenthlay:"Shine-
Dew-Fur"--fur-shining-like-dew.
28.AttheFootoftheHill
Marvelloushappyitwastobe
Alone,andyetnotsolitary.
Ooutofterroranddark,tocome
Insightofhome.
WalterdelaMare,ThePilgrim
"You'renottootiredtosilflay,areyou?"askedDandelion."Andatthepropertimeofday,forachange?It'salovelyevening,ifmynosesaysright.Weoughttotrynottobemoremiserablethanwecanhelp,youknow."
"Justbeforewesilflay,"saidBigwig,"canItellyou,Holly,thatIdon'tbelieveanyoneelsecouldhavebroughthimselfandthreeotherrabbitssafelybackoutofaplacelikethat?"
"Frithmeantustogetback,"repliedHolly."That'stherealreasonwhywe'rehere."
Asheturnedtofollow
Speedwelluptherunthatledintothewood,hefoundCloverbesidehim."Youandyourfriendsmustfinditstrangetogooutsideandeatgrass,"hesaid."You'llgetusedtoit,youknow.AndIcanpromiseyouthatHazel-rahwasrightwhenhetoldyouit'sabetterlifeherethaninahutch.ComewithmeandI'llshowyouapatchofnice,shorttail-grass,ifBigwighasn'thaditallwhileI've
beenaway."
HollyhadtakentoClover.SheseemedmorerobustandlesstimidthanBoxwoodandHaystackandwasevidentlydoingherbesttoadaptherselftowarrenlife.Whatherstockmightbehecouldnottell,butshelookedhealthy.
"Ilikeitundergroundallright,"saidClover,astheycameupintothefreshair.
"Theclosedspaceisreallyverymuchlikeahutch,exceptthatit'sdarker.Thedifficultthingforusisgoingtobefeedingintheopen.We'renotusedtobeingfreetogowherewelikeandwedon'tknowwhattodo.YouallactsoquicklyandhalfthetimeIdon'tknowwhy.I'dprefernottofeedveryfarfromthehole,ifyoudon'tmind."
Theymovedslowlyacrossthesunsetgrass,nibblingastheywent:Cloverwassoonabsorbedinfeeding,butHollystoppedcontinuallytositupandsniffabouthimatthepeaceful,emptydown.WhenhenoticedBigwig,alittlewayoff,staringfixedlytothenorth,heatoncefollowedhisgaze.
"Whatisit?"heasked.
"It'sBlackberry,"repliedBigwig.Hesoundedrelieved.
Blackberrycamehoppingratherslowlydownfromtheskyline.Helookedtiredout,butassoonashesawtheotherrabbitshecameonfasterandmadehiswaytoBigwig.
"Wherehaveyoubeen?"askedBigwig."Andwhere'sFiver?Wasn'thewithyou?"
"Fiver'swithHazel,"saidBlackberry."Hazel'salive.He'sbeenwounded--it'shardtotellhowbadly--buthewon'tdie."
Theotherthreerabbitslookedathimspeechlessly.Blackberrywaited,enjoyingtheeffect.
"Hazel'salive?"saidBigwig."Areyousure?"
"Quitesure,"saidBlackberry."He'satthefootofthehillatthisverymoment,inthatditchwhereyouwerethenightHollyandBluebellarrived."
"Icanhardlybelieveit,"saidHolly."Ifit'strue,it'sthebestnewsI'veeverheardinmylife.Blackberry,youreallyaresure?Whathappened?Tellus."
"Fiverfoundhim,"saidBlackberry."Fivertookmewithhim,nearlyallthewaybacktothefarm:thenhewentalongtheditchandfoundHazelgonetogroundupalanddrain.Hewasveryweakfromlossofbloodandhecouldn'tgetoutofthedrainbyhimself.Wehadtodraghimbyhisgoodhindleg.Hecouldn'tturnround,yousee."
"ButhowonearthdidFiverknow?"
"HowdoesFiverknowwhatheknows?You'dbetteraskhim.Whenwe'dgotHazelintotheditch,Fiverlookedtoseehowbadlyhewashurt.He'sgotanastywoundinonehindleg,buttheboneisn'tbroken:andhe'stornallalongoneside.Wecleaneduptheplacesaswellaswecouldandthenwe
startedouttobringhimback.It'stakenusthewholeevening.Canyouimagineit--daylight,deadsilenceandalamerabbitreekingoffreshblood?Luckily,it'sbeenthehottestdaywe'vehadthissummer--notamousestirring.Timeandagainwehadtotakecoverinthecowparsleyandrest.Iwasallonthejump,butFiverwaslikeabutterflyonastone.Hesatinthegrassandcombedhis
ears.'Don'tgetupset,'hekeptsaying.'There'snothingtoworryabout.Wecantakeourtime.'AfterwhatI'dseen,I'dhavebelievedhimifhe'dsaidwecouldhuntfoxes.ButwhenwegottothebottomofthehillHazelwascompletelyfinishedandhecouldn'tgoanyfurther.HeandFiverhavetakenshelterintheovergrownditchandIcameontotellyou.AndhereIam."
TherewassilencewhileBigwigandHollytookinthenews.AtlastBigwigsaid,"Willtheystaytheretonight?"
"Ithinkso,"repliedBlackberry."I'msureHazelwon'tbeabletomanagethehilluntilhe'sagooddealstronger."
"I'llgodownthere,"saidBigwig."Icanhelptomake
theditchabitmorecomfortable,andprobablyFiverwill
beabletodowithsomeoneelsetohelptolookafterHazel"
"Ishouldhurry,then,ifIwereyou,"saidBlackberry."Thesunwillbedownsoon."
"Hah!"saidBigwig,"IfImeetastoat,it'dbetterlook
out,that'sall.I'llbringyouonebacktomorrow,shallI?"Heracedoffanddisappearedovertheedge.
"Let'sgoandgettheotherstogether,"saidHolly."Comeon,Blackberry,you'llhavetotellthewholething,fromthebeginning."
Thethreequartersofamileintheblazingheat,fromNuthangertothefootofthe
hill,hadcostHazelmorepainandeffortthananythinginhislife.IfFiverhadnotfoundhim,hewouldhavediedinthedrain.WhenFiver'surginghadpenetratedhisdark,ebbingstupor,hehadatfirstactuallytriednottorespond.Itwassomucheasiertoremainwherehewas,onthefarsideofthesufferinghehadundergone.Later,whenhefoundhimselflyinginthegreengloomof
theditch,withFiversearchinghiswoundsandassuringhimthathecouldstandandmove,stillhecouldnotfacetheideaofsettingouttoreturn.Histornsidethrobbedandthepaininhislegseemedtohaveaffectedhissenses.Hefeltdizzyandcouldnothearorsmellproperly.Atlast,whenheunderstoodthatFiverandBlackberryhadriskedasecondjourneytothefarm,in
thebroadestofdaylight,solelytofindhimandsavehislife,heforcedhimselftohisfeetandbegantostumbledowntheslopetotheroad.Hissightwasswimmingandhehadtostopagainandagain.WithoutFiver'sencouragementhewouldhavelaindownoncemoreandgivenup.Intheroad,hecouldnotclimbthebankandhadtolimpalongthevergeuntilhecouldcrawlundera
gate.Muchlater,astheycameunderthepylonline,herememberedtheovergrownditchatthefootofthehillandsethimselftoreachit.Oncethere,helaydownandatoncereturnedtothesleepoftotalexhaustion.
WhenBigwigarrived,justbeforedark,hefoundFiversnatchingaquickfeedinthelonggrass.ItwasoutofthequestiontodisturbHazelby
digging,andtheyspentthenightcrouchedbesidehimonthenarrowfloor.
Comingoutinthegraylightbeforedawn,thefirstcreatureBigwigsawwasKehaar,foragingbetweentheelders.HestampedtoattracthisattentionandKehaarsailedacrosstohimwithonebeatofhiswingsandalongglide.
"MeesterPigvig,youfindMeester'Azel?"
"Yes,"saidBigwig,"he'sintheditchhere."
"'Enotdead?"
"No,buthe'swoundedandveryweak.Thefarmmanshothimwithagun,youknow."
"Yougetblackstones
out?"
"Howdoyoumean?"
"Alvaysvidguneescomingliddleblackstones.Youneversee?"
"No,Idon'tknowaboutguns."
"Takeoutblackstones,'egetbetter.'Ecomenow,ya?"
"I'llsee,"saidBigwig.HewentdowntoHazelandfoundhimawakeandtalkingtoFiver.WhenBigwigtoldhimthatKehaarwasoutsidehedraggedhimselfuptheshortrunandintothegrass.
"Disdamngun,"saidKehaar."'Eputliddlestonesfor'urtyou.Ilook,ya?"
"Isupposeyou'dbetter,"saidHazel."Myleg'sstill
verybad,I'mafraid."
HelaydownandKehaar'sheadflickedfromsidetosideasthoughhewerelookingforsnailsinHazel'sbrownfur.Hepeeredcloselyupthelengthofthetornflank.
"Eesnotstones'ere,"hesaid."Goin,goout--nostop.NowIseeyouleg.Maybe'urtyou,notlong."
Twoshotgunpelletswereburiedinthemuscleofthehaunch.Kehaardetectedthembysmellandremovedthemexactlyashemighthavepickedspidersoutofacrack.HazelhadbarelytimetoflinchbeforeBigwigwassniffingatthepelletsinthegrass.
"Noweesmorebleed,"saidKehaar."Youstay,vaitmaybevun,twoday.Den
gootlikebefore.Doserabbitsupdere,allvait,vaitforMeester'Azel.Itelldem'ecome."Heflewoffbeforetheycouldreply.
Asthingsturnedout,Hazelstayedthreedaysatthefootofthehill.Thehotweathercontinuedandformuchofthetimehesatundertheelderbranches,dozingabovegroundlikesomesolitaryhlessiandfeelinghisstrength
returning.Fiverstayedwithhim,keepingthewoundscleanandwatchinghisrecovery.Oftentheywouldsaynothingforhourstogether,lyingintherough,warmgrasswhiletheshadowsmovedtoevening,untilatlastthelocalblackbirdcockeditstailandtuck-tuckedawaytoroost.NeitherspokeofNuthangerFarm,butHazelshowedplainlyenoughthatforthe
futureFiver,whenhegaveadvice,wouldhavenohardtasktogethimtoacceptit.
"Hrairoo,"saidHazeloneevening,"whatwouldwehavedonewithoutyou?We'dnoneofusbehere,wouldwe?"
"You'resurewearehere,then?"askedFiver.
"That'stoomysteriousfor
me,"repliedHazel."Whatdoyoumean?"
"Well,there'sanotherplace--anothercountry,isn'tthere?Wegotherewhenwesleep;atothertimes,too;andwhenwedie.El-ahrairahcomesandgoesbetweenthetwoashewants,Isuppose,butIcouldneverquitemakethatout,fromthetales.Somerabbitswilltellyouit'salleasythere,comparedwiththe
wakingdangersthattheyunderstand.ButIthinkthatonlyshowstheydon'tknowmuchaboutit.It'sawildplace,andveryunsafe.Andwherearewereally--thereorhere?"
"Ourbodiesstayhere--that'sgoodenoughforme.You'dbettergoandtalktothatSilverweedfellow--hemightknowmore."
"Oh,yourememberhim?Ifeltthatwhenwewerelisteningtohim,youknow.HeterrifiedmeandyetIknewthatIunderstoodhimbetterthananyoneelseinthatplace.Heknewwherehebelonged,anditwasn'there.Poorfellow,I'msurehe'sdead.They'dgothim,allright--theonesinthatcountry.Theydon'tgivetheirsecretsawayfornothing,youknow.Butlook!Herecome
HollyandBlackberry,sowe'dbetterfeelsurewe'reherejustforthemoment,anyway."
HollyhadalreadycomedownthehillonthepreviousdaytoseeHazelandtellagainthestoryofhisescapefromEfrafa.Whenhehadspokenofhisdeliverancebythegreatapparitioninthenight,Fiverhadlistenedattentivelyandaskedone
question,"Diditmakeanoise?"Later,whenHollyhadgoneback,hetoldHazelthathefeltsuretherewassomenaturalexplanation,thoughhehadnoideawhatitcouldbe.Hazel,however,hadnotbeengreatlyinterested.Forhim,theimportantthingwastheirdisappointmentandthereasonforit.Hollyhadachievednothingandthiswasentirelyduetotheunexpected
unfriendlinessoftheEfrafanrabbits.Thisevening,assoonastheyhadbeguntofeed,Hazelreturnedtothematter.
"Holly,"hesaid,"we'rehardlyanynearertosolvingourproblem,arewe?You'vedonewondersandgotnothingtoshowforit,andtheNuthangerraidwasonlyasillylark,I'mafraid--andanexpensiveoneforme,atthat.Therealholehasstillgotto
bedug."
"Well,"saidHolly,"yousayitwasonlyalark,Hazel,butatleastitgaveustwodoes:andthey'retheonlytwowe'vegot."
"Aretheyanygood?"
Thekindofideasthathavebecomenaturaltomanymalehumanbeingsinthinkingoffemales--ideasofprotection,
fidelity,romanticloveandsoon--are,ofcourse,unknowntorabbits,althoughrabbitscertainlydoformexclusiveattachmentsmuchmorefrequentlythanmostpeoplerealize.However,theyarenotromanticanditcamenaturallytoHazelandHollytoconsiderthetwoNuthangerdoessimplyasbreedingstockforthewarren.Thiswaswhattheyhadriskedtheirlivesfor.
"Well,it'shardtosay,yet,"repliedHolly."They'redoingtheirbesttosettledownwithus--Cloverparticularly.Sheseemsverysensible.Butthey'reextraordinarilyhelpless,youknow--I'veneverseenanythinglikeit--andI'mafraidtheymayturnouttobedelicateinbadweather.Theymightsurvivenextwinterandthenagaintheymightnot.Butyouweren'ttoknowthatwhen
yougotthemoutofthefarm."
"Withabitofluck,theymighteachhavealitterbeforethewinter,"saidHazel."Iknowthebreedingseason'sover,buteverything'ssotopsy-turvywithusherethatthere'snosaying."
"Well,youaskmewhatIthink,"saidHolly."I'lltell
you.Ithinkthey'repreciouslittletobetheonlythingbetweenusandtheendofeverythingwe'vemanagedtodosofar.Ithinktheymayverywellnothaveanykittensforsometime,partlybecausethisisn'ttheseasonandpartlybecausethelife'ssostrangetothem.Andwhentheydo,thekittenswillverylikelyhavealotofthisman-bredhutchstockinthem.Butwhatelseistheretohopefor?Wemust
dothebestwecanwithwhatwe'vegot."
"Hasanyonematedwiththemyet?"askedHazel.
"No,neitherofthemhasbeenreadysofar.ButIcanseesomefineoldfightsbreakingoutwhentheyare."
"That'sanotherproblem.Wecan'tgoonwithnothingbutthesetwodoes."
"Butwhatelsecanwedo?"
"Iknowwhatwe'vegottodo,"saidHazel,"butIstillcan'tseehow.We'vegottogobackandgetsomedoesoutofEfrafa."
"YoumightaswellsayyouweregoingtogetthemoutofInlé,Hazel-rah.I'mafraidIcan'thavegivenyouaverycleardescriptionofEfrafa."
"Oh,yes,youhave--thewholeideascaresmestiff.Butwe'regoingtodoit."
"Itcan'tbedone."
"Itcan'tbedonebyfightingorfairwords,no.Soitwillhavetobedonebymeansofatrick."
"There'snotrickwillgetthebetterofthatlot,believeme.Therearefarmoreof
themthanthereareofus:they'reveryhighlyorganized:andI'monlytellingthetruthwhenIsaythattheycanfight,runandfollowatraileverybitaswellaswecan,andalotofthem,muchbetter."
"Thetrick,"saidHazel,turningtoBlackberry,whoallthistimehadbeennibblingandlisteninginsilence,"thetrickwillhavetodothreethings.First,itwillhaveto
getthedoesoutofEfrafaandsecondlyitwillhavetoputpaidtothepursuit.Forapursuitthere'sboundtobeandwecan'texpectanothermiracle.Butthat'snotall.Oncewe'reclearoftheplace,we'vegottobecomeimpossibletofind--beyondthereachofanyWidePatrol."
"Yes,"saidBlackberrydoubtfully."Yes,Iagree.To
succeedweshouldhavetomanageallthosethings."
"Yes.Andthistrick,Blackberry,isgoingtobedevisedbyyou."
Thesweet,carrionscentofdogwoodfilledtheair;intheeveningsunshine,theinsectshummedaroundthedensewhitecymeshanginglowabovethegrass.Apairofbrown-and-orangebeetles,
disturbedbythefeedingrabbits,tookofffromagrassstemandflewaway,stillcoupledtogether.
"Theymate.Wedon't,"saidHazel,watchingthemgo."Atrick,Blackberry:atricktoputusrightonceandforall."
"Icanseehowtodothefirstthing,"saidBlackberry."Atleast,IthinkIcan.But
it'sdangerous.TheothertwoIcan'tseeatallyetandI'dliketotalkitoverwithFiver."
"ThesoonerFiverandIgetbacktothewarrenthebetter,"saidHazel."Myleg'sgoodenoughnow,butallthesameIthinkwe'llleaveitfortonight.GoodoldHolly,willyoutellthemthatFiverandIwillcomeearlytomorrowmorning?Itworriesmeto
thinkthatBigwigandSilvermaystartfightingaboutCloveratanymoment."
"Hazel,"saidHolly,"listen.Idon'tlikethisideaofyoursatall.I'vebeeninEfrafaandyouhaven't.You'remakingabadmistakeandyoumightverywellgetusallkilled."
ItwasFiverwhoreplied."Itoughttofeellikethat,I
know,"hesaid,"butsomehowitdoesn't:nottome.Ibelievewecandoit.Anyway,I'msureHazel'srightwhenhesaysit'stheonlychancewe'vegot.Supposewegoontalkingaboutitforabit?"
"Notnow,"saidHazel."Timeforundergrounddownhere--comeon.Butifyoutworaceupthehill,you'llprobablybeintimeforsome
moresunshineatthetop.Goodnight."
29.ReturnandDeparture
Hewhichhathnostomachtothisfight,
Lethimdepart,hispassportshallbemade
Andcrownsforconvoyput
intohispurse.
Wewouldnotdieinthatman'scompany
Thatfearshisfellowship,todiewithus.
Shakespeare,HenryV
Thefollowingmorningalltherabbitswereoutatsilflaybydawnandtherewasagooddealofexcitementas
theywaitedforHazel.DuringthepreviousfewdaysBlackberryhadhadtorepeatseveraltimesthestoryofthejourneytothefarmandthefindingofHazelinthedrain.OneortwohadsuggestedthatKehaarmusthavefoundHazelandtoldFiversecretly.ButKehaardeniedthisand,whenpressed,repliedcrypticallythatFiverwasonewhohadtraveledagooddealfurtherthanhehadhimself.
AsforHazel,hehadacquired,ineveryone'seyes,akindofmagicalquality.Ofallthewarren,DandelionwasthelastrabbittofailtodojusticetoagoodstoryandhehadmadethemostofHazel'sheroicdashoutoftheditchtosavehisfriendsfromthefarmers.NoonehadevensuggestedthatHazelmighthavebeenrecklessingoingtothefarm.Againstalloddshehadgotthemtwodoes:and
nowhewasbringingtheirluckbacktothewarren.
JustbeforesunrisePipkinandSpeedwellsawFivercomingthroughthewetgrassnearthesummitofthedown.TheyranouttomeethimandwaitedwithhimuntilHazelcameuptothem.Hazelwaslimpingandhadevidentlyfoundtheclimbastrain,butafterrestingandfeedingforashorttimehewasabletorun
downtothewarrenalmostasfastastheothers.Therabbitscrowdedround.Everyonewantedtotouchhim.Hewassniffedandtussledwithandrolledoverinthegrassuntilhefeltalmostasthoughhewerebeingattacked.Humanbeings,onoccasionsofthiskind,areusuallyfullofquestions,buttherabbitsexpressedtheirdelightsimplybyprovingtothemselvesthroughtheirsensesthatthis
wasreallyHazel-rah.Itwasallhecoulddotostanduptotheroughplay."IwonderwhatwouldhappenifIlaydownunderit?"hethought."They'dkickmeout,Idaresay.Theywouldn'thaveacrippledChiefRabbit.Thisisatestaswellasawelcome,eventhoughtheydon'tknowitthemselves.I'lltestthem,therascals,beforeI'mdone."
HepushedBuckthornand
Speedwelloffhisbackandbrokeawaytotheedgeofthewood.StrawberryandBoxwoodwereonthebankandhejoinedthemandsatwashingandcombinghimselfinthesunrise.
"Wecandowithafewwell-behavedfellowslikeyou,"hesaidtoBoxwood."Lookatthatroughlotoutthere--theynearlyfinishedmeoff!Whatonearthdoyou
makeofusandhowareyousettlingdown?"
"Well,ofcoursewefinditstrange,"saidBoxwood,"butwe'relearning.Strawberryherehasbeenhelpingmeagreatdeal.WewerejustseeinghowmanysmellsIcouldtellonthewind,butthat'ssomethingthat'llonlycomeslowly.Thesmellsareawfullystrongonafarm,youknow,andtheydon'tmean
muchwhenyoulivebehindwire.AsfarasIcanmakeout,youalllivebysmell."
"Don'ttaketoomanyriskstobeginwith,"saidHazel."Keepneartheburrows--don'tgooutalone--allthatsortofthing.Andhowaboutyou,Strawberry?Areyoubetter?"
"Moreorless,"answeredStrawberry,"aslongasI
sleepalotandsitinthesun,Hazel-rah.I'vebeenterrifiedhalfoutofmywits--that'sthebottomofit.I'vehadtheshiversandthehorrorsfordays.IkeptthinkingIwasbackinEfrafa."
"WhatwasitlikeinEfrafa?"askedHazel.
"I'dratherdiethangobacktoEfrafa,"saidStrawberry,"orriskgoinganywherenear
it.Idon'tknowwhichwasworse,theboredomorthefear.Allthesame,"headdedafterafewmoments,"therearerabbitstherewho'dbethesameasweareiftheycouldonlylivenaturally,likeus.Severalwouldbegladtoleavetheplaceiftheyonlycould."
BeforetheywentundergroundHazeltalkedtoalmostalltherabbits.Ashe
expected,theyweredisappointedoverthefailureatEfrafaandfullofindignationattheill-treatmentofHollyandhiscompanions.Morethanonethought,likeHolly,thatthetwodoeswerelikelytogiverisetotrouble.
"Thereshouldhavebeenmore,Hazel,"saidBigwig."Weshallallbeateachother'sthroats,youknow--I
don'tseehowit'stobehelped."
LateintheafternoonHazelcalledeveryoneintotheHoneycomb.
"I'vebeenthinkingthingsover,"hesaid."IknowyoumustallhavebeenreallydisappointednottohavegotridofmeatNuthangerFarmtheotherday,soI'vedecidedtogoabitfurthernexttime."
"Where?"askedBluebell.
"ToEfrafa,"repliedHazel,"ifIcangetanyonetocomewithme:andweshallbringbackasmanydoesasthewarrenneeds."
Thereweremurmursofastonishment,andthenSpeedwellasked,"How?"
"BlackberryandIhavegotaplan,"saidHazel,"butI'm
notgoingtoexplainitnow,forthisreason.Youallknowthatthisisgoingtobeadangerousbusiness.IfanyofyougetcaughtandtakenintoEfrafa,they'llmakeyoutalk,allright.Butthosewhodon'tknowaplancan'tgiveitaway.I'llexplainitlateron,atthepropertime."
"Areyougoingtoneedmanyrabbits,Hazel-rah?"askedDandelion."FromallI
hear,thewholelotofuswouldn'tbeenoughtofighttheEfrafans."
"Ihopeweshan'thavetofightatall,"repliedHazel,"butthere'salwaysthepossibility.Anyway,it'llbealongjourneyhomewiththedoes,andifbyanychancewemeetaWidePatrolontheway,therehavegottobeenoughofustodealwiththem."
"WouldwehavetogointoEfrafa?"askedPipkintimidly.
"No,"saidHazel,"weshall--"
"Ineverthought,Hazel,"interruptedHolly,"IneverthoughtthatthetimewouldcomewhenIshouldfeelobligedtospeakagainstyou.ButIcanonlysayagainthatthisislikelytobeacomplete
disaster.Iknowwhatyouthink--you'recountingonGeneralWoundwortnothavinganyoneascleverasBlackberryandFiver.You'requiteright--Idon'tthinkhehas.Butthefactremainsthatnoonecangetabunchofdoesawayfromthatplace.YouallknowthatI'vespentmylifepatrollingandtrackingintheopen.Well,therearerabbitsintheEfrafanOwslawhoarebetter
atitthanIam--I'madmittingit:andthey'llhuntyoudownwithyourdoesandkillyou.GreatFrith!Weallhavetomeetourmatchsometimeorother!Iknowyouwantonlytohelpusall,butdobesensibleandgivethisschemeup.Believeme,thebestthingtodowithaplacelikeEfrafaistostayasfarawayfromitaspossible."
Talkbrokeoutalloverthe
Honeycomb."Thatmustberight!""Whowantstobetorntopieces?""Thatrabbitwiththemutilatedears--""Well,butHazel-rahmustknowwhat'sdoing.""It'stoofar.""Idon'twanttogo."
Hazelwaitedpatientlyforquiet.Atlasthesaid,"It'slikethis.Wecanstayhereandtrytomakethebestofthingsastheyare,orwecanputthemrightonceandforall.Of
coursethere'sarisk:anyoneknowsthatwho'sheardwhathappenedtoHollyandtheothers.Buthaven'twefacedoneriskafteranother,allthewayfromthewarrenweleft?Whatdoyoumeantodo?Stayhereandscratcheachother'seyesoutovertwodoes,whenthereareplentyinEfrafathatyou'reafraidtogoandget,eventhoughthey'dbeonlytoogladtocomeandjoinus?"
Someonecalledout,"WhatdoesFiverthink?"
"I'mcertainlygoing,"saidFiverquietly."Hazel'sperfectlyrightandthere'snothingthematterwithhisplan.ButIpromiseyouthis,allofyou.IfIdocome,lateron,tofeelanykindofmisgiving,Ishan'tkeepittomyself."
"Andifthathappens,I
shan'tignoreit,"saidHazel.
Therewassilence.ThenBigwigspoke.
"YoumayaswellallknowthatI'mgoing,"hesaid,"andweshallhaveKehaarwithus,ifthatappealstoyouatall."
Therewasabuzzofsurprise.
"Ofcourse,therearesome
ofuswhooughttostayhere,"saidHazel."Thefarmrabbitscan'tbeexpectedtogo;andI'mnotaskinganyonewhowentthefirsttimetogobackagain."
"I'llcome,though,"saidSilver."IhateGeneralWoundwortandhisCouncilwithallmygutsandifwe'rereallygoingtomakefoolsofthemIwanttobethere,aslongasIdon'thavetogo
backinsidetheplace--thatIcouldn'tface.But,afterall,you'regoingtoneedsomeonewhoknowstheway."
"I'llcome,"saidPipkin."Hazel-rahsavedmy--Imean,I'msureheknowswhat's--"Hebecameconfused."Anyway,I'llcome,"herepeated,inaverynervousvoice.
Therewasascufflingin
therunthatleddownfromthewoodandHazelcalled,"Who'sthat?"
"It'sI,Hazel-rah--Blackberry."
"Blackberry!"saidHazel."Why,Ithoughtyou'dbeenhereallthetime.Wherehaveyoubeen?"
"Sorrynottohavecomebefore,"saidBlackberry.I've
beentalkingtoKehaar,asamatteroffact,abouttheplan.He'simproveditagooddeal.IfI'mnotmistaken,GeneralWoundwort'sgoingtolookremarkablysillybeforewe'vefinished.Ithoughtatfirstthatitcouldn'tbedone,butnowIfeelsureitcan."
"Comewherethegrassisgreener,"saidBluebell,
"Andthelettucesgrowin
rows,
"Andarabbitoffreedemeanor
"Isknownbyhiswell-scratchednose.
"IthinkIshallhavetocome,justtosatisfymycuriosity.I'vebeenopeningandshuttingmymouthlikeababybirdtoknowaboutthisplanandnooneputsanything
in.IsupposeBigwig'sgoingtodressupasahrududuanddriveallthedoesacrossthefield."
Hazelturnedonhimsharply.Bluebellsatuponhishindlegsandsaid,"Please,GeneralWoundwort,sir,I'monlyalittlehrududuandI'veleftallmypetrolonthegrass,soifyouwouldn'tmindeatingthegrass,sir,whileIjustgivethisladya
ride--"
"Bluebell,"saidHazel,"shutup!"
"I'msorry,Hazel-rah,"repliedBluebellinsurprise."Ididn'tmeananyharm.Iwasonlytryingtocheereveryoneupabit.Afterall,mostofusfeelfrightenedattheideaofgoingtothisplaceandyoucan'tblameus,canyou?Itsoundshorriblydangerous."
"Well,lookhere,"saidHazel,"we'llfinishthismeetingnow.Let'swaitandseewhatwedecide--that'stherabbits'way.NoonehastogotoEfrafawhodoesn'twantto,butit'sclearenoughthatsomeofusmeantogo.NowI'mofftotalktoKehaarmyself."
HefoundKehaarjustinsidethetrees,snappingandtearingwithhisgreatbeakat
afoul-smellingpieceofflakingbrownfleshwhichseemedtobehangingfromatraceryofbones.Hewrinkledhisnoseindisgustattheodor,whichfilledthewoodaroundandwasalreadyattractingantsandbluebottles.
"Whatonearthisthat,Kehaar?"heasked."Itsmellsappalling!"
"Younotknow?Heemfeesh,feesh,comefromPeegVater.Eesgoot."
"ComefromBigWater?(Ugh!)Didyoufinditthere?"
"Na,na.Menhaveheem.Downtofarmeesplentypeegrubbishplace,allt'ingsdere.Igoforfood,findheem,allsmelllikePeegVater,pickheemup,pringheemback:makemet'inkallaboutPeeg
Vater."Hebegantotearagainatthehalf-eatenkipper.HazelsatchokingwithnauseaanddisgustasKehaarlifteditentireandbeatitagainstabeechroot,sothatsmallfragmentsflewroundthem.Hecollectedhimselfandmadeaneffort.
"Kehaar,"hesaid,"Bigwigsaysyoutoldhimyou'dcomeandhelpustogetthemothersoutofthebigwarren."
"Ya,ya,Icomeforyou.MeesterPigvig,'eneedmefor'elp'im.Van'edere,'etalktome,Inotrabbit.Eesgoot,ya?"
"Yes,rather.It'stheonlypossibleway.You'reagoodfriendtous,Kehaar."
"Ya,ya,'elpyouforgetmudders.Butnoweesdis,Meester'Azel.AlwaysIvantPeegVaternow--alvays,
alvays.EeshearingPeegVater,vanttoflytoPeegVater.Nowsoonyougoforgetmudders,I'elpyou,'owyoulike.Den,venyougettingmudders,Ileaveyoudere,flyavay,nocomeback.ButIcomebackanuddertime,ya?Comeinautumn,invinterIcomelive'erevidyou,ya?"
"Weshallmissyou,Kehaar.Butwhenyoucome
backwe'llhaveafinewarrenhere,withlotsofmothers.You'llbeabletofeelproudofallyoudidtohelpus."
"Ya,villbeso.ButMeester'Azel,venyougo?Ivant'elpyou,butInovantvaitforgoPeegVater.Eeshardnowforstay,youknow?Disvatyoudo,doheemqueek,ya?"
Bigwigcameuptherun,
puthisheadoutoftheholeandstoppedinhorror.
"Frithupatree!"hesaid."Whatafearfulsmell!Didyoukillit,Kehaar,ordiditdieunderastone?"
"Youlike,MeesterPigvig?Ipringyouniceliddlepit,ya?"
"Bigwig,"saidHazel,"goandtellalltheothersthat
we'resettingoffatdaybreaktomorrow.HollywillbeChiefRabbithereuntilwegetbackandBuckthorn,Strawberryandthefarmrabbitsaretostaywithhim.Anyoneelsewhowantstostaywillbeperfectlyfreetodoso."
"Don'tworry,"saidBigwig,fromthehole."I'llsendthemalluptosilflaywithKehaar.They'llgo
anywhereyoulikebeforeaduckcandive."
PARTIIIEfrafa
30.ANewJourney
Anundertakingofgreatadvantage,butnobodytoknowwhatitis.
CompanyProspectusoftheSouthSeaBubble
WiththeexceptionofBuckthornandtheadditionofBluebell,therabbitswhosetofffromthesouthernendofthebeechhangerearlythenextmorningwerethosewhohadleftSandlefordwithHazelfiveweeksbefore.Hazelhadsaidnothingmoretopersuadethem,feelingthatitwouldbebettersimplytoleavethingstosetinhisfavor.Heknewthattheywereafraid,forhewasafraid
himself.Indeed,heguessedthatthey,likehimself,couldnotbefreefromthethoughtofEfrafaanditsgrimOwsla.ButworkingagainstthisfearwastheirlongingandneedtofindmoredoesandtheknowledgethattherewereplentyofdoesinEfrafa.Thentherewastheirsenseofmischief.Allrabbitslovetotrespassandstealandwhenitcomestothepointveryfewwilladmitthattheyareafraid
todoso;unless(likeBuckthornorStrawberryonthisoccasion)theyknowthattheyarenotfitandthattheirbodiesmayletthemdowninthepinch.Again,inspeakingabouthissecretplan,Hazelhadarousedtheircuriosity.Hehadhopedthat,withFiverbehindhim,hecouldlurethemwithhintsandpromises:andhehadbeenright.TherabbitstrustedhimandFiver,whohadgottenthemoutof
Sandlefordbeforeitwastoolate,crossedtheEnborneandthecommon,takenBigwigoutofthewire,foundedthewarrenonthedowns,madeanallyofKehaarandproducedtwodoesagainstallodds.Therewasnotellingwhattheywoulddonext.Buttheywereevidentlyuptosomething;andsinceBigwigandBlackberryseemedtobeconfidentlyinonit,noonewasreadytosaythathe
wouldratherstayout;especiallysinceHazelhadmadeitclearthatanyonewhowishedcouldremainathomeandwelcome--implyingthatifhewassopoor-spiritedastochoosetomisstheexploit,theycoulddowithouthim.Holly,inwhomloyaltywassecondnature,hadsaidnomoretoqueerthepitch.Heaccompaniedthemasfarastheendofthewoodwithallthecheerfulnesshecould
muster;onlybeggingHazel,outofhearingoftherest,nottounderratethedanger."SendnewsbyKehaarwhenhereachesyou,"hesaid,"andcomebacksoon."
Nevertheless,asSilverguidedthemsouthwardalonghighergroundtothewestofthefarm,almostall,nowthattheywereactuallycommittedtotheadventure,feltdreadandapprehension.Theyhad
heardenoughaboutEfrafatodauntthestoutestheart.Butbeforereachingit--orwherevertheyweregoing--theyhadtoexpecttwodaysontheopendown.Foxes,stoats,weasels--anyofthesemightbeencountered,andtheonlyrecoursewouldbeflightaboveground.Theirprogresswasstragglingandbroken,slowerthanthatwhichHollyhadmadewithhispickedbandofthree.Rabbits
strayed,tookalarm,stoppedtorest.AfteratimeHazeldividedthemintogroups,ledbySilver,Bigwigandhimself.Yetstilltheymovedslowly,likeclimbersonarockface,firstsomeandthenotherstakingtheirturntocrossthesamepieceofground.
Butatleastthecoverwasgood.JunewasmovingtowardJulyandhigh
summer.Hedgerowsandvergeswereattheirrankestandthickest.Therabbitsshelteredindimgreensun-fleckedcavesofgrass,floweringmarjoramandcowparsley;peeredroundspottedhairy-stemmedclumpsofviper'sbugloss,bloomingredandblueabovetheirheads;pushedbetweentoweringstalksofyellowmullein.Sometimestheyscuttledalongopenturf,coloredlikea
tapestrymeadowwithself-heal,centauryandtormentil.Becauseoftheiranxietyaboutelilandbecausetheywerenosetogroundandunabletoseefarahead,thewayseemedlong.
Hadtheirjourneybeenmadeinyearsgoneby,theywouldhavefoundthedownsfarmoreopen,withoutstandingcrops,grazedclosebysheep;andtheycould
hardlyhavehopedtogofarunobservedbyenemies.Butthesheepwerelonggoneandthetractorshadplowedgreatexpansesforwheatandbarley.Thesmellofthegreen,standingcornwasroundthemallday.Themicewerenumerousandsowerethekestrels.Thekestrelsweredisturbing,butHazelhadbeenrightwhenheguessedthatahealthy,full-grownrabbitwastoolargeaquarry
forthem.Atallevents,noonewasattackedfromabove.
Sometimebeforeni-Frith,intheheatoftheday,Silverpausedinalittlepatchofthorn.Therewasnobreezeandtheairwasfullofthesweet,chrysanthemum-likesmellofthefloweringcompositaeofdryuplands--cornchamomile,yarrowandtansy.AsHazelandFivercameupandsquattedbeside
him,helookedoutacrosstheopengroundahead.
"There,Hazel-rah,"hesaid,"that'sthewoodthatHollydidn'tlike."
Twoorthreehundredyardsawayanddirectlyacrosstheirline,abeltoftreesranstraightacrossthedown,stretchingineachdirectionasfarastheycouldsee.Theyhadcometothe
lineofthePortway--onlyintermittentlyaroad--whichrunsfromnorthofAndover,throughSt.MaryBournewithitsbellsandstreamsandwatercressbeds,throughBradleyWood,onacrossthedownsandsotoTadleyandatlasttoSilchester--theRomans'CallevaAtrebatum.Whereitcrossesthedowns,thelineismarkedbyCaesar'sBelt,astripofwoodlandasstraightastheroad,narrow
indeedbutmorethanthreemileslong.InthishotnoondaythetreesoftheBeltwereloopedandnettedwithdarkestshadow.Thesunlayoutside,theshadowsinsidethetrees.Allwasstill,saveforthegrasshoppersandthefallingfinchsongoftheyellowhammeronthethorn.Hazellookedsteadilyforalongtime,listeningwithraisedearsandwrinklinghisnoseintheunmovingair.
"Ican'tseeanythingwrongwithit,"hesaidatlast."Canyou,Fiver?"
"No,"repliedFiver."Hollythoughtitwasastrangekindofwoodandsoitis,buttheredon'tseemtobeanymenthere.Allthesame,someoneoughttogoandmakesure,Isuppose.ShallI?"
ThethirdgrouphadcomeupwhileHazelhadbeen
gazingattheBelt,andnowalltherabbitswereeithernibblingquietlyorresting,withearslaidflat,inthelightgreensun-and-shadeofthethornthicket
"IsBigwigthere?"askedHazel.
ThroughoutthemorningBigwighadseemedunlikehimself--silentandpreoccupied,withlittle
attentionforwhatwasgoingonaroundhim.Ifhiscouragehadnotbeenbeyondquestion,itmighthavebeenthoughtthathewasfeelingnervous.DuringonelonghaltBluebellhadoverheardhimtalkingwithHazel,FiverandBlackberry,andlaterhadtoldPipkinthatitsoundedforalltheworldasthoughBigwigwerebeingreassured."Fighting,yes,anywhere,"hehadheardhimsay,"butIstill
reckonthatthisgameismoreinsomeoneelse'slinethanmine.""No,"repliedHazel,"you'retheonlyonethatcandoit:andremember,thisisn'tsport,ifthefarmraidwas.Everythingdependsonit."Then,realizingthatBluebellcouldhearhim,headded,"Anyway,keeponthinkingaboutitandtrytogetusedtotheidea.Wemustgetonnow."Bigwighadgonemoodilydownthehedgerow
tocollecthisgroup.
NowhecameoutofanearbyclumpofmugwortandfloweringthistleandjoinedHazelunderthethorn.
"Whatdoyouwant?"heaskedabruptly.
"KingofCats"(Pfeffa-rah),answeredHazel,"wouldyouliketogoandhavealookinthosetrees?Andifyou
findanycatsormenoranythinglikethat,justchasethemoff,wouldyou,andthencomeandtellusit'sallright?"
WhenBigwighadslippedaway,HazelsaidtoSilver,"HaveyouanyideahowfartheWidePatrolsgoout?Areweinsidetheirrangeyet?"
"Idon'tknow,butI'dguessthatweare,"saidSilver."As
Iunderstandit,therangeisuptothepatrol.Underapushingsortofcaptain,apatrolmaygooutalongway,Ibelieve."
"Isee,"saidHazel."Well,Idon'twanttomeetapatrolifitcanpossiblybehelped,andifwedo,notoneofthemmustgetbacktoEfrafa.That'sonereasonwhyIbroughtsomanyofus.Butbywayofavoidingthem,I'm
goingtotrytomakeuseofthiswood.Perhapstheydon'tfancyitanymorethanHollydid."
"Butsurelyitdoesn'trunthewaywewanttogo?"saidSilver.
"We'renotgoingtoEfrafa,though,"saidHazel."We'regoingtofindsomewheretohide,asneartoitaswecansafelyget.Anyideas?"
"Onlythatit'sterriblydangerous,Hazel-rah,"saidSilver."Youcan'tgetnearEfrafasafelyandIdon'tknowhowyoucanbegintolookforsomewheretohide.Andthenthepatrol--ifthereisone--they'llbecunningbrutes.Theymightverywellspotusandnotshowthemselvesatall--simplygoandreport."
"Well,herecomesBigwigbackagain,"saidHazel."Isit
allright,Bigwig?Good--let'sgetthemintothewoodandgodownthelengthofitalittleway.ThenwemustslipoutontheothersideandmakesurethatKehaarfindsus.He'scomingtolookforusthisafternoonandatallcostswemustn'tmisshim."
Lessthanhalfamiletothewest,theycameuponaspinneyadjoiningthesouthernedgeofCaesar's
Belt.Tothewestagainwasashallow,drydownlandcombe,perhapsfourhundredyardsacrossandovergrownwithweedsandrough,yellowingsummertussocks.There,wellbeforesunset,Kehaar,flyingwestwarddowntheBelt,spottedtherabbitslyingup,allamongthenettlesandgoosegrass.HesaileddownandalightednearHazelandFiver.
"How'sHolly?"askedHazel.
"'Esad,"saidKehaar."'Esayyounocomeback."Thenheadded,"MeesClover,shereadyformudder."
"That'sgood,"saidHazel."Isanyonedoinganythingaboutit?"
"Ya,ya,eesalltofight."
"Oh,well,Isupposeit'llsortitselfout."
"Vatyoudonow,Meester'Azel?"
"Thisiswhereyoustarthelping,Kehaar.Weneedaplacetohide,asnearthebigwarrenaswecansafelyget--somewherewherethoseotherrabbitswon'tfindus.Ifyouknowthecountrywellenough,perhapsyoucan
suggestsomething."
"Meester'Azel,'owcloseyouvant?"
"Well,nofurtherawaythanNuthangerFarmisfromtheHoneycomb.Infact,that'sreallyaboutthelimit."
"Eesonlyvont'ing,Meester'Azel.Yougouddersideriver,dendeynotfindyou."
"Overtheriver?Youmeanweswimacross?"
"Na,na,rabbitnosveemdisriver.Eespeeg,eesdeep,goqueek.Buteespridge,denuddersideplentyplaceforhide.Eesclosetovarren,likeyousay."
"Andyouthinkthat'sthebestwecando?"
"Eesplentytreesundees
river.Udderrabbitsnofindyou."
"Whatdoyouthink?"saidHazeltoFiver.
"ItsoundsbetterthanI'dhopedfor,"saidFiver."Ihatetosayit,butIthinkweoughttogostraightthereasfastaswecan,evenifitmakeseveryoneexhausted.We'reindangerallthetimewe'reonthedown,butoncewegetoff
itwecanrest."
"Well,Isupposewe'dbettergoonbynight,ifthey'lldoit--we'vedoneitbefore--buttheymustfeedandrestfirst.StartfuInlé?There'llbeamoon."
"Oh,howI'vecometoloathethosewords'start'and'fuInlé,'"saidBlackberry.
However,theeveningfeed
waspeacefulandcoolandafteratimeeveryonefeltrefreshed.Asthesunwassinking,Hazelbroughtthemalltogether,underclosecover,tochewpelletsandrest.Althoughhedidhisbesttoappearconfidentandcheerful,hecouldfeelthattheywereonedge,andafterparryingoneortwoquestionsabouttheplan,hebegantowonderhowhecoulddistracttheirthoughtsandgetthemto
relaxuntiltheywerereadytosetoffagain.Herememberedthetime,onthefirstnightofhisleadership,whentheyhadbeenforcedtorestinthewoodabovetheEnborne.Atleastitwasgoodtoseethatnoonewasexhaustednow:theywereastoughabunchofhlessilaseverraidedagarden.Notabladeofgrasstochoosebetweenthem,thoughtHazel:PipkinandFiverlookedasfreshas
SilverandBigwig.Still,alittleentertainmentwouldbealltothegoodandraisetheirspirits.HewasjustgoingtospeakupwhenAcornsavedhimthetrouble.
"Willyoutellusastory,Dandelion?"heasked.
"Yes!Yes!"saidseveralothers."Comeon!Makeitastunnerwhileyou'reatit!"
"Allright,"saidDandelion."Howabout'El-ahrairahandtheFoxintheWater'?"
"Let'shave'TheHoleintheSky,'"saidHawkbit.
"No,notthat,"saidBigwigsuddenly.Hehadspokenverylittlealltheeveningandeveryonelookedround."Ifyou'regoingtotellastory,there'sonlyoneIwant,"hewenton."'El-ahrairahand
theBlackRabbitofInlé.'"
"Perhapsnotthatone,"saidHazel.
Bigwigroundedonhim,snarling."Ifthere'sgoingtobeastory,don'tyouthinkI'vegotasgoodarightasanyonetochooseit?"heasked.
Hazeldidnotreplyandafterapause,duringwhich
nooneelsespoke,Dandelion,witharathersubduedmanner,began.
31.TheStoryofEl-ahrairahandthe
BlackRabbitofInlé
Thepowerofthenight,thepressofthestorm,
Thepostofthefoe;
Wherehestands,theArchFearinavisibleform,
Yet,thestrongmanmustgo.
RobertBrowning,Prospice
"Soonerorlater,everythingleaksoutandanimalsgettohearwhatothersthinkaboutthem.SomesaythatitwasHufsawhotoldKingDarzinthe
truthaboutthetrickwiththelettuces.OtherssaythatYonathehedgehogwentgossipinginthecopses.But,howeveritwas,KingDarzingottoknowthathehadbeenmadeafoolwhenhedeliveredhislettucestothemarshesofKelfazin.Hedidnotcallhissolidersouttofight--notyet.ButhemadeuphismindthathewouldfindanopportunitytogethisownbackonEl-ahrairah.El-ahrairahknew
thisandhewarnedallhispeopletobecareful,especiallywhentheywentaboutalone.
"NowlateoneafternooninFebruary,Rabscuttleledsomeoftherabbitsouttoarubbishheapontheedgeofagarden,somewayawayfromthewarren.Theeveningcameoncoldandmisty,andwellbeforetwilightafogcamedownthick.Theysetofffor
home,buttheygotlost;andthentheyhadtroublewithanowlandbecameconfusedovertheirdirection.Anyway,Rabscuttlegotseparatedfromtheothers,andafterwanderingaboutforsometime,hestrayedintotheguards'quartersoutsideKingDarzin'scity;andtheycaughthimandtookhimuptotheKing.
"KingDarzinsawhis
chancetospiteEl-ahrairah.HeputRabscuttleintoaspecialprisonholeandeverydayhewasbroughtoutandmadetowork,sometimesinthefrost,diggingandtunneling.ButEl-ahrairahsworehewouldgethimoutsomehow.Andsohedid,forheandtwoofhisdoesspentfourdaysdiggingatunnelfromthewoodintothebackofthebankwhereRabscuttlehadbeensettowork.Andin
theendthistunnelcameneartotheholeinthebankdownwhichRabscuttlehadbeensent.Hewassupposedtobediggingtoturntheholeintoastoreroomandtheguardswerewatchingoutsidewhileheworked.ButEl-ahrairahreachedhim,forhecouldhearhimscratchinginthedark;andtheyallslippedawaydownthetunnelandescapedthroughthewood.
"WhenthenewsreachedKingDarzin,hebecameveryangryindeed,andhedeterminedthatthistimehewouldstartawarandfinishEl-ahrairahonceandforall.HissoldierssetoutinthenightandwenttothemeadowsofFenlo;buttheycouldn'tgetdowntherabbitholes.Sometried,tobesure,buttheysooncameoutagain,becausetheymetEl-ahrairahandtheotherrabbits.They
werenotusedtofightinginnarrowplacesinthedarkandtheygotbittenandscratcheduntiltheyweregladtocomeouttail-first.
"Buttheydidn'tgoaway:theysatoutsideandwaited.Wheneveranyoftherabbitstriedtosilflaytheyfoundtheirenemiesreadytojumponthem.KingDarzinandhissoldierscouldn'twatchalltheholes--thereweretoomany--
buttheywerequickenoughtodashoffwherevertheysawarabbitshowhisnose.VerysoonEl-ahrairah'speoplefoundthatitwasalltheycoulddotosnatchamouthfulortwoofgrass--justenoughtokeepalive--beforetheyhadtoboltundergroundagain.El-ahrairahtriedeverytrickhecouldthinkof,buthecouldn'tberidofKingDarzinorgethisownpeopleaway.Therabbitsbegantobecomethin
andmiserableundergroundandsomeofthemfellill.
"AtlastEl-ahrairahfeltquitedesperateandonenight,whenhehadbeenriskinghislifeagainandagaintobringdownafewmouthfulsofgrassforadoeandherfamilywhosefatherhadbeenkilledthedaybefore,hecalledout,'LordFrith!Iwoulddoanythingtosavemypeople!Iwoulddriveabargainwitha
stoatorafox--yes,orwiththeBlackRabbitofInlé!'
"Now,assoonashehadsaidthis,El-ahrairahrealizedinhisheartthatiftherewasonecreatureanywherewhomighthavethewillandcertainlyhadthepowertodestroyhisenemies,itwastheBlackRabbitofInlé.Forhewasarabbit,andyetmorepowerfulthanKingDarzinathousandtimesover.Butthe
thoughtmadeEl-ahrairahsweatandshudder,sothathehadtocrouchdownwherehewasintherun.Afteratimehewenttohisownburrowandbegantothinkofwhathehadsaidandwhatitmeant.
"Now,asyouallknow,theBlackRabbitofInléisfearandeverlastingdarkness.Heisarabbit,butheisthatcold,baddreamfromwhichwecanonlyentreatLordFrithto
saveustodayandtomorrow.Whenthesnareissetinthegap,theBlackRabbitknowswherethepegisdriven;andwhentheweaseldances,theBlackRabbitisnotfaroff.Youallknowhowsomerabbitsseemjusttothrowtheirlivesawaybetweentwojokesandatheft:butthetruthisthattheirfoolishnesscomesfromtheBlackRabbit,foritisbyhiswillthattheydonotsmellthedogorseethegun.
TheBlackRabbitbringssickness,too.Oragain,hewillcomeinthenightandcallarabbitbyname:andthenthatrabbitmustgoouttohim,eventhoughhemaybeyoungandstrongtosavehimselffromanyotherdanger.HegoeswiththeBlackRabbitandleavesnotracebehind.SomesaythattheBlackRabbithatesusandwantsourdestruction.Butthetruthis--orsotheytaughtme-
-thathe,too,servesLordFrithanddoesnomorethanhisappointedtask--tobringaboutwhatmustbe.Wecomeintotheworldandwehavetogo:butwedonotgomerelytoservetheturnofoneenemyoranother.Ifthatwereso,wewouldallbedestroyedinaday.WegobythewilloftheBlackRabbitofInléandonlybyhiswill.Andthoughthatwillseemshardandbittertousall,yetin
hiswayheisourprotector,forheknowsFrith'spromisetotherabbitsandhewillavengeanyrabbitwhomaychancetobedestroyedwithouttheconsentofhimself.Anyonewhohasseenagamekeeper'sgibbetknowswhattheBlackRabbitcanbringdownonelilwhothinktheywilldowhattheywill.
"El-ahrairahspentthenight
aloneinhisburrowandhisthoughtswereterrible.Asfarasheknew,norabbithadevertriedtodowhathehadinmind.Butthemorehethoughtaboutit--aswellashecouldforhungerandfearandthetrancethatcomesuponrabbitsfacetofacewithdeath--themoreitseemedtohimthattherewasatleastachanceofsuccess.HewouldseekouttheBlackRabbitandofferhimhisownlifein
returnforthesafetyofhispeople.Butif,whenheofferedhislife,hedidnotmeantheoffertobeaccepted,itwouldbebetternottogoneartheBlackRabbitatall.TheBlackRabbitmightnotaccepthislife:yetstill,perhaps,hemightgetachancetotrysomethingelse.Only,therecouldbenocheatingtheBlackRabbit.Ifhispeople'ssafetyweretobehad,bywhatevermeans,the
pricewouldbehislife.Sounlesshefailed,hewouldnotreturn.HewouldthereforeneedacompaniontobringbackwhateveritwasthatwasgoingtooverthrowKingDarzinandsavethewarren.
"Inthemorning,El-ahrairahwenttofindRabscuttleandtheytalkedfarintotheday.ThenhecalledhisOwslatogetherandtoldthemwhathemeanttodo.
"Laterthatevening,inthelastofthetwilight,therabbitscameoutandattackedKingDarzin'ssoldiers.Theyfoughtverybravelyandsomeofthemwerekilled.Theenemythoughttheyweretryingtobreakoutofthewarrenanddideverythingtheycouldtosurroundthemandforcethembackintotheirholes.ButthetruthwasthatallthefightingwassimplytodistractKingDarzin'sattentionandkeep
hissoldiersbusy.Asdarknesssetin,El-ahrairahandRabscuttleslippedoutfromtheotherendofthewarrenandmadeoffdowntheditch,whiletheOwslafellbackandKingDarzin'ssoldiersjeeredatthemdowntheholes.AsforKingDarzin,hesentamessagetosaythathewasreadytotalktoEl-ahrairahabouttermsofsurrender.
"El-ahrairahandRabscuttle
setoutontheirdarkjourney.WhatwaytheywentIdon'tknowandnorabbitknows.ButIalwaysrememberwhatoldFeverfew--d'yourememberhim?--usedtosaywhenhetoldthisstory.'Theydidn'ttakelong,'hesaid.'Theytooknotimeatall.No.Theylimpedandstumbledthroughabaddreamtothatterribleplacetheywereboundfor.Wheretheyweretraveling,thesunandmoon
meannothingandwinterandsummerless.Butyouwillneverknow'--andthenheusedtolookallroundatus--'youwillneverknow,andneitherdoI,howfarEl-ahrairahwentonhisjourneyintothedark.Youseethetopofagreatstonestickingoutoftheground.Howfarisittothemiddle?Splitthestone.Thenyou'llknow.'
"Atlasttheycametoa
highplacewheretherewasnograss.Theyscrambledupward,oversplintersofslate,amonggrayrocksbiggerthansheep.Mistandicyrainswirledaboutthemandtherewasnosoundbutthetricklingofwaterandsometimes,fromfarabove,thecryofsomegreat,evilbirdonthewing.Andthesesoundsechoed,fortheywerebetweenblackcliffsofstone,tallerthanthetallesttrees.
Thesnowlayinpatchesallabout,forthesunnevershonetomeltit.Themosswasslippery,andwhenevertheypushedoutapebble,itrattleddownanddownbehindtheminthegullies.ButEl-ahrairahknewthewayandonhewent,untilthemistgrewsothickthattheycouldseenothing.Thentheykeptclosetothecliffandlittlebylittle,astheywent,itoverhungthemuntilitmadeadarkroof
abovetheirbacks.Wherethecliffendedwasthemouthofatunnel,likeahugerabbithole.Inthefreezingcoldandsilence,El-ahrairahstampedandflashedhistailtoRabscuttle.Andthen,astheywereabouttogointothetunnel,theyrealizedthatwhattheyhadthought,inthegloom,tobeapartoftherockwasnotrock.ItwastheBlackRabbitofInlé,closebesidethem,stillaslichen
andcoldasthestone."
"Hazel,"saidPipkin,staringintotheduskandtrembling,"Idon'tlikethisstory.IknowI'mnotbrave--"
"It'sallright,Hlao-roo,"saidFiver,"you'renottheonlyone."Infacthehimselfseemedcomposedandevendetached,whichwasmorethancouldbesaidforanyotherrabbitintheaudience:
butPipkinwashardlytorealizethis."Let'sgooutthereforabitandwatchthespiderscatchingmoths,shallwe?"saidFiver."IthinkIcanrememberwhereIleftapatchofvetch--itmustbesomewherethisway."Stilltalkingquietly,heledPipkinoutintotheovergrowncombe.HazelturnedtomakesureofthedirectiontheyhadtakenandashedidsoDandelionhesitated,
uncertainwhethertoresume.
"Goon,"saidBigwig,"anddon'tleaveanythingout."
"Ithinkmanythingsareleftout,ifonlythetruthcouldbeknown,"saidDandelion,"fornoonecansaywhathappensinthatcountrywhereEl-ahrairahwentofhisownaccordandwedonot.But,asIwastold,whentheyfirstbecameawareoftheBlack
Rabbit,theyfleddownthetunnel--asneedstheymust,fortherewasnowhereelsetorun.Andthistheydidalthoughtheyhadcomeonpurposetoencounterhimandalldependedontheirdoingso.Theydidnodifferentlyfromallofus;andtheend,too,wasnodifferent,forwhentheyhaddoneslippingandtrippingandfallingalongthetunnel,theyfoundthemselvesinavaststone
burrow.Allwasofstone:theBlackRabbithaddugitoutofthemountainwithhisclaws.Andtheretheyfound,waitingforthem,himfromwhomtheyhadfled.Therewereothersinthatburrowalso--shadowswithoutsoundorsmell.TheBlackRabbithashisOwsla,too,youknow.Iwouldnotcaretomeetthem.
"TheBlackRabbitspoke
withthevoiceofwaterthatfallsintopoolsinechoingplacesinthedark.
"'El-ahrairah,whyhaveyoucomehere?'
"'Ihavecomeformypeople,'whisperedEl-ahrairah.
"TheBlackRabbitsmelledascleanaslastyear'sbonesandinthedarkEl-ahrairah
couldseehiseyes,fortheywereredwithalightthatgavenolight.
"'Youareastrangerhere,El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'Youarealive.'
"'Mylord,'repliedEl-ahrairah,'Ihavecometogiveyoumylife.Mylifeformypeople.'
"TheBlackRabbitdrew
hisclawsalongthefloor.
"'Bargains,bargains,El-ahrairah,'hesaid.Thereisnotadayoranightbutadoeoffersherlifeforherkittens,orsomehonestcaptainofOwslahislifeforhisChiefRabbit's.Sometimesitistaken,sometimesitisnot.Butthereisnobargain,forherewhatisiswhatmustbe.'
"El-ahrairahwassilent.But
hethought,'PerhapsIcantrickhimintotakingmylife.Hewouldkeepapromise,asPrinceRainbowkepthis.'
"'Youaremyguest,El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'Stayinmyburrowaslongasyouwish.Youmaysleephere.Andyoumayeathere,andtheyarefewindeedwhocandoasmuch.Lethimeat,'hesaidtotheOwsla.
"'Wewillnoteat,mylord,'saidEl-ahrairah,forheknewthatifheatethefoodwhichtheygavehiminthatburrow,hissecretthoughtswouldbecomeplainandtherewouldbeanendoftricks.
"'Thenatleastwemustentertainyou,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'Youmustfeelathome,El-ahrairah,andmakeyourselfcomfortable.Come,letusplaybob-stones.'*
"'Verywell,'saidEl-ahrairah,'andifIwin,mylord,perhapsyouwillbesogoodastoacceptmylifeinreturnformypeople'ssafety.'
"'Iwill,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'ButifIwin,El-ahrairah,youshallgivemebothyourtailandyourwhiskers.'
"ThestoneswerebroughtandEl-ahrairahsatdownin
thecoldandtheechoestoplayagainsttheBlackRabbitofInlé.Now,asyoumaysuppose,El-ahrairahknewhowtoplaybob-stones.Hecouldplayaswellasanyrabbitthatevercoveredacast.Butthere--inthatdreadfulplace,withtheBlackRabbit'seyesuponhimandtheOwslawhomadenosound--tryashewould,hiswitsdesertedhimandevenbeforehecast,hefeltthatthe
BlackRabbitknewwhatwasdown.TheBlackRabbitshowednevertheleasthaste.Heplayedasthesnowfalls,withoutsoundorchange,untilatlastEl-ahrairah'sspiritfailedhimandheknewthathecouldnotwin.
"'YoucanpayyourstakestotheOwsla,El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbit,'andtheywillshowyouaburrowtosleepin.Ishallreturn
tomorrowandifyouarestillhereIwillseeyou.Butyouarefreetoleavewheneveryouwish.'
"ThentheOwslatookEl-ahrairahawayandcutoffhistailandpulledouthiswhiskers;andwhenhecametohimself,hewasalonewithRabscuttleinahollowstoneburrow,withanopeningtothemountainoutside.
"'Oh,master,'saidRabscuttle,'whatwillyoudonow?ForFrith'ssakeletusgoaway.Icanfeelforbothofusinthedark.'
"'Certainlynot,'saidEl-ahrairah.HestillhopedtogetwhathewantedfromtheBlackRabbitsomehowandhefeltsurethattheyhadbeenputintothisburrowsothattheywouldbetemptedtostealaway.'Certainlynot.I
canmakedoverywellwithsomewillowherbandclematis.Gooutandgetsome,Rabscuttle,butmakesureyoucomebackbeforetomorrowevening.Youhadbettertrytobringsomefood,too,ifyoucan.'
"RabscuttlewentoutashewastoldandEl-ahrairahwasleftalone.Hesleptverylittle,partlyforthepainandpartlyforthefearthatneverleft
him;butchieflybecausehewasstillsearchingforsometrickthatwouldservehisturn.ThenextdayRabscuttlereturnedwithsomepiecesofturnip,andafterEl-ahrairahhadeatenthem,Rabscuttlehelpedhimtopatchhimselfupwithagraytailandwhiskersmadefromthewinterdriftofclematisandragwort.IntheeveninghewenttomeettheBlackRabbitasthoughnothinghad
happened.
"'Well,El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbit--andhedidnotwrinklehisnoseupanddownwhenhesniffed,butthrustitforward,asadogdoes--'myburrowcannotbewhatyouareusedto:butperhapsyouhavedoneyourbesttomakeyourselfcomfortable?'
"'Ihave,mylord,'saidEl-
ahrairah.'Iamgladthatyouallowmetostay.'
"'Perhapswewillnotplaybob-stonestonight,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'Youmustunderstand,El-ahrairah,thatIhavenowishtomakeyousuffer.IamnotoneoftheThousand.Irepeat,youmaystayorleaveasyouplease.Butifyouaregoingtoremain,perhapsyouwouldcaretohearastory;andto
telloneyourself,ifyoulike.'
"'Certainly,mylord,'saidEl-ahrairah.'AndifIcantellastoryasgoodasyours,perhapsyouwillacceptmylifeandgrantthesafetyofmypeople.'
"'Iwill,'saidtheBlackRabbit.'Butifnot,El-ahrairah,youwillhavetoforfeityourears.'HewaitedtoseewhetherEl-ahrairah
wouldrefusethewagerbuthedidnot.
"ThentheBlackRabbittoldsuchataleoffearanddarknessasfrozetheheartsofRabscuttleandEl-ahrairahwheretheycrouchedontherock,fortheyknewthateverywordwastrue.Theirwitsturned.Theyseemedtobeplungedinicycloudsthatnumbedtheirsenses;andtheBlackRabbit'sstorycrept
intotheirheartslikeawormintoanut,leavingthemshriveledandempty.Whenatlastthatterriblestorywasended,El-ahrairahtriedtospeak.Buthecouldnotcollecthisthoughtsandhestammeredandranaboutthefloor,likeamousewhenthehawkglideslow.TheBlackRabbitwaitedsilently,withnosignofimpatience.AtlastitwasclearthattherewouldbenostoryfromEl-ahrairah,
andtheOwslatookhimandputhimintoadeepsleep:andwhenhewoke,hisearsweregoneandonlyRabscuttlewasbesidehiminthestoneburrow,cryinglikeakitten.
"'Oh,master,'saidRabscuttle,'whatgoodcanthissufferingbring?ForthesakeofLordFrithandthegreengrass,letmetakeyouhome.'
"'Nonsense,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Gooutandgetmetwogood,bigdockleaves.Theywilldoverywellforears.'
"'Theywillwither,master,'saidRabscuttle,'andIamwitherednow.'
"'Theywilllastlongenough,'saidEl-ahrairahgrimly,forwhatIhavetodo.ButIcannotfindtheway.'
"WhenRabscuttlewasgone,El-ahrairahforcedhimselftothinkclearly.TheBlackRabbitwouldnotaccepthislife.Also,itwasplainthathehimselfwouldneverbeabletowinanysortofwageragainsthim:hemightaswelltrytorunaraceacrossasheetofice.ButiftheBlackRabbitdidnothatehim,whydidheinflictthesesufferingsuponhim?Todestroyhiscourageandmake
himgiveupandgoaway.Butwhynotsimplysendhimaway?Andwhywait,beforehurtinghim,tillhehimselfproposedawagerandlostit?Theanswercametohimsuddenly.Theseshadowshadnopowereithertosendhimawayortohurthim,exceptwithhisownconsent.Theywouldnothelphim,no.Theywouldseekpossessionofhiswillandbreakitiftheycould.Butsupposingthathecould
findamongthemsomethingthatwouldsavehispeople,couldtheystophimfromtakingitaway?
"WhenRabscuttlecameback,hehelpedEl-ahrairahtodiguisehishorrible,maimedheadwithtwodockleavesinplaceofears,andafterawhiletheyslept.ButEl-ahrairahkeptdreamingofhisstarvingrabbitswaitingintherunstopushbackKing
Darzin'ssoldiersandplacingalltheirhopesonhim:andatlasthewoke,coldandcramped,andwanderedoutintotherunsofthestonewarren.Ashelimpedalong,trailingthedockleavesoneithersideofhishead--forhecouldnotraiseormovethemliketheearshehadlost--hecametoaplacefromwhichseveralnarrowrunsleddowndeeperintotheground;andherehefoundtwoofthe
ghastly,shadowyOwslamovingaboutsomedarkbusinessoftheirown.Theyturnedandstared,tomakehimafraid,butEl-ahrairahwaspastbeingafraidandhestaredbackatthem,wonderingwhattheyhadinmindtopersuadehimtolose.
"'Turnback,El-ahrairah,'saidoneatlast.'Youhavenobusinesshere,inthepit.Youarealive;andhavesuffered
muchalready.'
"'Notasmuchasmypeople,'repliedEl-ahrairah.
"'Thereisenoughsufferinghereforathousandwarrens,'saidtheshadow.'Donotbestubborn,El-ahrairah.Intheseholesliealltheplaguesanddiseasesthatcometorabbits--feverandmangeandthesicknessofthebowels.Andhere,too,inthis
nearesthole,liesthewhiteblindness,thatsendscreatureshobblingouttodieinthefields,whereeventheelilwillnottouchtheirrottingbodies.Thisisourtask,toseethatallthesearereadyfortheuseofInlé-rah.Forwhatisiswhatmustbe.'
"ThenEl-ahrairahknewthathemustgivehimselfnotimetothink.Hepretendedtogoback,butsuddenlyturned,
rushedupontheshadowsandplungedintothenearestholefasterthanaraindropintotheground.Andtherehelay,whiletheshadowsflickeredandgibberedabouttheentrance,fortheyhadnopowertomovehim,exceptbyfear.AfteratimetheywentawayandEl-ahrairahwasleftalone,wonderingwhetherhewouldbeabletoreachKingDarzin'sarmyintimewithouttheuseof
whiskersorears.
"Atlast,whenhewassurethathemusthavestayedintheholelongenoughtobeinfected,El-ahrairahcameoutandbegantomakehiswaybackalongtherun.Hedidnotknowhowsoonthediseasewouldappearorhowlonghewouldtaketodie,butplainlyheoughttoreturnasquicklyashecould--ifpossible,beforetherewasany
signofillnessonhim.WithoutgoingnearRabscuttle,hemusttellhimtohurryahead,reachtherabbitsinthewarrenandwarnthemtoblockalltheholesandstayinsideuntilKingDarzin'sarmywasdestroyed.
"Heblunderedintoastoneinthedark,forhewasshiveringandfeverishandinanycasehecouldfeellittleor
nothingwithouthiswhiskers.Atthatmomentaquietvoicesaid,'El-ahrairah,whereareyougoing?'Hehadheardnothing,butheknewthattheBlackRabbitwasbesidehim.
"'Iamgoinghome,mylord,'hereplied.'YousaidthatImightgowhenIwished.'
"'Youhavesomepurpose,El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlack
Rabbit.'Whatisit?'
"'Ihavebeeninthepit,mylord,'answeredEl-ahrairah.'IaminfectedwiththewhiteblindnessandIamgoingtosavemypeoplebydestroyingtheenemy.'
"'El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbit,'doyouknowhowthewhiteblindnessiscarried?'
"AsuddenmisgivingseizeduponEl-ahrairah.Hesaidnothing.
"'Itiscarriedbythefleasinrabbits'ears,saidtheBlackRabbit.'Theypassfromtheearsofasickrabbittothoseofhiscompanions.But,El-ahrairah,youhavenoearsandfleaswillnotgotodockleaves.Youcanneithercatchnorcarrythewhiteblindness.'
"ThenatlastEl-ahrairahfeltthathisstrengthandcourageweregone.Hefelltotheground.Hetriedtomove,buthisbacklegsdraggedalongtherockandhecouldnotgetup.Hescuffledandthenlaystillinthesilence.
"'El-ahrairah,'saidtheBlackRabbitatlast,thisisacoldwarren:abadplaceforthelivingandnoplaceatallforwarmheartsandbrave
spirits.Youareanuisancetome.Gohome.Imyselfwillsaveyourpeople.Donothavetheimpertinencetoaskmewhen.Thereisnotimehere.Theyarealreadysaved.'
"Inthatmoment,whileKingDarzinandhissoldierswerestilljeeringdowntheholesofthewarren,confusionandterrorcameupontheminthefallingdarkness.Thefieldsseemed
fullofhugerabbitswithredeyes,stalkingamongthethistles.Theyturnedandfled.Theyvanishedinthenight;andthatiswhynorabbitwhotellsthetalesofEl-ahrairahcansaywhatkindofcreaturestheywereorwhattheylookedlike.Notoneofthemhaseverbeenseen,fromthatdaytothis.
"WhenatlastEl-ahrairahwasabletorisetohisfeet,
theBlackRabbitwasgoneandRabscuttlewascomingdowntherun,lookingforhim.Togethertheywentouttothemountainsideandmadetheirwaydownthestone-rattlinggullyinthemist.Theydidnotknowwheretheyweregoing,exceptthattheyweregoingawayfromtheBlackRabbit'swarren.ButafteratimeitbecameplainthatEl-ahrairahwasillfromshockandexhaustion.
Rabscuttledugascrapeandtheretheystayedforseveraldays.
"Later,whenEl-ahrairahbegantogetbetter,theywanderedon,buttheycouldnotfindtheirwayback.Theywereconfusedintheirwitsandhadtobeghelpandshelterofotheranimalswhomtheymet.Theirjourneyhomelastedthreemonths,andmanyadventures
theyhad.Somethese,asyouknow,arestoriesinthemselves.Oncetheylivedwithalendriandfoundpheasants'eggsforhiminthewood.Andoncetheybarelyescapedfromthemiddleofahayfieldwhenthehaywascutting.Allthetime,RabscuttlelookedafterEl-ahrairah,broughthimfreshdockleavesandkeptthefliesfromhiswoundsuntiltheyhealed.
"Atlast,oneday,theycamebacktothewarren.Itwasevening,andasthesunstretchedoutallthehills,theycouldseeanynumberofrabbitsatsilflay,nibblinginthegrassandplayingovertheantheaps.Theystoppedatthetopofthefield,sniffingthegorseandherbrobertonthewind.
"'Well,theylookallright,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Ahealthy
lot,really.Let'sjustslipinquietlyandseewhetherwecanfindoneortwooftheOwslacaptainsunderground.Wedon'twantalotoffuss.'
"Theymadetheirwayalongthehedgerow,butcouldnotaltogethergettheirbearings,becauseapparentlythewarrenhadgrownbiggerandthereweremoreholesthanbefore,bothinthebankandinthefield.Theystopped
tospeaktoagroupofsmartyoungbucksanddoessittingundertheelderbloom.
"'WewanttofindLoosestrife,'saidRabscuttle.'Canyoutelluswherehisburrowis?'
"'Ineverheardofhim,'answeredoneofthebucks.'Areyousurehe'sinthiswarren?'
"'Unlesshe'sdead,'saidRabscuttle.'ButsurelyyoumusthaveheardofCaptainLoosestrife?HewasanofficeroftheOwslainthefighting.'
"'Whatfighting?'askedanotherbuck.
"'ThefightingagainstKingDarzin,'repliedRabscuttle.
"'Here,domeafavor,oldfellow,willyou?'saidthebuck.'Thatfighting--Iwasn'tbornwhenitfinished.'
"'ButsurelyyouknowtheOwslacaptainswhowere?'saidRabscuttle.
"'Iwouldn'tbeseendeadwiththem,'saidthebuck.'What,thatwhite-whiskeredoldbunch?Whatdowewanttoknowaboutthem?'
"'Whattheydid,'saidRabscuttle.
"'Thatwarlark,oldfellow?'saidthefirstbuck.'That'sallfinishednow.That'sgotnothingtodowithus.'
"'IfthisLoosestrifefoughtKingWhat's-His-Name,that'shisbusiness,'saidoneofthedoes.'It'snotourbusiness,isit?'
"'Itwasallaverywickedthing,'saidanotherdoe.'Shameful,really.Ifnobodyfoughtinwars,therewouldn'tbeany,wouldthere?Butyoucan'tgetoldrabbitstoseethat.'
"'Myfatherwasinit,'saidthesecondbuck.'Hegetsonaboutitsometimes.Ialwaysgooutquick."Theydidthisandthenwedidthat"andallthatcaper.Makesyoucurl
up,honest.Pooroldgeezer,you'dthinkhe'dwanttoforgetaboutit.Ireckonhemakeshalfofitup.Andwherediditgethim,tellmethat?'
"'Ifyoudon'tmindwaitingalittlewhile,sir,'saidabucktoEl-ahrairah,'I'llgoandseeifIcanfindCaptainLoosestrifeforyou.Idon'tactuallyknowhimmyself,butthenit'sratherabig
warren.'
"'That'sgoodofyou,'saidEl-ahrairah,'butIthinkI'vegotmybearingsnowandIcanmanagebymyself.'
"El-ahrairahwentalongthehedgerowtothewoodandsataloneunderanutbush,lookingoutacrossthefields.Asthelightbegantofail,hesuddenlyrealizedthatLordFrithwasclosebesidehim,
amongtheleaves.
"'Areyouangry,El-ahrairah?'askedLordFrith.
"'No,mylord,'repliedEl-ahrairah,'Iamnotangry.ButIhavelearnedthatwithcreaturesoneloves,sufferingisnottheonlythingforwhichonemaypitythem.Arabbitwhodoesnotknowwhenagifthasmadehimsafeispoorerthanaslug,
eventhoughhemaythinkotherwisehimself.'
"'Wisdomisfoundonthedesolatehillside,El-ahrairah,wherenonecomestofeed,andthestonybankwheretherabbitscratchesaholeinvain.But,speakingofgifts,Ihavebroughtafewtriflesforyou.Apairofears,tailandsomewhiskers.Youmayfindtheearsslightlystrangeatfirst.Iputalittlestarlightin
them,butitisreallyquitefaint:notenough,Iamsure,togiveawayacleverthieflikeyou.Ah,thereisRabscuttlecomingback.Good,Ihavesomethingforhim,too.Shallwe--'"
"Hazel!Hazel-rah!"ItwasPipkin'svoicefrombehindaclumpofburdockontheedgeofthelittlecircleoflisteners."There'safoxcomingupthecombe!"
*Bob-stonesisatraditionalgameofrabbits.Itisplayedwithsmallstones,fragmentsofsticksorthelike.Fundamentallyitisaverysimplekindofgambling,onthelinesof"OddsorEvens."A"cast"ofstonesonthegroundiscoveredbytheplayer'sfrontpaw.Theopponentmustthenhazardsomesortofsurmiseaboutitsnature--e.g.,oneortwo,lightordark,roughorsmooth.
32.AcrosstheIronRoad
Espritderivalitéetdemésintelligencequipréservaplusd'unefoisl'arméeanglaised'unedéfaite.
GeneralJourdan,MémoiresMilitaires
Somepeoplehavetheideathatrabbitsspendagooddeal
oftheirtimerunningawayfromfoxes.Itistruethateveryrabbitfearsthefoxandwillboltifitsmellsone.Butmanyrabbitsgoalltheirliveswithoutseeingafoxandprobablyonlyafewactuallyfallvictimtoanenemywhosmellsstronglyandcannotrunasfastastheycan.Afoxtryingtocatcharabbitusuallycreepsupwindundercover--perhapsthroughapatchofwoodlandtothe
edge.Then,ifhesucceedsingettingclosetowheretherabbitsareatsilflayalongthebankorinthefield,heliesstillandwatcheshischanceforaquicksnatch.Itissaidthatsometimeshefascinatesthem,astheweaseldoes,byrollingandplayingintheopen,comingcloserlittlebylittleuntilhecanmakeagrab.Howeverthismaybe,itiscertainthatnofoxhuntsrabbitsbygoingopenlyupa
combeatsunset.
NeitherHazelnoranyoftherabbitswhohadbeenlisteningtoDandelion'sstoryhadeverseenafox.Nevertheless,theyknewthatafoxintheopen,plaintobeseen,isnotdangerousaslongasitisspottedintime.HazelrealizedthathehadbeencarelesstoalloweveryonetogatherroundDandelionandtohavefailedtoposteven
onesentry.Whatwindtherewaswasfromthenortheastandthefox,comingupthecombefromthewest,mighthavebrokeninuponthemwithoutwarning.ButfromthisdangertheyhadbeensavedbyFiverandPipkingoingintotheopen.EveninhisflashofalarmasPipkinspoke,itcrossedHazel'smindthatFiver,nodoubtreluctanttoadvisehiminfrontoftheothers,hadprobablyseized
theopportunityprovidedbyPipkin'sfeartoposthimselfasasentry.
Hazelthoughtquickly.Ifthefoxwerenottooclose,alltheyhadtodowasrun.Therewaswoodlandnearbyandtheycouldvanishintoit,keepingmoreorlesstogether,andsimplycontinueontheirway.Hepushedthroughtheburdocks.
"Howcloseisit?"heasked."Andwhere'sFiver?"
"I'mhere,"repliedFiver,fromafewyardsaway.HewassquattingunderthelongbriarsofadogroseanddidnotturnhisheadasHazelcameupbesidehim."Andthere'sthefox,"headded.Hazelfollowedhisgaze.
Therough,weed-coveredgroundofthecombesloped
awaybelowthem,alongdipboundedonthenorthbyCaesar'sBelt.Thelastofthesettingsunshonestraightupitthroughabreakinthetrees.Thefoxwasbelowthemandstillsomewayoff.Althoughitwasalmostdirectlydownwindandthereforemustbeabletosmellthem,itdidnotlookasthoughitwereparticularlyinterestedinrabbits.Itwastrottingsteadilyupthecombelikea
dog,trailingitswhite-tippedbrush.Incoloritwassandybrown,withdarklegsandears.Evennow,thoughobviouslynothunting,ithadacrafty,predatorylookthatmadethewatchersamongthedogrosesshiver.Asitpassedbehindapatchofthistlesanddisappearedfromview,HazelandFiverreturnedtotheothers.
"Comeon,"saidHazel."If
you'veneverseenafox,don'tbothertogoandlooknow.Justfollowme."
Hewasabouttoleadthewayupthesouthsideofthecombewhensuddenlyarabbitshoulderedhimroughlyaside,pushedpastFiverandwasgoneintotheopen.Hazelstoppedandlookedroundinamazement.
"Whowasthat?"heasked.
"Bigwig,"answeredFiver,staring.
Togethertheywentquicklybacktothebriarsandoncemorelookedintothecombe.Bigwig,infullview,waslopingwarilydownhill,straighttowardthefox.Theywatchedhim,aghast.Hedrewnear,butstillthefoxpaidnoattention.
"Hazel,"saidSilverfrom
behind,"shallI--?"
"Nooneistomove,"saidHazelquickly."Keepstill,allofyou."
Ataboutthirtyyards'distancethefoxsawtheapproachingrabbit.Itpausedforamomentandthencontinuedtotrotforward.ItwasalmostuponhimbeforeBigwigturnedandbegantolimpupthenorthslopeofthe
combetowardthetreesoftheBelt.Thefoxhesitatedagainandthenfollowedhim.
"What'sheupto?"mutteredBlackberry.
"Tryingtodrawitoff,Isuppose,"repliedFiver.
"Buthedidn'thaveto!Weshouldhavegotawaywithoutthat."
"Confoundedfool!"saidHazel."Idon'tknowwhenI'vebeensoangry."
Thefoxhadquickeneditspaceandwasnowsomedistanceawayfromthem.ItappearedtobeovertakingBigwig.Thesunhadsetandinthefailinglighttheycouldjustmakehimoutasheenteredtheundergrowth.Hedisappearedandthefoxfollowed.Forseveral
momentsallwasquiet.Then,horriblyclearacrossthedarkening,emptycombe,therecametheagonizingsquealofastrickenrabbit.
"OFrithandInlé!"criedBlackberry,stamping.Pipkinturnedtobolt.Hazeldidnotmove.
"Shallwego,Hazel?"askedSilver."Wecan'thelphimnow."
Ashespoke,Bigwigsuddenlybrokeoutofthetrees,runningveryfast.Almostbeforetheycouldgraspthathewasalive,hehadrecrossedtheentireupperslopeofthecombeinasingledashandboltedinamongthem.
"Comeon,"saidBigwig,"let'sgetoutofhere!"
"Butwhat--what--Areyou
wounded?"askedBluebellinbewilderment.
"No,"saidBigwig,"neverbetter!Let'sgo!"
"YoucanwaituntilI'mready,"saidHazelinacold,angrytone."You'vedoneyourbesttokillyourselfandactedlikeacompletefool.Nowholdyourtongueandsitdown!"Heturnedand,althoughitwasrapidly
becomingtoodarktoseeanydistance,madeasthoughhewerestilllookingoutacrossthecombe.Behindhim,therabbitsfidgetednervously.Severalhadbeguntofeeladreamlikesenseofunreality.Thelongdayaboveground,theclose,overgrowncombe,thefrighteningstoryinwhichtheyhadbeenabsorbed,thesuddenappearanceofthefox,theshockofBigwig'sinexplicableadventure--all
these,followingoneuponanother,hadfloodedtheirspiritsandleftthemdullandbemused.
"Getthemout,Hazel,"whisperedFiver,"beforetheyallgotharn."
Hazelturnedatonce."Well,nofox,"hesaidcheerfully."It'sgoneandwe'llgo,too.Forgoodness'sakekeepclosetogether,
becauseifanyonegetslostinthedarkwemaynotfindhimagain.Andremember,ifwecomeuponanystrangerabbits,you'retoattackthematonceandaskquestionsafterward."
Theyskirtedthesideofthewoodthatlayalongthesouthernedgeofthecombeandthen,inonesandtwos,slippedacrosstheemptyroadbeyond.Littlebylittletheir
spiritscleared.Theyfoundthemselvesinopenfarmland--indeed,theycouldbothsmellandhearthefarm,notfarawayontheeveningside--andthegoingwaseasy:smooth,widepasturefields,slopinggentlydownhillanddividednotbyhedgesbutbybroad,lowbanks,eachaswideasalaneandovergrownwithelder,dogwoodandspindle.Itwastruerabbitcountry,reassuringafterthe
Beltandthetangled,goose-grassedcombe;andwhentheyhadcoveredagooddistanceovertheturf--haltingcontinuallytolistenandsniffandrunning,nowoneandnowanother,fromeachpieceofcovertothenext--Hazelfeltsafeingivingthemarest.AssoonashehadsentoutSpeedwellandHawkbitassentries,heledBigwigtooneside.
"I'mangrywithyou,"hesaid."You'retheonerabbitwe'renotgoingtobeabletodowithoutandyouhavetogoandrunasillyrisklikethat.Itwasn'tnecessaryanditwasn'tevenclever.Whatwereyouupto?"
"I'mafraidIjustlostmyhead,Hazel,"repliedBigwig."I'vebeenstrungupallday,thinkingaboutthisbusinessatEfrafa--gotmereallyon
edge.WhenIfeellikethatIhavetodosomething--youknow,fightorrunarisk.IthoughtifIcouldmakethatfoxlookafoolIwouldn'tfeelsoworriedabouttheotherthing.What'smore,itworked--Ifeelalotbetternow."
"PlayingEl-ahrairah,"saidHazel."Youduffer,youmighthavethrownyourlifeawayfornothing--weall
thoughtyouhad.Don'ttryitagain,there'sagoodchap.Youknoweverything'sgoingtodependonyou.Buttellme,whateverhappenedinthetrees?Whydidyoucrylikethat,ifyouwereallright?"
"Ididn't,"saidBigwig."Itwasveryqueer,whathappened,andbad,too,I'mafraid.Iwasgoingtolosethehombainthetrees,yousee,andthencomeback.Well,I
wentintotheundergrowth,andI'djuststoppedlimpingandwasstartingtorunreallyfastwhensuddenlyIfoundmyselffacetofacewithabunchofrabbits--strangers.Theywerecomingtowardme,asiftheyweregoingoutintotheopencombe.Ofcourse,Ididn'thavetimetogetagoodlookatthem,buttheyseemedtobebigfellows.'Lookout--run!'IsaidasIdasheduptothem,
butalltheydidwastrytostopme.Oneofthemsaid,'Youstayhere!'orsomethinglikethat,andthenhegotrightinmyway.SoIknockedhimdown--Ihadto--andracedoff,andthenextthingIheardwasthisdreadfulsquealing.Ofcourse,IwentevenfasterthenandIgotclearofthetreesandcamebacktoyou."
"Sothehombagotthisotherrabbit?"
"Itmusthave.Afterall,Ileditrightontothem,eventhoughIdidn'tmeanto.ButIneversawwhatactuallyhappened."
"Whatbecameoftheothers?"
"I'venoidea.Theymusthaverun,Isuppose."
"Isee,"saidHazelthoughtfully."Well,perhaps
it'sallforthebest.Butlookhere,Bigwig,nomorefancytricksuntilthepropertime--there'stoomuchatstake.You'dbetterstaynearSilverandme--we'llkeepyouingoodheart."
AtthatmomentSilvercameuptothem.
"Hazel,"hesaid,"I'vejustrealizedwhereweareandit'salottooclosetoEfrafa.I
thinkweoughttomakeoffassoonaswecan."
"IwanttogorightroundEfrafa--wide,"saidHazel."DoyouthinkyoucanfindthewaytothatironroadHollytoldusabout?"
"Ithinkso,"repliedSilver."Butwecan'tmaketoobigacircleorthey'llbecompletelyexhausted.Ican'tsayIknowtheway,butIcantellthe
directionallright."
"Well,we'lljusthavetotaketherisk,"saidHazel."Ifonlywecangettherebyearlymorning,theycanrestattheotherend."
Theymetwithnomoreadventuresthatnight,movingquietlyalongtheedgesofthefieldsunderthedimlightofaquarter-moon.Thehalf-darknesswasfullofsounds
andmovement.OnceAcornputupaplover,whichflewroundthem,callingshrilly,untilatlengththeycrossedabankandleftitbehind.Soonafter,somewherenearthem,theyheardtheunceasingbubblingofanightjar--apeacefulsound,withoutmenace,whichdiedgraduallyawayastheypushedon.Andoncetheyheardacorncrakecallingasitcreptamongthelonggrassofapathverge.(It
makesasoundlikeahumanfingernaildrawndowntheteethofacomb.)ButeliltheymetnoneandalthoughtheywerecontinuallyonthewatchforsignsofanEfrafanpatrol,theysawnothingbutmice,andafewhedgehogshuntingforslugsalongtheditches.
Atlast,asthefirstlarkrosetowardthelightthatwasstillfarupinthesky,Silver,hispalefursoddendarkwith
dew,camelimpingbacktowhereHazelwasencouragingBluebellandPipkin.
"Youcanpluckupyourspirits,Bluebell,"hesaid."Ithinkwe'reclosetotheironroad."
"Iwouldn'tcareaboutmyspirits,"saidBluebell,"ifmylegsweren'tsotired.Slugsareluckynottohavelegs.IthinkI'llbeaslug."
"Well,I'mahedgehog,"saidHazel,"soyou'dbettergeton!"
"You'renot,"repliedBluebell."Youhaven'tenoughfleas.Now,slugsdon'thavefleas,either.Howcomfortingtobeaslug,amongthedandelionssosnug--"
"Andfeeltheblackbird'ssuddentug,"saidHazel."All
right,Silver,we'recoming.Butwhereistheironroad?Hollysaidasteep,overgrownbank.Ican'tmakeoutanythinglikethat."
"No,that'sawayupbyEfrafa.Downhereitrunsinasortofcombeofitsown.Can'tyousmellit?"
Hazelsniffed.Inthecooldamp,hepickedupatoncetheunnaturalsmellsofmetal,
coalsmokeandoil.Theywentforwardandinaveryshorttimefoundthemselveslookingdownfromamongthebushesandundergrowthontheedgeoftherailwaycutting.Allwasquiet,butastheypausedatthetopofthebank,atusslingpackofsixorsevensparrowsflewdowntothelineandbegantopeckaboutbetweenthesleepers.Somehow,thesightwasreassuring.
"Arewetocross,Hazel-rah?"askedBlackberry.
"Yes,"saidHazel,"atonce.PutitbetweenusandEfrafa:thenwe'llfeed."
Theywentratherhesitantlydownintothecutting,halfexpectingthefiery,thunderingangelofFrithtoappearoutofthetwilight;butthesilenceremainedunbroken.Soontheywereall
feedinginthemeadowbeyond,tootiredtopayattentiontoconcealmentortoanythingbuttheeaseofrestingtheirlegsandnibblingthegrass.
FromabovethelarchesKehaarsaileddownamongthem,alightedandfoldedhislong,palegraywings.
"Meester'Azel,vatyoudo?Younostay'ere?"
"They'retiredout,Kehaar.They'vegottohavearest."
"Eesnottorest'ere.Eesrabbitscome."
"Yes,butnotjustyet.Wecan--"
"Ya,ya,eescomingforfindyou!Eesclose!"
"Oh,cursetheseconfoundedpatrols!"cried
Hazel."Comeon,allofyou,getdownthefieldintothatwood!Yes,you,too,Speedwell,unlessyouwanttohaveyourearschewedoffinEfrafa.Comeon,movel"
Theytotteredoverthepasturetothewoodlandbeyondandlaycompletelyexhaustedonflat,baregroundunderfirtrees.HazelandFiverconsultedKehaaragain.
"It'snogoodexpectingthemtogoanyfurther,Kehaar,"saidHazel."They'vebeengoingallnight,youknow.We'llhavetosleepheretoday.Didyouactuallyseeapatrol?"
"Ya,ya,comeallalongbyuddersideironroad.Yoostintimeyougo."
"Well,then,yousavedus.Butlook,Kehaar,couldyou
goandseewheretheyarenow?Ifthey'regone,I'mgoingtotellourlottogotosleep--notthattheyneedtelling:lookatthem!"
KehaarreturnedwiththenewsthattheEfrafanpatrolhadturnedbackwithoutcrossingtheironroad.ThenheofferedtokeepwatchhimselfuntiltheeveningandHazel,greatlyrelieved,atoncetoldtherabbitstosleep.
Oneortwohadalreadyfallenasleep,lyingontheirsidesontheopenground.Hazelwonderedwhetherheoughttowakethemandtellthemtogetunderthickercover,butashewasthinkingaboutithefellasleephimself.
Thedaycameonhotandstill.Amongthetreesthewoodpigeonscalleddrowsilyandfromtimetotimealatecuckoostammered.Inthe
fields,nothingmovedexcepttheconstantlyswishingtailsofthecowsgatheredflanktoflankintheshade.
33.TheGreatRiver
Neverinhislifehadheseenariverbefore--thissleek,sinuous,full-bodiedanimal....Allwasa-shakeanda-shiver--glintsandgleamsand
sparkles,rustleandswirl,chatterandbubble.
KennethGrahame,TheWindintheWillows
WhenHazelwoke,hestartedupatonce,fortheairaroundhimwasfullofthesharpcriesofsomecreaturehunting.Helookedquicklyround,butcouldseenosignsofalarm.Itwasevening.Severaloftherabbitswere
alreadyawakeandfeedingontheedgeofthewood.Herealizedthatthecries,urgentandstartlingthoughtheywere,weretoosmallandshrillforanykindofelil.Theycamefromabovehishead.Abatflitteredthroughthetreesandoutagainwithouttouchingatwig.Itwasfollowedbyanother.Hazelcouldsensethatthereweremanyallabout,takingfliesandmothsonthewing
andutteringtheirminutecriesastheyflew.Ahumanearwouldhardlyhaveheardthem,buttotherabbitstheairwasfulloftheircalls.Outsidethewood,thefieldwasstillbrightwitheveningsunshine,butamongthefirsthelightwasduskyandherethebatswerecomingandgoingthickly.Mixedwiththeresinousscentofthefirstherecameanothersmell,strongandfragrant,yetsharp--the
perfumeofflowers,butofsomekindunknowntoHazel.Hefollowedittoitssourceattheedgeofthewood.Itcamefromseveralthickpatchesofsoapwortgrowingalongtheedgeofthepasture.Someoftheplantswerenotyetinbloom,theirbudscurledinpink,pointedspiralsheldinthepalegreencalices,butmostwerealreadystar-floweringandgivingofftheirstrongscent.Thebatswere
huntingamongthefliesandmothsattractedtothesoapwort.
Hazelpassedhrakaandbegantofeedinthefield.Hewasdisturbedtofindthathishindlegwastroublinghim.Hehadthoughtthatitwashealed,buttheforcedjourneyoverthedownshadevidentlyprovedtoomuchforthemuscletornbytheshotgunpellets.Hewonderedwhether
itwasfartotheriverofwhichKehaarhadspoken.Ifitwas,hewasinfortrouble.
"Hazel-rah,"saidPipkin,comingupfromamongthesoapwort,"areyouallright?Yourleglooksqueer--you'redraggingit."
"No,it'sallright,"saidHazel."Look,Hlao-roo,where'sKehaar?Iwanttotalktohim."
"He'sflownouttoseeifthere'sapatrolanywherenear,Hazel-rah.BigwigwokesometimeagoandheandSilveraskedKehaartogo.Theydidn'twanttodisturbyou."
Hazelfeltirritated.Itwouldhavebeenbettertobetoldatoncewhichwaytogo,ratherthantowaitwhileKehaarlookedforpatrols.Theyweregoingtocrossa
riverand,asfarashewasconcerned,theycouldnotdoittoosoon.Fretting,hewaitedforKehaar.Soonhehadbecomeastenseandnervousashehadeverbeeninhislife.Hewasbeginningtobelievethatafterallhemighthavebeenrash.ItwasclearthatHollyhadnotunderratedtheirdangernearEfrafa.HehadlittledoubtthatBigwig,bysheerchance,hadledthefoxontoaWide
Patrolwhichhadbeenfollowingtheirtrail.Then,inthemorning,againbyluckandthehelpofKehaar,theyhadevidentlyjustmissedanotheratthecrossingoftheironroad.PerhapsSilver'sfearwaswellfoundedandapatrolhadalreadyspottedandreportedthemwithouttheirknowing?HadGeneralWoundwortgotsomesortofKehaarofhisown?Perhapsabatwasatthismoment
talkingtohim?Howwasonetoforeseeandguardagainsteverything?Thegrassseemedsour,thesunshinechilly.Hazelsathunchedunderthefirs,worryingdismally.Hefeltlessannoyed,now,withBigwig:hecouldunderstandhisfeelings.Waitingwasbad.Hefidgetedforsomekindofaction.Justashehaddecidedtowaitnolonger,buttocollecteveryoneandgoimmediately,Kehaarcame
flyingfromthedirectionofthecutting.Heflappedclumsilydownamongthefirs,silencingthebats.
"Meester'Azel,eesnorabbits.It'inkmaybedeynolikeforgoacrossironroad."
"Good.Isitfartotheriver,Kehaar?"
"Na,na.Eesclose,invood."
"Splendid.Wecanfindthiscrossingindaylight?"
"Ya,ya.Ishowyoupridge."
Therabbitshadgoneonlyashortdistancethroughthewoodwhentheysensedthattheywerealreadyneartheriver.Thegroundbecamesoftanddamp.Theycouldsmellsedgeandwater.Suddenly,theharsh,vibratingcryofa
moorhenechoedthroughthetrees,followedbyaflappingofwingsandawateryscuttering.Therustlingoftheleavesseemedalsotoecho,asthoughreflecteddistantlyfromhardground.Alittlefurtheron,theycoulddistinctlyhearthewateritself--thelow,continuouspouringofashallowfall.Ahumanbeing,hearingfromadistancethenoiseofacrowd,canformanideaofitssize.
Thesoundoftherivertoldtherabbitsthatitmustbebiggerthananytheyhadknownbefore--wide,smoothandswift.Pausingamongthecomfreyandgroundelder,theystaredateachother,seekingreassurance.Thentheybegantolollophesitantlyforwardintomoreopenground.Therewasstillnorivertobeseen,butinfronttheycouldperceiveaflickeranddanceofmirrored
lightintheair.SoonafterwardHazel,limpingaheadwithFivernearhim,foundhimselfonanarrowgreenpaththatdividedthewildernessfromtheriverbank.
Thepathwasalmostassmoothasalawnandclearofbushesandweeds,foritwaskeptcutforfishermen.Alongitsfurthersidetheriparianplantsgrewthickly,sothatit
wasseparatedfromtheriverbyakindofhedgeofpurpleloosestrife,greatwillowherb,fleabane,figwortandhempagrimony,hereandtherealreadyinbloom.Twoorthreemoreoftherabbitsemergedfromthewood.Peeringthroughtheplantclumps,theycouldcatchglimpsesofthesmooth,glitteringriver,evidentlymuchwiderandswifterthantheEnborne.Althoughthere
wasnoenemyorotherdangertobeperceived,theyfelttheapprehensionanddoubtofthosewhohavecomeunawaresuponsomeawe-inspiringplacewheretheythemselvesarepaltryfellowsofnoaccount.WhenMarcoPolocameatlasttoCathay,sevenhundredyearsago,didhenotfeel--anddidhisheartnotfalterasherealized--thatthisgreatandsplendidcapitalofanempirehadhadits
beingalltheyearsofhislifeandfarlonger,andthathehadbeenignorantofit?Thatitwasinneedofnothingfromhim,fromVenice,fromEurope?Thatitwasfullofwondersbeyondhisunderstanding?Thathisarrivalwasamatterofnoimportancewhatever?Weknowthathefeltthesethings,andsohasmanyatravelerinforeignpartswhodidnotknowwhathewasgoingto
find.Thereisnothingthatcutsyoudowntosizelikecomingtosomestrangeandmarvelousplacewherenooneevenstopstonoticethatyoustareaboutyou.
Therabbitswereuneasyandconfused.Theycrouchedonthegrass,sniffingthewatersmellsinthecooling,sunsetair:andmovedclosertogether,eachhopingnottoseeintheothersthe
nervousnesshefeltinhimself.AsPipkinreachedthepathagreat,shimmeringdragonfly,fourincheslong,allemeraldandsable,appearedathisshoulder,hovered,droningandmotionless,andwasgonelikelightningintothesedge.Pipkinleapedbackinalarm.Ashedidsotherecameashrill,vibrantcryandhecaughtsight,betweentheplants,ofabrilliantazure
birdflashingpastovertheopenwater.Afewmomentslatertherecame,fromclosebehindtheplanthedge,thesoundofafairlyheavysplash:butwhatcreaturemighthavemadeittherewasnotelling.
LookingroundforHazel,PipkincaughtsightofKehaar,alittlewayoff,standinginapatchofshallowwaterbetweentwoclumpsof
willowherb.Hewasstabbingandsnappingatsomethinginthemudandafterafewmomentspulledoutasix-inchleechandswalloweditwhole.Beyondhim,somedistancedownthepath,HazelwascombingthegoosegrassoutofhiscoatandevidentlylisteningtoFiverastheysattogetherunderarhododendron.Pipkinranalongthebankandjoinedthem.
"There'snothingwrongwiththeplace,"Fiverwassaying."There'snomoredangerherethananywhereelse.Kehaar'sgoingtoshowuswheretogetacross,isn'the?Thethingtodoistogetonwithitbeforeitgetsdark."
"They'llneverstophere,"repliedHazel."Wecan'tstayandwaitforBigwiginaplacelikethis.It'sunnaturalforrabbits."
"Yes,wecan--calmdown.They'llgetusedtoitquickerthanyouthink.Itellyou,it'sbetterthanoneortwootherplaceswe'vebeenin.Notallstrangethingsarebad.Wouldyoulikemetotakethemover?Sayit'sbecauseofyourleg."
"Fine,"saidHazel."Hlao-roo,canyougeteveryonealonghere?"
WhenPipkinhadgone,hesaid,"Ifeeltroubled,Fiver.I'maskingsomuchofthem,andtherearesomanyrisksinthisplan."
"They'reabetterlotthanyougivethemcreditfor,"repliedFiver."Ifyouwereto--"
Kehaarcalledraucouslyacross,startlingawrenoutofthebushes.
"Meester'Azel,vatforyouvait?"
"Toknowwheretogo,"answeredFiver.
"Pridgenear.Yougoon,yousee."
Wheretheywere,theundergrowthstoodclosetothegreenpath,butbeyond--downstream,astheyallintuitivelyfelt--itgavewayto
openparkland.Outintothistheywent,HazelfollowingFiver.
Hazeldidnotknowwhatabridgewas.ItwasanotherofKehaar'sunknownwordsthathedidnotfeeluptoquestioning.DespitehistrustinKehaarandhisrespectforhiswideexperience,hefeltstillmoredisturbedastheycameintotheopen.Clearly,thiswassomesortofman
place,frequentedanddangerous.Ashortwayaheadwasaroad.Hecouldseeitssmooth,unnaturalsurfacestretchingawayoverthegrass.Hestoppedandlookedatit.Atlength,whenhewassurethattherewerenomenanywherenear,hewentcautiouslyuptotheverge.
Theroadcrossedtheriveronabridgeaboutthirtyfeetlong.ItdidnotoccurtoHazel
thattherewasanythingunusualinthis.Theideaofabridgewasbeyondhim.Hesawonlyalineofstoutpostsandrailsoneithersideoftheroad.Similarly,simpleAfricanvillagerswhohaveneverlefttheirremotehomesmaynotbeparticularlysurprisedbytheirfirstsightofanairplane:itisoutsidetheircomprehension.Buttheirfirstsightofahorsepullingacartwillsetthem
pointingandlaughingattheingenuityofthefellowwhothoughtofthatone.Hazelsawwithoutsurprisetheroadcrossingtheriver.Whatworriedhimwasthatwhereitdidsotherewereonlyverynarrowvergesofshortgrass,offeringnocover.Hisrabbitswouldbeexposedtoviewandunabletobolt,exceptalongtheroad.
"Doyouthinkwecanrisk
it,Fiver?"heasked.
"Ican'tseewhyyou'rebothered,"answeredFiver."Youwentintothefarmyardandtheshedwherethehutchrabbitswere.Thisismuchlessdangerous.Comeon--they'reallwatchingwhilewehesitate."
Fiverhoppedoutontheroad.Helookedroundforamomentandthenmadehis
waytothenearerendofthebridge.Hazelfollowedhimalongtheverge,keepingclosebesidetherailontheupstreamside.Lookinground,hesawPipkinclosebehind.InthemiddleofthebridgeFiver,whowasperfectlycalmandunhurried,stoppedandsatup.Theothertwojoinedhim.
"Let'sputonabitofanact,"saidFiver."Makethem
inquisitive.They'llfollowusjusttoseewhatwe'relookingat."
Therewasnosillalongtheedgeofthebridge:theycouldhavewalkedoffitintothewaterthreefeetbelow.Fromunderthelowestrailtheylookedout,upstream,andnow,forthefirsttime,sawthewholeriverplainly.IfthebridgehadnotstartledHazel,theriverdid.Heremembered
theEnborne,itssurfacebrokenbygravelspitsandplantgrowth.TheTest,aweed-cut,carefullytendedtroutstream,seemedtohimlikeaworldofwater.Agoodtenyardswideitwas,fast-flowingandsmooth,spanglinganddazzlingintheeveningsun.Thetreereflectionsontheevencurrentwereunbrokenasonalake.Therewasnotareedoraplanttobeseenabovethe
water.Closeby,undertheleftbank,abedofcrowfoottraileddownstream,thewheel-likeleavesallsubmerged.Darkerstill,almostblack,werethematsofwatermoss,theirthickmassesmotionlessonthebedoftheriverandonlythetrailingfrondswavingslowlyfromsidetoside.Waving,too,werethewiderexpansesofpalegreencressweed;buttheserippledwiththecurrent,
lightlyandquickly.Thewaterwasveryclear,withabedofcleanyellowgravel,andeveninthemiddlewashardlyfourfeetdeep.Astherabbitsstareddowntheycoulddiscern,hereandthere,averyfinescour,likesmoke--chalkandpowderedgravelcarriedalongbytheriverasdustisblownonthewind.Suddenly,fromunderthebridge,withalanguidmovementofitsflattail,swamagravel-colored
fishaslongasarabbit.Thewatchers,immediatelyabove,couldseethedark,vividspotsalongitssides.Warilyithunginthecurrentbelowthem,undulatingfromsidetoside.ItremindedHazelofthecatintheyard.Astheystared,itswamupwardwithalitheflickerandstoppedjustbelowthesurface.Amomentlateritsbluntnosethrustclearofthestreamandtheysawtheopenmouth,purewhite
inside.Rhythmically,withouthaste,itsuckeddownafloatingsedgeflyandsankbackunderwater.Aripplespreadoutwardinsubsidingcircles,breakingboththereflectionsandthetransparency.Graduallythestreamgrewsmoothandoncemoretheysawthefishbelowthem,wavingitstailasithelditsplaceinthecurrent.
"Awaterhawk!"said
Fiver."Sotheyhuntandeatdownthere,too!Don'tfallin,Hlao-roo.RememberEl-ahrairahandthepike."
"Woulditeatme?"askedPipkin,staring.
"Theremaybecreaturesintherethatcould,"saidHazel."Howdoweknow?Comeon,let'sgetacross.Whatwouldyoudoifahrududucame?"
"Run,"saidFiversimply,"likethis."Andhescurriedoffthefurtherendofthebridgeintothegrassbeyond.
Onthisfarsideoftheriver,undergrowthandagroveofgreathorsechestnutsextendedalmostdowntothebridge.Thegroundwasmarshy,butatleasttherewasplentyofcover.FiverandPipkinbeganatonceonsome
scrapes,whileHazelsatchewingpelletsandrestinghisinjuredleg.SoontheywerejoinedbySilverandDandelion,buttheotherrabbits,morehesitanteventhanHazel,remainedcrouchinginthelonggrassontherightbank.Atlast,justbeforedarknessfell,Fiverre-crossedthebridgeandcoaxedthemtofollowhimback.Bigwig,toeveryone'ssurprise,showedconsiderable
reluctance,andonlycrossedintheendafterKehaar,returningfromanotherflightoverEfrafa,hadaskedwhetherhewouldlikehimtogoandfetchafox.
Thenightthatfollowedseemedtoallofthemdisorganizedandprecarious.Hazel,stillconsciousofbeinginmancountry,washalfexpectingeitheradogoracat.Butalthoughtheyheard
owlsmorethanonce,noelilattackedthemandbythemorningtheywereinbetterspirits.
Assoonastheyhadfed,Hazelsetthemtoexploringthesurroundings.Itbecameevenmoreplainthatthegroundneartheriverwastoowetforrabbits.Indeed,inplacesitwasalmostbog.Marshsedgegrewthere,pink,sweet-scentedvalerian
andthedroopingwateravens.Silverreportedthatitwasdrierupinthewoodlandawayfromthebank,andatfirstHazelhadtheideaofpickingafreshspotanddiggingagain.Butpresentlythedaygrewsohotandhumidthatallactivitywasquenched.Thefaintbreezevanished.Thesundrewupatorpidmoisturefromthewaterythickets.Thesmellofwatermintfilledallthe
hydrophanicair.Therabbitscreptintotheshade,underanycoverthatoffered.Longbeforeni-Frith,allweredrowsingintheundergrowth.
ItwasnotuntilthedappledafternoonbegantogrowcoolthatHazelwokesuddenly,tofindKehaarbesidehim.Thegullwasstruttingfromsidetosidewithshort,quickstepsandpeckingimpatientlyinthelonggrass.Hazelsatup
quickly.
"Whatisit,Kehaar?Notapatrol?"
"Na,na.Eesallfineforsleeplikebloodyowls.MaybeIgoforPeegVater.Meester'Azel,yougettingmuddersnowsoon?Vatforvaitnow?"
"No,you'reright,Kehaar,wemuststartnow.The
troubleis,Icanseehowtostartbutnothowtofinish."
Hazelmadehiswaythroughthegrass,rousedthefirstrabbithefound--whohappenedtobeBluebell--andsenthimtofetchBigwig,BlackberryandFiver.Whentheycame,hetookthemtojoinKehaarontheshortgrassoftheriverbank.
"Thisistheproblem,
Blackberry,"hesaid."YourememberthatwhenwewereunderthedownthateveningIsaidweshouldhavetodothreethings:getthedoesoutofEfrafa,breakupthepursuitandthengetrightawaysothattheywouldn'tfindus.Thisplanyou'vethoughtupisclever.It'lldothefirsttwothings,allright,I'msureofthat.Butwhataboutthelastone?TheEfrafanrabbitsarefastandsavage.They'llfind
usifwe'retobefoundandIdon'tbelievewecanrunawayfasterthantheycanfollow--especiallywithalotofdoeswho'veneverbeenoutofEfrafa.Wecouldn'tpossiblystandandfightthemtoafinish--we'retoofew.Andontopofthat,mylegseemstobebadagain.Sowhat'stobedone?"
"Idon'tknow,"answeredBlackberry."But,obviously,
weshallneedtodisappear.Couldweswimtheriver?Noscentthen,youknow."
"It'stooswift,"saidHazel."We'dbecarriedaway.Butevenifwedidswimit,wecouldn'tcountonnotbeingfollowed.FromwhatI'veheardoftheseEfrafans,they'dcertainlyswimtheriveriftheythoughtwehad.Whatitcomestoisthat,withKehaartohelpus,wecan
breakupapursuitwhilewe'regettingthedoesout,butthey'llknowwhichwaywe'vegoneandtheywon'tleaveitatthat.No,you'reright,we'vegottovanishwithoutatrace,sothattheycan'teventrackus.Buthow?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidBlackberryagain."Shallwegouptheriveralittlewayandhavealookatit?Perhapsthere'ssomewherewecould
useforahidingplace.Canyoumanagethat,withyourleg?"
"Ifwedon'tgotoofar,"repliedHazel.
"CanIcome,Hazel-rah?"askedBluebell,whohadbeenwaitingabout,alittlewayoff.
"Yes,allright,"saidHazelgood-naturedly,ashebegantolimpalongthebank
upstream.
Theysoonrealizedthatthewoodlandonthisleftbankwaslonely,thickandovergrown--denserthanthenutcopsesandbluebellwoodsofSandleford.Severaltimestheyheardthedrummingofagreatwoodpecker,theshyestofbirds.AsBlackberrywassuggestingthatperhapstheymightlookforahidingplace
somewhereinthisjungle,theybecameawareofanothersound--thefallingwaterwhichtheyhadheardontheirapproachthedaybefore.Soontheyreachedaplacewheretherivercurvedroundinabendfromtheeast,andheretheycameuponthebroad,shallowfall.Itwasnomorethanafoothigh--oneofthoseartificialfalls,commononthechalkstreams,madetoattracttrout.Severalwere
alreadyrisingtotheeveninghatchoffly.Justabovethefallaplankfootbridgecrossedtheriver.Kehaarflewup,circledthepoolandperchedonthehandrail.
"Thisismoreshelteredandlonelythanthebridgewecrossedlastnight,"saidBlackberry."Perhapswecouldmakesomeuseofit.Youdidn'tknowaboutthisbridge,Kehaar,didyou?"
"Na,notknow,notseeheem.Buteesgootpridge--novoncome."
"I'dliketogoacross,Hazel-rah,"saidBlackberry.
"Well,Fiver'stherabbitforthat,"repliedHazel."Hesimplylovescrossingbridges.Youcarryon.I'llcomebehind,withBigwigandBluebellhere."
Thefiverabbitshoppedslowlyalongtheplanks,theirgreat,sensitiveearsfullofthesoundofthefallingwater.Hazel,whowasnotsureofhisfooting,hadtostopseveraltimes.Whenatlengthhereachedthefurtherside,hefoundthatFiverandBlackberryhadalreadygonealittlewaydownstreambelowthefallandwerelookingatsomelargeobjectstickingoutfromthebank.At
firsthethoughtthatitmustbeafallentreetrunk,butashecamecloserhesawthat,althoughitwascertainlywooden,itwasnotround,butflat,ornearlyflat,withraisededges--somemanthing.Herememberedhowonce,longago,sniffingoverafarmrubbishheapwithFiver,hehadcomeuponasimilarobject--large,smoothandflat.(Thathad,infact,beenanold,discardeddoor.)Ithad
beenofnousetothemandtheyhadleftitalone.Hisinclinationwastoleavethisalone,too.
Oneendofthethingwaspressedintothebank,butalongitslengthitdiverged,stickingoutslightlyintothestream.Therewereripplesroundit,forunderthebanksthecurrentwasasswiftasinmidstream,onaccountofweed-cuttingandsound
camp-sheeting.AsHazelcamenearer,hesawthatBlackberryhadactuallyscrambledonthething.Hisclawsmadeafainthollowsoundonthewood,sotheremustbewaterunderneath.Whateveritmightbe,thethingdidnotextenddownwardtothebottom:itwaslyingonthewater.
"Whatareyouafter,Blackberry?"hesaidrather
sharply.
"Food,"repliedBlackberry."Flayrah.Can'tyousmellit?"
Kehaarhadalightedonthemiddleofthething,andwassnappingawayatsomethingwhite.Blackberryscutteredalongthewoodtowardhimandbegantonibbleatsomekindofgreenstuff.AfteralittlewhileHazelalsoventuredoutonthewoodand
satinthesunshine,watchingthefliesonthewarm,varnishedsurfaceandsniffingthestrangeriversmellsthatcameupfromthewater.
"Whatisthismanthing,Kehaar?"heasked."Isitdangerous?"
"Na,nodangerous.Younotknow?Eespoat.AtPeegVaterismany,manypoat.Menmakedem,goonvater.
Eesnoharm."
Kehaarwentonpeckingatthebrokenpiecesofstalebread.Blackberry,whohadfinishedthefragmentsoflettucehehadfound,wassittingupandlookingovertheverylowside,watchingastone-colored,black-spottedtroutswimupintothefall.The"boat"wasaminiaturepunt,usedforreed-cutting--littlemorethanaraft,witha
singlethwartamidships.Evenwhenitwasunmanned,asnow,therewereonlyafewinchesoffreeboard.
"Youknow,"saidFiverfromthebank,"seeingyousittingthereremindsmeofthatotherwoodenthingyoufoundwhenthedogwasinthewoodandyougotPipkinandmeovertheriver.Doyouremember?"
"Iremembershovingyoualong,"saidBigwig."Itwasjollycold."
"Whatpuzzlesme,"saidBlackberry,"iswhythisboatthingdoesn'tgoalong.Everythinginthisrivergoesalong,andfast,too--seethere."Helookedoutatapieceofstickfloatingdownontheeventwo-mile-an-hourcurrent."Sowhat'sstoppingthisthingfromgoing?"
Kehaarhadashort-way-with-landlubbersmannerwhichhesometimesusedtothoseoftherabbitsthathedidnotparticularlylike.Blackberrywasnotoneofhisfavorites:hepreferredstraightforwardcharacterssuchasBigwig,BuckthornandSilver.
"Eesrope.Youlikebiteheem,denyougodamnqueek,alldevay."
"Yes,Isee,"saidFiver."TheropegoesroundthatmetalthingwhereHazel'ssitting:andtheotherend'sfixedonthebankhere.It'slikethestalkofabigleaf.Youcouldgnawitthroughandtheleaf--theboat--woulddropoffthebank."
"Well,anyway,let'sgobacknow,"saidHazel,ratherdejectedly."I'mafraidwedon'tseemtobeanynearerto
findingwhatwe'relookingfor,Kehaar.Canyoupossiblywaituntiltomorrow?Ihadtheideathatwemightallmovetosomewhereabitdrierbeforetonight--higherupinthewood,awayfromtheriver."
"Oh,whatapity!"saidBluebell."Doyouknow,I'dquitedecidedtobecomeawaterrabbit."
"Awhat?"askedBigwig.
"Awaterrabbit,"repeatedBluebell."Well,therearewaterratsandwaterbeetlesandPipkinsaysthatlastnighthesawawaterhawk.Sowhynotawaterrabbit?Ishallfloatmerrilyalong--"
"GreatgoldenFrithonahill!"criedBlackberrysuddenly."GreatjumpingRabscuttle!That'sit!That's
it!Bluebell,youshallbeawaterrabbit!"HebeganleapingandskippingaboutonthebankandcuffingFiverwithhisfrontpaws."Don'tyousee,Fiver?Don'tyousee?Webitetheropeandoffwego:andGeneralWoundwortdoesn'tknow!"
Fiverpaused."Yes,Idosee,"herepliedatlength."Youmeanontheboat.Imustsay,Blackberry,you're
acleverfellow.Iremembernowthatafterwe'dcrossedthatotherriveryousaidthatthatfloatingtrickmightcomeinhandyagainsometime."
"Here,waitamoment,"saidHazel."We'rejustsimplerabbits,BigwigandI.Doyoumindexplaining?"
Thenandthere,whiletheblackgnatssettledontheirears,bytheplankbridgeand
thepouringwaterfall,BlackberryandFiverexplained.
"Couldyoujustgoandtrytherope,Hazel-rah?"addedBlackberry,whenhehadfinished."Itmaybetoothick."
Theywentbacktothepunt.
"No,it'snot,"saidHazel,
"andit'sstretchedtight,ofcourse,whichmakesitmucheasiertognaw.Icangnawthat,allright."
"Ya,eesgoot,"saidKehaar."Yougofine.Butyoudoheemqueek,ya?Maybesomet'ingchange.Mancome,takepoat--youknow?"
"There'snothingmoretowaitfor,"saidHazel."Goon,
Bigwig,straightaway,andmayEl-ahrairahgowithyou.Andremember,you'retheleadernow.SendwordbyKehaarwhatyouwantustodo;weshallallbehere,readytobackyouup."
Afterward,theyallrememberedhowBigwighadtakenhisorders.Noonecouldsaythathedidnotpracticewhathepreached.Hehesitatedafewmomentsand
thenlookedsquarelyatHazel.
"It'ssudden,"hesaid."Iwasn'texpectingittonight.Butthat'salltothegood--Ihatedwaiting.Seeyoulater."
HetouchedhisnosetoHazel's,turnedandhoppedawayintotheundergrowth.Afewminuteslater,guidedbyKehaar,hewasrunninguptheopenpasturenorthofthe
river,straightforthebrickarchintheovergrownrailwayembankmentandthefieldsthatlaybeyond.
34.GeneralWoundwort
Likeanobelisktowardswhichtheprincipalstreetsofatownconverge,thestrongwillofaproudspiritstandsprominentandcommanding
inthemiddleoftheartofwar.
Clausewitz,OnWar
DuskwasfallingonEfrafa.Inthefailinglight,GeneralWoundwortwaswatchingtheNearHindMarkatsilflayalongtheedgeofthegreatpasturefieldthatlaybetweenthewarrenandtheironroad.MostoftherabbitswerefeedingneartheMarkholes,
whichwereclosebesidethefield,concealedamongthetreesandundergrowthborderingalonelybridlepath.Afew,however,hadventuredoutintothefield,tobrowseandplayinthelastofthesun.FurtheroutstillwerethesentriesoftheOwsla,onthealertfortheapproachofmenorelilandalsoforanyrabbitwhomightstraytoofartobeabletogetundergroundquicklyifthereshouldbean
alarm.
CaptainChervil,oneofthetwoofficersoftheMark,hadjustreturnedfromaroundofhissentriesandwastalkingtosomeofthedoesnearthecenteroftheMarkgroundwhenhesawtheGeneralapproaching.Helookedquicklyabouttoseewhetheranythingwasatfault.Sinceallseemedtobewell,hebegannibblingatapatchof
sweetvernalwiththebestairofindifferencethathecouldmanage.
GeneralWoundwortwasasingularrabbit.Somethreeyearsbefore,hehadbeenborn--thestrongestofalitteroffive--inaburrowoutsideacottagegardennearColeHenley.Hisfather,ahappy-go-luckyandrecklessbuck,hadthoughtnothingoflivingclosetohumanbeingsexcept
thathewouldbeabletoforageintheirgardenintheearlymorning.Hehadpaiddearlyforhisrashness.Aftertwoorthreeweeksofspoiledlettucesandnibbledcabbageplants,thecottagerhadlaininwaitandshothimashecamethroughthepotatopatchatdawn.Thesamemorningthemansettoworktodigoutthedoeandhergrowinglitter.Woundwort'smotherescaped,racingacrossthekalefield
towardthedowns,herkittensdoingtheirbesttofollowher.NonebutWoundwortsucceeded.Hismother,bleedingfromashotgunpellet,madeherwayalongthehedgesinbroaddaylight,withWoundwortlimpingbesideher.
Itwasnotlongbeforeaweaselpickedupthescentofthebloodandfollowedit.Thelittlerabbitcoweredin
thegrasswhilehismotherwaskilledbeforehiseyes.Hemadenoattempttorun,buttheweasel,itshungersatisfied,lefthimaloneandmadeoffthroughthebushes.SeveralhourslaterakindoldschoolmasterfromOverton,walkingthroughthefields,cameuponWoundwortnuzzlingthecold,stillbodyandcrying.Hecarriedhimhometohisownkitchenandsavedhislife,feedinghim
withmilkfromanasaldropperuntilhewasoldenoughtoeatbranandgreenstuff.ButWoundwortgrewupverywildand,likeCowper'share,wouldbitewhenhecould.Inamonthhewasbigandstrongandhadbecomesavage.Henearlykilledtheschoolmaster'scat,whichhadfoundhimatlibertyinthekitchenandtriedtotormenthim.Onenight,aweeklater,hetorethewire
fromthefrontofhishutchandescapedtotheopencountry.
Mostrabbitsinhissituation,lackingalmostallexperienceofwildlife,wouldhavefallenvictimatoncetotheelil:butnotWoundwort.Afterafewdays'wandering,hecameuponasmallwarrenand,snarlingandclawing,forcedthemtoaccepthim.SoonhehadbecomeChief
Rabbit,havingkilledboththepreviousChiefandarivalnamedFiorin.Incombathewasterrifying,fightingentirelytokill,indifferenttoanywoundshereceivedhimselfandclosingwithhisadversariesuntilhisweightoverboreandexhaustedthem.Thosewhohadnohearttoopposehimwerenotlonginfeelingthatherewasaleaderindeed.
Woundwortwasreadytofightanythingexceptafox.OneeveningheattackedanddroveoffaforagingAberdeenpuppy.Hewasimpervioustothefascinationofthemustelidae,andhopedsomedaytokillaweasel,ifnotastoat.Whenhehadexploredthelimitsofhisownstrength,hesettoworktosatisfyhislongingforstillmorepowerintheonlypossibleway--byincreasing
thepoweroftherabbitsabouthim.Heneededabiggerkingdom.Menwerethegreatdanger,butthiscouldbecircumventedbycunninganddiscipline.Heleftthesmallwarren,takinghisfollowerswithhim,andsetouttolookforaplacesuitedtohispurpose,wheretheveryexistenceofrabbitscouldbeconcealedandexterminationmadeverydifficult.
Efrafagrewuproundthecrossingpointoftwogreenbridlepaths,oneofwhich(theeast-to-west)wastunnel-like,borderedonbothsidesbyathickgrowthoftreesandbushes.Theimmigrants,underWoundwort'sdirection,dugtheirholesbetweentherootsofthetrees,intheundergrowthandalongtheditches.Fromthefirstthewarrenprospered.Woundwortwatchedover
themwithatirelesszealthatwontheirloyaltyevenwhiletheyfearedhim.Whenthedoesstoppeddigging,Woundworthimselfwentonwiththeirworkwhiletheyslept.Ifamanwascoming,Woundwortspottedhimhalfamileaway.Hefoughtrats,magpies,graysquirrelsand,once,acrow.Whenlitterswerekindled,hekeptaneyeontheirgrowth,pickedoutthestrongestyoungstersfor
theOwslaandtrainedthemhimself.Hewouldallownorabbittoleavethewarren.Quiteearlyon,threewhotriedtodosowerehunteddownandforcedtoreturn.
Asthewarrengrew,soWoundwortdevelopedhissystemtokeepitundercontrol.Crowdsofrabbitsfeedingatmorningandeveningwerelikelytoattractattention.Hedevisedthe
Marks,eachcontrolledbyitsownofficersandsentries,withfeedingtimeschangedregularlytogiveallashareofearlymorningandsunset--thefavoritehoursforsilflay.Allsignsofrabbitlifewereconcealedascloselyaspossible.TheOwslahadprivilegesinregardtofeeding,matingandfreedomofmovement.Anyfailureofdutyontheirpartwasliabletobepunishedbydemotion
andlossofprivileges.Forordinaryrabbits,thepunishmentsweremoresevere.
WhenitwasnolongerpossibleforWoundworttobeeverywhere,theCouncilwassetup.SomeofthememberscamefromtheOwsla,butotherswereselectedsolelyfortheirloyaltyortheircunningasadvisers.OldSnowdropwasgrowingdeaf,
butnooneknewmorethanheaboutorganizingawarrenforsafety.Onhisadvice,therunsandburrowsofthevariousMarkswerenotconnectedunderground,sothatdiseaseorpoison,iftheycame,wouldspreadlessreadily.Conspiracywouldalsospreadlessreadily.TovisittheburrowsofanotherMarkwasnotallowedwithoutanofficer'spermission.Itwason
Snowdrop'sadvice,too,thatWoundwortatlengthorderedthatthewarrenwasnottoextendfurther,onaccountoftheriskofdetectionandtheweakeningofcentralcontrol.Hewaspersuadedonlywithdifficulty,forthenewpolicyfrustratedhisrestlessdesireofpowerafterpower.Thisnowneededanotheroutlet,andsoonafterthewarrenhadbeenstoppedfromgrowingheintroducedtheWide
Patrols.
TheWidePatrolsbeganasmereforaysorraids,ledbyWoundwort,intothesurroundingcountry.HewouldsimplypickfourorfiveoftheOwslaandtakethemouttolookfortrouble.Onthefirstoccasiontheywereluckyenoughtofindandkillasickowlthathadeatenamousethathadeatenpoison-dressedseedcorn.On
thenext,theycameupontwohlessilwhomtheycompelledtoreturnwiththemtojointhewarren.Woundwortwasnomerebully.Heknewhowtoencourageotherrabbitsandtofillthemwithaspiritofemulation.Itwasnotlongbeforehisofficerswereaskingtobeallowedtoleadpatrols.Woundwortwouldgivethemtasks--tosearchforhlessilinacertaindirectionortofindoutwhethera
particularditchorbarncontainedratswhichcouldlaterbeattackedinforceanddrivenout.Onlyfromfarmsandgardensweretheyorderedtokeepclear.Oneofthesepatrols,ledbyacertainCaptainOrchis,discoveredasmallwarrentwomilestotheeast,beyondtheKingsclere-Overtonroad,ontheoutskirtsofNutleyCopse.TheGeneralledanexpeditionagainstitandbrokeitup,theprisoners
beingbroughtbacktoEfrafa,whereafewofthemlaterrosetobeOwslamembersthemselves.
Asthemonthswenton,theWidePatrolsbecamesystematic;duringsummerandearlyautumntherewereusuallytwoorthreeoutatatime.TherecametobenootherrabbitsforalongwayroundEfrafaandanywhomightwanderintothe
neighborhoodbychancewerequicklypickedup.CasualtiesintheWidePatrolswerehigh,fortheelilgottoknowthattheywentout.Oftenitwouldtakeallaleader'scourageandskilltocompletehistaskandbringhisrabbits--orsomeofhisrabbits--backtothewarren.ButtheOwslawereproudoftheriskstheyran:and,besides,Woundwortwasinthehabitofgoingouthimselftoseehowtheywere
gettingon.Apatrolleader,morethanamilefromEfrafa,limpingupahedgerowintherain,wouldcomeupontheGeneralsquattinglikeahareunderatussockofdarnel,andfindhimselfrequiredthenandtheretoreportwhathehadbeendoingorwhyhewasoffhisroute.Thepatrolswerethetraininggroundsofcunningtrackers,swiftrunnersandfiercefighters,andthecasualties--although
theremightbeasmanyasfiveorsixinabadmonth--suitedWoundwort'spurpose,fornumbersneededkeepingdownandtherewerealwaysfreshvacanciesintheOwsla,whichtheyoungerbucksdidtheirbesttobegoodenoughtofill.TofeelthatrabbitswerecompetingtorisktheirlivesathisordersgratifiedWoundwort,althoughhebelieved--andsodidhisCouncilandhisOwsla--that
hewasgivingthewarrenpeaceandsecurityatapricewhichwasmodestenough.
Nevertheless,thisevening,ashecameoutfromamongtheashtreestotalktoCaptainChervil,theGeneralwasfeelingseriouslyconcernedaboutseveralthings.Itwaslessandlesseasytokeepthesizeofthewarrenundercontrol.Overcrowdingwasbecoming
agraveproblem,andthisdespitethefactthatmanyofthedoeswerere-absorbingtheirlittersbeforebirth.Whiletheirdoingsowasalltothegoodinitself,someofthemweregrowingrestiveandhardtomanage.NotlongagoagroupofdoeshadcomebeforetheCouncilandaskedtoleavethewarren.Theyhadbeenpeaceableatfirst,offeringtogoasfarawayastheCouncilwished:butwhen
ithadbecomeplainthattheirrequestwasnotgoingtobegrantedonanyterms,theyhadbecomefirstpetulantandthenaggressiveandtheCouncilhadhadtotakestrongmeasures.Therewasstillagooddealofbadfeelingoverthebusiness.Then,inthethirdplace,theOwslahadlatelylostacertainamountofrespectamongtherankandfile.
Fourwanderingrabbits--givingthemselvesouttobesomekindofembassyfromanotherwarren--hadbeenheldandimpressedintotheRightFlankMark.Hehadintended,later,tofindoutwheretheyhadcomefrom.Buttheyhadsucceededinplayingaverysimpletrick,bamboozlingtheMarkcommander,attackinghissentriesandescapingbynight.CaptainBugloss,the
officerresponsible,had,ofcourse,beendemotedandexpelledfromtheOwsla,buthisdisgrace,thoughveryproper,onlyaddedtotheGeneral'sdifficulties.ThetruthwasthatEfrafahadbecome,forthemoment,shortofgoodofficers.OrdinaryOwsla--sentries--werenottoohardtofind,butofficerswereanothermatterandhehadlostthreeinlessthanamonth.Buglosswasas
goodasacasualty:hewouldneverholdrankagain.But,worse,CaptainCharlock--abraveandresourcefulrabbit--whileleadingthepursuitofthefugitives,hadbeenrundownontheironroadbyatrain:afurtherproof,ifanywereneeded,ofthewickedmaliceofmen.Worstofall,onlytwonightsagoapatrolwhichhadbeenouttothenorthhadreturnedwiththeshockingnewsthatitsleader,
CaptainMallow,anofficerofexceptionalprestigeandexperience,hadbeenkilledbyafox.Itwasanoddbusiness.ThepatrolhadpickedupthescentofafairlylargepartyofrabbitsevidentlycomingtowardEfrafafromthenorth.Theyhadbeenfollowingitbuthadnotyetsightedtheirquarrywhensuddenlyastrangerabbithadburstinuponthemastheywerenearingtheedge
ofsomewoodland.Theyhad,ofcourse,triedtostophimandatthatmomentthefox,whichhadapparentlybeenfollowinghimclosely,hadcomefromtheopencombebeyondandkilledpoorMallowinaninstant.Allthingsconsidered,thepatrolhadcomeawayingoodorderandGroundsel,thesecondincommand,haddonewell.Butnothingmorehadbeenseenofthestrangerabbit;andthe
lossofMallow,withnothingtoshowforit,hadupsetanddemoralizedtheOwslaagooddeal.
Otherpatrolshadbeensentoutatonce,butallthattheyhadestablishedwasthattherabbitsfromthenorthhadcrossedtheironroadanddisappearedsouthward.ItwasintolerablethattheyshouldhavepassedsoclosetoEfrafaandgonetheirway
withoutbeingapprehended.Evennowtheymightpossiblybecaught,ifonlytherewereareallyenterprisingofficertoputinchargeofthesearch.Itwouldcertainlyneedanenterprisingofficer--CaptainCampionperhaps--forpatrolsseldomcrossedtheironroad,andthewetcountrybeyond--thecountryneartheriver--wasonlypartlyknown.Hewouldhavegonehimself,butwith
therecentdisciplinarytroublesinthewarrenhecouldnottaketherisk;andCampioncouldhardlybesparedjustnow.No--infuriatingasitwas,thestrangerswerebestforgottenforthemoment.ThefirstthingwastoreplacetheOwslalosses--andpreferablywithrabbitswhoknewhowtodealruthlesslywithanyfurthersignsofdissension.Theywouldsimplyhaveto
promotethebesttheyhadgot,drawtheirhornsinforatimeandconcentrateontraininguntilthingsgotbacktonormal.
WoundwortgreetedCaptainChervilratherabstractedlyandwentonturningtheproblemoverinhismind.
"Whatareyoursentrieslike,Chervil?"heaskedat
length."DoIknowanyofthem?"
"They'reagoodlot,sir,"repliedChervil."YouknowMarjoram:he'sbeenonpatrolwithyouasarunner.AndIthinkyouknowMoneywort."
"Yes,Iknowthem,"saidWoundwort,"buttheywouldn'tmakeofficers.WeneedtoreplaceCharlockandMallow:that'swhatI'm
gettingat."
"That'sdifficult,sir,"saidChervil."Thatsortofrabbitdoesn'thopoutofthegrass."
"Well,they'vegottohopfromsomewhere,"saidWoundwort."You'dbetterthinkaboutitandtellmeanyideasthatoccurtoyou.Anyway,Iwanttogoroundyoursentriesnow.Comewithme,willyou?"
Theywereabouttosetoffwhenathirdrabbitapproached--noneotherthanCaptainCampionhimself.ItwasCampion'sprincipaldutytosearchtheoutskirtsofEfrafaatmorningandeveningandtoreportanythingnew--thetiremarksofatractorinmud,thedroppingsofasparrowhawkorthespreadingoffertilizeronafield.Anexperttracker,hemissedlittleornothing
andwasoneoftheveryfewrabbitsforwhomWoundwortfeltagenuinerespect.
"Doyouwantme?"saidWoundwort,pausing.
"Well,Ithinkso,sir,"repliedCampion."We'vepickedupahlessiandbroughthimin."
"Wherewashe?"
"Downbythearch,sir.Justthissideofit."
"Whatwashedoing?"
"Well,sir,hesayshe'scomealongwayonpurposetojoinEfrafa.That'swhyIthoughtyoumightliketoseehim."
"WantstojoinEfrafa?"askedWoundwort,puzzled.
"That'swhathesays,sir."
"Whycan'ttheCouncilseehimtomorrow?"
"Justasyoulike,sir,ofcourse.Buthestrikesmeasbeingabitoutoftheordinary.I'dsay,adistinctlyusefulrabbit."
"H'm,"saidWoundwort,considering."Well,allright.Ihaven'tgotlong,though.
Whereishenow?"
"AttheCrixa,sir."Campionmeantthecrossingpointofthetwobridlepaths,whichwasaboutfiftyyardsaway,amongthetrees."Twoofmypatrolarewithhim."
WoundwortmadehiswaybacktotheCrixa.Chervil,beingondutywithhisMark,remainedwherehewas.Campionaccompaniedthe
General.
AtthishourtheCrixawasallgreenshade,withredgleamsofsunthatwinkedthroughthemovingleaves.Thedampgrassalongtheedgesofthepathswasdottedwithspikesofmauvebugle,andthesaniclesandyellowarchangelsfloweredthickly.Underanelderbush,onthefarsideofthetrack,twoOwslafa,orCouncilpolice,
werewaiting;andwiththemwasthestranger.
WoundwortsawatoncewhatCampionhadmeant.Thestrangerwasabigrabbit,heavybutalert,witharugged,seasonedappearanceandthelookofafighter.Hehadacuriousthickgrowthoffur--akindoftopknot--onthecrownofhishead.HestaredatWoundwortwithadetached,appraisingair
whichtheGeneralhadnotencounteredforaverylongtime.
"Whoareyou?"saidWoundwort.
"MynameisThlayli,"repliedtheStranger.
"Thlayli,sir,"promptedCampion.
Thestrangersaidnothing.
"Thepatrolbroughtyouin,I'mtold.Whatwereyoudoing?"
"I'vecometojoinEfrafa."
"Why?"
"I'msurprisedyouask.It'syourwarren,isn'tit?Isthereanythingoddaboutsomeonewantingtojoin?"
Woundwortwas
nonplused.Hewasnofoolanditwas,hecouldnothelpfeeling,extremelyoddthatanyright-mindedrabbitshouldchoosetowalkintoEfrafaofhisownaccord.Buthecouldhardlysayso.
"Whatcanyoudo?"
"Icanrunandfightandspoilastorytellingit.I'vebeenanofficerinanOwsla."
"Fight,canyou?Couldyoufighthim?"saidWoundwort,lookingatCampion.
"Certainly,ifyouwish."ThestrangerrearedupandaimedaheavycuffatCampion,wholeapedbackjustintime.
"Don'tbeafool,"saidWoundwort."Sitdown.WherewereyouinanOwsla?"
"Faroff.Thewarrenwasdestroyedbymen,butIescaped.I'vebeenwanderingsometime.Itwon'tsurpriseyouthatIheardofEfrafa.I'vecomealongwaytojoinit.Ithoughtyoumighthavesomeuseforme."
"Areyoualone?"
"Iamnow."
Woundwortconsidered
again.ItwaslikelyenoughthatthisrabbithadbeenanofficerinanOwsla.AnyOwslawouldwanthim.Ifhewasspeakingthetruth,hehadhadwitsenoughtoescapethedestructionofhiswarrenandsurvivealongjourneythroughopencountry.Itmusthavebeenaverylongjourney,fortherewasnowarrenwithinthenormalrangeoftheEfrafanpatrols.
"Well,"hesaidatlength,"Idaresaywemightbeabletofindsomeuseforyou,asyouputit.Campionherewilllookafteryoutonight,andtomorrowmorningyou'llcomebeforetheCouncil.Meanwhile,don'tstartfighting,doyousee?Wecangiveyouplentytodowithoutthat."
"Verywell."
Thefollowingmorning,aftertheCouncilhaddiscussedthepredicamentofthewarrenduetotherecentlosses,GeneralWoundwortproposedthat,forastart,theymightdoworsethantrythebignewcomerasanofficerintheNearHindMark,undertheinstructionofCaptainChervil.TheCouncil,havingseenhim,agreed.Byni-FrithThlayli,stillbleedingfromtheMarkgashinflictedinhis
lefthaunch,hadtakenuphisduties.
35.Groping
Thisworld,wheremuchistobedone,andlittleknown...
Dr.Johnson
"AndthenbeforetheMarksilflay,"saidChervil,"Ialwayshavealookattheweather.ThepreviousMark
sendarunner,ofcourse,tosaywhenthey'regoingdown,andhereportsontheweather,butIalwaysgoandhavealookformyselfaswell.Inmoonlightweputthesentriesfairlycloseinandkeeponthemoveourselvestomakesurenoonegoestoofar.ButinrainordarknesswesendtheMarkupinsmallgroups,oneaftertheother,andeachgrouphasasentryincharge.Inabsolutelydesperate
weatherweasktheGeneral'spermissiontopostponethesilflay."
"Butdotheyoftentrytorunaway?"askedBigwig.DuringtheafternoonhehadbeenupanddowntherunsandcrowdedburrowswithChervilandAvens,theotherMarkofficer,andhadthoughttohimselfthatneverinhislifehadheseensuchacheerless,dispiritedlotof
rabbits."Theydon'tstrikemeasaverydifficultbunch."
"Mostofthemarenotrouble,it'strue,"saidAvens,"butyouneverknowwhentrouble'scoming.Forinstance,you'dhavesaidtherewasn'tamoredocilelotinEfrafathantheRightFlank.AndthenonedaytheygetfourhlessilwishedonthembytheCouncil,andthenexteveningBuglossisn't
veryquickintheuptakeforsomereason,andsuddenlythesehlessilplayatrickonhimandbunk.Andthat'stheendofhim--tosaynothingofpooroldCharlock,killedontheironroad.Whensomethinglikethathappens,ithappenslikelightninganditisn'talwaysplanned:sometimesit'smorelikeafrenzy.Arabbittearsawayonimpulseandifyoudon'tknockhimoverquick,the
nextthingyouknowthreemorewillbeoffafterhim.Theonlysafewayistowatchallthetimewhenthey'reabovegroundanddoyourownrelaxingwhenyoucan.Afterall,that'swhatwe'reherefor--thatandthepatrols."
"Now,aboutburyinghraka,"saidChervil,"youcan'tbetoostrict.IftheGeneralfindsanyhrakainthefieldshe'llstuffyourtail
downyourthroat.Theyalwaystrytododgeburying,though.Theywanttobenatural,theanti-sociallittlebeasts.Theyjustdon'trealizethateveryone'sgooddependsoneveryone'scooperation.WhatIdoistosetthreeorfourofthemtodiganewtroughintheditcheveryday,asapunishment.Youcannearlyalwaysfindsomeonetopunishifyoutryhardenough.Today'ssquadfills
upyesterday'stroughanddigsanother.TherearespecialrunsleadingintothebottomoftheditchandtheMarkhavegottousethoseandnootherswhentheygoouttopasshraka.Wekeepahrakasentryintheditchtomakesuretheycomeback."
"Howdoyouchecktheminaftersilflay?"askedBigwig.
"Well,weknowthemallbysight,"repliedChervil,"andwewatchthemgodown.ThereareonlytwoentranceholesfortheMarkandoneofussitsateachhole.EveryrabbitknowswhichholehehastouseandIshouldcertainlymissanyofminewhodidn'tgodown.Thesentriescomeinlastofall--IonlycalltheminwhenI'mquitesurethatalltheMarkaredown.Andonce
they'redown,ofcourse,theycan'tverywellgetout,withasentryateachhole.DiggingIshouldhear.You'renotallowedtodiginEfrafawithoutpermissionfromtheCouncil.Theonlyreallydangeroustimeiswhenthere'sanalarm--say,amanorafox.Thenweallboltforthenearesthole,ofcourse.Sofar,itdoesn'tseemtohaveoccurredtoanyonethathecouldbolttheotherwayand
havequitealongstartbeforehewasmissed.Still,norabbitwillbolttowardelil,andthat'stherealsafeguard."
"Well,Iadmireyourthoroughness,"saidBigwig,thinkingtohimselfthathissecrettaskseemedtobeevenmorehopelessthanhehadexpected."I'llgetthehangofitallassoonasIcan.Whendowehavethechanceofapatrol?"
"IexpecttheGeneralwilltakeyouonpatrolhimself,tobeginwith,"saidAvens."Hedidme.Youmaynotbesokeenwhenyou'vehadadayortwowithhim--you'llbewornout.Still,Imustadmit,Thlayli,you'reafinesize,andifyou'vebeenlivingroughforsometimeyou'llprobablymanageitallright."
Atthismomentarabbitwithawhitescaracrosshis
throatcamedowntherun.
"TheNeckMark'sjustgoingdown,CaptainChervil,sir,"hesaid."It'sabeautifulevening:Ishouldmakethemostofit."
"Iwaswonderingwhenyouweregoingtoshowup,"repliedChervil."TellCaptainSainfoinI'mbringingmyMarkupatonce."
Turningtooneofhisownsentrieswhowascloseby,Cherviltoldhimtogoroundtheburrowsandsendeveryoneupforsilflay.
"Now,"hesaid,"Avens,yougotothefurtherholeasusual,andThlaylicanjoinmeonthenearerone.We'llsendfoursentriesouttotheline,tostartwith,andwhentheMarkhaveallgoneoutwe'lladdfourmoreandkeep
twoinreserve.I'llseeyouintheusualplace,bythebigflintinthebank."
BigwigfollowedChervilalongtherun,downwhichcamethescentsofwarmgrass,cloverandhoptrefoil.Hehadfoundmostoftherunscloserandstuffierthanhewasusedto,nodoubtbecausethereweresofewholesintotheopenair.Theprospectofaneveningsilflay,
eveninEfrafa,waspleasant.Hethoughtofthebeechleavesrustlingabovethefar-offHoneycomb,andsighed."IwonderhowoldHolly'sgettingon,"hethought,"andwhetherI'lleverseehimagain:orHazeleither,forthematterofthat.Well,I'llgivetheseblighterssomethingtothinkaboutbeforeI'vefinished.Idofeellonely,though.Howharditistocarryasecretbyyourself!"
TheyreachedthemouthoftheholeandChervilwentoutsidetolookround.Whenhereturned,hetookupstationatthetopoftherun.AsBigwigfoundaplacealongside,henoticedforthefirsttime,intheoppositewalloftherun,akindofrecesslikeanopencave.Inthis,threerabbitsweresquatting.Thoseoneithersidehadthetough,stolidlookofmembersoftheOwslafa.Butitwasat
theoneinthemiddlethathestared.Thisrabbithadverydarkfur--almostblack.Butthiswasnotthemostremarkablethingabouthim.Hewasdreadfullymutilated.Hisearswerenothingbutshapelessshreds,raggedattheedges,seamedwithill-knitscarsandbeadedhereandtherewithlumpsofproud,bareflesh.Oneeyelidwasmisshapenandclosedaskew.Despitethecool,
excitingairoftheJulyevening,heseemedapatheticandtorpid.Hekepthisgazefixedonthegroundandblinkedcontinually.Afteratimeheloweredhisheadandrubbedhisnoseonhisforepawsinalistlessmanner.Thenhescratchedhisneckandsettleddowninhisformerdroopingposition.
Bigwig,hiswarm,impulsivenaturestirredby
curiosityandpity,wentacrosstherun.
"Whoareyou?"heasked.
"MynameisBlackavar,sir,"repliedtherabbit.Hedidnotlookupandspokewithoutexpression,asthoughhehadansweredthisquestionmanytimesbefore.
"Areyougoingtosilflay?"saidBigwig.Nodoubt,he
thought,thiswassomeheroofthewarren,woundedinagreatfightandnowinfirm,whosepastservicesmeritedanhonorableescortwhenhewentout.
"No,sir,"answeredtherabbit.
"Whyevernot?"saidBigwig."It'salovelyevening."
"Idon'tsilflayatthistime,sir."
"Thenwhyareyouhere?"askedBigwig,withhisusualdirectness.
"TheMarkthathastheeveningsilflay,sir,"begantherabbit."TheMarkthathas--theycome--I--"Hehesitatedandfellsilent.
OneoftheOwslafaspoke.
"Getonwithit,"hesaid.
"IcomeherefortheMarktoseeme,"saidtherabbitinhislow,drainedvoice."EveryMarkshouldseehowIhavebeenpunishedasIdeserveformytreacheryintryingtoleavethewarren.TheCouncilweremerciful--theCouncilweremerciful--theCouncil--Ican'trememberit,sir,Ireallycan't,"heburstout,turningtothesentrywho
hadspoken."Ican'tseemtorememberanything."
Thesentrysaidnothing.Bigwig,afterstaringinshockedsilenceforafewmoments,rejoinedChervil.
"He'ssupposedtotelleverybodywhoasks,"saidChervil,"buthe'sgettingsortofstupidafterhalfamonthofit.Hetriedtorunaway.Campioncaughthimand
broughthimbackandtheCouncilrippeduphisearsandsaidhehadtobeshownateverymorningandeveningsilflay,asanexampletotheothers.Butifyouaskme,hewon'tlastmuchlonger.He'llmeetablackerrabbitthanhimselfoneofthesenights."
Bigwigshuddered,partlyatChervil'stoneofcallousindifferenceandpartlyathisownmemories.TheMark
werefilingupnowandhewatchedastheywentpast,eachdarkeningtheentranceforamomentbeforehoppingoutunderthehawthorn.ItwasclearthatChervilpridedhimselfonknowinghisrabbitsbyname.Hespoketomostofthemandwasatpainstoshowthathehadsomeknowledgeoftheirpersonallives.ItseemedtoBigwigthattheanswershegotwerenotparticularly
warmorfriendly,buthedidnotknowwhethertoputthatdowntodislikeofChervilormerelytothelackofspiritthatseemedtobecommontotherankandfileinEfrafa.Hewascloselyonthewatch--asBlackberryhadadvisedhimtobe--foranysignsofdisaffectionorrebellion,buthecouldseelittlegroundsforhopeintheexpressionlessfacesthatwentby.Attheendcamealittlegroupofthreeor
fourdoes,talkingamongthemselves.
"Well,areyougettingonallrightwithyournewfriends,Nelthilta?"saidCherviltothefirst,asshepassedhim.
Thedoe,apretty,long-nosedrabbitnotmorethanthreemonthsold,stoppedandlookedathim.
"You'llgetonyourselfoneday,Captain,Idaresay,"shereplied."LikeCaptainMallow--hegoton,youknow.Whydon'tyousendsomedoesonWidePatrol?"
ShepausedforCherviltoreply,buthemadenoansweranddidnotspeaktothedoeswhofollowedNelthiltaoutintothefield.
"Whatdidshemeanby
that?"askedBigwig.
"Well,there'sbeentrouble,youknow,"saidChervil."AbunchofdoesintheNearForestartedarowataCouncilmeeting.TheGeneralsaidtheymustbebrokenupandwehadacouplesenttous.I'vebeenkeepinganeyeonthem.They'renotroublethemselves,butNelthilta'stakenupwiththemandit
seemstohavemadehercheekyandresentful:sortofthingyousawjustnow.Idon'treallymindthat--itshowstheyfeeltheOwsla'sontop.IftheyoungdoesbecamequietandpoliteIshouldbemuchmoreworried:Ishouldwonderwhattheywereupto.Allthesame,Thlayli,I'dlikeyoutodowhatyoucantogettoknowthoseparticulardoesandbringthemabitmore
intoline."
"Right,"saidBigwig."Bytheway,whataretherulesaboutmating?"
"Mating?"saidChervil."Well,ifyouwantadoe,youhaveone--anydoeintheMark,thatis.We'renotofficersfornothing,arewe?Thedoesareunderordersandnoneofthebuckscanstopyou.Thatjustleavesyouand
meandAvens;andweshallhardlyquarrel.Thereareplentyofdoes,afterall."
"Isee,"saidBigwig."Well,I'llsilflaynow.Unlessyou'vegotanyotherideas,I'llgoandtalktosomeoftheMarkandthengoroundthesentriesandgetthelieoftheland.WhataboutBlackavar?"
"Leavehim,"saidChervil."He'snoneofourbusiness.
TheOwslafawillkeephimhereuntiltheMarkcomebackandafterthatthey'lltakehimaway."
Bigwigmadehiswayintothefield,consciousofthewaryglancesoftherabbitshepassed.Hefeltperplexedandapprehensive.Howwashetobeginhisdangeroustask?Beginhemust,inonewayoranother,forKehaarhadmadeitclearthathewasnotready
towait.Therewasnothingforitbuttotakeachanceandtrustsomebody.Butwhom?Awarrenlikethismustbefullofspies.ProbablyonlyGeneralWoundwortknewwhothespieswere.Wasthereaspywatchinghimnow?
"Ishalljusthavetotrustmyfeelings,"hethought."I'llgoroundtheplaceabitandseeifIcanmakeanyfriends.
ButIknowonething--ifIdosucceedingettinganydoesoutofhere,I'lltakethatpoorwretchedBlackavarwithmeaswell.Frithonabridge!Itmakesmeangryjusttothinkofhimbeingforcedtosittherelikethat.GeneralWoundwortindeed!Agun'stoogoodforhim."
Nibblingandpondering,hemovedslowlyovertheopenmeadowintheeveningsun.
Afterawhilehefoundthathewasapproachingasmallhollow,muchliketheoneonWatershipDownwhereheandSilverhadfoundKehaar.Inthishollowtherewerefourdoes,withtheirbackstohim.Herecognizedthemasthelittlegroupwhohadgoneoutlast.Theyhadevidentlyfinishedthehungry,intentstageoffeedingandwerebrowsingandtalkingatleisure,andhecouldseethat
oneofthemhadtheattentionoftheotherthree.Evenmorethanmostrabbits,Bigwiglovedastoryandnowhefeltattractedbytheprospectofhearingsomethingnewinthisstrangewarren.Hemovedquietlyuptotheedgeofthehollowjustasthedoebegantospeak.
Atonceherealizedthatthiswasnostory.Yethehadheardthelikebefore,
somewhere.Theraptair,therhythmicutterance,theintentlisteners--whatwasittheyrecalled?Thenherememberedthesmellofcarrots,andSilverweeddominatingthecrowdinthegreatburrow.ButtheseverseswenttohisheartasSilverweed'shadnot.
Longago
Theyellowhammersang,
highonthethorn.
Hesangnearalitterthatthedoebroughtouttoplay,
Hesanginthewindandthekittensplayedbelow.
Theirtimeslippedbyallundertheelderbloom.
Butthebirdflewawayandnowmyheartisdark
Andtimewillneverplayinthefieldsagain.
Longago
Theorangebeetlesclungtotherye-grassstems.
Thewindygrasswaswaving.Abuckanddoe
Ranthroughthemeadow.Theyscratchedaholeinthebank,
Theydidwhattheypleasedallunderthehazelleaves.
Butthebeetlesdiedinthefrostandmyheartisdark;
AndIshallneverchooseamateagain.
Thefrostisfalling,thefrostfallsintomybody.
Mynostrils,myearsaretorpidunderthefrost.
Theswiftwillcomeinthespring,crying"News!News!
Does,dignewholesandflowwithmilkforyourlitters."
Ishallnothear.Theembryosreturn
Intomydulledbody.Acrossmysleep
Thererunsawirefenceto
imprisonthewind.
Ishallneverfeelthewindblowingagain.
Thedoewassilentandherthreecompanionssaidnothing:buttheirstillnessshowedplainlyenoughthatshe
hadspokenforallofthem.Aflockofstarlingspassedoverhead,chatteringand
whistling,andaliquiddroppingfellintothegrassamongthelittlegroup,butnonemovedorstartled.Eachseemedtakenupwiththesamemelancholythoughts--thoughtswhich,howeversad,wereatleastfarfromEfrafa.
Bigwig'sspiritwasastoughashisbodyandquitewithoutsentimentality,but,likemostcreatureswhohaveexperiencedhardshipand
danger,hecouldrecognizeandrespectsufferingwhenhesawit.Hewasaccustomedtosizingupotherrabbitsanddecidingwhattheyweregoodfor.Itstruckhimthatthesedoeswerenotfarfromtheendoftheirpowers.Awildanimalthatfeelsthatitnolongerhasanyreasontolivereachesintheendapointwhenitsremainingenergiesmayactuallybedirectedtowarddying.Itwasthisstate
ofmindthatBigwighadmistakenlyattributedtoFiverinthewarrenofthesnares.Sincethenhisjudgmenthadmatured.Hefeltthatdespairwasnotfarfromthesedoes;andfromallthathehadheardofEfrafa,bothfromHollyandfromChervil,hecouldunderstandwhy.Heknewthattheeffectsofovercrowdingandtensioninawarrenshowthemselvesfirstinthedoes.They
becomeinfertileandaggressive.Butifaggressioncannotmendtheirtroubles,thenoftentheybegintodrifttowardtheonlyotherwayout.Hewonderedwhatpointonthisdismalpaththeseparticulardoeshadreached.
Hehoppeddownintothehollow.Thedoes,disturbedfromtheirthoughts,lookedathimresentfullyanddrewback.
"Iknowyou'reNelthilta,"saidBigwigtotheprettyyoungdoewhohadretortedtoChervilintherun."Butwhat'syourname?"hewenton,turningtothedoebesideher.
Afterapause,sheansweredreluctantly,"Thethuthinnang,sir."*
"Andyours?"saidBigwig,tothedoewhohadspoken
theverses.
Sheturnedtohimalookofsuchwretchedness,sofullofaccusationandsuffering,thatitwasallhecoulddonottobegherthenandtheretobelievethathewashersecretfriendandthathehatedEfrafaandtheauthoritywhichherepresented.Nelthilta'srejoindertoChervilintherunhadbeenfullofhatred,butthisdoe's
gazespokeofwrongsbeyondherpowertoexpress.AsBigwigstaredbackather,hesuddenlyrecalledHolly'sdescriptionofthegreatyellowhrududuthathadtornopentheearthabovethedestroyedwarren."Thatmighthavemetalooklikethis,"hethought.Thenthedoeanswered,"MynameisHyzenthlay,sir."
"Hyzenthlay?"said
Bigwig,startledoutofhisself-possession."Thenitwasyouwho--"Hestopped.ItmightbedangeroustoaskwhethersherememberedspeakingtoHolly.Butwhethershedidornot,here,evidently,wastherabbitwhohadtoldHollyandhiscompanionsaboutthetroublesofEfrafaandthediscontentofthedoes.IfherememberedHolly'sstoryrightly,shehadalreadymade
somesortofattempttoleavethewarren."But,"hethought,ashemetoncemoreherdesolateeyes,"whatisshegoodfornow?"
"Maywehavepermissiontogo,sir?"askedNelthilta."Thecompanyofofficersabsolutelyoverpowersus,yousee:wefindalittleofitgoesanawfullylongway."
"Oh--yes--certainly--byall
means,"repliedBigwiginconfusion.Heremainedwherehewasasthedoeshoppedaway,Nelthiltaraisinghervoicetoremark,"Whatagreatoaf!"andhalflookingroundintheevidenthopethathewouldtakeherup.
"Oh,well,there'soneofthemwithsomespiritleft,anyway,"hethought,ashemadehiswayouttothe
sentries.
Hespentsometimetalkingtothesentriesandlearninghowtheywereorganized.Itwasadepressinglyefficientsystem.Eachsentrycouldreachhisneighborinamatterofmoments;andtheappropriatestampingsignal--fortheyhadmorethanone--wouldbringouttheofficersandthereserves.Ifnecessary,theOwslafacouldbealerted
inalmostnotimeatallandsocouldCaptainCampion,orwhateverofficermightbepatrollingtheoutskirtsofthewarren.SinceonlyoneMarkfedatatime,therecouldhardlybeanyconfusionaboutwheretogoifanalarmweregiven.Oneofthesentries,Marjoram,toldhimabouttheattemptedescapebyBlackavar.
"Hepretendedtofeedhis
wayoutasfarashecould,"saidMarjoram,"andthenhemadeadash.Heactuallymanagedtoknockdowntwosentrieswhotriedtostophim;andIdoubtwhetheranyoneonhisownhaseverdoneasmuchasthat.Heranlikemad,butCampionhadgotthealarm,yousee,andhesimplymovedroundandinterceptedhimfurtherdownthefields.Ofcourse,ifhehadn'tsmashedupthe
sentries,theCouncilmighthavelethimoffmorelightly."
"Doyoulikethewarrenlife?"askedBigwig.
"It'snottoobadnowI'mintheOwsla,"answeredMarjoram,"andifIcangettobeanofficerit'llbebetterstill.I'vedonetwoWidePatrolsnow--they'rethethingforgettingyourselfnoticed.I
cantrackandfightaswellasmost,butofcoursetheywantmorethanthatfromanofficer.Ithinkourofficersareastrongbunch,don'tyou?"
"Yes,Ido,"saidBigwigwithfeeling.ItstruckhimthatMarjoramevidentlydidnotknowthathehimselfwasanewcomertoEfrafa.Atanyrate,heshowedneitherjealousynorresentment.
Bigwigwasbeginningtorealizethatinthisplacenobodywastoldmorethanwasgoodforhim,orgottoknowmuchexceptwhatwasbeforehisnose.Marjoramprobablysupposedthathe,Bigwig,hadbeenpromotedoutofanotherMark.
Asdarknessfell,justbeforetheendofthesilflay,CaptainCampioncameupthefieldwithapatrolofthree
andChervilranouttomeethimonthesentryline.Bigwigjoinedthemandlistenedtothetalk.HegatheredthatCampionhadbeenoutasfarastheironroadbuthadfoundnothingunusual.
"Don'tyouevergobeyondtheironroad?"heasked.
"Notveryoften,"answeredCampion."It'swet,you
know--badrabbitcountry.Ihavebeenthere,butonthese
ordinarycircuitpatrolsI'mreallylookingnearerhome.MyjobispartlytonoticeanythingnewthattheCounciloughttoknowabout,andpartlytomakesurewepickupanyonewhobolts.LikethatmiserableBlackavar--andhegavemeabiteIshan'tforget,beforeIgothimdown.Onafineeveninglikethis,I
generallygodownasfarasthebankoftheironroadandthenworkalongthissideofit.OrsometimesIgooutintheotherdirection,asfarasthebarn.Italldependswhat'swanted.Bytheway,IsawtheGeneralearlierthiseveningandIratherthinkhemeanstotakeyouonpatrolintwoorthreedays'time,assoonasyou'vesettleddownandyourMarkhavecomeoffthedawnandeveningsilflay."
"Whywaitforthat?"saidBigwigwithalltheenthusiasmhecouldassume."Whynotsooner?"
"Well,aMarkgenerallykeepsafullOwslawhenit'sondawnandeveningsilflay.Therabbitsaremorelivelyatthosetimes,yousee,andneedmoresupervision.ButaMarkthat'sonni-Frithandfu-InlésilflaycangenerallyspareOwslaforaWide
Patrol.NowI'llleaveyouhere.I'vegottotakemylottotheCrixaandreporttotheGeneral."
AssoonastheMarkhadgoneundergroundandBlackavarhadbeentakenawaybyhisescort,BigwigexcusedhimselftoChervilandAvensandwenttohisownburrow.Althoughtherankandfilewerecrampedunderground,thesentrieshad
twolarge,roomyburrowstothemselves,whileeachofficerhadaprivateburrow.Byhimselfatlast,Bigwigsettleddowntothinkoverhisproblem.
Thedifficultieswerebewildering.HewasfairlycertainthatwithKehaar'shelphehimselfcouldescapefromEfrafawheneverhewished.Buthowintheworldwashetobringabunchof
doesout--supposingthatanywerereadytotryit?Ifhetookituponhimselftocallthesentriesinduringasilflay,Chervilwouldseeinamatterofmomentswhathehaddone.Theonlypossibility,then,wastomakethebreak-outduringtheday:towaituntilChervilwasasleepandthenorderasentrytoleavehispostatthemouthofoneoftheholes.Bigwigconsidered.Hecouldseeno
flawinthisidea.Thenthethoughtcametohim,"AndwhataboutBlackavar?"Blackavarpresumablyspentthedayunderguardinsomespecialburrow.Probablyhardlyanyoneknewwhere--nooneknewanythinginEfrafa--andcertainlynoonewouldtell.SohewouldhavetoleaveBlackavar:norealisticplancouldincludehim.
"I'llbejiggeredifIleavehim,"mutteredBigwigtohimself."IknowBlackberrywouldsayIwasafool.Still,he'snothereandI'mdoingthismyself.ButsupposeIwreckthewholethingbecauseofBlackavar?Oh,Frithinabarn!Whatabusiness!"
Hethoughtuntilherealizedthathewasthinkingincircles.Afteratime,hefell
asleep.Whenhewoke,hecouldtellthatitwasmoonlightoutside,fineandstill.Itoccurredtohimthatperhapshemightstarthisventurefromtheotherend--bypersuadingsomeofthedoestojoinhimandworkingoutaplanafterward,perhapswiththeirhelp.Hewentdowntherununtilhecameuponayoungrabbitsleepingasbesthecouldoutsideanovercrowdedburrow.He
wokehim.
"DoyouknowHyzenthlay?"heasked.
"Oh,yes,sir,"repliedtherabbit,witharatherpatheticattempttosoundbriskandready.
"Goandfindherandtellhertocometomyburrow,"saidBigwig."Nooneelseistocomewithher.Doyou
understand?"
"Yes,sir."
Whentheyoungsterhadscurriedoff,Bigwigreturnedtohisburrow,wonderingwhethertherewouldbeanysuspicion.Itseemedunlikely.FromwhatChervilhadsaid,itwascommonenoughforEfrafanofficerstosendfordoes.Ifhewerequestionedhehadonlytoplayup.Helay
downandwaited.
Inthedark,arabbitcameslowlyuptherunandstoppedattheentrancetotheburrow.Therewasapause.
"Hyzenthlay?"saidBigwig.
"IamHyzenthlay."
"Iwanttotalktoyou,"saidBigwig.
"IamintheMark,sir,andunderyourorders.Butyouhavemadeamistake."
"No,Ihaven't,"repliedBigwig."Youneedn'tbeafraid.Comeinhere,closebesideme."
Hyzenthlayobeyed.Hecouldfeelherfastpulse.Herbodywastense:hereyeswereclosedandherclawsdugintothefloor.
"Hyzenthlay,"whisperedBigwiginherear,"listencarefully.Yourememberthatmanydaysagonow,fourrabbitscametoEfrafaintheevening.Onehadverypalegrayfurandonehadahealedratbiteinhisforeleg.Youtalkedwiththeirleader--hisnamewasHolly.Iknowwhathetoldyou."
Sheturnedherheadinfear."Howdoyouknow?"
"Nevermind.Onlylistentome."
ThenBigwigspokeofHazelandFiver;ofthedestructionoftheSandlefordwarrenandthejourneytoWatershipDown.Hyzenthlayneithermovednorinterrupted.
"Therabbitswhotalkedtoyouthatevening,"saidBigwig,"whotoldyouabout
thewarrenthatwasdestroyedandofhowtheyhadcometoaskfordoesfromEfrafa--doyouknowwhatbecameofthem?"
Hyzenthlay'sreplywasnomorethanthefaintestmurmurinhisear.
"IknowwhatIheard.Theyescapedthenextevening.CaptainCharlockwaskilledpursuingthem."
"Andwasanyotherpatrolsentafterthem,Hyzenthlay?Thenextday,Imean?"
"Weheardthattherewasnoofficertospare,withBuglossunderarrestandCharlockdead."
"Thoserabbitsreturnedtoussafely.Oneofthemisnotfarawaynow,withourChiefRabbitandseveralmore.Theyarecunningand
resourceful.TheyarewaitingformetobringdoesoutofEfrafa--asmanyasIcangettocome.Ishallbeabletosendthemamessagetomorrowmorning."
"How?"
"Byabird--ifallgoeswell."BigwigtoldheraboutKehaar.Whenhehadfinished,Hyzenthlaymadenoreplyandhecouldnottell
whethershewasconsideringallthathehadsaidorwhetherfearanddisbeliefhadsotroubledherthatshedidnotknowwhattosay.Didshethinkhewasaspytryingtotrapher?Didsheperhapswishonlythathewouldlethergoaway?Atlasthesaid,
"Doyoubelieveme?"
"Yes,Ibelieveyou."
"MightInotbeaspysentbytheCouncil?"
"Youarenot.Icantell."
"How?"
"Youspokeofyourfriend--theonewhoknewthatthatwarrenwasabadplace.Heisnottheonlysuchrabbit.SometimesIcantellthesethings,too:butnotoftennow,formyheartisinthefrost."
"Thenwillyoujoinme--andpersuadeyourfriendsaswell?Weneedyou:Efrafadoesn'tneedyou."
Againshewassilent.Bigwigcouldhearawormmovingintheearthnearbyandfaintlydownthetunnelcamethesoundofsomesmallcreaturepatteringthroughthegrassoutside.Hewaitedquietly,knowingthatitwasvitalthatheshouldnotupset
her.
Atlastshespokeagain,solowinhisearthatthewordsseemedbarelymorethanbrokencadencesofbreathing.
"WecanescapefromEfrafa.Thedangerisverygreat,butinthatwecansucceed.ItisbeyondthatIcannotsee.Confusionandfearatnightfall--andthenmen,men,itisallthingsof
men!Adog--aropethatsnapslikeadrybranch.Arabbit--no,itisnotpossible!--arabbitthatridesinahrududu!Oh,Ihavebecomefoolish--talesforkittensonasummerevening.No,IcannotseeasIdidonce:itisliketheshapesoftreesbeyondafieldofrain."
"Well,you'dbettercomeandmeetthisfriendofmine,"saidBigwig."Hetalksjust
likethat,andI'vecometotrusthim,soItrustyou,too.Ifyoufeelwe'regoingtosucceed,that'sfine.ButwhatI'maskingiswhetheryou'llbringyourfriendstojoinus."
Afteranothersilence,Hyzenthlaysaid,"Mycourage--myspirit:it'ssomuchlessthanitwas.I'mafraidtoletyourelyonme."
"Icantellthat.Whatisit
that'swornyoudown?Weren'tyoutheleaderofthedoeswhowenttotheCouncil?"
"TherewasmyselfandThethuthinnang.Idon'tknowwhat'shappenedtotheotherdoeswhowerewithus.WewereallintheRightForeMarkthen,youknow.I'vestillgottheRightForemark,butI'vebeenmarkedagainsince.Blackavar--yousaw
him?"
"Yes,ofcourse."
"HewasinthatMark.Hewasourfriendandencouragedus.OnlyanightortwoafterthedoeswentuptospeaktotheCouncil,hetriedtorunaway,buthewascaught.You'veseenwhattheydidtohim.Thatwasthesameeveningthatyourfriendscame:andthenext
nighttheyescaped.Afterthat,theCouncilsentforusdoesoncemore.TheGeneralsaidthatnooneelsewouldhavethechancetorunaway.WeweretobesplitupamongtheMarks,nomorethantwotoeachMark.Idon'tknowwhytheyleftThethuthinnangandmetogether.Perhapstheydidn'tstoptothink.Efrafa'slikethat,youknow.Theorderwas'TwotoeachMark,'soaslongastheorder
wascarriedoutitdidn'tparticularlymatterwhichtwo.NowI'mfrightenedandIfeeltheCouncilarealwayswatching."
"Yes,butI'mherenow,"saidBigwig.
"TheCouncilareverycunning."
"They'llneedtobe.We'vegotsomerabbitswhoarefar
morecunning,believeme.El-ahrairah'sOwsla,noless.Buttellme--wasNelthiltawithyouwhenyouwenttotheCouncil?"
"Oh,no,shewasbornhere,intheNearHind.She'sgotspirit,youknow,butshe'syoungandsilly.Itexciteshertoleteveryoneseethatshe'safriendofrabbitswhoarethoughtofasrebels.Shedoesn'trealizewhatshe's
doingorwhattheCouncilarereallylike.It'sallakindofgametoher--tocheektheofficersandsoon.Onedayshe'llgotoofarandgetusintotroubleagain.Shecouldn'tbetrustedwithasecret,onanyaccount."
"HowmanydoesinthisMarkwouldbereadytojoinanescape?"
"Hrair.There'sagreatdeal
ofdiscontent,youknow.But,Thlayli,theymustn'tbetolduntilaveryshorttimebeforewerun--notjustNelthilta,butallofthem.Noonecankeepasecretinawarrenandtherearespieseverywhere.YouandImustmakeaplanourselvesandtellnoonebutThethuthinnang.SheandIwillgetenoughdoestocomewithuswhenthetimecomes."
Bigwigrealizedthathehadstumbled,quiteunexpectedly,uponwhatheneededmostofall:astrong,sensiblefriendwhowouldthinkonherownaccountandhelptobearhisburden.
"I'llleaveittoyoutopickthedoes,"hesaid."Icanmakethechancetorunifyou'llhavethemreadytotakeit."
"When?"
"Sunsetwillbebest,andthesoonerthebetter.Hazelandtheotherswillmeetusandfightanypatrolthatfollows.Butthemainthingisthatthebirdwillfightforus.EvenWoundwortwon'tbeexpectingthat."
HyzenthlaywassilentagainandBigwigrealizedwithadmirationthatshewas
goingoverwhathehadsaidandsearchingforflaws.
"Buthowmanycanthebirdfight?"shesaidatlast."Canhedrivethemallaway?Thisisgoingtobeabigbreak-outand,makenomistake,Thlayli,theGeneralhimselfwillbeafteruswiththebestrabbitshehas.Wecan'tgoonrunningawayforever.Theywon'tlosetrackofusandsoonerorlater
they'llovertakeus."
"ItoldyouourrabbitsweremorecunningthantheCouncil.Idon'tthinkyou'dreallyunderstandthispart,howevercarefullyIexplained.Haveyoueverseenariver?"
"Whatisariver?"
"Well,thereyouare.Ican'texplain.ButIpromiseyou
weshan'thavetorunfar.WeshallactuallydisappearbeforetheOwsla'seyes--ifthey'retheretosee.ImustsayI'mlookingforwardtothat."
Shesaidnothingandheadded,"Youmusttrustme,Hyzenthlay.Uponmylife,we'regoingtovanish.I'mnotdeceivingyou."
"Ifyouwerewrong,thosewhodiedquicklywouldbe
theluckyones."
"Noone'sgoingtodie.MyfriendshavepreparedatrickthatEl-ahrairahhimselfwouldbeproudof."
"Ifitistobeatsunset,"shesaid,"itmustbetomorroworthenextnight.IntwodaystheMarklosestheeveningsilflay.Youknowthat?"
"Yes,I'dheard.Tomorrow,
then.Whywaitlonger?Butthereisoneotherthing.We'regoingtotakeBlackavar.""Blackavar?How?HeisguardedbyCouncilpolice."
"Iknow.Itaddsverymuchtotherisk,butI'vedecidedthatIcan'tleavehimbehind.WhatImeantodoisthis.Tomorrowevening,whentheMarksilflay,youandThethuthinnangmustkeepthedoesnearyou--asmanyas
you'vegottogether--readytorun.Ishallmeetthebirdalittlewayoutinthemeadowandtellhimtoattackthesentriesassoonasheseesmegobackintothehole.ThenIshallcomebackanddealwithBlackavar'sguardsmyself.Theywon'tbeexpectinganythingofthesort.I'llhavehimoutinamomentandjoinyou.There'llbecompleteconfusionandinthatconfusionwe'llrun.Thebird
willattackanyonewhotriestofollowus.Remember,wegostraightdowntothegreatarchintheironroad.Myfriendswillbewaitingthere.You'veonlytofollowme--I'llleadtheway."
"CaptainCampionmaybeonpatrol."
"Oh,Idohopeheis,"saidBigwig."Ireallydo."
"Blackavarmaynotrunatonce.Hewillbeasstartledastheguards."
"Isitpossibletowarnhim?"
"No.Hisguardsneverleavehimandtheytakehimouttosilflayalone."
"Forhowlongwillhehavetolivelikethat?"
"WhenhehasbeentoeveryMarkinturn,theCouncilwillkillhim.Weallfeelsureofthat."
"Thenthatsettlesit.Iwon'tgowithouthim."
"Thlayli,youareverybrave.Areyoucunning,too?Allourliveswilldependonyoutomorrow."
"Well,canyousee
anythingwrongwiththeplan?"
"No,butIamonlyadoewhohasneverbeenoutofEfrafa.Supposesomethingunexpectedhappens?"
"Riskisrisk.Don'tyouwanttogetoutandcomeandliveonthehighdownswithus?Thinkofit!"
"Oh,Thlayli!Shallwe
matewithwhomwechooseanddigourownburrowsandbearourlittersalive?"
"Youshall:andtellstoriesintheHoneycombandsilflaywheneveryoufeellikeit.It'safinelife,Ipromiseyou."
"I'llcome!I'llrunanyrisk."
"WhatastrokeofluckthatyoushouldbeinthisMark,"
saidBigwig."Beforethistalkwithyoutonight,Iwasatmywits'end,wonderingwhateverIwasgoingtodo."
"I'llgobacktothelowerburrowsnow,Thlayli.Someoftheotherrabbitsareboundtowonderwhyyousentforme.It'snotmatingtimewithme,yousee.IfIgonow,wecansayyoumadeamistakeandweredisappointed.Don'tforgettosaythat."
"Iwon't.Yes,gonow,andhavethemreadyatsilflaytomorrowevening,Ishan'tfailyou."
Whenshehadgone,Bigwigfeltdesperatelytiredandlonely.Hetriedtoholdinhismindthathisfriendswerenotfaroffandthathewouldseethemagaininlessthanaday.ButheknewthatallEfrafalaybetweenhimselfandHazel.Histhoughts
brokeupintothedismalfanciesofanxiety.Hefellintoahalf-dream,inwhichCaptainCampionturnedintoaseagullandflewscreamingovertheriver,untilhewokeinpanic:anddozedagain,toseeCaptainChervildrivingBlackavarbeforehimtowardashiningwireinthegrass.Andoverall,asbigasahorseinafield,awareofallthatpassedfromoneendoftheworldtotheother,brooded
thegiganticfigureofGeneralWoundwort.Atlast,wornoutwithhisapprehensions,hepassedintoadeepsleepwhereevenhisfearcouldnotfollow,andlaywithoutsoundormovementinthesolitaryburrow.
*Thethuthinnang:"MovementofLeaves."Thefirstandlastsyllablesarestressed,asinthephrase"Onceinaway."
36.ApproachingThunder
Wewasjustgoin'terscarper
WhenalongcomesBill'Arper,
Soweneverdonenuffin'atall
MusicHallSong
Bigwigwaveredgraduallyupfromsleep,likeabubbleofmarshgasfromthebedofastillstream.Therewasanotherrabbitbesidehimintheburrow--abuck.Hestartedupatonceandsaid,"Whoisit?"
"Avens,"repliedtheother."Timeforsilflay,Thlayli.Larkshavegoneup.You'reasoundsleeper."
"Idaresay,"saidBigwig."Well,I'mready."Hewasabouttoleadthewaydowntherun,butAvens'nextwordsbroughthimtoahalt.
"Who'sFiver?"saidAvens.
Bigwiggrewtense."Whatdidyousay?"
"Isaid,who'sFiver?"
"HowshouldIknow?"
"Well,youweretalkinginyoursleep.Youkeptsaying,'AskFiver,askFiver.'Iwonderedwhohewas."
"Oh,Isee.ArabbitIknewonce.Heusedtoforetelltheweatherandsoon."
"Well,hecoulddoitnow,then.Canyousmellthethunder?"
Bigwigsniffed.Mixed
withthescentsofgrassandcattlecamethewarm,thicksmellofaheavycloudmass,stillfaroff.Heperceivedituneasily.Almostallanimalsaredisturbedbytheapproachofthunder,whichoppressesthemwithitsmountingtensionandbreaksthenaturalrhythmbywhichtheylive.Bigwig'sinclinationwastogobacktohisburrow,buthehadlittledoubtthatnomeretriflelikeathunderymorning
wouldbeallowedtointerferewiththetimetableofanEfrafanMark.
Hewasright.Chervilwasalreadyattheentrance,squattingoppositeBlackavarandhisescort.Helookedroundashisofficerscameuptherun.
"Comeon,Thlayli,"hesaid."Sentriesareoutalready.Doesthethunder
worryyou?"
"Itdoesrather,"repliedBigwig.
"Itwon'tbreaktoday,"saidChervil."It'salongwayoffyet.I'dgiveituntiltomorrowevening.Anyway,don'tlettheMarkseeitaffectsyou.Nothing'stobealteredunlesstheGeneralsaysso."
"Couldn'twakehimup,"
saidAvens,withatouchofmalice."Therewasadoeinyourburrowlastnight,Thlayli,wasn'tthere?"
"Oh,wasthere?"saidChervil."Whichone?"
"Hyzenthlay,"repliedBigwig.
"Oh,themarlitharn,"*saidChervil."Funny,Ididn'tthinkshewasready."
"Shewasn't,"saidBigwig."Imadeamistake.Butifyouremember,youaskedmetodowhatIcouldtogettoknowtheawkwardsquadandbringthemabitmoreundercontrol,soIkepthertalkingforatime,justthesame."
"Getanywhere?"
"Hardtosay,really,"saidBigwig,"butI'llkeepatit."
HespentthetimewhiletheMarkwentoutindecidinguponthebestandquickestwaytoentertheholeandattackBlackavar'sescort.Hewouldhavetoputoneofthemoutofactioninnotimeatallandthengostraightfortheother,whowouldbethatmuchlessunprepared.Ifhehadtofighthim,itwouldbebettertoavoiddoingitbetweenBlackavarandthemouthofthehole,for
Blackavarwouldbeasbewilderedastherestandmightboltbackdowntherun.Ifhewasgoingtoboltanywherehemustboltoutward.Ofcourse,withanyluck,thesecondguardmightmakeoffundergroundwithoutfightingatall,butonecouldnotcountonthat.EfrafanOwslafawerenotgiventorunningaway.
Ashewentoutintothe
field,hewonderedwhetherhewouldbespottedbyKehaar.ThearrangementhadbeenthatKehaarwouldfindhimwheneverhemightcomeabovegroundonthesecondday.
Heneednothaveworried.KehaarhadbeenoverEfrafasincebeforedawn.AssoonashesawtheMarkcomeup,healightedalittlewayoutinthefield,halfwaybetweenthe
undergrowthandthesentryline,andbeganpeckingaboutinthegrass.Bigwignibbledhiswayslowlytowardhimandthensettleddowntofeedwithoutaglanceinhisdirection.Afterawhile,hesensedthatKehaarwasbehindhim,alittletooneside.
"MeesterPigvig,It'inkeesnotgootvetalkmuch.Meester'Azel,'esayvatyou
do?Vatyouvant?"
"Iwanttwothings,Kehaar--bothatsunsettonight.First,ourrabbitsmustbedownbythebigarch.Ishallcomethroughthatarchwiththedoes.Ifwe'repursued,youandHazelandtherestmustbereadytofight.Theboatthing,isitstillthere?"
"Ya,ya,mennotakeheem.ItellMeester'Azelvatyou
say."
"Good.Nowlisten,Kehaar,thisisthesecondthing,andit'sterriblyimportant.Youseethoserabbitsoutbeyondus,inthefield?They'rethesentries.Atsunset,youmeetmehere.ThenIshallrunbacktothosetreesandgodownahole.Assoonasyouseemegoin,attackthesentries--terrifythem,drivethemaway.If
theywon'trun,hurtthem.Theymustbedrivenoff.You'llseemecomeoutagainalmostatonceandthenthedoes--themothers--willstartrunningwithmeandwe'llgostraightdowntothearch.Butwemayverywellbeattackedontheway.Ifthathappens,canyoupileinagain?"
"Ya,ya.Iflyatdem--deynostopyou."
"Splendid.That'sit,then.Hazelandtheothers--aretheyallright?"
"Fine--fine.Deysayyoudamngoodfella.MeesterPluebell,'esaytopringonemudderforeveryoneelseandtwofor'im."
BigwigwastryingtothinkofsomeappropriatereplytothiswhenhesawChervilrunningacrossthegrass
towardhim.Atonce,withoutspeakingagaintoKehaar,hetookafewhopsinChervil'sdirectionandbeganbitingbusilyatapatchofclover.AsChervilcameup,Kehaarflewlowabovetheirheadsanddisappearedoverthetrees.
ChervillookedaftertheflyinggullandthenturnedtoBigwig.
"Aren'tyouafraidofthose
birds?"heasked.
"Notparticularly,"answeredBigwig.
"Theysometimesattackmice,youknow,andrabbitkittens,too,"saidChervil."Youweretakingarisk,feedingthere.Whywereyousocareless?"
Foranswer,BigwigsatupandgaveChervilaplayful
cuff,hardenoughtorollhimover.
"That'swhy,"hesaid.
Chervilgotupwithasulkyair."Allright,soyou'reheavierthanIam,"hesaid."Butyou'vegottolearn,Thlayli,thatthere'smorethanweighttobeinganEfrafanofficer.Anditdoesn'talterthefactthatthosebirdscanbedangerous.Anyway,it's
nottheseasonforthemandthat'sodd,forastart.It'llhavetobereported."
"Whateverfor?"
"Becauseit'sunusual.Everythingunusualhastobereported.Ifwedon'treportitandsomeoneelsedoes,nicefoolsweshalllookwhenwehavetosaywesawit.Wecouldn'tsaywedidn't--severaloftheMarkhaveseen
it.Infact,Ishallgoandreportitnow.Silflay'snearlyover,soifI'mnotbackintime,youandAvenshadbetterseetheMarkundergroundyourselves."
AssoonasChervilhadlefthim,BigwigwenttolookforHyzenthlay.HefoundherinthehollowwithThethuthinnang.MostoftheMarkdidnotappeartobeundulyaffectedbythe
thunder,whichwasstilldistant,asChervilhadsaid.Thetwodoes,however,weresubduedandnervous.BigwigtoldthemwhathehadarrangedwithKehaar.
"Butwillthisbirdreallyattackthesentries?"askedThethuthinnang."I'veneverheardofanythinglikethat."
"Itwill,Ipromiseyou.Getthedoestogetherassoonas
silflaybeginsthisevening.WhenIcomeoutwithBlackavar,thesentrieswillberunningforcover."
"Andwhichwaydowerun?"askedThethuthinnang.
Bigwigtookthemwelloutintothefield,sothattheycouldseethedistantarchintheembankmentaboutfourhundredyardsaway.
"We'reboundtomeetCampion,"saidThethuthinnang."Youknowthat?"
"IbelievehehadsometroublestoppingBlackavar,"repliedBigwig."SoI'msurehewon'tbegoodenoughformeandthebird.Look,there'sAvensbringinginthesentries--we'llhavetogo.Now,don'tworry.Chewyourpelletsandgetsomesleep.If
youcan'tsleep,sharpenupyourclaws:youmayneedthem."
TheMarkwentundergroundandBlackavarwastakenawaybytheescort.Bigwigreturnedtohisburrowandtriedtoputthecomingeveningoutofhismind.Aftersometimehegaveuptheideaofspendingthedayalone.Hemadearoundofthelowerburrows,
joinedagameofbob-stones,heardtwostoriesandtoldonehimself,passedhrakaintheditchandthen,onanimpulse,wenttoChervilandobtainedhisconsenttovisitanotherMark.HewanderedacrosstheCrixa,foundhimselfinthemiddleoftheni-FrithsilflaywiththeLeftFlankMarkandwentundergroundwiththem.Theirofficerssharedasinglelargeburrowandherehemetsome
experiencedveteransandlistenedwithinteresttotheirstoriesofWidePatrolsandotherexploits.Inthemid-afternoonhecamebacktotheNearHindrelaxedandconfident,andsleptuntiloneofthesentrieswokehimforsilflay.
Hewentuptherun.Blackavarwasalreadyslumpedinhisalcove.SquattingbesideChervil,
BigwigwatchedtheMarkgoout.HyzenthlayandThethuthinnangpassedhimwithoutaglance.Theylookedtensebutsteady.Chervilfollowedthelastrabbit.
BigwigwaiteduntilhewassurethatChervilhadhadtimetogetwellawayfromthehole.Then,withalast,quicklooktowhereBlackavarwassitting,hewentouthimself.
Thebrightsunsetdazzledhimandhesatuponhishindlegs,blinkingandcombingthefuralongonesideofhisfaceashiseyesgotaccustomedtothelight.AfewmomentslaterhesawKehaarcomeflyingacrossthefield.
"Thisisit,then,"hesaidtohimself."Herewego."
Atthatmomentarabbitspokefrombehindhim.
"Thlayli,Iwantafewwordswithyou.Justcomebackunderthebushes,willyou?"
Bigwigdroppedonhisfrontpawsandlookedround.
ItwasGeneralWoundwort.
*Marli--adoe.Tharn--stupefied,distraught.Inthisparticularcontext,thenearest
translationmightbe"themaidenallforlorn."
37.TheThunderBuildsUp
Youk'nhidedefier,butw'atyougwinedowiddesmoke?
JoelChandlerHarris,ProverbsofUncleRemus
Bigwig'sfirstimpulsewastofightWoundwortonthespot.Herealizedimmediatelythatthiswouldbefutileandwouldonlybringthewholeplaceroundhisears.Therewasnothingtodobutobey.HefollowedWoundwortthroughtheundergrowthandintotheshadeofthebridlepath.Despitethesunset,theeveningseemedheavywithcloudandamongthetreesitwassultryandgray.The
thunderwasbuildingup.HelookedatWoundwortandwaited.
"YouwereoutoftheNearHindburrowsthisafternoon?"beganWoundwort.
"Yes,sir,"repliedBigwig.HestilldislikedaddressingWoundwortas"sir,"butsincehewassupposedtobeanEfrafanofficer,hecouldnot
verywelldootherwise.However,hedidnotaddthatChervilhadgivenhimpermission.Hehadnotbeenaccusedofanythingasyet.
"Wheredidyougo?"
Bigwigswallowedhisannoyance.NodoubtWoundwortknewperfectlywellwherehehadbeen.
"IwenttotheLeftFlank
Mark,sir.Iwasintheirburrows."
"Whydidyougo?"
"Topassthetimeandlearnsomethingfromlisteningtotheofficers."
"Didyougoanywhereelse?"
"No,sir."
"YoumetoneoftheLeftFlankOwsla--arabbitnamedGroundsel."
"Verylikely.Ididn'tlearnalltheirnames."
"Haveyoueverseenthatrabbitbefore?"
"No,sir.HowcouldI?"
Therewasapause.
"MayIaskwhatthisisallabout,sir?"saidBigwig.
"I'llaskthequestions,"saidWoundwort."Groundselhasseenyoubefore.Heknewyoubythefuronyourhead.Wheredoyouthinkhesawyou?"
"I'venoidea."
"Haveyoueverrunfromafox?"
"Yes,sir,afewdaysago,whileIwascominghere."
"Youleditontosomeotherrabbitsanditkilledoneofthem.Isthatcorrect?"
"Ididn'tintendtoleaditontothem.Ididn'tknowtheywerethere."
"Youdidn'ttellusanythingaboutthis?"
"Itneveroccurredtome.There'snothingwronginrunningfromafox."
"You'vecausedthedeathofanEfrafanofficer."
"Quitebyaccident.Andthefoxmighthavegothimanyway,evenifI'dnotbeenthere."
"Itwouldn't,"saidWoundwort."Mallowwasn't
therabbittorunontoafox.Foxesaren'tdangeroustorabbitswhoknowtheirbusiness."
"I'msorrythefoxgothim,sir.Itwasastrokeofverybadluck."
Woundwortstaredathimoutofhisgreat,paleeyes.
"Thenonemorequestion,Thlayli.Thatpatrolwason
thetrackofabandofrabbits--strangers.Whatdoyouknowaboutthem?"
"Isawtheirtrackstoo,aboutthattime.Ican'ttellyouanymorethanthat."
"Youweren'twiththem?"
"IfI'dbeenwiththem,sir,wouldIhavecometoEfrafa?"
"ItoldyouI'daskthequestions.Youcan'ttellmewheretheymighthavegone?"
"I'mafraidIcan't,sir."
Woundwortstoppedstaringandsatsilentforsometime.BigwigfeltthattheGeneralwaswaitingforhimtoaskifthatwasallandwhetherhecouldnowgo.Hedeterminedtoremainsilent
himself.
"Nowthere'sanotherthing,"saidWoundwortatlast."Aboutthiswhitebirdinthefieldthismorning.You'renotafraidofthesebirds?"
"No,sir.I'veneverheardofonehurtingarabbit."
"Buttheyhavebeenknownto,forallyourwideexperience,Thlayli.Anyway,
whydidyougonearit?"
Bigwigthoughtquickly."Totellyouthetruth,sir,IthinkImayhavebeentryingtomakeanimpressiononCaptainChervil."
"Well,youcouldhaveaworsereason.Butifyou'regoingtoimpressanyone,you'dbetterstartwithme.ThedayaftertomorrowI'mtakingoutaWidePatrol
myself.Itwillcrosstheironroadandtrytopickuptracesofthoserabbits--therabbitsMallowwouldhavefoundifyouhadn'tgoneandblunderedintohim.Soyou'dbettercomealongandshowushowgoodyouarethen."
"Verywell,sir;Ishallbegladto."
Therewasanothersilence.ThistimeBigwigdecidedto
makeasiftogo.Hedidso,andimmediatelyafreshquestionstoppedhimshort.
"WhenyouwerewithHyzenthlay,didshetellyouwhyshewasputintotheNearHindMark?"
"Yes,sir."
"I'mnotatallsurethetrouble'soverthere,Thlayli.Keepaneyeonit.Ifshe'll
talktoyou,somuchthebetter.Perhapsthosedoesaresettlingdownandperhapstheyaren't.Iwanttoknow."
"Verywell,sir,"saidBigwig.
"That'sall,"saidWoundwort."You'dbettergetbacktoyourMarknow."
Bigwigmadehiswayintothefield.Thesilflaywas
almostover,thesunhadsetanditwasgrowingdark.Heavycloudsdimmedtheafterlight.Kehaarwasnowheretobeseen.ThesentriescameinandtheMarkbegantogounderground.Sittingaloneinthegrass,hewaiteduntilthelastrabbithaddisappeared.TherewasstillnosignofKehaar.Hehoppedslowlytothehole.Entering,heknockedintooneofthepoliceescort,whowas
blockingthemouthtomakesurethatBlackavardidnottrytoboltashewastakendown.
"Getoutofmyway,youdirtylittletale-bearingbloodsucker,"saidBigwig."Nowgoandreportthat,"headded
overhisshoulder,ashewentdowntohisburrow.
***
Asthelightfadedfromthethicksky,Hazelslippedoncemoreacrossthehard,bareearthundertherailwayarch,cameoutonthenorthsideandsatuptolisten.AfewmomentslaterFiverjoinedhimandtheycreptalittlewayintothefield,towardEfrafa.Theairwascloseandwarmandsmelledofrainandripeningbarley.Therewasno
soundcloseby,butbehindandbelowthem,fromthewatermeadowonthenearerbankoftheTest,camefaintlytheshrill,incessantfussingofapairofsandpipers.Kehaarflewdownfromthetopoftheembankment.
"You'resurehesaidtonight?"askedHazelforthethirdtime.
"Eesbad,"saidKehaar.
"Maybedeycatch'im.EesfinishMeesterPigvig.Yout'ink?"
Hazelmadenoreply.
"Ican'ttell,"saidFiver."Cloudsandthunder.Thatplaceupthefield--it'slikethebottomofariver.Anythingcouldbehappeninginthere."
"Bigwig'sthere.Supposehe'sdead?Supposethey're
tryingtomakehimtellthem--"
"Hazel,"saidFiver."Hazel-rah,youwon'thelphimbystayinghereinthedarkandworrying.Quitelikelythere'snothingwrong.He'sjusthadtosittightforsomereason.Anyway,hewon'tcometonight--that'scertainnow--andourrabbitsareindangerhere.Kehaarcangouptomorrowatdawn
andbringusanothermessage."
"Idaresayyou'reright,"saidHazel,"butIhatetogo.Justsupposeheweretocome.LetSilvertakethembackandI'llstayhere."
"Youcouldn'tdoanygoodbyyourself,Hazel,evenifyourlegwasallright.You'retryingtoeatgrassthatisn'tthere.Whydon'tyougiveita
chancetogrow?"
TheyreturnedunderthearchandasSilvercameoutofthebushestomeetthem,theycouldheartheotherrabbitsstirringuneasilyamongthenettles.
"We'llhavetogiveitupfortonight,Silver,"saidHazel."Wemustgetthembackovertherivernow,beforeit'scompletelydark."
"Hazel-rah,"saidPipkin,asheslippedby,"it--itisgoingtobeallright,isn'tit?Bigwigwillcometomorrow,won'the?"
"Ofcoursehewill,"saidHazel,"andwe'llallbeheretohelphim.AndI'lltellyousomethingelse,Hlao-roo.Ifhedoesn'tcometomorrow,I'mgoingintoEfrafamyself."
"I'llcomewithyou,Hazel-
rah,"saidPipkin.
***
Bigwigcrouchedinhisburrow,pressedagainstHyzenthlay.Hewastrembling,butnotwithcold:thestuffyrunsoftheMarkweredensewiththunder;theairfeltlikeadeepdriftofleaves.Bigwigwasclosetoutternervousexhaustion.SinceleavingGeneral
Woundwort,hehadbecomemoreandmoredeeplyentangledinalltheage-oldterrorsoftheconspirator.HowmuchhadWoundwortdiscovered?Clearly,therewasnoinformationthatfailedtoreachhim.HeknewthatHazelandtheresthadcomefromthenorthandcrossedtheironroad.Heknewaboutthefox.Heknewthatagull,whichshouldhavebeenfarawayatthistimeofyear,was
hangingroundEfrafaandthathe,Bigwig,haddeliberatelybeennearit.HeknewthatBigwighadmadeafriendofHyzenthlay.Howlongcoulditbebeforehetookthefinalstepoffittingallthesethingstogether?Perhapshehadalreadydonesoandwasmerelywaitingtoarresttheminhisowntime?
Woundworthadeveryadvantage.Hesatsecureat
thejunctionofallpaths,seeingclearlydowneach,whilehe,Bigwig,ludicrousinhiseffortstomeasureuptohimasanenemy,clamberedclumsilyandignorantlythroughtheundergrowth,betrayinghimselfwitheverymovement.HedidnotknowhowtogetintouchwithKehaaragain.Evenifhemanagedtodoso,wouldHazelbeabletobringtherabbitsasecondtime?
PerhapstheyhadalreadybeenspottedbyCampiononpatrol?TospeaktoBlackavarwouldbesuspect.TogonearKehaarwouldbesuspect.Throughmoreholesthanhecouldpossiblystop,hissecretwasleaking--pouring--out.
Therewasworsetocome.
"Thlayli,"whisperedHyzenthlay,"doyouthinkyouandIandThethuthinnang
couldgetawaytonight?Ifwefoughtthesentryatthemouthoftherun,wemightbeabletogetclearbeforeapatrolcouldstartafterus."
"Why?"askedBigwig."Whatmakesyouaskthat?"
"I'mfrightened.Wetoldtheotherdoes,yousee,justbeforethesilflay.Theywerereadytorunwhenthebirdattackedthesentries,andthen
nothinghappened.Theyallknowabouttheplan--Nelthiltaandtherest--anditcan'tbelongbeforetheCouncilfindout.Ofcoursewe'vetoldthemthattheirlivesdependonkeepingquietandthatyou'regoingtotryagain.Thethuthinnang'swatchingthemnow:shesaysshe'lldoherbestnottosleep.ButnosecretcanbekeptinEfrafa.It'sevenpossiblethatoneofthedoesisaspy,
althoughFrithknowswechosethemascarefullyaswecould.Wemayallbearrestedbeforetomorrowmorning."
Bigwigtriedtothinkclearly.Hecouldcertainlysucceedingettingoutwithacoupleofresolute,sensibledoes.Butthesentry--unlesshecouldkillhim--wouldraisethealarmatonceandhecouldnotbesureoffindingthewaytotheriverinthe
dark.Evenifhedid,itwaspossiblethatthepursuitmightfollowhimovertheplankbridgeandintothemiddleofhisunprepared,sleepingfriends.AndatthebesthewouldhavecomeoutofEfrafawithnomorethanacoupleofdoes,becausehisnervehadfailed.Silverandtheotherswouldnotknowwhathehadhadtoendure.Theywouldknowonlythathehadrunaway.
"No,wemustn'tgiveupyet,"hesaid,asgentlyashecould."It'sthethunderandthewaitingthatmakeyoufeelsomuchupset.Listen,Ipromiseyouthatbythistimetomorrowyou'llbeoutofEfrafaforeverandtheotherswithyou.NowgotosleephereforalittlewhileandthengobackandhelpThethuthinnang.KeepthinkingofthosehighdownsandallthatItoldyou.We'll
getthere--ourtroubleswon'tlastmuchlonger."
Asshefellasleepbesidehim,BigwigwonderedhowonearthhewasgoingtofulfillthispromiseandwhethertheywouldbewokenbytheCouncilpolice."Ifweare,"hethought,"I'llfightuntiltheytearmetobits.They'llmakenoBlackavaroutofme."
***
Whenhewoke,hefoundthathewasaloneintheburrow.ForamomenthewonderedwhetherHyzenthlayhadbeenarrested.ThenhefeltsurethattheOwslafacouldnothaveremovedherwhileheslept.ShemusthavewokenandslippedbacktoThethuthinnangwithoutdisturbinghim.
Itwasalittlebeforedawn,buttheoppressionintheairhadnotlessened.Heslippeduptheruntotheentrance.Moneywort,thesentryonduty,waspeeringuneasilyoutofthemouthofthehole,butturnedasheapproached.
"Iwishitwouldrain,sir,"hesaid."Thethunder'senoughtoturnthegrasssour,butnotmuchhopeofitbreakingbeforetheevening,
I'dsay."
"It'sbadluckfortheMark'slastdayondawnandevening,"repliedBigwig."GoandwakeCaptainChervil.I'lltakeyourplacehereuntiltheMarkcomeup."
WhenMoneyworthadgone,Bigwigsatinthemouthoftheholeandsniffedtheheavyair.Theskyseemedascloseasthetopsofthetrees,
coveredwithstillcloudandflushedonthemorningsidewithalurid,foxyglow.Notalarkwasup,notathrushsinging.Thefieldbeforehimwasemptyandmotionless.Thelongingtoruncameoverhim.Inlessthannotimehecouldbedowntothearch.ItwasasafebetthatCampionandhispatrolwouldnotbeoutinweatherlikethis.Everylivingcreatureupanddownthefieldsandcopsesmustbe
muted,presseddownasthoughunderagreat,softpaw.Nothingwouldbemoving,forthedaywasunpropitiousandinstinctswereblurredandnottobetrusted.Itwasatimetocrouchandbesilent.Butafugitivewouldbesafe.Indeed,hecouldnothopeforabetterchance.
"OLordwiththestarlightears,sendmeasign!"said
Bigwig.
Heheardmovementintherunbehindhim.ItwastheOwslafabringinguptheprisoner.Inthethunderytwilight,Blackavarlookedmoresickanddejectedthanever.Hisnosewasdryandthewhitesofhiseyesshowed.Bigwigwentoutintothefield,pulledamouthfulofcloverandbroughtitback.
"Cheerup,"hesaidtoBlackavar."Havesomeclover."
"That'snotallowed,sir,"saidoneoftheescort.
"Oh,lethimhaveit,Bartsia,"saidtheother."There'snoonetosee.It'shardenoughforeveryoneonadaylikethis,letalonetheprisoner."
BlackavaratethecloverandBigwigtookuphisusualplaceasChervilarrivedtowatchtheMarkgoout.
TherabbitswereslowandhesitantandChervilhimselfseemedunabletorisetohisusualbriskmanner.Hehadlittletosayastheypassedhim.HeletbothThethuthinnangandHyzenthlaygobyinsilence.Nelthilta,however,stopped
ofherownaccordandstaredimpudentlyathim.
"Undertheweather,Captain?"shesaid"Braceup,now.Youmayhaveasurprisesoon,whoknows?"
"Whatdoyoumean?"answeredChervilsharply.
"Doesmightgrowwingsandfly,"saidNelthilta,"andbeforeverymuchlonger,too.
Secretsgofasterthanmolesunderground."
Shefollowedtheotherdoesintothefield.ForamomentChervillookedasthoughheweregoingtocallherback.
"Iwonderwhetheryoucouldhavealookatmyoffhindfoot?"saidBigwig."IthinkI'vegotathorninit."
"Comeon,then,"saidChervil,"outside.Notthatwe'llbeabletoseemuchbetterthere."
ButwhetherbecausehewasstillthinkingaboutwhatNelthiltahadsaid,orforsomeotherreason,hedidnotmakeaparticularlythoroughsearchforthethorn--whichwasperhapsaswell,fortherewasnothornthere.
"Oh,confoundit!"hesaid,lookingup,"there'sthatdrattedwhitebirdagain.What'sitkeepcomingherefor?""Whydoesitworryyou?"askedBigwig."It'snotdoinganyharm--onlylookingforsnails."
"Anythingoutoftheordinaryisapossiblesourceofdanger,"repliedChervil,quotingWoundwort."Andyoukeepawayfromittoday,
Thlayli,d'yousee?That'sanorder."
"Oh,verywell,"saidBigwig."Butsurelyyouknowhowtogetridofthem?Ithoughtallrabbitsknewthat.""Don'tberidiculous.You'renotsuggestingattackingabirdthatsize,withabeakasthickasmyfrontpaw?"
"No,no--it'sasortof
charmthingthatmymothertaughtme.Youknow,like'Ladybird,ladybird,flyawayhome.'Thatworksandsodoesthis--oritalwaysusedtowithmymother."
"Theladybirdthingonlyworksbecauseallladybirdscrawltothetopofthestemandthenfly."
"Well,allright,"saidBigwig,"haveityourown
way.Butyoudon'tlikethebirdandI'veofferedtogetridofitforyou.Wehadalotofthesecharmsandsayingsinmyoldwarren.Ionlywishwe'dhadonetogetridofmen."
"Well,whatisthecharm?"saidChervil.
"Yousay,
"Oflyaway,greatbirdso
white,
Anddon'tcomebackuntiltonight.
"Ofcourse,youhavetousehedgerowtalk.NouseexpectingthemtounderstandLapine.Let'shaveago,anyway.Ifitdoesn'twork,we'renonetheworse,andifitdoes,theMarkwillthinkitwasyouwhodrovethebirdaway.Where'sitgotto?Ican
hardlyseeanythinginthislight.Oh,thereitis,look,behindthosethistles.Well,yourunlikethis.Nowyouhavetohoptothisside,thentotheotherside,scratchwithyourlegs--that'sright,splendid--cockyourearsandthengostraightonuntil--ah!Hereweare;nowthen:
"Oflyaway,greatbirdsowhite,
Anddon'tcomebackuntiltonight.
"Thereyouare,yousee.Itdidwork.Ithinkthere'smorethanweknowtosomeoftheseoldrhymesandspells.Ofcourse,itmighthavebeenjustgoingtoflyawayanyway.Butyoumustadmitit'sgone."
"Probablyallthatprancingaboutaswecameuptoit,"
saidChervilsourly."Wemusthavelookedcompletelymad.WhatonearthwilltheMarkthink?Anyway,nowwe'reouthere,wemayaswellgoroundthesentries."
"I'llstopandfeed,ifyoudon'tmind,"saidBigwig."Ididn'tgetmuchlastnight,youknow."
***
Bigwig'sluckwasnotaltogetherout.Laterthatmorning,quiteunexpectedly,hecameuponachancetotalktoBlackavaralone.Hehadbeenthroughtheswelteringburrows,findingeverywherequickbreathingandfeverishpulses;andhewasjustwonderingwhetherhecouldnotplausiblygoandpressCherviltoasktheCouncil'spermissionfortheMarktospendpartofthedayinthe
bushesaboveground--forthatmightverywellbringsomesortofopportunitywithit--whenhebegantofeeltheneedtopasshraka.Norabbitpasseshrakaunderground:and,likeschoolchildrenwhoknowthattheycannotverywellberefusedarequesttogotothelavatoryaslongasitisnottoosoonafterthelasttime,theEfrafanrabbitsusedtoslipintotheditchforabreathofairandachangeof
scene.Althoughtheywerenotsupposedtobeallowedtogomoreoftenthanwasnecessary,someoftheOwslawereeasierthanothers.AsBigwigapproachedtheholethatledintotheditch,hefoundtwoorthreeyoungbucksloiteringintherunand,asusual,sethimselftoacthispartasconvincinglyashecould.
"Whyareyouhanging
abouthere?"heasked.
"Theprisoner'sescortareupattheholeandtheyturnedusback,sir,"answeredone."They'renotlettinganyoneoutforthemoment."
"Nottopasshraka?"saidBigwig.
"No,sir."
Indignant,Bigwigmade
hiswaytothemouthofthehole.HerehefoundBlackavar'sescorttalkingtothesentryonduty.
"I'mafraidyoucan'tgooutforthemoment,sir,"saidBartsia."Theprisoner'sintheditch,buthewon'tbelong."
"NeithershallI,"saidBigwig."Justgetoutoftheway,willyou?"HepushedBartsiatoonesideand
hoppedintotheditch.
Thedayhadbecomeevenmoreloweringandovercast.Blackavarwassquattingalittlewayoff,underanoverhangingplumeofcowparsley.Theflieswerewalkingonhisshredsofears,butheseemednottonoticethem.Bigwigwentalongtheditchandsquattedbesidehim.
"Blackavar,listen,"hesaidquickly."Thisisthetruth,byFrithandtheBlackRabbit.IamasecretenemyofEfrafa.NooneknowsthisbutyouandafewoftheMarkdoes.I'mgoingtoescapewiththemtonightandI'mgoingtotakeyouaswell.Don'tdoanythingyet.WhenthetimecomesI'llbetheretotellyou.Justbraceupandgetyourselfready."
Withoutwaitingforananswer,hemovedawayasthoughtofindabetterspot.Evenso,hewasbackattheholebeforeBlackavar,whoevidentlymeanttostayoutsideforaslongastheescort--clearlyinnohurrythemselves--wouldallow.
"Sir,"saidBartsia,asBigwigcamein,"that'sthethirdtime,sir,thatyou'vedisregardedmyauthority.
Councilpolicecan'tbetreatedinthisway.I'mafraidIshallhavetoreportit,sir."
Bigwigmadenoreplyandreturneduptherun.
"Waitabitlongerifyoucan,"hesaidashepassedthebucks."Idon'tsupposethatpoorfellowwillgetoutagaintoday."
Hewonderedwhetherto
goandlookforHyzenthlay,butdecidedthatitwouldbeprudenttokeepawayfromher.Sheknewwhattodo,andthelesstheywereseentogetherthebetter.Hisheadachedintheheatandhewantedonlytobealoneandquiet.Hewentbacktohisburrowandslept.
38.TheThunderBreaks
Why,now,blowwind,swellbillowandswimbark!
Thestormisupandallisonthehazard!
Shakespeare,JuliusCaesar
Lateintheafternoonitcameondarkandveryclose.Itwasplainthattherewouldbenotruesunset.Onthegreenpathbytheriverbank,Hazelsatfidgetingashetried
toimaginewhatmightbegoingoninEfrafa.
"Hetoldyouhewantedyoutoattackthesentrieswhiletherabbitswerefeeding,didn'the,"hesaidtoKehaar,"andthathe'dbringthemothersoutintheconfusion?"
"Ya,saydis,butnot'appen.Den'esaygoaway,comeagaintonight."
"Sothat'sstillwhathemeanstodo.Thequestionis,whenwilltheybefeeding?It'sgettingdarkalready.Silver,whatdoyouthink?"
"IfIknowthem,theywon'talteranythingtheyusuallydo,"saidSilver."Butifyou'reworriedincasewe'renotthereintime,whynotgonow?"
"Becausethey'realways
patrolling.Thelongerwewaitupthere,thegreatertherisk.IfapatrolfindsusbeforeBigwigcomes,itwon'tbejustamatterofgettingourselvesaway.They'llrealizewe'rethereforsomepurposeandgivethealarm,andthat'llbetheendofanychancehe'sgot."
"Listen,Hazel-rah,"saidBlackberry."Weoughttoreachtheironroadatthe
sametimeasBigwigandnotamomentbefore.Whydon'tyoutakethemallovertherivernowandwaitintheundergrowth,neartheboat?OnceKehaar'sattackedthesentries,hecanflybackandtellus."
"Yes,that'sit,"answeredHazel."Butoncehe'stoldus,wemustgetupthereinnotimeatall.Bigwig'sgoingtoneedusaswellasKehaar."
"Well,youwon'tbeabletodashuptothearch,"saidFiver,"withyourleg.Thebestthingyoucandoistogetontheboatandhavetheropegnawedhalfthroughbythetimewecomeback.Silvercanlookafterthefighting,ifthere'sgoingtobeany."
Hazelhesitated."Butsomeofusareprobablygoingtogethurt.Ican'tstaybehind."
"Fiver'sright,"saidBlackberry."Youwillhavetowaitontheboat,Hazel.Wecan'triskyourbeinglefttobepickedupbytheEfrafans.Besides,it'sveryimportantthattheropeshouldbehalfgnawed--that'sajobforsomeonesensible.Itmustn'tbreaktoosoonorwe'reallfinished."
IttookthemsometimetopersuadeHazel.Whenatlast
heagreed,hewasstillreluctant.
"IfBigwigdoesn'tcometonight,"hesaid,"Ishallgoandfindhim,whereverheis.Frithknowswhatmayhavehappenedalready."
Astheysetoffuptheleftbank,thewindbegantoblowinfitful,warmgusts,withamultifoliaterustlingthroughthesedges.Theyhadjust
reachedtheplankbridgewhentherecamearumbleofthunder.Intheintense,strangelight,theplantsandleavesseemedmagnifiedandthefieldsbeyondtheriververynear.Therewasanoppressivestillness.
"Youknow,Hazel-rah,"saidBluebell,"thisreallyisthefunniesteveningI'veevergonelookingforadoe."
"It'sgoingtogetalotfunniersoon,"saidSilver."There'llbelightningandpouringrain.Forgoodness'sake,allofyou,don'tpanic,orwe'llneverseeourwarrenagain.Ithinkthisisgoingtobearoughbusiness,"headdedquietlytoHazel."Idon'tlikeitmuch."
***
Bigwigwoketohearhis
namerepeatedurgently.
"Thlayli!Thlayli!Wakeup!Thlayli!"
ItwasHyzenthlay.
"Whatisit?"hesaid."What'sthematter?"
"Nelthilta'sbeenarrested."
Bigwigleapedtohisfeet.
"Howlongago?Howdidithappen?"
"Justnow.MoneywortcamedowntoourburrowandtoldhertocomeuptoCaptainChervilatonce.Ifollowedthemuptherun.WhenshegottoChervil'sburrow,thereweretwoCouncilpolicewaitingjustoutsideandoneofthemsaidtoChervil,'Well,asquickasyoucan,anddon'tbelong.'
Andthentheytookherstraightout.TheymusthavegonetotheCouncil.Oh,Thlayli,whatshallwedo?She'lltellthemeverything--"
"Listentome,"saidBigwig."There'snotamomenttolose.GoandgetThethuthinnangandtheothersandbringthemuptothisburrow.Ishan'tbehere,butyoumustwaitquietlyuntilIcomeback.Itwon'tbe
long.Quicknow!Everythingdependsonit."
HyzenthlayhadhardlydisappeareddowntherunwhenBigwigheardanotherrabbitapproachingfromtheoppositedirection.
"Who'sthere?"hesaid,turningswiftly.
"Chervil,"answeredtheother."I'mgladyou'reawake.
Listen,Thlayli,there'sgoingtobeawholelotoftrouble.
Nelthilta'sbeenarrestedbytheCouncil.Iwassureshewouldbe,aftermyreporttoVervainthismorning.Whateveritwasshewastalkingabout,they'llgetitoutofher.IdaresaytheGeneralwillbeherehimselfassoonasheknowswhat'swhat.Nowlookhere,I'vegottogoovertotheCouncilburrowat
once.YouandAvensaretostayhereandgetthesentriesondutyimmediately.There'llbenosilflayandnooneistogooutsideforanyreasonwhatever.Alltheholesaretobedouble-guarded.Now,youunderstandtheseorders,don'tyou?"
"HaveyoutoldAvens?"
"Ihaven'ttimetogolookingforAvens;he'snotin
hisburrow.Goandalertthesentriesyourself.SendsomeonetofindAvensandsomeoneelsetotellBartsiathatBlackavarwon'tbewantedthisevening.Thensitonthoseholes--andthehrakaholes,too--witheverysentryyou'vegot.ForallIknow,theremaybesomeplottomakeabreak-out.WearrestedNelthiltaasquietlyaswecould,buttheMarkareboundtorealizewhat's
happened.Ifnecessaryyou'retogetrough,doyousee?NowI'moff."
"Right,"saidBigwig."I'llgetbusyatonce."
HefollowedCherviltothetopoftherun.ThesentryattheholewasMarjoram.AshestoodcleartoletChervilpass,Bigwigcameupbehindhimandlookedoutintotheovercast.
"DidCherviltellyou?"hesaid."Silflay'searlytonight,onaccountoftheweather.Theordersarethatwe'retogetonwithitatonce."
HewaitedforMarjoram'sreply.IfChervilhadalreadytoldhimthatnoonewastogoout,itwouldbenecessarytofighthim.ButafteramomentMarjoramsaid,"Haveyouheardanythunderyet?"
"Getonwithitatonce,Isaid,"answeredBigwig."GodownandgetBlackavarandtheescortup,andbequick,too.We'llneedtogettheMarkoutimmediatelyifthey'retofeedbeforethestormbreaks."
MarjoramwentandBigwighurriedbacktohisownburrow.Hyzenthlayhadlostnotime.Threeorfourdoeswerecrammedintothe
burrowitselfandnearby,inasiderun,Thethuthinnangwascrouchingwithseveralmore.Allweresilentandfrightenedandoneortwowereclosetothestupefactionofterror.
"Thisisnotimetogotharn,"saidBigwig."YourlivesdependondoingasIsay.Listen,now.Blackavarandthepoliceguardswillbeupdirectly.Marjoramwillprobablycomeupbehind
themandyoumustfindsomeexcusetokeephimtalking.Soonafter,you'llhearfighting,becauseI'mgoingtoattackthepoliceguards.Whenyouhearthat,comeupasfastasyoucanandfollowmeoutintothefield.Don'tstopforanything."
Ashefinishedspeaking,heheardtheunmistakablesoundofBlackavarandtheguardsapproaching.Blackavar's
weary,dragginggaitwaslikethatofnootherrabbit.Withoutwaitingforthedoestoreply,Bigwigreturnedtothemouthoftherun.Thethreerabbitscameupinsinglefile,Bartsialeading.
"I'mafraidI'vebroughtyouupherefornothing,"saidBigwig."I'vejustbeentoldthatsilflay'scanceledforthisevening.Havealookoutsideandyou'llseewhy."
AsBartsiawenttolookoutofthehole,BigwigslippedquicklybetweenhimandBlackavar.
"Well,itlooksverystormy,certainly,"saidBartsia,"butIshouldn'thavethought--"
"Now,Blackavar!"criedBigwig,andleapedonBartsiafrombehind.
BartsiafellforwardoutoftheholewithBigwigontopofhim.HewasnotamemberoftheOwslafafornothingandwasreckonedagoodfighter.Astheyrolledoverontheground,heturnedhisheadandsankhisteethinBigwig'sshoulder.Hehadbeentrainedtogetagripatonceandtoholditatallcosts.Morethanonceinthepastthishadservedhimwell.Butinfightingarabbitof
Bigwig'sstrengthandcourageitprovedamistake.Hisbestchancewouldhavebeentokeepclearandusehisclaws.Heretainedhisholdlikeadog,andBigwig,snarling,broughtbothhisownbacklegsforward,sankhisfeetinBartsia'ssideandthen,ignoringthepaininhisshoulder,forcedhimselfupward.HefeltBartsia'sclosedteethcometearingoutthroughhisfleshandthenhe
wasstandingabovehimashefellbackontheground,kickinghelplessly.Bigwigleapedclear.ItwasplainthatBartsia'shaunchwasinjured.Hestruggled,butcouldnotgetup.
"Thinkyourselflucky,"saidBigwig,bleedingandcursing,"thatIdon'tkillyou."
Withoutwaitingtosee
whatBartsiawoulddo,hejumpedbackintothehole.HefoundBlackavargrapplingwiththeotherguard.Justbeyondthem,HyzenthlaywascominguptherunwithThethuthinnangbehindher.Bigwiggavetheguardatremendouscuffonthesideofthehead,whichknockedhimclearacrosstherunandintotheprisoner'salcove.Hepickedhimselfup,panting,andstaredatBigwigwithout
aword.
"Don'tmove,"saidBigwig."There'llbeworsetocomeifyoudo.Blackavar,areyouallright?"
"Yes,sir,"saidBlackavar,"butwhatdowedonow?"
"Followme,"saidBigwig,"allofyou.Comeon!"
Heledthewayoutagain.
TherewasnosignofBartsia,butashelookedbacktomakesurethattheotherswerefollowing,hecaughtaglimpseoftheastonishedfaceofAvenspeeringoutoftheotherhole.
"CaptainChervilwantsyou!"hecalled,anddashedawayintothefield.
Ashereachedtheclumpofthistleswherehehadspoken
toKehaarthatmorning,alongrollofthundersoundedfromacrossthevalleybeyond.Afewgreat,warmdropsofrainwerefalling.Alongthewesternhorizonthelowercloudsformedasinglepurplemass,againstwhichdistanttreesstoodoutminuteandsharp.Theupperedgesroseintothelight,afarlandofwildmountains.Copper-colored,weightlessandmotionless,they
suggestedaglassyfragilitylikethatoffrost.Surely,whenthethunderstruckthemagaintheywouldvibrate,trembleandshatter,tillwarmshards,sharpasicicles,fellflashingdownfromtheruins.Racingthroughtheocherlight,Bigwigwasimpelledbyafrenzyoftensionandenergy.Hedidnotfeelthewoundinhisshoulder.Thestormwashisown.ThestormwoulddefeatEfrafa.
Hewaswelloutintothegreatfieldandlookingforasightofthedistantarchwhenhefeltalongthegroundthefirststampingthudsofthealarm.Hepulledupandlookedabouthim.Theredidnotseemtobeanystragglers.Thedoes--howevermanytherewere--werewellupwithhim,butscatteredtoeitherside.Rabbitsinflighttendtokeepawayfromeachother,andthedoeshadopenedout
astheyleftthehole.Iftherewasapatrolbetweenhimandtheironroadtheywouldnotgetpastitwithoutlossunlesstheycameclosertogether.Hewouldhavetocollectthem,despitethedelay.Thenanotherthoughtcametohim.Iftheycouldgetoutofsight,theirpursuersmightbepuzzled,fortherainandthefailinglightwouldmaketrackingdifficult.
Therainwasfallingfasternowandthewindwasrising.Overontheeveningside,ahedgerandownthelengthofthefieldtowardtheironroad.HesawBlackavarnearbyandranacrosstohim.
"Iwanteveryonetheothersideofthathedge,"hesaid."Canyougetholdofsomeofthemandbringthemthatway?"
BigwigrememberedthatBlackavarknewnothingexceptthattheywereontherun.TherewasnotimetoexplainaboutHazelandtheriver.
"Gostraighttothatashtreeinthehedge,"hesaid,"andtakeallthedoesyoucanpickupontheway.GetthroughtotheothersideandI'llbethereassoonasyouare."
AtthismomentHyzenthlayandThethuthinnangcamerunningtowardthem,followedbytwoorthreeotherdoes.Theywereplainlyconfusedanduncertain.
"Thestamping,Thlayli!"pantedThethuthinnang."They'recoming!"
"Well,run,then,"saidBigwig."Keepnearme,allofyou."
Theywerebetterrunnersthanhehaddaredtohope.Astheymadefortheashtree,moredoesfellinwiththemanditseemedtohimthattheyoughtnowtobeamatchforapatrol,unlessitwereaverystrongone.Oncethroughthehedgeheturnedsouthand,keepingclosebesideit,ledthemdowntheslope.There,aheadofhim,wasthearchintheovergrownembankment.ButwouldHazelbethere?
AndwherewasKehaar?
***
"Well,andwhatwastohappenafterthat,Nelthilta?"askedGeneralWoundwort."Makesureyoutelluseverything,becauseweknowagooddealalready.Letheralone,Vervain,"headded."Shecan'ttalkifyoukeepcuffingher,youfool."
"Hyzenthlaysaid--oh!oh!--shesaidabigbirdwouldattacktheOwslasentries,"gaspedNelthilta,"andwewouldrunawayintheconfusion.Andthen--"
"Shesaidabirdwouldattackthesentries?"interruptedWoundwort,puzzled."Areyoutellingthetruth?Whatsortofabird?"
"Idon't--Idon'tknow,"
pantedNelthilta."Thenewofficer--shesaidhehadtoldthebird--"
"Whatdoyouknowaboutabird?"saidWoundwort,turningtoChervil.
"Ireportedit,sir,"repliedChervil."You'llnotforget,sir,thatIreportedthebird--"
TherewasascufflingoutsidethecrowdedCouncil
burrowandAvenscamepushinghiswayin.
"Thenewofficer,sir!"hecried."He'sgone!TakenacrowdoftheMarkdoeswithhim.JumpedonBartsiaandbrokehisleg,sir!Blackavar'scutandrun,too.Weneverhadachancetostopthem.Goodnessknowshowmanyhavejoinedhim.Thlayli--it'sThlayli'sdoing!"
"Thlayli?"criedWoundwort."EmbleerFrith,I'llblindhimwhenIcatchhim!Chervil,Vervain,Avens--yesandyoutwoaswell--comewithme.Whichwayhashegone?"
"Hewasgoingdownhill,sir,"answeredAvens.
"Leadthewayyousawhimtake,"saidWoundwort.
AstheycameoutfromtheCrixa,twoorthreeoftheEfrafanofficerscheckedatthesightofthemurkylightandincreasingrain.ButthesightoftheGeneralwasmorealarmingstill.Pausingonlytostamptheescapealarm,theysetoutbehindhimtowardtheironroad.
Verysoontheycameupontracesofbloodwhichtherainhadnotyetwashedaway,and
thesetheyfollowedtowardtheashtreeinthehedgetothewestofthewarren.
***
Bigwigcameoutfromthefurthersideoftherailwayarch,satupandlookedroundhim.TherewasnosigneitherofHazelorofKehaar.ForthefirsttimesincehehadattackedBartsiahebegantofeeluncertainandtroubled.
Perhaps,afterall,Kehaarhadnotunderstoodhiscrypticmessagethatmorning?OrhadsomedisasterovertakenHazelandtherest?Iftheyweredead--scattered--iftherewasnooneleftalivetomeethim?Heandhisdoeswouldwanderaboutthefieldsuntilthepatrolshuntedthemdown.
"No,itshan'tcometothat,"saidBigwigtohimself."At
theworstwecancrosstheriverandtrytohideinthewoodland.Confoundthisshoulder!It'sgoingtobemorenuisancethanIthought.Well,I'lltrytogetthemdowntotheplankbridgeatleast.Ifwe'renotovertakensoon,perhapstherainwilldiscouragewhoever'safterus;butIdoubtit."
Heturnedbacktothedoeswaitingunderthearch.Most
ofthemlookedbewildered.Hyzenthlayhadpromisedthattheyweretobeprotectedbyagreatbirdandthatthenewofficerwasgoingtoworkasecrettricktoevadethepursuit--atrickwhichwoulddefeateventheGeneral.Thesethingshadnothappened.Theywerewetthrough.Runnelsofwaterweretricklingthroughthearchfromtheuphillside,andthebareearthwasbeginning
toturnintomud.Aheadofthemtherewasnothingtobeseenbutatrackleadingthroughthenettlesintoanotherwideandemptyfield.
"Comeon,"saidBigwig."It'snotfarnowandthenwe'llallbesafe.Thisway."
Alltherabbitsobeyedhimatonce.TherewassomethingtobesaidforEfrafandiscipline,thoughtBigwig
grimly,astheyleftthearchandmettheforceoftherain.
Alongonesideofthefield,besidetheelms,farmtractorshadpoundedabroad,flatpathdownhilltowardthe
watermeadowbelow--thatsamepathupwhichhehadrunthreenightsbefore,afterhehadleftHazelbytheboat.Itwasturningmuddynow--unpleasantgoingforrabbits--
butatleastitledstraighttotheriverandwasopenenoughforKehaartospotthemifheshouldturnup.
Hehadjustbeguntorunoncemorewhenarabbitovertookhim.
''Stop,Thlayli!Whatareyoudoinghere?Whereareyougoing?"
Bigwighadbeenhalf
expectingCampiontoappearandhadmadeuphismindtokillhimifnecessary.Butnowthatheactuallysawhimathisside,disregardingthestormandthemud,self-possessedasheledhispatrol,nomorethanfourstrong,intothethickofapackofdesperaterunaways,hecouldfeelonlywhatapityitwasthatthetwoofthemshouldbeenemiesandhowmuchhewouldhavelikedtohave
takenCampionwithhimoutofEfrafa.
"Goaway,"hesaid."Don'ttrytostopus,Campion.Idon'twanttohurtyou."
Heglancedtohisotherside."Blackavar,getthedoestocloseup.Ifthereareanystragglersthepatrolwilljumponthem."
"You'ddobettertogivein
now,"saidCampion,stillrunningbesidehim."Ishan'tletyououtofmysight,whereveryougo.There'sanescapepatrolontheway--Iheardthesignal.Whentheygethereyouwon'tstandachance.You'rebleedingbadlynow."
"Curseyou!"criedBigwig,strikingathim."You'llbleedtoo,beforeI'vedone."
"CanIfighthim,sir?"saidBlackavar."Hewon'tbeatmeasecondtime."
"No,"answeredBigwig,"he'sonlytryingtodelayus.Keeprunning."
"Thlayli!"criedThethuthinnangsuddenly,frombehindhim."TheGeneral!TheGeneral!Oh,whatshallwedo?"
Bigwiglookedback.Itwasindeedasighttostriketerrorintothebravestheart.Woundworthadcomethroughthearchaheadofhisfollowersandwasrunningtowardthembyhimself,snarlingwithfury.Behindhimcamethepatrol.InonequickglanceBigwigrecognizedChervil,AvensandGroundsel.Withthemwereseveralmore,includingaheavy,savage-looking
rabbitwhomheguessedtobeVervain,theheadoftheCouncilpolice.Itcrossedhismindthatifheweretorun,immediatelyandalone,theywouldprobablylethimgoashehadcome,andfeelgladtobesoeasilyridofhim.Certainlythealternativewastobekilled.AtthismomentBlackavarspoke.
"Nevermind,sir,"hesaid."Youdidyourverybestand
itnearlycameoff.Wemayevenbeabletokilloneortwoofthembeforeit'sfinished.Someofthesedoescanfightwellwhenthey'reputtoit."
BigwigrubbedhisnosequicklyagainstBlackavar'smutilatedearandsatbackonhishaunchesasWoundwortcameuptothem.
"Youdirtylittlebeast,"
saidWoundwort."Ihearyou'veattackedoneoftheCouncilpoliceandbrokenhisleg.We'llsettlewithyouhere.There'snoneedtotakeyoubacktoEfrafa."
"Youcrack-brainedslave-driver,"answeredBigwig."I'dliketoseeyoutry."
"Allright,"saidWoundwort,"that'senough.Whohavewegot?Vervain,
Campion,puthimdown.Therestofyou,startgettingthesedoesbacktothewarren.Theprisoneryoucanleavetome."
"Frithseesyou!"criedBigwig."You'renotfittobecalledarabbit!MayFrithblastyouandyourfoulOwslafullofbullies!"
Atthatinstantadazzlingclawoflightningstreaked
downthelengthofthesky.Thehedgeandthedistanttreesseemedtoleapforwardinthebrillianceoftheflash.Immediatelyuponitcamethethunder:ahigh,tearingnoise,asthoughsomehugethingwerebeingrippedtopiecescloseabove,whichdeepenedandturnedtoenormousblowsofdissolution.Thentherainfelllikeawaterfall.Inafewsecondsthegroundwascoveredwithwaterand
overit,toaheightofinches,roseahazeformedofamyriadminutesplashes.Stupefiedwiththeshock,unableeventomove,thesoddenrabbitscrouchedinert,almostpinnedtotheearthbytherain.
AsmallvoicespokeinBigwig'smind.
"Yourstorm,Thlayli-rah.Useit."
Gasping,hestruggledupandpushedBlackavarwithhisfoot.
"Comeon,"hesaid,"getholdofHyzenthlay.We'regoing."
Heshookhishead,tryingtoblinktherainoutofhiseyes.ThenitwasnolongerBlackavarwhowascrouchinginfrontofhimbutWoundwort,drenchedinmud
andrain,glaringandscrabblinginthesiltwithhisgreatclaws.
"I'llkillyoumyself,"saidWoundwort.
Hislongfrontteethwerebaredlikethefangsofarat.Afraid,Bigwigwatchedhimclosely.HeknewthatWoundwort,withalltheadvantageofweight,wouldjumpandtrytoclosewith
him.Hemusttrytoavoidhimandrelyonhisclaws.Heshiftedhisgrounduneasilyandfelthimselfslippinginthemud.WhydidWoundwortnotjump?ThenherealizedthatWoundwortwasnolongerlookingathim,butstaringoverhisheadatsomethingbeyond,somethingthathehimselfcouldnotsee.Suddenly,Woundwortleapedbackwardandinthesamemoment,throughtheall-
envelopingsoundoftherain,theresoundedaraucousclamor.
"Yark!Yark!Yark!"
SomebigwhitethingwasstrikingatWoundwort,whowascoweringandguardinghisheadasbesthecould.Thenitwasgone,sailingupwardandturningintherain.
"MeesterPigvig,eesrabbitscome!"
SightsandfeelingsswirledthroughBigwigasthoughinadream.Thethingsthatwerehappeningnolongerseemedconnectedbyanythingexcepthisowndazedsenses.HeheardKehaarscreamingashedivedagaintoattackVervain.Hefelttherainpouringcoldintotheopengashinhisshoulder.Throughthecurtain
ofrainheglimpsedWoundwortdodgingamonghisofficersandurgingthembackintotheditchontheedgeofthefield.HesawBlackavarstrikingatCampionandCampionturningtorun.Thensomeonebesidehimwassaying,"Hullo,Bigwig.Bigwig!Bigwig!Whatdoyouwantustodo?"ItwasSilver.
"Where'sHazel?"hesaid.
"Waitingattheboat.Isay,you'rewounded!What--"
"Thengetthesedoesdownthere,"saidBigwig.
Allwasconfusion.Inonesandtwosthedoes,utterlybemusedandscarcelyabletomoveortounderstandwhatwassaidtothem,wereurgedintogettingupandstumblingtheirwaydownthefield.Otherrabbitsbegantoappear
throughtherain:Acorn,clearlyfrightened,butdeterminednottorun;DandelionencouragingPipkin;SpeedwellandHawkbitmakingtowardKehaar--theonlycreaturevisibleabovethegroundhaze.BigwigandSilverbroughtthemtogetherasbesttheycouldandmadethemunderstandthattheyweretohelptogetthedoesaway.
"GobacktoBlackberry,gobacktoBlackberry,"Silverkeptrepeating."Ileftthreeofourrabbitsindifferentplacestomarkthewayback,"heexplainedtoBigwig."Blackberry'sfirst,thenBluebell,thenFiver--he'squiteneartheriver."
"AndthereisBlackberry,"saidBigwig.
"Youdidit,then,Bigwig,"
saidBlackberry,shivering."Wasitverybad?Goodheavens,yourshoulder--"
"It'snotfinishedyet,"saidBigwig."Haseveryonepassedyou?"
"You'rethelast,"saidBlackberry."Canwego?Thisstorm'sterrifyingme!"
Kehaaralightedbesidethem.
"MeesterPigvig,"hesaid,"Iflyondoesdamnrabbits,butdeynorun,deygetinditch.Inocatch'emindere.Deycomingallalongbesideyou."
"They'llnevergiveup,"saidBigwig."Iwarnyou,Silver,they'llbeatusbeforeit'sdone.There'sthickcoverinthewatermeadow--they'llusethat.Acorn,comeback,keepawayfromthatditch!"
"GobacktoBluebell!GobacktoBluebell!"repeatedSilver,runningfromsidetoside.
TheyfoundBluebellbythehedgeatthebottomofthefield.Hewaswhite-eyedandreadytobolt.
"Silver,"hesaid,"Isawabunchofrabbits--strangers,Efrafans,Isuppose--comeoutoftheditchoverthereand
slipacrossintothewatermeadow.They'rebehindusnow.OneofthemwasthebiggestrabbitI'veeverseen."
"Thendon'tstayhere,"saidSilver."TheregoesSpeedwell.Andwho'sthat?Acornandtwodoeswithhim.That'severyone.Comeon,quickasyoucan."
Itwasonlyashortdistancenowtotheriver,butamong
thesoddenpatchesofrushes,thebushesandsedgeanddeeppuddles,theyfounditnexttoimpossibletotelltheirdirection.Expectingtobeattackedatanymoment,theyscutteredandflounderedthroughtheundergrowth,findinghereadoeandthereoneoftheirownrabbitsandforcingthemon.WithoutKehaartheywouldcertainlyhavelostalltouchwitheachotherandperhapsnever
reachedtheriver.Thegullkeptflyingbackwardandforwardalongthedirectlinetothebank,onlyalightingnowandthentoguideBigwigtowardsomestragglingdoewhomhehadspottedgoingthewrongway.
"Kehaar,"saidBigwig,astheywaitedforThethuthinnangtostruggleuptothemthroughahalf-flattenedclumpofnettles,
"willyougoandseewhetheryoucanspottheEfrafans?Theycan'tbefaraway.Butwhyhaven'ttheyattackedus?We'reallsoscatteredthattheycouldeasilydousalotofharm.Iwonderwhatthey'reupto?"
Kehaarwasbackinaveryshorttime.
"Deyhidingatpridge,"hesaid,"allunderpushes.I
comedown,datpeegfella'emakeforfightme."
"Didhe?"saidBigwig."Thebrute'sgotcourage,I'llgivehimthat."
"Deyt'inkyougottocrossriverdereorelsegoallalongpank.Deynotknowheempoat.Younearpoatnow."
Fivercamerunningthroughtheundergrowth.
"We'vebeenabletogetsomeofthemontheboat,Bigwig,"hesaid,"butmostofthemwon'ttrustme.Theyjustkeepaskingwhereyouare."
Bigwigranbehindhimandcameoutonthegreenpathbythebank.Allthesurfaceoftheriverwaswinkingandploppingintherain.Theleveldidnotappeartohaverisenmuchasyet.Theboat
wasjustasherememberedit--oneendagainstthebank,theotheralittlewayoutinthestream.OntheraisedpartatthenearendHazelwascrouching,hisearsdroopingoneithersideofhisheadandhisflattenedfurcompletelyblackwithrain.Hewasholdingthetautropeinhisteeth.Acorn,Hyzenthlayandtwomorewerecrouchingnearhimonthewood,buttherestwerehuddledhereand
therealongthebank.Blackberrywastryingunsuccessfullytopersuadethemtogetoutontheboat.
"Hazel'safraidtoleavetherope,"hesaidtoBigwig."Apparentlyhe'sbittenitverythinalready.Allthesedoeswillsayisthatyou'retheirofficer."
BigwigturnedtoThethuthinnang.
"Thisisthemagictricknow,"hesaid."Getthemoverthere,whereHyzenthlay'ssitting,doyousee?Allofthem--quickly."
Beforeshecouldreply,anotherdoegaveasquealoffear.Alittlewaydownstream,Campionandhispatrolhademergedfromthebushesandwerecomingupthepath.FromtheoppositedirectionVervain,
ChervilandGroundselwereapproaching.Thedoeturnedanddartedfortheundergrowthimmediatelybehindher.Justasshereachedit,Woundworthimselfappearedinherway,rearedupanddealtheragreat,rakingblowacrosstheface.Thedoeturnedoncemoreandranblindlyacrossthepathandontotheboat.
Bigwigrealizedthatsince
themomentwhenKehaarhadattackedhiminthefield,Woundworthadnotonlyretainedcontroloverhisofficersbuthadactuallymadeaplanandputitintoeffect.Thestormandthedifficultgoinghadupsetthefugitivesanddisorganizedthem.Woundwort,ontheotherhand,hadtakenhisrabbitsintotheditchandthenmadeuseofittogetthemdowntothewatermeadow,
unexposedtofurtherattackfromKehaar.Oncethere,hemusthavegonestraightfortheplankbridge--whichheevidentlyknewabout--andsetanambushundercover.Butassoonashehadgraspedthatforsomereasontherunawayswerenotmakingforthebridgeafterall,hehadinstantlysentCampiontomakehiswayroundthroughtheundergrowth,regainthebankdownstreamandcut
themoff;andCampionhaddonethiswithouterrorordelay.NowWoundwortmeanttofightthem,hereonthebank.HeknewthatKehaarcouldnotbeeverywhereandthatthebushesandundergrowthprovidedenoughcover,atapinch,tododgehim.Itwastruethattheothersidehadtwicehisnumbers,butmostofthemwereafraidofhimandnonewasatrained
Efrafanofficer.Nowthathehadthempinnedagainsttheriver,hewouldsplitthemupandkillasmanyaspossible.Therestcouldrunawayandcometogriefastheymight.
BigwigbegantounderstandwhyWoundwort'sofficersfollowedhimandfoughtforhimastheydid.
"He'snotlikearabbitatall,"hethought."Flight'sthe
lastthingheeverthinksof.IfI'dknownthreenightsagowhatIknownow,Idon'tbelieveI'deverhavegoneintoEfrafa.Isupposehehasn'trealizedabouttheboat,too?Itwouldn'tsurpriseme."HedashedacrossthegrassandjumpedontheplankingbesideHazel.
TheappearanceofWoundworthadachievedwhatBlackberryandFiver
couldnot.Everyoneofthedoesranfromthebanktotheboat.BlackberryandFiverranwiththem.Woundwort,followingthemclose,reachedtheedgeofthebankandcamefacetofacewithBigwig.Ashestoodhisground,BigwigcouldhearBlackberryjustbehindhim,speakingurgentlytoHazel.
"Dandelion'snothere,"saidBlackberry."He'sthe
onlyone."
Hazelspokeforthefirsttime."Weshallhavetoleavehim,"heanswered."It'sashame,butthesefellowswillbeatusinamomentandwecan'tstopthem."
BigwigspokewithouttakinghiseyesfromWoundwort."Justafewmoremoments,Hazel,"hesaid."I'llkeepthemoff.Wecan't
leaveDandelion."
Woundwortsneeredupathim."Itrustedyou,Thlayli,"hesaid."Youcantrustmenow.You'lleithergointotheriverorbetorntopieceshere--thewholelotofyou.There'snowherelefttorun."
BigwighadcaughtsightofDandelionlookingoutoftheundergrowthopposite.Hewasplainlyataloss.
"Groundsel!Vervain!"saidWoundwort."Comeoverherebesideme.WhenIgivetheword,we'llgostraightintothem.Asforthatbird,it'snotdangerous--"
"Thereitis!"criedBigwig.Woundwortlookedupquicklyandleapedback.Dandelionshotoutofthebushes,crossedthepathinaflashandwasontheboatbesideHazel.Inthesame
momenttheropepartedandimmediatelythelittlepuntbegantomovealongthebankinthesteadycurrent.Whenithadgoneafewyards,thesternswungslowlyoutwarduntilitwasbroadsideontothestream.Inthispositionitdriftedtothemiddleoftheriverandintothesouthwardbend.
Lookingback,thelastthingBigwigsawwasthe
faceofGeneralWoundwortstaringoutofthegapinthewillowherbwheretheboathadlain.ItremindedhimofthekestrelonWatershipDownwhichhadpouncedintothemouthoftheholeandmissedthemouse.
PARTIVHazel-rah
39.TheBridges
Boatmandance,boatmansing,
Boatmandomostanything,
Dance,boatman,dance.
Danceallnighttillthebroaddaylight,
Gohomewiththegirlsinthemorning.
Hey,ho,boatmanrow,
SailingdowntheriverontheOhio.
AmericanFolkSong
Onalmostanyotherriver,Blackberry'splanwouldnothaveworked.Thepuntwouldnothaveleftthebankor,ifithad,wouldhaverunagroundorbeenfouledbyweedsorsomeotherobstruction.Buthere,ontheTest,therewerenosubmergedbranchesand
nogravelspitsorbedsofweedabovethesurfaceatall.Frombanktobankthecurrent,regularandunvaried,flowedasfastasamanstrolling.Thepuntslippeddownstreamsmoothly,withoutanyalterationofthespeedwhichithadgainedwithinafewyardsofleavingthebank.
Mostoftherabbitshadverylittleideaofwhatwas
happening.TheEfrafandoeshadneverseenariveranditwouldcertainlyhavebeenbeyondPipkinorHawkbittoexplaintothemthattheywereonaboat.They--andnearlyalltheothers--hadsimplytrustedHazelanddoneastheyweretold.Butall--bucksanddoesalike--realizedthatWoundwortandhisfollowershadvanished.Weariedbyalltheyhadgonethrough,thesoddenrabbits
crouchedwithouttalking,incapableofanyfeelingbutadullreliefandwithouteventheenergytowonderwhatwasgoingtohappennext.
Thattheyshouldfeelanyrelief--dullorotherwise--wasremarkableinthecircumstancesandshowedbothhowlittletheyunderstoodtheirsituationandhowmuchfearWoundwortcouldinspire,fortheirescape
fromhimseemedtobetheironlygoodfortune.Therainwasstillfalling.Alreadysowetthattheynolongerfeltit,theywereneverthelessshiveringwithcoldandweightedwiththeirdrenchedfur.Thepuntwasholdingoverhalfaninchofrainwater.Therewasonesmall,slattedfloorboardandthiswasfloating.Someoftherabbits,inthefirstconfusionofboardingthepunt,had
foundthemselvesinthiswater,butnowallhadgotclearofit--mosteithertobowsorstern,thoughThethuthinnangandSpeedwellwerehunchedonthenarrowthwart,amidships.Inadditiontotheirdiscomfort,theywereexposedandhelpless.Finally,therewasnowayofcontrollingthepuntandtheydidnotknowwheretheyweregoing.Buttheselast
weretroublesbeyondtheunderstandingofeveryonebutHazel,FiverandBlackberry.
BigwighadcollapsedbesideHazelandlayonhisside,exhausted.ThefeverishcouragewhichhadbroughthimfromEfrafatotheriverhadgoneandhiswoundedshoulderhadbeguntohurtbadly.Inspiteoftherainandthethrobbingpulsedownhis
foreleg,hefeltreadytosleepwherehewas,stretchedupontheplanking.HeopenedhiseyesandlookedupatHazel.
"Icouldn'tdoitagain,Hazel-rah,"hesaid.
"Youhaven'tgotto,"repliedHazel.
"Itwastouchandgo,youknow,"saidBigwig."Achanceinathousand."
"Ourchildren'schildrenwillhearagoodstory,"answeredHazel,quotingarabbitproverb."Howdidyougetthatwound?It'sanastyone."
"IfoughtamemberoftheCouncilpolice,"saidBigwig.
"Awhat?"Theterm"Owslafa"wasunknowntoHazel.
"AdirtylittlebeastlikeHufsa,"saidBigwig.
"Didyoubeathim?"
"Oh,yes--orIshouldn'tbehere.Ishouldthinkhe'llstoprunning.Isay,Hazel-rah,we'vegotthedoes.What'sgoingtohappennow?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidHazel."Weneedoneofthesecleverrabbitstotellus.And
Kehaar--where'shegone?He'ssupposedtoknowaboutthisthingwe'resittingon."
Dandelion,crouchingbesideHazel,gotupatthementionof"cleverrabbits,"madehiswayacrossthepuddledfloorandreturnedwithBlackberryandFiver.
"We'reallwonderingwhattodonext,"saidHazel.
"Well,"saidBlackberry,"Isupposeweshalldriftintothebankbeforelongandthenwecangetoutandfindcover.There'snoharm,though,ingoingagoodlongwayfromthosefriendsofBigwig's."
"Thereis,"saidHazel."We'restuckhereinfullviewandwecan'trun.Ifamanseesuswe'reintrouble."
"Mendon'tlikerain,"said
Blackberry."NeitherdoI,ifitcomestothat,butitmakesussaferjustnow."
AtthismomentHyzenthlay,sittingjustbehindhim,startedandlookedup.
"Excuseme,sir,forinterruptingyou,"shesaid,asthoughspeakingtoanofficerinEfrafa,"butthebird--thewhitebird--it'scoming
towardus."
Kehaarcameflyinguptheriverthroughtherainandalightedonthenarrowsideofthepunt.Thedoesnearesttohimbackedawaynervously.
"Meester'Azel,"hesaid,"pridgecome.Yousee'impridge?"
Ithadnotoccurredtoanyoftherabbitsthattheywere
floatingbesidethepathupwhichtheyhadcomeearlierthateveningbeforethestormbroke.Theywereontheoppositesideofthehedgeofplantsalongthebankandthewholeriverlookeddifferent.Butnowtheysaw,notfarahead,thebridgewhichtheyhadcrossedwhentheyfirstcametotheTestfournightsbefore.Thistheyrecognizedatonce,foritlookedthesameasithadfromthebank.
"Maybeyougounder'im,maybenot,"saidKehaar."Butyousitdere,eestrouble."
Thebridgestretchedfrombanktobankbetweentwolowabutments.Itwasnotarched.Itsunderside,madeofirongirders,wasperfectlystraight--parallelwiththesurfaceandabouteightnichesaboveit.JustintimeHazelsawwhatKehaar
meant.Ifthepuntdidpassunderthebridgewithoutsticking,itwoulddosobynomorethanaclaw'sbreadth.Anycreatureabovethelevelofthesideswouldbestruckandperhapsknockedintotheriver.Hescutteredthroughthewarmbilgewatertotheotherendandpushedhiswayupamongthewet,crowdedrabbits.
"Getdowninthebottom!
Getdowninthebottom!"hesaid."Silver,Hawkbit--allofyou.Nevermindthewater.You,andyou--what'syourname?Oh,Blackavar,isit?--geteveryoneintothebottom.Bequick."
LikeBigwig,hefoundthattheEfrafanrabbitsobeyedhimatonce.HesawKehaarflyupfromhisperchanddisappearoverthewoodenrails.Theconcreteabutments
projectedfromeachbank,sothatthenarrowedriverranslightlyfasterunderthebridge.Thepunthadbeendriftingbroadsideon,butnowoneendswungforward,sothatHazellosthisbearingsandfoundthathewasnolongerlookingatthebridgebutatthebank.Ashehesitated,thebridgeseemedtocomeathiminadarkmass,likesnowslidingfromabough.Hepressedhimself
intothebilge.Therewasasquealandarabbittumbledontopofhim.Thenaheavyblowvibratedalongthelengthofthepuntanditssmoothmovementwaschecked.Thiswasfollowedbyahollowsoundofscraping.Itgrewdarkandaroofappeared,verylowabovehim.ForamomentHazelhadthevagueideathathewasunderground.Thentheroofvanished,thepunt
wasglidingonandheheardKehaarcalling.Theywerebelowthebridgeandstilldriftingdownstream.
TherabbitwhohadfallenonhimwasAcorn.Hehadbeenstruckbythebridgeandtheblowhadsenthimflying.However,thoughdazedandbruised,heseemedtohaveescapedinjury.
"Iwasn'tquickenough,
Hazel-rah,"hesaid."I'dbettergotoEfrafaforabit."
"You'dbewasted,"saidHazel."ButI'mafraidthere'ssomeoneattheotherendwhohasn'tbeensolucky."
Oneofthedoeshadheldbackfromthebilgewater,andtheupstreamgirderunderthebridgehadcaughtheracrosstheback.Itwasplainthatshewasinjured,buthowbadly
Hazelcouldnottell.HesawHyzenthlaybesideheranditseemedtohimthatsincetherewasnothinghecoulddotohelp,itwouldprobablybebesttoletthemalone.Helookedroundathisbedraggled,shiveringcomradesandthenatKehaar,spruceandbriskonthestem.
"Weoughttogetbackonthebank,Kehaar,"hesaid."Howcanwedoit?Rabbits
weren'tmeantforthis,youknow."
"Younotstoppoat.Butagainisnudderpridgemore.'Estop'im."
Therewasnothingtobedonebutwait.Theydriftedonandcametoasecondbend,wheretherivercurvedwestward.Thecurrentdidnotslackenandthepuntcameroundthebendalmostinthe
middleofthestream,revolvingasitdidso.TherabbitshadbeenfrightenedbywhathadhappenedtoAcornandtothedoe,andremainedsquattingmiserably,halfinandhalfoutofthebilge.Hazelcreptbacktotheraisedbowandlookedahead.
Theriverbroadenedandthecurrentslackened.Herealizedthattheyhadbeguntodriftmoreslowly.The
nearerbankwashighandthetreesstoodcloseandthick,butonthefurtherbankthegroundwaslowandopen.Grassy,itstretchedaway,smoothasthemowngallopsonWatershipDown.Hazelhopedthattheymightsomehowdropoutofthecurrentandreachthatside,butthepuntmovedquietlyon,downtheverycenterofthebroadpool.Theopenbankslippedbyandnowthe
treestoweredonbothsides.Downstream,thepoolwasclosedbythesecondbridge,ofwhichKehaarhadspoken.
Itwasold,builtofdarkenedbricks.Ivytrailedoveritandthevalerianandcreepingmauvetoadflax.Welloutfromeitherbankstoodfourlowarches--scarcelymorethanculverts,eachfilledbythestreamtowithinafootoftheapex.
Throughthem,thinsegmentsofdaylightshowedfromthedownstreamside.Thepiersdidnotproject,butagainsteachlayalittleaccumulationofflotsam,fromwhichdriftweedandstickscontinuallybrokeawaytobecarriedthroughthebridge.
Itwasplainthatthepuntwoulddriftagainstthebridgeandbeheldthere.Asitapproached,Hazeldropped
backintothebilgewater.Butthistimetherewasnoneed.Broadsideon,thepuntstruckgentlyagainsttwoofthepiersandstopped,pinnedsquarelyacrossthemouthofoneofthecentralculverts.Itcouldgonofurther.
Theyhadfloatednotquitehalfamileinjustoverfifteenminutes.
Hazelputhisforepawson
thelowsideandlookedgingerlyoverupstream.Immediatelybelow,ashallowripplespreadallalongthewaterline,wherethecurrentmetthewoodwork.Itwastoofartojumptotheshoreandbothbanksweresteep.Heturnedandlookedupward.Thebrickworkwassheer,withaprojectingcoursehalfwaybetweenhimandtheparapet.Therewasnoscramblingupthat.
"What'stobedone,Blackberry?"heasked,makinghiswaytotheboltfixedonthebow,withitsraggedremnantofpainter."Yougotusonthisthing.Howdowegetoff?"
"Idon'tknow,Hazel-rah,"repliedBlackberry."Ofallthewayswecouldfinishup,Ineverthoughtofthis.Itlooksasthoughwe'llhavetoswim."
"Swim?"saidSilver."Idon'tfancyit,Hazel-rah.Iknowit'snodistance,butlookatthosebanks.Thecurrentwouldtakeusdownbeforewecouldgetout:andthatmeansintooneoftheseholesunderthebridge."
Hazeltriedtolookthroughthearch.Therewasverylittletobeseen.Thedarktunnelwasnotlong--perhapsnotmuchlongerthanthepunt
itself.Thewaterlookedsmooth.Thereseemedtobenoobstructionsandtherewasroomfortheheadofaswimminganimalbetweenthesurfaceofthewaterandtheapexofthearch.Butthesegmentwassonarrowthatitwasimpossibletoseeexactlywhatlayontheothersideofthebridge.Thelightwasfailing.Water,greenleaves,movingreflectionsofleaves,thesplashingoftheraindrops
andsomecuriousthingthatappearedtobestandinginthewaterandtobemadeofverticalgraylines--thesewereallthatcouldbemadeout.Therainechoeddismallyuptheculvert.Thehard,ringingnoisefromunderthesoffit,somuchunlikeanysoundtobeheardinanearthtunnel,wasdisturbing.HazelreturnedtoBlackberryandSilver.
"Thisisasbadafixas
we'vebeenin,"hesaid."Wecan'tstayhere,butIcan'tseeanywayout."
Kehaarappearedontheparapetabovethem,flappedtherainoutofhiswingsanddroppeddowntothepunt.
"Eesfinishpoat,"hesaid."Notvaitmore."
"Buthowcanwegettothebank,Kehaar?"saidHazel.
Thegullwassurprised."Dogsveem,ratsveem.Younosveem?"
"Yes,wecanswimaslongasit'snotveryfar.Butthebanksaretoosteepforus,Kehaar.Wewouldn'tbeabletostopthecurrenttakingusdownoneofthesetunnelsandwedon'tknowwhat'sattheotherend."
"Eesgoot--yougetout
fine."
Hazelfeltataloss.Whatexactlywashetounderstandfromthis?Kehaarwasnotarabbit.WhatevertheBigWaterwaslike,itmustbeworsethanthisandKehaarwasusedtoit.Heneversaidmuchinanycaseandwhathedidsaywasalwaysrestrictedtothesimplest,sincehespokenoLapine.Hewasdoingthemagoodturn
becausetheyhadsavedhislifebut,asHazelknew,hecouldnothelpdespisingthemfortimid,helpless,stay-at-homecreatureswhocouldnotfly.Hewasoftenimpatient.Didhemeanthathehadlookedattheriverandconsidereditasifhewerearabbit?Thattherewasslackwaterimmediatelybelowthebridge,withalow,shelvingbankwheretheycouldgetouteasily?Thatseemedtoo
muchtohopefor.Ordidhesimplymeanthattheyhadbetterhurryupandtakeachanceonbeingabletodowhathehimselfcoulddowithoutdifficulty?Thisseemedmorelikely.Supposeoneofthemdidjumpoutoftheboatandgodownwiththecurrent--whatwouldthattelltheothers,ifhedidnotcomeback?
PoorHazellookedabout
him.SilverwaslickingBigwig'swoundedshoulder.Blackberrywasfidgetingonandoffthethwart,strungup,abletofeelonlytooclearlyallthatHazelfelthimself.Ashestillhesitated,Kehaarletoutasquawk.
"Yark!Damnrabbitsnogoot.VatIdo,Ishowyou."
Hetumbledclumsilyofftheraisedbow.Therewasno
gapbetweenthepuntandthedarkmouthoftheculvert.Sittinglowinthewaterlikeamallard,hefloatedintothetunnelandvanished.Peeringafterhim,Hazelcouldatfirstseenothing.ThenhemadeoutKehaar'sshapeblackagainstthelightatthefarend.Itfloatedintodaylight,turnedsidewaysandpassedoutoftherestrictedview.
"Whatdoesthatprove?"
saidBlackberry,histeethchattering."Hemayhaveflownoffthesurfaceorputhisgreatwebbedfeetdown.It'snothethat'ssoakedthroughandshiveringandtwiceasheavywithwetfur."
Kehaarreappearedontheparapetabove.
"Yougonow,"hesaidshortly.
StillthewretchedHazelhungback.Hisleghadbeguntohurtagain.ThesightofBigwig--Bigwigofallrabbits--attheendofhistether,halfunconscious,playingnopartinthisdesperateexploit,loweredhiscouragestillmore.Heknewthathehadnotgotitinhimtojumpintothewater.Thehorriblesituationwasbeyondhim.Hestumbledontheslipperyplankingand,ashe
satup,foundFiverbesidehim.
"I'llgo,Hazel,"saidFiverquietly."Ithinkit'llbeallright."
Heputhisfrontpawsontheedgeofthebow.Then,ontheinstant,alltherabbitsfrozemotionless.Oneofthedoesstampedonthepuddledfloorofthepunt.Fromabovecamethesoundsof
approachingfootstepsandmen'svoices,andthesmellofaburningwhitestick.
Kehaarflewaway.Notarabbitmoved.Thefootstepsgrewnearer,thevoiceslouder.Theywereonthebridgeabove,nofurtherawaythantheheightofahedge.Everyoneoftherabbitswasseizedbytheinstincttorun,togounderground.HazelsawHyzenthlaylookingathim
andreturnedherstare,willingherwithallhismighttokeepstill.Thevoices,thesmellofmen'ssweat,ofleather,ofwhitesticks,thepaininhisleg,thedamp,chucklingtunnelathisveryear--hehadknownthemallbefore.Howcouldthemennotseehim?Theymustseehim.Hewaslyingattheirfeet.Hewaswounded.Theywerecomingtopickhimup.
Thenthesoundsandsmellswererecedingintothedistance,thethuddingofthefootstepsdiminished.Themenhadcrossedthebridgewithoutlookingovertheparapet.Theyweregone.
Hazelcameto."Thatsettlesit,"hesaid."Everyone'sgottoswim.Comeon,Bluebell,yousayyou'reawaterrabbit.Followme."Hegotonthethwartand
wentalongittotheside.
ButitwasPipkinthathefoundnexttohim.
"Quick,Hazel-rah,"saidPipkin,twitchingandtrembling."I'llcome,too.Onlybequick."
Hazelshuthiseyesandfelloverthesideintothewater.
AsintheEnborne,there
wasaninstantshockofcold.Butmorethanthis,andatonce,hefeltthepullofthecurrent.Hewasbeingdrawnawaybyaforcelikeahighwind,yetsmoothandsilent.Hewasdriftinghelplesslydownasuffocating,coldrun,withnoholdforhisfeet.Fulloffear,hepaddledandstruggled,gothisheadupandtookabreath,scrabbledhisclawsagainstroughbricksunderwaterandlostthem
againashewasdraggedon.Thenthecurrentslackened,therunvanished,thedarkbecamelightandtherewereleavesandskyabovehimoncemore.Stillstruggling,hefetchedupagainstsomethinghard,bumpedoffit,struckitagainandthenforamomenttouchedsoftground.Heflounderedforwardandfoundthathewasdragginghimselfthroughliquidmud.Hewasoutona
clammybank.Helaypantingforseveralmomentsandthenwipedhisfaceandopenedhiseyes.ThefirstthinghesawwasPipkin,plasteredwithmud,crawlingtothebankafewfeetaway.
Fullofelationandconfidence,allhisterrorsforgotten,HazelcrawledovertoPipkinandtogethertheyslippedintotheundergrowth.HesaidnothingandPipkin
didnotseemtoexpecthimtospeak.Fromtheshelterofaclumpofpurpleloosestrifetheylookedbackattheriver.
Thewatercameoutfromthebridgeintoasecondpool.Allround,onbothbanks,treesandundergrowthgrewclose.Therewasakindofswamphereanditwashardtotellwherewaterendedandwoodlandbegan.Plantsgrewinclumpsbothinandoutof
themuddyshallows.Thebottomwascoveredwithfinesiltandmudthatwashalfwaterandinthisthetworabbitshadmadefurrowsastheydraggedthemselvestoshore.Runningdiagonallyacrossthepool,fromthebrickworkofthebridgeneartheoppositebanktoapointalittlebelowthemontheirownside,wasagratingofthin,verticalironrods.Inthecuttingseasontheriverweed,
driftingintangledmatsfromthefishingreachesabove,washeldagainstthisgratingandrakedoutofthepoolbymeninwaders,whopiledittobeusedascompost.Theleftbankwasagreatrubbishheapofrottingweedamongthetrees.Itwasagreen,rank-smellingplace,humidandenclosed.
"GoodoldKehaar!"saidHazel,gazingwith
satisfactionroundthefetidsolitude."Ishouldhavetrustedhim."
Ashespoke,athirdrabbitcameswimmingoutfromunderthebridge.Thesightofhim,strugglinginthecurrentlikeaflyinaspider'sweb,filledthembothwithfear.Towatchanotherindangercanbealmostasbadassharingit.Therabbitfetchedupagainstthegrating,driftedalittle
wayalongit,foundthebottomandcrawledoutoftheturbidwater.ItwasBlackavar.HelayonhissideandseemedunawareofHazelandPipkinwhentheycameuptohim.Afteralittlewhile,however,hebegantocough,vomitedsomewaterandsatup.
"Areyouallright?"askedHazel.
"Moreorless,"saidBlackavar."Buthavewegottodomuchmoretonight,sir?I'mverytired."
"No,youcanresthere,"saidHazel."Butwhydidyouriskitonyourown?Wemightalreadyhavegoneunder,forallyouknew."
"Ithoughtyougaveanorder,"repliedBlackavar.
"Isee,"saidHazel."Well,atthatrateyou'regoingtofindusasloppylot,I'mafraid.Wasthereanyoneelsewholookedlikecomingwhenyoujumpedin?"
"Ithinkthey'reabitnervous,"answeredBlackavar."Youcan'tblamethem."
"No,butthetroubleisthatanythingcanhappen,"said
Hazel,fretting."Theymayallgotharn,sittingthere.Themenmaycomeback.Ifonlywecouldtellthemit'sallright--"
"Ithinkwecan,sir,"saidBlackavar."UnlessI'mwrong,it'sonlyamatterofslippingupthebankthereanddowntheotherside.ShallIgo?"
Hazelwasdisconcerted.
Fromwhathehadgathered,thiswasadisgracedprisonerfromEfrafa--notevenamemberoftheOwsla,apparently--andhehadjustsaidthathefeltexhausted.Hewasgoingtotakesomelivingupto.
"We'llbothgo,"hesaid."Hlao-roo,canyoustayhereandkeepalookout?Withanyluck,they'llstartcomingthroughtoyou.Helpthemif
youcan."
HazelandBlackavarslippedthroughthedrippingundergrowth.Thegrasstrackwhichcrossedthebridgeranabovethem,atthetopofasteepbank.Theyclimbedthebankandlookedoutcautiouslyfromthelonggrassattheverge.Thetrackwasemptyandtherewasnothingtobeheardorsmelled.Theycrosseditand
reachedtheendofthebridgeontheupstreamside.Herethebankdroppedalmostsheertotheriver,somesixfeetbelow.Blackavarscrambleddownwithouthesitation,butHazelfollowedmoreslowly.Justabovethebridge,betweenitandathornbushupstream,wasaledgeofturfwhichoverhungthewater.Outintheriver,afewfeetaway,thepuntlayagainsttheweedypiers.
"Silver!"saidHazel."Fiver!Comeon,getthemintothewater.It'sallrightbelowthebridge.Getthedoesinfirst,ifyoucan.There'snotimetolose.Themenmaycomeback."
Itwasnoeasymattertorousethetorpid,bewildereddoesandmakethemunderstandwhattheyhadtodo.Silverwentfromonetoanother.Dandelion,assoon
ashesawHazelonthebank,wentatoncetothebowandplungedin.Speedwellfollowed,butasFiverwasabouttogoSilverstoppedhim.
"Ifallourbucksgo,Hazel,"hesaid,"thedoeswillbeleftaloneandIdon'tthinkthey'llmanageit."
"They'llobeyThlayli,sir,"saidBlackavar,beforeHazel
couldreply."Ithinkhe'stheonetogetthemstarted."
Bigwigwasstilllyinginthebilgewater,intheplacehehadtakenupwhentheycametothefirstbridge.Heseemedtobeasleep,butwhenSilvernuzzledhimheraisedhisheadandlookedaboutinadazedmanner.
"Oh,hello,Silver,"hesaid."I'mafraidthisshoulderof
mine'sgoingtobeabother.Ifeelawfullycold,too.Where'sHazel?"
Silverexplained.Bigwiggotupwithdifficultyandtheysawthathewasstillbleeding.Helimpedtothethwartandclimbedonit.
"Hyzenthlay,"hesaid,"yourfriendscan'tbeanywetter,sowe'llgetthemtojumpinnow.Onebyone,
don'tyouthink?Thenthere'llbenoriskofthemscratchingorhurtingeachotherastheyswim."
InspiteofwhatBlackavarhadsaid,itwasalongtimebeforeeveryonehadlefttheboat.Therewereinfacttendoesaltogether--thoughnoneoftherabbitsknewthenumber--andalthoughoneortworespondedtoBigwig'spatienturging,severalwere
somuchexhaustedthattheyremainedhuddledwheretheywere,orlookedstupidlyatthewateruntilotherswerebroughttotaketheirplace.FromtimetotimeBigwigwouldaskoneofthebuckstogivealeadandinthiswayAcorn,HawkbitandBluebellallscrambledovertheside.Theinjureddoe,Thrayonlosa,wasclearlyinabadwayandBlackberryandThethuthinnangswam
throughtogether,oneinfrontofherandonebehind.
Asdarknessclosedin,therainstopped.HazelandBlackavarwentbacktothebankofthepoolbelowthebridge.Theskyclearedandtheoppressionliftedasthethundermovedawayeastward.ButitwasfuInlébeforeBigwighimselfcamethroughthebridgewithSilverandFiver.Itwasasmuchas
everhecoulddotokeepafloat,andwhenhereachedthegratingherolledoverinthewater,bellyuppermost,likeadyingfish.Hedriftedintotheshallowsand,withSilver'shelp,pulledhimselfout.Hazelandseveraloftheotherswerewaitingforhim,buthecutthemshortwithaflashofhisoldbullyingmanner."Comeon,getoutoftheway,"hesaid."I'mgoingtosleepnow,Hazel,andFrith
helpyouifyousayI'mnot."
"That'showwegoon,yousee,"saidHazeltothestaringBlackavar."You'llgetusedtoitafterabit,Now,let'slookforsomewheredrythatnooneelsehasfoundandthenperhapswecansleep,too."
Everydryspotamongtheundergrowthseemedtobecrowdedwithexhausted,sleepingrabbits.After
searchingforatimetheyfoundafallentreetrunk,fromtheundersideofwhichthebarkhadpulledaway.Theycreptbeneaththetwigsandleaves,settledthemselvesinthesmooth,curvedtrough--whichsoontookonsomeofthewarmthoftheirbodies--andsleptatonce.
40.TheWayBack
DameHickory,DameHickory,
Here'sawolfatyourdoor,
Histeethgrinningwhite.
Andhistonguewaggingsore!
"Nay,"saidDameHickory,"YeFalseFaerie!"
Butawolft'wasindeed,
andfamishedwashe.
WalterdelaMare,DameHickory
ThefirstthingthatHazellearnedthenextmorningwasthatThrayonlosahaddiedduringthenight.Thethuthinnangwasdistressed,foritwasshewhohadpickedThrayonlosaasoneofthemoresturdyandsensibledoesintheMarkand
persuadedhertojoinintheescape.Aftertheyhadcomethroughthebridgetogether,shehadhelpedherashoreandfallenasleepbesideherintheundergrowth,hopingthatshemighthaverecoveredbythenextday.ButshehadwokentofindThrayonlosagoneand,searching,hadfoundherinaclumpofreedsdownstream.Evidentlythepoorcreaturehadfeltthatshewasgoingtodieand,inthemannerof
animals,hadslippedaway.
ThenewsdepressedHazel.HeknewthattheyhadbeenluckytogetsomanydoesoutofEfrafaandtoescapefromWoundwortwithouthavingtostandandfight.Theplanhadbeenagoodone,butthestormandthefrighteningefficiencyoftheEfrafanshadnearlydefeatedit.ForallthecourageofBigwigandofSilver,theywouldhavefailed
withoutKehaar.NowKehaarwasgoingtoleavethem,Bigwigwaswounded,andhisownlegwasnonetoogood.Withthedoestolookafter,theywouldnotbeabletotravelintheopenasfastoraseasilyastheyhadonthewaydownfromWatership.Hewouldhavelikedtostaywheretheywereforafewdays,sothatBigwigcouldrecoverhisstrengthandthedoesfindtheirfeetandget
usedtolifeoutsideawarren.Buttheplace,herealized,washopelesslyinhospitable.Althoughtherewasgoodcover,itwastoowetforrabbits.Besides,itwasevidentlyclosetoaroadbusierthananytheyhadknown.Soonafterdaylighttheybegantohearandsmellhrududilpassing,notsofarawayasthebreadthofasmallfield.Therewascontinualdisturbanceandthe
doesinparticularwerestartledanduneasy.Thrayonlosa'sdeathmademattersworse.Worriedbythenoiseandvibrationandunabletofeed,thedoeskeptwanderingdownstreamtolookatthebodyandwhispertogetheraboutthestrangeanddangeroussurroundings.
HeconsultedBlackberry,whopointedoutthatprobablyitwouldnotbelongbefore
menfoundtheboat;thenverylikelyseveralwouldbeclosebyforsometime.ThisdecidedHazelthattheyhadbettersetoutatonceandtrytoreachsomewherewheretheycouldrestmoreeasily.Hecouldhearandsmellthattheswampextendedalongwaydownstream.Withtheroadlyingtothesouth,theonlywayseemedtobenorthward,overthebridge,whichwas
inanycasethewayhome.
TakingBigwigwithhim,heclimbedthebanktothegrasstrack.ThefirstthingtheysawwasKehaar,picking
slugsoutofaclumpofhemlocknearthebridge.Theycameuptohimwithoutspeakingandbegantonibbletheshortgrassnearby.
AfteralittlewhileKehaar
said,"Nowyougettingmudders,Meester'Azel.Allgofine,eh?"
"Yes.We'dneverhavedoneitwithoutyou,Kehaar.IhearyouturnedupjustintimetosaveBigwiglastnight."
"Disbadrabbit,pigfella,'egofightme.Plentyclever,too."
"Yes.Hegotashockforonce,though."
"Ya,ya.Meester'Azel,soonismencome.Vatyoudonow?"
"We'regoingbacktoourwarren,Kehaar,ifwecangetthere."
"Eesfinishherenowforme.IgotoPeegVater."
"Shallweseeyouagain,Kehaar?"
"Yougobackhills?Staydere?"
"Yes,wemeantogetthere.It'sgoingtobehardgoingwithsomanyrabbits,andthere'llbeEfrafanpatrolstododge,Iexpect."
"Yougetdere,lateroneesvinter,plentycold,plenty
stormonPeegVater.Plentybirdcomein.DenIcomeback,seeyouvereyoulive."
"Don'tforget,then,Kehaar,willyou?"saidBigwig."Weshallbelookingoutforyou.Comedownsuddenly,likeyoudidlastnight."
"Ya,ya,frightenallmuddersundliddlerabbits,allliddlePigvigsrunavay."
Kehaararchedhiswingsandroseintotheair.Heflewovertheparapetofthebridgeandupstream.Thenheturnedinacircletotheleft,camebackoverthegrasstrackandflewstraightdownit,skimmingjustovertherabbits'heads.Hegaveoneofhisraucouscriesandwasgonetothesouthward.Theygazedafterhimashedisappearedabovethetrees.
"Oh,flyaway,greatbirdsowhite,"saidBigwig."Youknow,hemademefeelIcouldfly,too.ThatBigWater!IwishIcouldseeit."
AstheycontinuedtolookinthedirectionwhereKehaarhadgone,Hazelnoticedforthefirsttimeacottageatthefarendofthetrack,wherethegrassslopeduptojointheroad.Aman,takingcaretokeepstill,wasleaningover
thehedgeandwatchingthemintently.Hazelstampedandboltedintotheundergrowthoftheswamp,withBigwighardonhisheels.
"Youknowwhathe'sthinkingabout?"saidBigwig."He'sthinkingaboutthevegetablesinhisgarden."
"Iknow,"repliedHazel."Andweshan'tbeabletokeepthislotawayfromthem
oncetheygettheideaintotheirheads.Thequickerwepushonthebetter."
Shortlyafterwardtherabbitssetoutacrosstheparktothenorth.Bigwigsoonfoundthathewasnotuptoalongjourney.Hiswoundwaspainfulandtheshouldermusclewouldnotstandharduse.Hazelwasstilllameandthedoes,thoughwillingandobedient,showedthatthey
knewlittleaboutthelifeofhlessil.Itwasatryingtime.
Inthedaysthatfollowed--daysofclearskyandfineweather--Blackavarprovedhisworthagainandagain,untilHazelcametorelyonhimasmuchasonanyofhisveterans.Therewasagreatdealmoretohimthananyonecouldhaveguessed.WhenBigwighaddeterminednottocomeoutofEfrafawithout
Blackavar,hehadbeenmovedentirelybypityforamiserable,helplessvictimofWoundwort'sruthlessness.Itturnedout,however,thatBlackavar,whennotcrushedbyhumiliationandill-treatment,wasagoodcutabovetheordinary.Hisstorywasanunusualone.HismotherhadnotbeenbornanEfrafan.ShehadbeenoneoftherabbitstakenprisonerwhenWoundwortattacked
thewarrenatNutleyCopse.ShehadmatedwithanEfrafancaptainandhadhadnoothermate.HehadbeenkilledonWidePatrol.Blackavar,proudofhisfather,hadgrownupwiththeresolvetobecomeanofficerintheOwsla.Buttogetherwiththis--andparadoxically--therehadcometohimfromhismotheracertainresentmentagainstEfrafaandafeelingthattheyshould
havenomoreofhimthanhecaredtogivethem.CaptainMallow,towhoseMark--theRightFore--hehadbeensentontrial,hadpraisedhiscourageandendurancebuthadnotfailedtonoticetheprouddetachmentofhisnature.WhentheRightFlankneededajuniorofficertohelpCaptainChervil,itwasAvensandnotBlackavarwhohadbeenselectedbytheCouncil.Blackavar,whoknewhisown
worth,feltconvincedthathismother'sbloodhadprejudicedtheCouncilagainsthim.WhilestillfullofhiswrongshehadmetHyzenthlayandmadehimselfasecretfriendandadviserofthediscontenteddoesintheRightFore.HehadbegunbyurgingthemtotrytogettheCouncil'sconsenttotheirleavingEfrafa.Iftheyhadsucceededtheywouldhaveaskedforhimtobeallowed
togowiththem.Butwhenthedoes'deputationtotheCouncilfailed,Blackavarturnedtotheideaofescape.Atfirsthehadmeanttotakethedoeswithhim,buthisnerve,strainedtothelimit,asBigwig'shadbeen,bythedangersanduncertaintiesofconspiracy,hadgivenwayandintheendhehadsimplymadeadashonhisown,tobecaughtbyCampion.Underthepunishmentinflictedby
theCouncilhismercurialspirithadfallenlowandhehadbecometheapatheticwretchthesightofwhomhadsomuchshockedBigwig.Yetatthewhisperedmessageinthehrakapitthisspirithadflickeredupagainwhereanother'smightwellhavefailedtodoso,andhehadbeenreadytosetallonthehazardandhaveanothershot.Now,freeamongtheseeasy-goingstrangers,hesaw
himselfasatrainedEfrafanusinghisskilltohelpthemintheirneed.Althoughhedidallthathewastold,hedidnothesitatetomakesuggestionsaswell,particularlywhenitcametoreconnoiteringandlookingforsignsofdanger.Hazel,whowasreadytoacceptadvicefromanybodywhenhethoughtitwasgood,listenedtomostofwhathesaidandwascontenttoleaveittoBigwig--forwhom,
naturally,Blackavarentertainedatremendousrespect--toseethathedidnotoverreachhimselfinhiswarm-hearted,rathercandidzeal.
Aftertwoorthreedaysofslow,carefuljourneying,withmanyhaltsincover,theyfoundthemselves,lateoneafternoon,oncemoreinsightofCaesar'sBelt,butfurtherwestthanbefore,closetoa
littlecopseatthetopofsomerisingground.Everyonewastiredandwhentheyhadfed--"eveningsilflayeveryday,justasyoupromised,"saidHyzenthlaytoBigwig--BluebellandSpeedwellsuggestedthatitmightbeworthwhiletodigsomescrapesinthelightsoilunderthetreesandlivethereforadayortwo.Hazelfeltwillingenough,butFiverneededpersuasion.
"Iknowwecandowitharest,butsomehowIdon'taltogetherlikeit,Hazel-rah,"hesaid."IsupposeI'vegottotrytothinkwhy?"
"Notonmyaccount,"answeredHazel."ButIdoubtyou'llshifttheothersthistime.Oneortwoofthesedoesare'readyformudder,'asKehaarwouldsay,andthat'stherealreasonwhyBluebellandtherestare
preparedtobeatthetroubleofdiggingscrapes.Surelyit'llbeallrightatthatrate,won'tit?Youknowwhattheysay--'Rabbitunderground,rabbitsafeandsound.'"
"Well,youmayberight,"saidFiver."ThatVilthuril'sabeautifuldoe.I'dlikeachancetogettoknowherbetter.Afterall,it'snotnaturaltorabbits,isit?--onandondayafterday."
Later,however,whenBlackavarreturnedwithDandelionfromapatroltheyhadundertakenontheirowninitiative,hecameoutmorestronglyagainsttheidea.
"Thisisnoplacetostop,Hazel-rah,"hesaid."NoWidePatrolwouldbivouachere.It'sfoxcountry.Weoughttotrytogetfurtherbeforedark."
Bigwig'sshoulderhadbeenhurtinghimagooddealduringtheafternoonandhefeltlowandsurly.ItseemedtohimthatBlackavarwasbeingcleveratotherpeople'sexpense.Ifhegothiswaytheywouldhavetogoon,tiredastheywere,untiltheycametosomewherewhichwassuitablebyEfrafanstandards.Theretheywouldbeassafe--nomoreandnoless--thantheywouldhave
beeniftheyhadstayedatthiscopse;butBlackavarwouldbethecleverfellowwhohadsavedthemfromafoxthathadneverexistedoutsidehisownfancy.HisEfrafanscoutcraftactwasgettingtobeabore.Itwastimesomeonecalledhisbluff.
"Therearelikelytobefoxesanywhereaboutthedowns,"saidBigwigsharply."Whyisthisfoxcountry
morethananywhereelse?"
TactwasaqualitywhichBlackavarvaluedaboutasmuchasBigwigdid;andnowhemadetheworstpossiblereply.
"Ican'texactlytellyouwhy,"hesaid."I'veformedastrongimpression,butit'shardtoexplainquitewhatit'sbasedon."
"Oh,animpression,eh?"sneeredBigwig."Didyouseeanyhraka?Pickupanyscent?Orwasitjustamessagefromlittlegreenmicesingingunderatoadstool?"
Blackavarfelthurt.Bigwigwasthelastrabbithewantedtoquarrelwith.
"YethinkI'mafool,then,"heanswered,hisEfrafanaccentbecomingmore
marked."No,therewasneetherhrakanerscent,butIstillthinkthatthisisaplacewhereafoxcomes.Onthesepatrolsweusedtodo,yeknow,
we--"
"Didyouseeorsmellanything?"saidBigwigtoDandelion.
"Er--well,I'mnotreally
quitesure,"saidDandelion."Imean,BlackavarseemstoknowanawfullotaboutpatrollingandheaskedmewhetherIdidn'tfeelasortof--"
"Well,wecangoonlikethisallnight,"saidBigwig."Blackavar,doyouknowthatearlierthissummer,beforewehadthebenefitofyourexperience,wewentfordaysacrosseverykindofcountry--
fields,heather,woods,downs--andneverlostonerabbit?"
"It'stheideaofscrapes,that'sall,"saidBlackavarapologetically,"Newscrapesgetnoticed;anddiggingcanbeheardasurprisinglylongway,yeknow."
"Lethimalone,"saidHazel,beforeBigwigcouldspeakagain."Youdidn'tget
himoutofEfrafatobullyhim.Look,Blackavar,IsupposeI'vegottodecidethis.Ithinkyou'reprobablyrightandthereisacertainamountofrisk.Butwe'reatriskallthetimeuntilwegetbacktoourwarrenandeveryone'ssotiredthatIthinkwemightjustaswellstophereforadayortwo.Weshallbeallthebetterforit."
Enoughscrapeswere
finishedbysoonaftersunsetandnextday,sureenough,alltherabbitsfeltagreatdealbetterforanightunderground.AsHazelhadforeseen,therewassomematingandascuffleortwo,butnoonewashurt.Bytheeveningakindofholidayspiritprevailed.Hazel'slegwasstrongerandBigwigfeltfitterthanatanytimesincehewentintoEfrafa.Thedoes,harassedandbonytwodays
before,werebeginningtolookquitesleek.
Onthesecondmorning,silflaydidnotbeginuntilsometimeafterdawn.Alightwindwasblowingstraightintothenorthbankofthecopse,wherethescrapeshadbeendug,andBluebell,whenhecameup,sworehecouldsmellrabbitsonit.
"It'soldHollypressinghis
chinglandsforus,Hazel-rah,"hesaid."Arabbit'ssneezeonthemorningbreezesetshomesickheartsaglow--"
"Sittingwithhisrumpinachicoryclumpandlongingforaniceplumpdoe,"repliedHazel.
"Thatwon'tdo,Hazel-rah,"saidBluebell."He'sgottwodoesupthere."
"Onlyhutchdoes,"repliedHazel."Idaresaythey'refairlytoughandfastbynow,butallthesamethey'llneverbequitelikeourownkind.Clover,forinstance--she'dnevergofarfromtheholeonsilflay,becausesheknewshecouldn'trunasfastaswecan.ButtheseEfrafandoes,yousee--they'vebeenkeptinbysentriesalltheirlives.Yetnowtherearen'tany,theywanderaboutquitehappily.
Lookatthosetwo,rightawayunderthebankthere.Theyfeeltheycan--Oh,greatFrith!"
Ashespokeatawnyshape,dog-like,sprangoutoftheoverhangingnutbushesassilentlyaslightfrombehindacloud.Itlandedbetweenthetwodoes,grabbedonebytheneckanddraggedherupthebankinaflash.Thewindveeredandthereekoffox
cameoverthegrass.Withstampingandflashingoftailseveryrabbitontheslopedashedforcover.
HazelandBluebellfoundthemselvescrouchedwithBlackavar.TheEfrafanwasmatter-of-factanddetached.
"Poorlittlebeast,"hesaid."Yousee,theirinstinctsareweakenedbylifeintheMark.Fancyfeedingunderbushes
onthewindwardsideofawood!Nevermind,Hazel-rah,thesethingshappen.Butlook,Itellyouwhat.Unlesstherearetwohombil,whichwouldbeverybadluck,we'vegottillni-Frithatleasttogetaway.Thathombawon'tbehuntinganymoreforsometime.Isuggestweallmoveonassoonaswecan."
Withawordofagreement,Hazelwentouttocallthe
rabbitstogether.Theymadeascatteredbutswiftruntothenortheast,alongtheedgeofafieldofripeningwheat.Noonespokeofthedoe.TheyhadcoveredmorethanthreequartersofamilebeforeBigwigandHazelhaltedtorestandtomakesurethatnoonehadfallenbehind.BlackavarcameupwithHyzenthlay,Bigwigsaid,
"Youtoldushowitwould
be,didn'tyou?AndIwastheonewhowouldn'tlisten."
"Toldyou?"saidBlackavar."Idon'tunderstand."
"Thattherewaslikelytobeafox."
"Idon'tremember,I'mafraid.ButIdon'tseethatanyofuscouldpossiblyhaveknown.Anyway,what'sadoe
moreorless?"
Bigwiglookedathiminastonishment,butBlackavar,apparentlyunconcernedeithertostresswhathehadsaidortobreakoffthetalk,simplybegantonibblethegrass.Bigwig,puzzledmovedawayandhimselfbegantofeedalittledistanceoff,withHyzenthlayandHazel.
"What'shegettingat?"he
askedafterawhile."Youwerealltherewhenhewarnedus,twonightsago,thattherewaslikelytobeafox.Itreatedhimbadly."
"InEfrafa,"saidHyzenthlay,"ifarabbitgaveadviceandtheadvicewasn'taccepted,heimmediatelyforgotitandsodideveryoneelse.BlackavarthoughtwhatHazeldecided;andwhetheritturnedoutlatertoberightor
wrongwasallthesame.Hisownadvicehadneverbeengiven."
"Icanbelievethat,"saidBigwig."Efrafa!Antsledbyadog!Butwe'renotinEfrafanow.Hashereallyforgottenthathewarnedus?"
"Probablyhereallyhas.Butwhetherornot,you'dnevergethimtoadmitthathewarnedyouortolistenwhile
youtoldhimhe'dbeenright.Hecouldnomoredothatthanpasshrakaunderground."
"Butyou'reanEfrafan.Doyouthinklikethat,too?"
"I'madoe,"saidHyzenthlay.
***
Duringtheearlyafternoon
theybegantoapproachtheBeltandBigwigwasthefirsttorecognizetheplacewhereDandelionhadtoldthestoryoftheBlackRabbitofInlé.
"Itwasthesamefox,youknow,"hesaidtoHazel."That'salmostcertain.Ioughttohaverealizedhowlikelyitwasthat--"
"Lookhere,"saidHazel,"youknowverywellwhatwe
owetoyou.ThedoesallthinkEl-ahrairahsentyoutogetthemoutofEfrafa.Theybelievenooneelsecouldhavedoneit.Asforwhathappenedthismorning,itwasmyfaultasmuchasyours.ButIneversupposedwewouldgethomewithoutlosingsomerabbits.Infactwe'velosttwoandthat'sbetterthanIexpected.WecangetbacktotheHoneycombtonightifwe
presson.Let'sforgetaboutthehombanow,Bigwig--itcan'tbealtered--andtryto--Hello,who'sthis?"
Theywerecomingtoathicketofjuniperanddogroses,tangledatgroundlevelwithnettlesandtrailsofbryonyonwhichtheberrieswerenowbeginningtoripenandturnred.Astheystoppedtopickalineintotheundergrowth,fourbigrabbits
appearedoutofthelonggrassandsatlookingdownatthem.Oneofthedoes,cominguptheslopealittlewaybehind,stampedandturnedtobolt.TheyheardBlackavarcheckhersharply.
"Well,whydon'tyouanswerhisquestion,Thlayli?"saidoneoftherabbits."WhoamI?"
Therewasapause.Then
Hazelspoke.
"Icanseethey'reEfrafansbecausethey'remarked,"hesaid."IsthatWoundwort?"
"No,"saidBlackavar,athisshoulder."That'sCaptainCampion."
"Isee,"saidHazel."Well,I'veheardofyou,Campion.Idon'tknowwhetheryoumeanusanyharm,butthebest
thingyoucandoistoletwellalone.Asfaraswe'reconcerned,ourdealingswithEfrafaarefinished."
"Youmaythinkthat,"repliedCampion,"butyou'llfindit'sotherwise.Thatdoebehindyoumustcomewithus;andsomustanyothersthatarewithyou."
Ashespoke,SilverandAcornappearedlowerdown
theslope,followedbyThethuthinnang.AfteraglanceattheEfrafans,SilverspokequicklytoThethuthinnang,whoslippedbackthroughtheburdocks.ThenhecameuptoHazel.
"I'vesentforthewhitebird,Hazel,"hesaidquietly.
Asapieceofbluffitwaseffective.TheysawCampionlookupwardnervouslyand
anotherofthepatrolglancedbacktothecoverofthebushes.
"Whatyou'resayingisstupid,"saidHazeltoCampion."Therearealotofushereandunlessyou'vegotmorerabbitsthanIcansee,we'retoomanyforyou."
Campionhesitated.Thetruthwasthatforonceinhislifehehadactedrashly.He
hadseenHazelandBigwigapproaching,withBlackavarandonedoebehindthem.InhiseagernesstohavesomethingreallyworthwhiletoshowonhisreturntotheCouncil,hehadjumpedtotheconclusionthattheywerealone.TheEfrafansusuallykeptfairlyclosetogetherintheopenandithadnotoccurredtoCampionthatotherrabbitsmightstragglemorewidely.Hehadseena
goldenopportunitytoattack--perhapskill--thedetestableThlayliandBlackavar,togetherwiththeironecompanion--whoseemedtobelame--andbringthedoebacktotheCouncil.Thishecouldcertainlyhavedone;andhehaddecidedtoconfrontratherthanambushthem,inthehopethatthebuckswouldsurrenderwithoutfighting.Butnow,asmorerabbitsbegantoappear
inonesandtwos,herealizedthathehadmadeamistake.
"Ihaveagreatmanymorerabbits,"hesaid."Thedoesmuststayhere.Therestofyoucango.Otherwiseweshallkillyou."
"Verywell,"saidHazel."Bringyourwholepatrolintotheopenandwe'lldoasyousay."
Bythistimeaconsiderablenumberofrabbitswascominguptheslope.Campionandhispatrollookedattheminsilencebutmadenomove.
"You'dbetterstaywhereyouare,"saidHazelatlength."Ifyoutrytointerferewithusitwillbetheworseforyou.SilverandBlackberry,takethedoesandgoon.Therestofuswilljoinyou."
"Hazel-rah,"whisperedBlackavar,"thepatrolmustbekilled--allofthem.Theymustn'treportbacktotheGeneral."
ThishadalsooccurredtoHazel.ButashethoughtofthedreadfulfightandthefourEfrafansactuallytorntopieces--forthatwaswhatitwouldmean--hecouldnotfinditinhishearttodoit.LikeBigwig,hefelta
reluctantlikingforCampion.Besides,itwouldtakesomedoing.Quiteprobablysomeofhisownrabbitswouldbekilled--certainlywounded.TheywouldnotreachtheHoneycombthatnightandtheywouldleaveafreshbloodtrailwherevertheywent.Apartfromhisdislikeofthewholeidea,thereweredisadvantagesthatmightbefatal.
"No,we'llletthemalone,"herepliedfirmly.
BlackavarwassilentandtheysatwatchingCampionasthelastofthedoesdisappearedthroughthebushes.
"Now,"saidHazel,"takeyourpatrolandgothesamewaythatyousawuscome.Don'tspeak--go."
CampionandthepatrolmadeoffdownhillandHazel,relievedtoberidofthemsoeasily,hurriedafterSilver,withtheothersclosebehind.
OncethroughtheBelt,theymadeexcellentprogress.Aftertherestofadayandahalfthedoeswereingoodshape.Thepromiseofanendtothejourneythatnightandthethoughtthattheyhadescapedboththefoxandthe
patrolmadethemeagerandresponsive.TheonlycauseofdelaywasBlackavar,whoseemeduneasyandkepthangingaboutintherear.Atlast,inthelateafternoon,Hazelsentforhimandtoldhimtogoahead,onthelineofthepaththeywerefollowing,andlookoutforthelongstripofthebeechhangerinthediponthemorningside.Blackavarhadnotbeengoneverylong
beforehecameracingback.
"Hazel-rah,I'vebeenquiteclosetothatwoodyouspokeof,"hesaid,"andtherearetworabbitsplayingaboutonapatchofshortgrassjustoutsideit."
"I'llcomeandsee,"saidHazel."Dandelion,youcome,too,willyou?"
Astheyrandownthehill
totherightofthetrack,Hazelfairlyskippedtorecognizethebeechhanger.Henoticedoneortwoyellowleavesandafainttouchofbronzehereandthereinthegreenboughs.ThenhecaughtsightofBuckthornandStrawberryrunningtowardthemacrossthegrass.
"Hazel-rah!"criedBuckthorn."Dandelion!Whathappened?Wherearethe
others?Didyougetanydoes?Iseveryoneallright?"
"They'llbehereverysoon,"saidHazel."Yes,we'vegotalotofdoesandeveryonewhowenthascomeback.ThisisBlackavar,who'scomeoutofEfrafa."
"Goodforhim,"saidStrawberry."Oh,Hazel-rah,we'vewatchedattheendofthewoodeveryeveningsince
youwent.HollyandBoxwoodareallright--they'rebackatthewarren:andwhatdoyouthink?Clover'sgoingtokindle.That'sfine,isn'tit?"
"Splendid,"saidHazel."She'llbethefirst.Mygoodness,we'vehadatime,Icantellyou.AndsoIwill--whatastory!--butitmustwaitabit.Comeon--let'sgoandbringtheothersin."
Bysunsetthewholeparty--twentyrabbitsalltold--hadmadetheirwayupthelengthofthebeechhangerandreachedthewarren.Theyfedamongthedewandthelongshadows,withtwilightalreadyfalleninthefieldsbelow.ThentheycrowdeddownintotheHoneycombtohearHazelandBigwigtellthestoryoftheiradventurestothosewhohadwaitedsoeagerlyandsolongtohearit.
AsthelastrabbitsdisappearedundergroundtheWidePatrol,whichhadfollowedthemfromCaesar'sBeltwithsuperlativeskillanddiscipline,veeredawayinahalf-circletotheeastandthenturnedforEfrafa.Campionwasexpertatfindinganight'srefugeintheopen.Heplannedtorestuntildawnandthencoverthethreemilesbackbyeveningofthefollowingday.
41.TheStoryofRowsbyWoofandtheFairyWogdog
Benotmercifuluntothemthatoffendofmaliciouswickedness.Theygrinlikeadogandrunaboutthroughthecity.Butthou,OLord,shalthavetheminderision.Thoushaltlaughalltheheathentoscorn.
Psalm59
Nowcamethedogdays--dayafterdayofhot,stillsummer,whenforhoursatatimelightseemedtheonlythingthatmoved;thesky--sun,cloudsandbreeze--awakeabovethedrowsingdowns.Thebeechleavesgrewdarkerontheboughsandfreshgrassgrewwheretheoldhadbeennibbledclose.Thewarrenwas
thrivingatlastandHazelcouldsitbaskingonthebankandcounttheirblessings.Aboveandunderground,therabbitsfellnaturallyintoaquiet,undisturbedrhythmoffeeding,diggingandsleeping.Severalfreshrunsandburrowsweremade.Thedoes,whohadneverdugintheirlivesbefore,enjoyedthework.BothHyzenthlayandThethuthinnangtoldHazelthattheyhadhadnoideahow
muchoftheirfrustrationandunhappinessinEfrafahadbeenduesimplytonotbeingallowedtodig.EvenCloverandHaystackfoundthattheycouldmanageprettywellandboastedthattheywouldbearthewarren'sfirstlittersinburrowsthattheyhaddugthemselves.BlackavarandHollybecameclosefriends.Theytalkedagreatdealabouttheirdifferentideasofscoutingandtracking,and
madesomepatrolstogether,morefortheirownsatisfactionthanbecausetherewasanyrealneed.OneearlymorningtheypersuadedSilvertocomewiththemandtraveledoveramiletotheoutskirtsofKingsclere,returningwithataleofmischiefandfeastinginacottagegarden.Blackavar'shearinghadweakenedsincethemutilationofhisears;butHollyfoundthathispowerof
noticinganddrawingconclusionsfromanythingunusualwasalmostuncannyandthatheseemedtobeabletobecomeinvisibleatwill.
Sixteenbucksandtendoesmadeahappyenoughsocietyforawarren.Therewassomebickeringhereandthere,butnothingserious.AsBluebellsaid,anyrabbitswhofeltdiscontentedcouldalwaysgobacktoEfrafa;andthe
thoughtofallthattheyhadfacedtogetherwasenoughtotakethestingoutofanythingthatmighthavemadearealquarrel.Thecontentmentofthedoesspreadtoeveryoneelse,untiloneeveningHazelremarkedthathefeltaperfectfraudasChiefRabbit,fortherewerenoproblemsandhardlyadisputetobesettled.
"Haveyouthoughtaboutthewinteryet?"askedHolly.
Fourorfiveofthebucks,withClover,HyzenthlayandVilthuril,werefeedingalongthesunnywestsideofthehangeraboutanhourbeforesunset.ItwasstillhotandthedownwassoquietthattheycouldhearthehorsestearingthegrassinthepaddockofCannonHeathFarm,morethanhalfamileaway.Itcertainlydidnotseematimetothinkofwinter.
"It'llprobablybecolderupherethananyofushavebeenusedto,"saidHazel."Butthesoil'ssolightandtherootsbreakitupsomuchthatwecandigalotdeeperbeforethecoldweathercomes.Ithinkweoughttobeabletogetbelowthefrost.Asforthewind,wecanblocksomeoftheholesandsleepwarm.Grassispoorinwinter,Iknow;butanyonewhowantsachangecanalwaysgoout
withHollyhereandtryhisluckatpinchingsomegreenstufforcattleroots.It'satimeofyeartobecarefuloftheelil,though.Myself,Ishallbequitehappytosleepunderground,playbob-stonesandhearafewstoriesfromtimetotime."
"Whataboutastorynow?"saidBluebell."Comeon,Dandelion.'HowINearlyMissedtheBoat.'Whatabout
that?"
"Oh,youmean'WoundwortDismayed,'"saidDandelion."That'sBigwig'sstory--Iwouldn'tpresumetotellit.Butitmakesachangetobethinkingaboutwinteronaneveninglikethis.ItremindsmeofastoryI'velistenedtobutnevertriedtotellmyself.Sosomeofyoumayknowitandperhapssomewon't.It's
thestoryofRowsbyWoofandtheFairyWogdog."
"Offyougo,"saidFiver,"andlayitonthick."
"Therewasabigrabbit,"saidDandelion."Therewasasmallrabbit.TherewasEl-ahrairah;andhehadthefrostinhisfinenewwhiskers.Theearthupanddowntherunsofthewarrenwassohardthatyoucouldcutyourpawson
it,andtherobinsansweredeachotheracrossthebare,stillcopses,'Thisismybithere.Yougoandstarveinyourown.'
"Oneevening,whenFrithwassinkinghugeandredinagreensky,El-ahrairahandRabscuttlelimpedtremblingthroughthefrozengrass,pickingabitehereandtheretocarrythemonforanotherlongnightunderground.The
grasswasasbrittleandtastelessashay,andalthoughtheywerehungry,theyhadbeenmakingthebestofthemiserablestuffsolongthatitwasasmuchastheycoulddotogetitdown.AtlastRabscuttlesuggestedthattheymighttakeariskforonceinawayandslipacrossthefieldstotheedgeofthevillage,wheretherewasabigvegetablegarden.
"Thisparticulargardenwasbiggerthananyoftheothersroundabout.Themanwhoworkedinitlivedinahouseatoneendandheusedtodigorcutgreatquantitiesofvegetables,putthemintoahrududuanddrivethemaway.Hehadputwireallroundthegardentokeeprabbitsout.Allthesame,El-ahrairahcouldusuallyfindawayinifhewantedto;butitwasdangerous,becausethe
manhadagunandoftenshotjaysandpigeonsandhungthemup.
"'Itisn'tonlythegunwe'dberisking,either,'saidEl-ahrairah,thinkingitover.'We'dhavetokeepaneyeopenforthatconfoundedRowsbyWoofaswell.'
"Now,RowsbyWoofwastheman'sdog;andhewasthemostobjectionable,
malicious,disgustingbrutethateverlickedaman'shand.Hewasabig,woollysortofanimalwithhairalloverhiseyesandthemankepthimtoguardthevegetablegarden,especiallyatnight.RowsbyWoof,ofcourse,didnoteatvegetableshimselfandanyonemighthavethoughtthathewouldbereadytoletafewhungryanimalshavealettuceoracarrotnowandthenandnoquestionsasked.
Butnotabitofit.RowsbyWoofusedtorunloosefromeveningtilldawnthenextday;andnotcontentwithkeepingmenandboysoutofthegarden,hewouldgoforanyanimalshefoundthere--rats,rabbits,hares,mice,evenmoles--andkillthemifhecould.Themomenthesmelledanythinginthenatureofanintruderhewouldstartbarkingandkickingupashine,although
veryoftenitwasonlythisfoolishnoisewhichwarnedarabbitandenabledhimtogetawayintime.RowsbyWoofwasreckonedtobeatremendousratterandhismasterhadboastedaboutthisskillofhissooftenandshowedhimoffsomuchthathehadbecomerevoltinglyconceited.Hebelievedhimselftobethefinestratterintheworld.Heatealotofrawmeat(butnotinthe
evening,becausehewaslefthungryatnighttokeephimactive)andthismadeitrathereasiertosmellhimcoming.Butevenso,hemadethegardenadangerousplace.
"'Well,let'schanceRowsbyWoofforonce,'saidRabscuttle.'IreckonyouandIoughttobeabletogivehimtheslipifwehaveto.'
"El-ahrairahandRabscuttle
madetheirwayacrossthefieldstotheoutskirtsofthegarden.Whentheygotthere,thefirstthingtheysawwasthemanhimself,withawhitestickburningawayinhismouth,cuttingrowafterrowoffrostedcabbages.RowsbyWoofwaswithhim,wagginghistailandjumpingaboutinaridiculousmanner.Afteratimethemanpiledasmanyofthecabbagesashecouldintoawheelthingandpushed
themawaytothehouse.Hecamebackseveraltimesandwhenhehadtakenallthecabbagestothedoorofthehousehebegancarryingtheminside.
"'What'shedoingthatfor?'askedRabscuttle.
"'Isupposehewantstogetthefrostoutofthemtonight,'repliedEl-ahrairah,'beforehetakesthemawayinthe
hrududutomorrow.'
"'They'dbemuchbettertoeatwiththefrostoutofthem,wouldn'tthey?'saidRabscuttle.'Iwishwecouldgetatthemwhilethey'reinthere.Still,nevermind.Now'sourchance.Let'sseewhatwecandoupthisendofthegardenwhilehe'sbusydownthere.'
"Buthardlyhadthey
crossedthetopofthegardenandgotamongthecabbagesthanRowsbyWoofhadwindedthemanddownhecame,barkingandyelping,andtheywereluckytogetoutintime.
"'Dirtylittlebeasts,'shoutedRowsbyWoof.'How--how!How--howdareyoucomesnou--snou--snoutingroundhere?Getout--out!Out--out!'
"'Contemptiblebrute!'saidEl-ahrairah,astheyscurriedbacktothewarrenwithnothingtoshowforalltheirtrouble.'He'sreallyannoyedme.Idon'tknowyethowit'sgoingtobedone,but,byFrithandInlé,beforethisfrostthaws,we'lleathiscabbagesinsidethehouseandmakehimlookafoolintothebargain!'
"'That'ssayingtoomuch,
master,'saidRabscuttle.'Apitytothrowyourlifeawayforacabbage,afterallwe'vedonetogether.'
"'Well,Ishallbewatchingmychance,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Ishalljustbewatchingmychance,that'sall.'
"ThefollowingafternoonRabscuttlewasout,nosingalongthetopofthebankbesidethelane,whena
hrududucameby.Ithaddoorsatthebackandthesedoorshadsomehowcomeopenandwereswingingaboutasthehrududuwentalong.Therewerethingsinsidewrappedupinbagsliketheonesmensometimesleaveaboutthefields;andasthehrududupassedRabscuttle,oneofthesebagsfelloutintothelane.WhenthehrududuhadgoneRabscuttle,whohopedthat
thebagmighthavesomethingtoeatinside,slippeddownintothelanetohaveasniffatit.Buthewasdisappointedtofindthatallitcontainedwassomekindofmeat.LaterhetoldEl-ahrairahabouthisdisappointment.
"'Meat?'saidEl-ahrairah.'Isitstillthere?'
"'HowshouldIknow?'saidRabscuttle.'Beastly
stuff.'
"'Comewithme,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Quickly,too.'
"Whentheygottothelanethemeatwasstillthere.El-ahrairahdraggedthebagintotheditchandtheyburiedit.
"'Butwhatgoodwillthisbetous,master?'saidRabscuttle.
"'Idon'tknowyet,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Butsomegooditwillsurelybe,iftheratsdon'tgetit.Comehomenow,though.It'sgettingdark.'
"Astheyweregoinghome,theycameonanoldblackwheel-coveringthrownawayfromahrududu,lyingintheditch.Ifyou'veeverseenthesethings,you'llknowthatthey'resomethinglikeahugefungus--smoothandvery
strong,butpad-likeandyieldingtoo.Theysmellunpleasant,andarenogoodtoeat.
"'Comeon,'saidEl-ahrairahimmediately.'Wehavetognawoffagoodchunkofthis.Ineedit.'
"Rabscuttlewonderedwhetherhismasterwasgoingmad,buthedidashewastold.Thestuffhadgrown
fairlyrottenandbeforelongtheywereabletognawoffalumpaboutasbigasarabbifshead.Ittasteddreadful,butEl-ahrairahcarrieditcarefullybacktothewarren.Hespentalotoftimethatnightnibblingatitandaftermorningsilflaythenextdayhecontinued.Aboutni-FrithhewokeRabscuttle,madehimcomeoutsideandputthelumpinfrontofhim.
"'Whatdoesthatlooklike?'hesaid.'Nevermindthesmell.Whatdoesitlooklike?'
"Rabscuttlelookedatit.'Itlooksratherlikeadog'sblacknose,master,'heanswered,'exceptthatit'sdry.'
"'Splendid,'saidEl-ahrairah,andwenttosleep.
"Itwasstillfrosty--veryclearandcold--thatnight,
withhalfamoon,butfuInlé,whenalltherabbitswerekeepingwarmunderground,El-ahrairahtoldRabscuttletocomewithhim.El-ahrairahcarriedtheblacknosehimselfandonthewayhepusheditwellintoeverynastythinghecouldfind.Hefounda--"
"Well,nevermind,"saidHazel."Goonwiththestory."
"Intheend,"continuedDandelion,"Rabscuttlekeptwellawayfromhim,butEl-ahrairahheldhisbreathandstillcarriedthenosesomehow,untiltheygottotheplacewheretheyhadburiedthemeat.
"'Digitup,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Comeon.'
"Theydugitupandthepapercameoff.Themeatwas
allbitsjoinedtogetherinakindoftraillikeasprayofbryony,andpoorRabscuttlewastoldtodragitalongtothebottomofthevegetablegarden.Itwashardworkandhewasgladwhenhewasabletodropit.
"'Now,'saidEl-ahrairah,'we'llgoroundtothefront.'
"Whentheygottothefront,theycouldtellthatthe
manhadgoneout.Foronething,thehousewasalldarkbut,besides,theycouldsmellthathehadbeenthroughthegatealittlewhilebefore.Thefrontofthehousehadaflowergardenandthiswasseparatedfromthebackandthevegetablegardenbyahigh,close-boardedfencethatranrightacrossandendedinabigclumpoflaurels.Justtheothersideofthefencewasthebackdoorthatled
intothekitchen.
"El-ahrairahandRabscuttlewentquietlythroughthefrontgardenandpeepedthroughacrackinthefence.RowsbyWoofwassittingonthegravelpath,wideawakeandshiveringinthecold.Hewassonearthattheycouldseehiseyesblinkinthemoonlight.Thekitchendoorwasshut,butnearby,alongthewall,therewasaholeabovethe
drainwhereabrickhadbeenleftout.Thekitchenfloorwasmadeofbricksandthemanusedtowashitwitharoughbroomandsweepthewateroutthroughthehole.Theholewaspluggedupwithanoldclothtokeepoutthecold.
"AfteralittlewhileEl-ahrairahsaidinalowvoice,
"'RowsbyWoof!O
RowsbyWoof!'
"RowsbyWoofsatupandlookedabouthim,bristling.
"'Who'sthere?'hesaid.'Whoareyou?'
"'ORowsbyWoof!'saidEl-ahrairah,crouchingontheothersideofthefence.'Mostfortunate,mostblessedRowsbyWoof!Yourrewardisathand!Ibringyouthe
bestnewsintheworld!'
"'What?'saidRowsbyWoof.'Who'sthat?Noneofyourtricks,now!'
"'Tricks,RowsbyWoof?'saidEl-ahrairah.'Ah,Iseeyoudonotknowme.Buthowshouldyou?Listen,faithful,skillfulhound.IamtheFairyWogdog,messengerofthegreatdogspiritoftheEast,QueenDripslobber.Far,
farintheEastherpalacelies.Ah,RowsbyWoof,ifonlyyoucouldseehermightystate,thewondersofherkingdom!Thecarrionthatliesfarandwideuponthesands!Themanure,RowsbyWoof!Theopensewers!Oh,howyouwouldjumpforjoyandrunnosingallabout!'
"RowsbyWoofgottohisfeetandlookedaboutinsilence.Hecouldnottell
whattomakeofthevoice,buthewassuspicious.
"'YourfameasaratterhascometotheearsoftheQueen,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Weknowyou--andhonoryou--asthegreatestratterintheworld.ThatiswhyIamhere.Butpoor,bewilderedcreature!Iseeyouareperplexed,andwellyoumaybe.Comehere,RowsbyWoof!Comeclosetothe
fenceandknowmebetter!'
"RowsbyWoofcameuptothefenceandEl-ahrairahpushedtherubbernoseintothecrackandmoveditabout.RowsbyWoofstoodclose,sniffing.
"'Noblerat-catcher,'whisperedEl-ahrairah,'itisindeedI,theFairyWogdog,senttohonoryou!'
"'Oh,FairyWogdog!'criedRowsbyWoof,dribblingandpiddlingalloverthegravel.'Ah,whatelegance!Whataristocraticdistinction!CanthatreallybedecayedcatthatIsmell?Withadelicateovertoneofrottencamel!Ah,thegorgeousEast!'
("Whatonearth's'camel'?"saidBigwig.
"Idon'tknow,"repliedDandelion."ButitwasinthestorywhenIheardit,soIsupposeit'ssomecreatureorother.")
"'Happy,happydog!'saidEl-ahrairah.'ImusttellyouthatQueenDripslobberherveryselfhasexpressedhergraciouswishthatyoushouldmeether.Butnotyet,RowsbyWoof,notyet.Firstyoumustbefoundworthy.I
amsenttobringyoubothatestandaproof.Listen,RowsbyWoof.Beyondthefarendofthegardenthereliesalongropeofmeat.Aye,realmeat,RowsbyWoof,forthoughwearefairydogs,yetwebringrealgiftstonoble,braveanimalssuchasyou.Gonow--findandeatthatmeat.Trustme,forIwillguardthehouseuntilyoureturn.Thatisthetestofyourbelief.'
"RowsbyWoofwasdesperatelyhungryandthecoldhadgotintohisstomach,butstillhehesitated.Heknewthathismasterexpectedhimtoguardthehouse.
"'Ah,well,'saidEl-ahrairah,'nevermind.Iwilldepart.Inthenextvillagetherelivesadog--'
"'No,no,'criedRowsbyWoof.'No,FairyWogdog,do
notleaveme!Itrustyou!Iwillgoatonce!Onlyguardthehouseanddonotfailme!'
"'Havenofear,noblehound,'saidEl-ahrairah.'OnlytrustthewordofthegreatQueen.'
"RowsbyWoofwentboundingawayinthemoonlightandEl-ahrairahwatchedhimoutofsight.
"'Arewetogointothehousenow,master?'askedRabscuttle.'Weshallhavetobequick.'
"'Certainlynot,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Howcouldyousuggestsuchdouble-dealing?Forshame,Rabscuttle!Wewillguardthehouse.'
"TheywaitedsilentlyandafterawhileRowsbyWoofreturned,lickinghislipsand
grinning.Hecamesniffinguptothefence.
"'Iperceive,honestfriend,'saidEl-ahrairah,'thatyoufoundthemeatasswiftlyasthoughithadbeenarat.Thehouseissafeandalliswell.Nowhark.IshallreturntotheQueenandtellherofallthathaspassed.Itwashergraciouspurposethatifyoushowedyourselfworthytonight,bytrustingher
messenger,shewouldherselfsendforyouandhonoryou.TomorrownightshewillbepassingthroughthislandonherwaytotheWolfFestivaloftheNorthandshemeanstobreakherjourneyinorderthatyoumayappearbeforeher.Beready,RowsbyWoof!'
"'Oh,FairyWogdog!'criedRowsbyWoof.'Whatjoyitwillbetogroveland
abasemyselfbeforetheQueen!HowhumblyIshallrollupontheground!HowutterlyshallImakemyselfherslave!Whatmenialcringingwillbemine!Iwillshowmyselfatruedog!'
"'Idonotdoubtit,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Andnow,farewell.Bepatientandawaitmyreturn!'
"Hewithdrewtherubber
noseandveryquietlytheycreptaway.
"Thefollowingnightwas,ifanything,stillcolder.EvenEl-ahrairahhadtopullhimselftogetherbeforehecouldsetoutoverthefields.TheyhadhiddentherubbernoseoutsidethegardenandittookthemsometimetogetitreadyforRowsbyWoof.Whentheyhadmadesurethatthemanhadgoneout,
theywentcautiouslyintothefrontgardenanduptothefence.RowsbyWoofwaspaddingupanddownoutsidethebackdoor,hisbreathsteaminginthefrostyair.WhenEl-ahrairahspoke,heputhisheadonthegroundbetweenhisfrontpawsandwhinedforjoy.
"'TheQueeniscoming,RowsbyWoof,'saidEl-ahrairahfrombehindthe
nose,'withhernobleattendants,thefairiesPostwiddleandSniffbottom.Andthisisherwish.Youknowthecrossroadsinthevillage,doyounot?'
"'Yes,yes!'whinedRowsbyWoof.'Yes,yes!Oh,letmeshowhowabjectIcanbe,dearFairyWogdog.Iwill--'
"'Verywell,'saidEl-
ahrairah.'Now,Ofortunatedog,gotothecrossroadsandawaittheQueen.Sheiscomingonthewingsofnight.Itisfarthatshemustcome,butwaitpatiently.Onlywait.Donotfailherandgreatblessingwillbeyours,'
"'Failher?No,no!'criedRowsbyWoof.'Iwillwaitlikeawormupontheroad.HerbeggaramI,FairyWogdog!Hermendicant,her
idiot,her--'
"'Quiteright,mostexcellent,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Onlymakehaste.'
"AssoonasRowsbyWoofhadgone,El-ahrairahandRabscuttlewentquicklythroughthelaurels,roundtheendofthefenceandalongtothebackdoor.El-ahrairahpulledtheclothoutoftheholeabovethedrainwithhis
teethandledthewayintothekitchen.
"Thekitchenwasaswarmasthisbankandatoneendwasagreatpileofvegetablesreadyforthehrududuinthemorning--cabbages,brusselssproutsandparsnips.Theywerethawedoutandthedelicioussmellwasquite
overpowering.El-ahrairahandRabscuttlebeganatonce
tomakeamendsforthepastdaysoffrozengrassandtreebark.
"'Good,faithfulfellow,'saidEl-ahrairahwithhismouthfull.'HowgratefulhewillbetotheQueenforkeepinghimwaiting.Hewillbeabletoshowherthefullextentofhisloyalty,won'the?Haveanotherparsnip,Rabscuttle.'
"Meanwhile,downatthecrossroads,RowsbyWoofwaitedeagerlyinthefrost,listeningforthecomingofQueenDripslobber.Afteralongtimeheheardfootsteps.Theywerenotthestepsofadogbutofaman.Astheycamenear,herealizedthattheywerethestepsofhisownmaster.Hewastoostupidtorunawayorhide,butmerelyremainedwherehewasuntilhismaster--who
wasreturninghome--cameuptothecrossroads.
"'Why,RowsbyWoof,'saidhismaster,'whatareyoudoinghere?'
"RowsbyWooflookedfoolishandnosedabout.Hismasterwaspuzzled.Thenathoughtcametohim.
"'Why,goodoldchap,'hesaid,'youcametomeetme,
didyou?Goodfellow,then!Comeon,we'llgohometogether.'
"RowsbyWooftriedtoslipaway,buthismastergrabbedhimbythecollar,tiedhimbyabitofstringhehadinhispocketandledhimhome.
"TheirarrivaltookEl-ahrairahbysurprise.Itfact,hewassobusystuffingcabbagethatheheardnothing
until
thedoorhandlerattled.HeandRabscuttlehadonlyjusttimetoslipbehindapileofbasketsbeforethemancame
in,leadingRowsbyWoof.RowsbyWoofwasquietanddejectedanddidnotevennoticethesmellofrabbit,which
anywaywasallmixedup
withthesmellofthefireandthelarder.Helayonthematwhilethemanmadesome
sortofdrinkforhimself.
"El-ahrairahwaswatchinghischancetodashoutoftheholeinthewall.Buttheman,ashesatdrinkingand
puffingawayatawhitestick,suddenlylookedroundandgotup.Hehadnoticed
thedraftcominginthroughtheopenhole.Totherabbits'horror,hepickedupasackandpluggedtheholeupverytightlyindeed.Thenhefinishedhisdrink,madeupthefireandwentawaytosleep,leavingRowsbyWoofshutinthekitchen.Evidentlyhethoughtittoocoldtoturnhimoutforthenight.
"AtfirstRowsbyWoofwhinedandscratchedatthe
door,butafteratimehecamebacktothematbythefireandlaydown.El-ahrairahmovedveryquietlyalongthewalluntilhewasbehindabigmetalboxinthecornerunderthesink.Thereweresacksandoldpapershere,too,andhefeltfairlysurethatRowsbyWoofcouldnotmanagetoseebehindit.AssoonasRabscuttlehadjoinedhim,hespoke.
"'ORowsbyWoof!'whisperedEl-ahrairah.
"RowsbyWoofwasupinaflash.
"'FairyWogdog!'hecried.'IsthatyouIhear?'
"'Itisindeed,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Iamsorryforyourdisappointment,RowsbyWoof.YoudidnotmeettheQueen.'
"'Alas,no,'saidRowsbyWoof:andhetoldwhathadhappenedatthecrossroads.
"'Nevermind,'saidEl-ahrairah.Donotbedownhearted,RowsbyWoof.TherewasgoodreasonwhytheQueendidnotcome.Shereceivednewsofdanger--ah,greatdanger,RowsbyWoof!--andavoideditintime.Imyselfamhereattheriskofmyownsafetytowarnyou.
YouareluckyindeedthatIamyourfriend,forotherwiseyourgoodmastermusthavebeenstrickenwithmortalplague.'
"'Withplague?'criedRowsbyWoof.'Oh,how,goodfairy?'
"'ManyfairiesandspiritsthereareintheanimalkingdomsoftheEast,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Somearefriends
andtherearethose--maymisfortunestrikethemdown--whoareourdeadlyenemies.Worstofthemall,RowsbyWoof,isthegreatratspirit,thegiantofSumatra,thecurseofHamelin.HedaresnotopenlyfightournobleQueen,butheworksbystealth,bypoison,bydisease.Soonafteryouleftme,Ilearnedthathehassenthishatefulratgoblinsthroughtheclouds,carryingsickness.
IwarnedtheQueen;butstillIremainedhere,RowsbyWoof,towarnyou.Ifthesicknessfalls--andthegoblinsareverynear--itwillharmnotyou,butyourmasteritwillslay--andme,too,Ifear.Youcansavehim,andyoualone.Icannot.'
"'Oh,horror!'criedRowsbyWoof.'Thereisnotimetobelost!WhatmustIdo,FairyWogdog?'
"'Thesicknessworksbyaspell,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Butifarealdogoffleshandbloodcouldrunfourtimesroundthehouse,barkingasloudlyashecould,thenthespellwouldbebrokenandthesicknesswouldhavenopower.Butalas!Iforgot!Youareshutin,RowsbyWoof.Whatistobedone?Ifearthatallislost!'
"'No,no!'saidRowsby
Woof.'Iwillsaveyou,FairyWogdog,andmydearmaster,too.Leaveittome!'
"RowsbyWoofbegantobark.Hebarkedtoraisethedead.Thewindowsshook.Thecoalfellinthegrate.Thenoisewasterrifying.Theycouldhearthemanupstairs,shoutingandcursing.StillRowsbyWoofbarked.Themancamestampingdown.Heflungopenthewindow
andlistenedforthieves,buthecouldhearnothing,partlybecausetherewasnothingtohearandpartlybecauseoftheceaselessbarking.Atlasthepickeduphisgun,flungopenthedoorandwentcautiouslyouttoseewhatwasthematter.OutshotRowsbyWoof,bellowinglikeabull,landtorearoundthehouse.Themanfollowedhimatarun,leavingthedoorwide.
"'Quick!'saidEl-ahrairah.'QuickerthanWogdogfromtheTartar'sbow!Comeon!'
"El-ahrairahandRabscuttledashedintothegardenanddisappearedthroughthelaurels.Inthefieldbeyondtheypausedforamoment.Frombehindcamethesoundsofyelpingandwoofing,mixedwithshoutsandangrycriesof'Come'ere,damnyou!'
"'Noblefellow,'saidEl-ahrairah.'Hehassavedhismaster,Rabscuttle.Hehassavedusall.Letusgohomeandsleepsoundinourburrow.'
"FortherestofhislifeRowsbyWoofneverforgotthenightwhenhehadwaitedforthegreatDogQueen.True,itwasadisappointment,butthis,hefelt,wasasmallmatter,
comparedwiththerecollectionofhisownnobleconductandofhowhehadsavedbothhismasterandthegoodfairyWogdogfromthewickedratspirit."
42.NewsatSunset
Youwillbesuretoprovethattheactisunjustandhatefultothegods?
Yes,indeed,Socrates;at
least,iftheywilllistentome.
Plato,Euthyphro
Ashecametotheendofhisstory,DandelionrememberedthathewassupposedtoberelievingAcornassentry.Thepostwasalittlewayaway,neartheeasterncornerofthewood,andHazel--whowantedtoseehowBoxwoodandSpeedwellweregettingon
withaholetheyweredigging--wentwithDandelionalongthefootofthebank.Hewasjustgoingdownthenewholewhenhenoticedthatsomesmallcreaturewaspatteringaboutinthegrass.Itwasthemousethathehadsavedfromthekestrel.Pleasedtoseethathewasstillsafeandsound,Hazelturnedbacktohaveawordwithhim.Themouserecognizedhimandsatup,
washinghisfacewithhisfrontpawsandchatteringeffusively.
"Isagoodadays,ahotadays.Youlike?Plentyforeata,keepawarmisanotrouble.Downinabottomahillisaharvest.Igoforacorna,butisalongaway.Itinkayougoaway,isanotalongayoucomeaback,yes?"
"Yes,"saidHazel,"alotofuswentaway,butwefoundwhatwewerelookingforandnowwe'vecomebackforgood."
"Isagood.Isalotsofrabbitsanow,keepagrassashort."
"Whatdifferencedoesitmaketohimifthegrassisshort?"saidBigwig,who,withBlackavar,waslolloping
andnibblingcloseby."Hedoesn'teatit."
"Isagoodaforgetabout,youknow?"saidthemouseinafamiliartonewhichmadeBigwigshakehisearswithirritation."Isarunalongthequeek--butisanoseedsafromashortagrass.Nowisawarrenahereandnowatodayisanewarabbitsacome,soonisanotherwarrenamore.Newrabbitsisayour
friendsatoo?"
"Yes,yes,allfriends,"saidBigwig,turningaway."TherewassomethingIwantedtosay,Hazel,aboutthenewbornrabbits,whenthey'rereadytocomeaboveground."
Hazel,however,hadremainedwherehewas,lookingintentlyatthemouse.
"Waitamoment,Bigwig,"
hesaid."Whatdidyousay,mouse,aboutanotherwarren?Whereistheregoingtobeanotherwarren?"
Themousewassurprised."Younotaknow?Notayourfriends?"
"Idon'tknowuntilyoutellme.Whatdidyoumeanaboutnewrabbitsandanotherwarrensoon?"Histonewasurgentandinquisitive.
Themousebecamenervousand,afterthemannerofhiskind,begantosaywhathethoughttherabbitswouldliketohear.
"Maybeisanowarren.Isaplentygoodarabbits'ere,isallamyfriends.Isanomorerabbits.Notaforwantotherrabbits."
"Butwhatotherrabbits?"persistedHazel.
"No,sir.No,sir,nootherrabbits,isanotagoforsoonarabbits,allstay'erearemyfriends,asaveameaverygoodamylife,zen'owcanIifashemekme?"twitteredthemouse.
Hazelconsideredthislotbriefly,butitbeathim.
"Oh,comeon,Hazel,"saidBigwig."Letthepoorlittlebeastalone.Iwanttotalkto
you."
Hazelignoredhim.Goingclosetothemouse,hebenthisheadandspokequietlyandfirmly.
"You'veoftensaidyou'reourfriend,"hesaid."Ifyouare,tellme,anddon'tbeafraid,whatyouknowaboutotherrabbitscoming."
Themouselooked
confused.Thenhesaid,"Inotseeotherrabbits,sir,butamybrother'esayyellowhammersayisanewrabbits,plenty,plentyrabbits,cometocombeoveronamorningside.Maybeisalotsarubbish.Itellyouawrong,younolikeamouseformore,notafriendamore."
"No,that'sallright,"saidHazel."Don'tworry.Justtellmeagain.Wheredidthebird
saythesenewrabbitswere?"
"'Esayisacomejustanowonamorningside.Inotasee."
"Goodfellow,"saidHazel."That'sveryhelpful."Heturnedbacktotheothers."Whatd'youmakeofthis,Bigwig?"heasked.
"Notmuch,"answeredBigwig."Long-grassrumors.
Theselittlecreaturessayanythingandchangeitfivetimesaday.AskhimagainfuInlé--he'lltellyousomethingelse."
"Ifyou'reright,thenI'mwrongandwecanallforgetit,"saidHazel."ButI'mgoingtogettothebottomofthis.Someonemustgoandsee.I'dgomyself,butI'vegotnospeedwiththisleg."
"Well,leaveitfortonight,anyway,"saidBigwig."Wecan--"
"Someonemustgoandsee,"repeatedHazelfirmly."Agoodpatroller,too.Blackavar,goandgetHollyforme,willyou?"
"I'mhere,asithappens,"saidHolly,whohadcomealongthetopofthebankwhileHazelwasspeaking.
"What'sthetrouble,Hazel-rah?"
"There'sarumorofstrangersonthedown,onthemorningside,"repliedHazel,"andIwishIknewmore.CanyouandBlackavarrunoverthatway--say,asfarasthetopofthecombe--andfindoutwhat'sgoingon?"
"Yes,ofcourse,Hazel-rah,"saidHolly."Ifthere
reallyaresomeotherrabbitsthere,we'dbetterbringthembackwithus,hadn'twe?Wecoulddowithafewmore."
"Itdependswhotheyare,"saidHazel."That'swhatIwanttofindout.Goatonce,Holly,willyou?Somehowitworriesmenottoknow."
HollyandBlackavarhadhardlysetoffwhenSpeedwellappearedabove
ground.Hehadanexcited,triumphantlookwhichattractedeveryone'sattentionimmediately.HesquattedinfrontofHazelandlookedroundhiminsilence,tomakesureofhiseffect.
"You'vefinishedthehole?"askedHazel.
"Nevermindthehole,"answeredSpeedwell."Ididn'tcomeuptosaythat.Clover's
hadherlitter.Allgood,healthykittens.Threebucksandthreedoes,shesays."
"You'dbettergoupinthebeechtreeandsingthat,"saidHazel."Seethateverybodyknows!Buttellthemnottogocrowdingdowndisturbingher."
"Ishouldn'tthinktheywould,"saidBigwig."Who'dbeakittenagain,oreven
wanttoseeone--blindanddeafandnofur?"
"Someofthedoesmaywanttoseethem,"saidHazel."They'reexcited,youknow.Butwedon'twantCloverdisturbedintoeatingthemoranythingmiserablelikethat."
"Itlooksasthoughwereallyaregoingtoliveanaturallifeagainatlast,doesn'tit?"saidBigwig,as
theybrowsedtheirwayalongthebank."Whatasummerit'sbeen!IkeepdreamingI'mbackinEfrafa,youknow;butit'llpassoff,Isuppose.OnethingIbroughtbackoutofthatplace,though,andthat'sthevalueofkeepingawarrenhidden.Aswegetbigger,Hazel,weoughttotakecareofthat.We'lldobetterthanEfrafa,though.Whenwe'vereachedtherightsize,rabbitscanbeencouragedtoleave."
"Well,don'tyouleave,"saidHazel,"orI'lltellKehaartobringyoubackbythescruffoftheneck.I'mrelyingonyoutoproduceusareallygoodOwsla."
"It'scertainlysomethingtolookforwardto,"saidBigwig."Takeapackofyoungfellowsacrosstothefarmandchasethecatsoutofthebarntogetanappetite.Well,it'llcome.Isay,this
grassisasdryashorsehaironbarbedwire,isn'tit?Whataboutarundownthehilltothefields--justyouandIandFiver?Corn'sbeencut,youknow,andthereshouldbegoodpickings.Iexpectthey'regoingtoburnoffthefield,buttheyhaven'tdoneityet."
"No,wemustwaitabit,"saidHazel."IwanttohearwhatHollyandBlackavar
havetosaywhentheycomein."
"Thatneedn'tkeepyoulong,"repliedBigwig."Heretheycomealready,unlessI'mmuchmistaken.Straightdowntheopentrack,too!Notbotheredaboutkeepinghidden,arethey?Whataratethey'regoing!"
"There'ssomethingwrong,"saidHazel,staringat
theapproachingrabbits.
HollyandBlackavarreachedthelongshadowofthewoodattopspeed,asthoughtheywerebeingpursued.Thewatchersexpectedthemtoslowdownastheycametothebank,buttheykeptstraightonandappearedactuallytobegoingtorununderground.AtthelastmomentHollystopped,lookedabouthimand
stampedtwice.Blackavardisappeareddownthenearesthole.Atthestamping,alltherabbitsabovegroundranforcover.
"Here,waitaminute,"saidHazel,pushingpastPipkinandHawkbitastheycameacrossthegrass."Holly,what'sthealarm?Tellussomething,insteadofstampingtheplacetopieces.What'shappened?"
"Gettheholesfilledin!"gaspedHolly."Geteveryoneunderground!There'snotamomenttolose."Hiseyesrolledwhiteandhepantedfoamoverhischin.
"Isitmen,orwhat?There'snothingtobeseen,heardorsmelled.Comeon,tellussomethingandstopgibbering,there'sagoodchap."
"It'llhavetobequick,then,"saidHolly."Thatcombe--it'sfullofrabbitsfromEfrafa."
"FromEfrafa?Fugitives,doyoumean?"
"No,"saidHolly,"notfugitives.Campion'sthere.WeranrightintohimandthreeorfourmorethatBlackavarrecognized.IbelieveWoundwort'sthere
himself.They'vecomeforus--don'tmakeanymistakeaboutthat."
"You'resureit'smorethanapatrol?"
"I'mcertain,"answeredHolly."Wecouldsmellthem;andweheardthem,too--belowusinthecombe.Wewonderedwhatsomanyrabbitscouldbedoingthereandweweregoingdownto
seewhenwesuddenlycamefacetofacewithCampion.WelookedathimandhelookedatusandthenIrealizedwhatitmustmeanandweturnedandran.Hedidn'tfollowus--probablybecausehe'dhadnoorders.Buthowlongwillittakethemtogethere?"
Blackavarhadreturnedfromunderground,bringingSilverandBlackberry.
"Weoughttoleaveatonce,sir,"hesaidtoHazel."Wemightbeabletogetquitealongwaybeforetheycome."
Hazellookedabouthim."Anyonewhowantstogocango,"hesaid."Ishan't.WemadethiswarrenourselvesandFrithonlyknowswhatwe'vebeenthroughonaccountofit.I'mnotgoingtoleaveitnow."
"NeitheramI,"saidBigwig."IfI'mfortheBlackRabbit,there'soneortwofromEfrafawillcomewithme."
Therewasashortsilence.
"Holly'srighttowanttostoptheholes,"wentonHazel."It'sthebestthingtodo.Wefilltheholesin,goodandthorough.Thentheyhavetodigusout.Thewarren's
deep.It'sunderabank,withtreerootsallthroughitandoverthetop.Howlongcanallthoserabbitsstayonthedownwithoutattractingelil?They'llhavetogiveitup."
"Youdon'tknowtheseEfrafans,"saidBlackavar."MymotherusedtotellmewhathappenedatNutleyCopse.Itwouldbebettertogonow."
"Well,goon,then,"answeredHazel."I'mnotstoppingyou.AndI'mnotleavingthiswarren.It'smyhome."HelookedatHyzenthlay,heavywithyoung,whowassittinginthemouthofthenearestholeandlisteningtothetalk."Howfardoyouthinkshe'llget?AndClover--doweleaveherorwhat?"
"No,wemuststay,"said
Strawberry."IbelieveEl-ahrairahwillsaveusfromthisWoundwort;andifhedoesn't,I'mnotgoingbacktoEfrafa,I'lltellyouthat."
"Fillintheholes,"saidHazel.
Asthesunset,therabbitsfelltoclawingandscrabblingintheruns.Thesideswerehardwiththehotweather.Itwasnoteasytogetstarted,
andwhenthesoilbegantofall,itwaslightandpowderyanddidlittletoblocktheholes.ItwasBlackberrywhohitupontheideaofworkingoutwardfrominsidetheHoneycombitself,scratchingdowntheceilingsoftherunswheretheycameintothemeetinghallandblockingtheholesbybreakingtheundergroundwallsintothem.Onerun,leadingupintothewood,wasleftopenfor
comingandgoing.ItwastheonewhereKehaarusedtoshelterandthelobbyatthemouthwasstillclutteredwithguano.AsHazelpassedtheplace,itoccurredtohimthatWoundwortdidnotknowthatKehaarhadleftthem.Hedugoutasmuchofthemessashecouldandscattereditabout.Then,astheworkwentonbelow,hesquattedonthebankandwatchedthedarkeningeasternskyline.
Histhoughtswereverysad.Indeed,theyweredesperate.Althoughhehadspokenresolutelyinfrontoftheothers,heknewonlytoowellhowlittlehopetherewasofsavingthewarrenfromtheEfrafans.Theyknewwhattheyweredoing.Nodoubttheyhadtheirmethodsofbreakingintoaclosedwarren.Itwasthefaintestofchancesthatelilwoulddispersethem.MostoftheThousandhunted
rabbitsforfood.Astoatorafoxtookarabbitandtooknomoreuntilitwasreadytohuntagain.ButtheEfrafanswereaccustomedtoadeathhereandthere.UnlessGeneralWoundworthimselfwerekilled,theywouldstayuntilthejobwasdone.Nothingwouldstopthem,shortofsomeunexpectedcatastrophe.
Butsupposethathe
himselfweretogoandtalktoWoundwort?Mighttherenotjustpossiblybeachanceofgettinghimtoseesense?WhateverhadhappenedatNutleyCopse,theEfrafanscouldnotfighttothefinishagainstrabbitslikeBigwig,HollyandSilverwithoutlosinglives--probablyagoodmanylives.Woundwortmustknowthis.Perhapsitmightnotbetoolate,evennow,topersuadehimtoagreetoa
newplan--aplanthatwouldbeasgoodforonewarrenastheother.
"Andperhapsitmightbe,"thoughtHazelgrimly."Butit'sapossiblechanceandsoI'mafraidtheChiefRabbithasgottotakeit.Andsincethissavagebruteisprobablynottobetrusted,IsupposetheChiefRabbitmustgoalone."
HereturnedtotheHoneycombandfoundBigwig.
"I'mofftotalktoGeneralWoundwort,ifIcangetholdofhim,"hesaid."You'reChiefRabbituntilIcomeback.Keepthematit."
"But,Hazel,"saidBigwig,"waitamoment.It'snotsafe--"
"Ishan'tbelong,"saidHazel."I'mjustgoingtoaskhimwhathe'supto."
Amomentlaterhewasdownthebankandlimpingupthetrack,pausingfromtimetotimetositupandlookabouthimforanEfrafanpatrol.
43.TheGreatPatrol
Whatistheworld,Osoldiers?
ItisI.
I,thisincessantsnow,
Thisnorthernsky;
Soldiers,thissolitude
Throughwhichwego
IsI.
WalterdelaMare,Napoleon
Whenthepuntfloateddowntheriverintherain,partofGeneralWoundwort'sauthoritywentwithit.HecouldnothaveappearedmoreopenlyandcompletelyatalossifHazelandhiscompanionshadflownawayoverthetrees.Untilthatverymomenthehadshownupstrongly,amostformidable
adversary.HisofficershadbeendemoralizedbyKehaar'sunexpectedattack.Hehadnot.Onthecontrary,hehadkeptupthepursuitinspiteofKehaarandhadactuallycarriedoutaschemetocutoffthefugitives'retreat.Cunningandresourcefulinadversity,hehadnearlysucceededinhurtingthegullwhenheleapedathimoutoftheclosecoverbytheplankbridge.Then,whenhehadhis
quarrycorneredinaplacewhereKehaarcouldnothavedoneagreatdealtohelpthem,theyhadsuddenlyshowntheirowncunninggreaterthanhis,andlefthimbewilderedonthebank.Hehadoverheardtheveryword--tharn--spokenbyoneofhisofficerstoanotherastheyreturnedtoEfrafathroughtherain.Thlayli,BlackavarandthedoesoftheNearHindhadvanished.Hehadtriedtostop
themandhehadconspicuouslyfailed.
ForagreatpartofthatnightWoundwortremainedawake,consideringwhatwasbesttobedone.ThefollowingdayhecalledaCouncilmeeting.HepointedoutthatitwouldbenogoodtakinganexpeditiondowntherivertolookforThlayliunlessitwerestrongenoughtodefeathimifitfoundhim.
ThatwouldmeantakingseveralofficersandanumberoftheOwsla.Therewouldbetheriskoftroubleathomewhiletheywereaway.Theremightbeanotherbreak-out.TheoddswerethattheywouldnotfindThlayliatall,fortherewouldbenotrailandtheydidnotknowwheretosearchforhim.Iftheydidnotfindhim,theywouldlookevenbiggerfoolswhentheycameback.
"Andfoolswelooknow,"saidWoundwort."Makenomistakeaboutthat.VervainwilltellyouwhattheMarksaresaying--thatCampionwaschasedintotheditchbythewhitebirdandThlaylicalleddownlightningfromtheskyandFrithknowswhatbesides."
"Thebestthing,"saidoldSnowdrop,"willbetosayaslittleaboutitaspossible.Let
itblowover.They'vegotshortmemories."
"There'sonethingIthinkworthdoing,"saidWoundwort."WeknownowthattherewasoneplacewherewedidfindThlayliandhisgang,onlynobodyrealizeditatthetime.ThatwaswhenMallowwasafterthemwithhispatrol,justbeforehewaskilledbythefox.Somethingtellsmethat
wheretheywereonce,therethey'llbeagain,soonerorlater.
"Butwecanhardlystayouttherewithenoughrabbitstofightthem,sir,"saidGroundsel,"anditwouldmeandigginginandlivingthereforsometime."
"Iagreewithyou,"repliedWoundwort."Apatrolwillbestationedtherecontinuously
untilfurthernotice.They'lldigscrapesandlivethere.They'llberelievedeverytwodays.IfThlaylicomes,he'stobewatchedandfollowedsecretly.Whenweknowwherehe'stakenthedoes,thenwemaybeabletodealwithhim.AndI'lltellyouthis,"heended,glaringroundatthemwithhisgreat,paleeyes."Ifwedofindoutwhereheis,Ishallbereadytogotoagreatdealoftrouble.Itold
ThlayliI'dkillhimmyself.Hemayhaveforgottenthat,butIhaven't."
Woundwortledthefirstpatrolinperson,takingGroundseltoshowhimwhereMallowhadpickedupthestrangers'southwardtrail.TheydugscrapesamongthescrubalongtheedgeofCaesar'sBeltandwaited.Aftertwodaystheirhopeswerelower.Vervainrelieved
Woundwort.HewasrelievedtwodayslaterbyCampion.BythistimetherewerecaptainsintheOwslawhosaidprivatelytoeachotherthattheGeneralwasinthegripofanobsession.Somewaywouldhavetobefoundofgettinghimtodropitbeforeitwenttoofar.AttheCouncilmeetingthenexteveningitwassuggestedthatthepatrolshouldbediscontinuedintwodays'
time.Woundwort,snarling,toldthemtowaitandsee.Anargumentbegan,behindwhichhesensedmoreoppositionthanhehadeverencounteredbefore.Inthemiddleofthis,withadramaticeffectthatcouldnothavebeenbettertimedfromtheGeneral'spointofview,Campionandhispatrolcamein,deadbeat,withthereportthattheyhadmetThlayliandhisrabbitsexactlywhere
Woundworthadsaidtheywould.Unseen,theyhadfollowedthemtothewarren,which,thoughalongwayoff,wasnottoodistanttobeattacked,especiallysincenotimewouldhavetobespentinsearchingforit.Itdidnotappeartobeverylargeandcouldprobablybesurprised.
ThenewsputanendtoalloppositionandbroughtbothCouncilandOwslaback
underWoundwort'sundisputedcontrol.Severaloftheofficerswereforstartingatonce,butWoundwort,nowthathewassureofhisfollowersandhisenemy,tookhistime.HavinglearnedfromCampionthathehadactuallycomefacetofacewithThlayli,Blackavarandtherest,hedecidedtowaitsomelittlewhile,incasetheymightbeontheirguard.Besides,hewantedtimeboth
toreconnoiterthewaytoWatershipandtoorganizetheexpedition.Hisideawasthat,ifpossible,theyshouldmakethejourneyinoneday.Thiswouldforestallanypossiblerumorsoftheirapproach.Tosatisfyhimselfthattheycoulddothisandstillbefittofightwhentheyarrived,hetookCampionandtwoothers,andhimselfcoveredthethreeandahalfmilestothedowneastofWatership.Here,he
graspedatoncethebestwaytoapproachthebeechhangerwithoutbeingseenorsmelled.Theprevailingwindwaswesterly,asatEfrafa.TheywouldarriveateveningandthenassembleandrestinthecombesouthofCannonHeathDown.AssoonastwilightfellandThlayliandhisrabbitshadgoneunderground,theywouldcomealongtheridgeandattackthewarren.Withluck,
therewouldbenowarningwhatever.TheywouldbesafeforthenightinthecapturedwarrenandthefollowingdayhehimselfandVervainwouldbeabletoreturntoEfrafa.Theremainder,underCampion,couldhaveaday'srestandthenmaketheirwaybackwiththedoesandanyotherprisonerstheremightbe.Thewholethingcouldbefinishedinthreedays.
Itwouldbebestnottotaketoomanyrabbits.Anyonenotstrongenoughtogothedistanceandthenfightwouldonlybeanuisance.Intheevent,speedmightturnouttobeeverything.Theslowerthejourney,themoredangerousitwouldbe,andstragglerswouldattractelilanddiscouragetherest.Besides,asWoundwortverywellknew,hisleadershipwasgoingtobevital.Everyrabbit
wouldneedtofeelthathewasclosetotheGeneral;andifhefelthimselfoneofapickedbandaswell,thatwouldbealltothegood.
Therabbitstogowerechosenmostcarefully.Therewereinfactabouttwenty-sixor-sevenofthem,halfOwslaandtherestpromisingyoungstersrecommendedbytheirMarkofficers.Woundwortbelievedin
emulationandheletitbeknownthattherewouldbeplentyofchancestowinrewards.CampionandChervilwerekeptbusytakingoutendurancepatrols,andtusslesandtrainingfightswereorganizedatmorningsilflay.Themembersoftheexpeditionwereexcusedallsentrydutiesandallowedtosilflaywhenevertheywished.
Theystartedbeforedawn
oneclearAugustmorning,goingduenorthingroupsalongthebanksandhedges.BeforetheyhadreachedtheBelt,Groundsel'spartywasattackedbyapairofstoats,oneoldandtheotherayearling.Woundwort,hearingthesquealingfrombehindhim,coveredthedistanceinafewmomentsandsetupontheveteranstoatwithslashingteethandgreatkicksfromhisneedle-clawedback
paws.Withoneofitsforelegsrippedtotheshoulder,itturnedandmadeoff,theyoungeronefollowing.
"Yououghttobeabletoseetothesethingsyourself,"saidWoundworttoGroundsel."Stoatsaren'tdangerous.Comeon."
Shortlyafterni-Frith,Woundwortwentbacktopickupstragglers.Hefound
three,oneinjuredbyapieceofglass.Hestoppedthebleeding,broughtthethreeuptorejointheirgroupsandthencalledahalttorestandfeed,himselfkeepingawatchroundabout.Itwasveryhotandsomeoftherabbitswereshowingsignsofexhaustion.Woundwortformedtheseintoaseparategroupandtookchargeofithimself.
Bytheearlyevening--
aboutthesametimeasDandelionwasbeginningthestoryofRowsbyWoof--theEfrafanshadskirtedanenclosureofpigseastofCannonHeathFarmandwereslippingintothecombesouthofCannonHeathDown.Manyweretiredand,inspiteoftheirtremendousrespectforWoundwort,therewasacertainfeelingthattheyhadcomealongwayfromhome.Theywereorderedtotake
cover,feed,restandwaitforsunset.
Theplacewasdeserted,exceptforyellowhammersandafewmicepatteringaboutinthesun.Someoftherabbitswenttosleepinthelonggrass.TheslopewasalreadyinshadowwhenCampioncamerunningdownwiththenewsthathehadcomefacetofacewithBlackavarandHollyinthe
upperpartofthecombe.
Woundwortwasannoyed."Whatmadethemcometraipsingoverhere,Iwonder?"hesaid."Couldn'tyouhavekilledthem?Nowwe'velostsurprise."
"I'msorry,sir,"saidCampion."Iwasn'treallyalertatthetimeandI'mafraidtheywereabittooquickforme.Ididn'tpursuethem
becauseIwasn'tsurewhetheryou'dwantmeto."
"Well,itmaynotmakemuchdifference,"saidWoundwort."Idon'tseewhattheycando.Butthey'lltrytodosomething,Isuppose,nowtheyknowwe'rehere."
Ashewentamonghisrabbits,lookingthemoverandencouragingthem,Woundwortconsideredthe
situation.Onethingwasclear--therewasnolongerthechanceofcatchingThlayliandtherestofftheirguard.Butperhapstheywerealreadysomuchfrightenedthattheywouldnotfightatall?Thebucksmightgiveupthedoestosavetheirownlives.Ortheymightalreadybeontherun,inwhichcasetheymustbefollowedandcaughtatonce,fortheywerefreshandhisownrabbits
weretiredandcouldnotpursuethemfar.Heoughttofindoutquickly.HeturnedtoayoungrabbitoftheNeckMarkwhowasfeedingcloseathand.
"Yourname'sThistle,isn'tit?"heasked.
"Thistle,sir,"answeredtherabbit.
"Well,you'rethevery
fellowIwant,"saidWoundwort."GoandfindCaptainCampionandtellhimtomeetmeuptherebythatjuniper--doyouseewhereImean?--atonce.You'dbettercomethere,too.Bequick:there'snotimetolose."
AssoonasCampionandThistlehadjoinedhim,Woundworttookthemuptotheridge.Hemeanttoseewhatwashappeningoverat
thebeechhanger.Iftheenemywerealreadyinflight,ThistlecouldbesentbackwithamessagetoGroundselandVervaintobringeveryoneupimmediately.Iftheywerenot,hewouldseewhatthreatscoulddo.
Theyreachedthetrackabovethecombeandbegantomaketheirwayalongitwithsomecaution,sincethesunsetwasintheireyes.The
lightwestwindcarriedafreshsmellofrabbits.
"Iftheyarerunning,theyhaven'tgonefar,"saidWoundwort."ButIdon'tthinktheyarerunning.Ithinkthey'restillintheirwarren."
Atthatmomentarabbitcameoutofthegrassandsatupinthemiddleofthetrack.Hepausedforafewmoments
andthenmovedtowardthem.Hewaslimpingandhadastrained,resolutelook.
"You'reGeneralWoundwort,aren'tyou?"saidtherabbit."I'vecometotalktoyou."
"DidThlaylisendyou?"askedWoundwort.
"I'mafriendofThlayli,"repliedtherabbit."I'vecome
toaskwhyyou'rehereandwhatitisyouwant."
"Wereyouontheriverbankintherain?"saidWoundwort.
"Yes,Iwas."
"Whatwasleftunfinishedtherewillbefinishednow,"saidWoundwort."Wearegoingtodestroyyou."
"Youwon'tfinditeasy,"repliedtheother."You'lltakefewerrabbitshomethanyoubrought.Weshouldbothdobettertocometoterms."
"Verywell,"saidWoundwort."Thesearetheterms.YouwillgivebackallthedoeswhoranfromEfrafaandyouwillhandoverthedesertersThlayliandBlackavartomyOwsla."
"No,wecan'tagreetothat.I'vecometosuggestsomethingaltogetherdifferentandbetterforusboth.Arabbithastwoears;arabbithastwoeyes,twonostrils.Ourtwowarrensoughttobelikethat.Theyoughttobetogether--notfighting.Weoughttomakeotherwarrensbetweenus--startonebetweenhereandEfrafa,withrabbitsfrombothsides.Youwouldn'tloseby
that,you'dgain.Webothwould.Alotofyourrabbitsareunhappynowandit'sallyoucandotocontrolthem,butwiththisplanyou'dsoonseeadifference.Rabbitshaveenoughenemiesasitis.Theyoughtnottomakemoreamongthemselves.Amatingbetweenfree,independentwarrens--whatdoyousay?"
Atthatmoment,inthesunsetonWatershipDown,
therewasofferedtoGeneralWoundworttheopportunitytoshowwhetherhewasreallytheleaderofvisionandgeniuswhichhebelievedhimselftobe,orwhetherhewasnomorethanatyrantwiththecourageandcunningofapirate.Foronebeatofhispulsethelamerabbit'sideashoneclearlybeforehim.Hegraspeditandrealizedwhatitmeant.Thenext,hehadpusheditawayfromhim.The
sundippedintothecloudbankandnowhecouldseeclearlythetrackalongtheridge,leadingtothebeechhangerandthebloodshedforwhichhehadpreparedwithsomuchenergyandcare.
"Ihaven'ttimetositheretalkingnonsense,"saidWoundwort."You'reinnopositiontobargainwithus.There'snothingmoretobesaid.Thistle,gobackandtell
CaptainVervainIwanteveryoneuphereatonce."
"Andthisrabbit,sir,"askedCampion."ShallIkillhim?"
"No,"repliedWoundwort."Sincethey'vesenthimtoaskourterms,he'dbettertakethemback.--GoandtellThlaylithatifthedoesaren'twaitingoutsideyourwarren,withhimandBlackavar,bythetimeIgetdownthere,I'll
tearthethroatoutofeverybuckintheplacebyni-Frithtomorrow."
Thelamerabbitseemedabouttoreply,butWoundworthadalreadyturnedawayandwasexplainingtoCampionwhathewastodo.Neitherofthembotheredtowatchthelamerabbitashelimpedbackbythewayhehadcome.
44.AMessagefromEl-ahrairah
Theenforcedpassivityoftheirdefence,theinterminablewaiting,becameinsupportable.Dayandnighttheyheardthemuffledthudofthepicksaboveanddreamtofthecollapseofthegrottoandofeveryghastlyeventuality.Theyweresubjectto"castle-mentality"
initsmostextremeform.
RobinFedden,CrusaderCastles
"They'vestoppeddigging,Hazel-rah,"saidSpeedwell."AsfarasIcantell,there'snooneinthehole."
IntheclosedarknessoftheHoneycomb,Hazelpushedpastthreeorfourofhisrabbitscrouchingamongthe
treerootsandreachedthehighershelfwhereSpeedwelllaylisteningforsoundsfromabove.TheEfrafanshadreachedthehangeratearlytwilightandatoncebegunasearchalongthebanksandamongthetreestofindouthowbigthewarrenwasandwhereitsholeswere.Theyhadbeensurprisedtofindsomanyholesinsuchasmallarea,fornotmanyofthemhadhadexperienceofany
warrenbutEfrafa,whereveryfewholesservedtheneedsofmanyrabbits.Atfirsttheyhadsupposedthattheremustbealargenumberofrabbitsunderground.Thesilenceandemptinessoftheopenbeechwoodmadethemsuspicious,andmostkeptoutside,nervousofanambush.Woundworthadtoreassurethem.Theirenemies,heexplained,werefoolswhomademorerunsthanany
properlyorganizedwarrenneeded.Theywouldsoondiscovertheirmistake,foreveryonewouldbeopened,untiltheplacebecameimpossibletodefend.Asforthedroppingsofthewhitebird,scatteredinthewood,itwasplainthattheywereold.Therewerenosignswhateverthatthebirdwasanywherenear.Nevertheless,manyoftherankandfilecontinuedtolookcautiouslyaboutthem.
Atthesuddencryofapeewitonthedown,oneortwoboltedandhadtobebroughtbackbytheirofficers.ThestoryofthebirdwhichhadfoughtforThlayliinthestormhadlostnothinginthetellingupanddowntheburrowsofEfrafa.
WoundworttoldCampiontopostsentriesandkeepapatrolroundabout,whileVervainandGroundsel
tackledtheblockedholes.Groundselsettoworkalongthebank,whileVervainwentintothewood,wherethemouthsoftheholeslaybetweenthetreeroots.Hecameatonceupontheopenrun.Helistened,butallwasquiet.Vervain(whowasmoreusedtodealingwithprisonersthanwithenemies)orderedtwoofhisrabbitstomaketheirwaydownit.Thediscoveryofthesilent,open
rungavehimthehopethathemightbeabletoseizethewarrenbyasuddendashtotheverycenter.Thewretchedrabbits,obeyinghisorders,weremetbySilverandBuckthornatapointwheretherunopenedout.Theywerecuffedandmauledandbarelygotoutwiththeirlives.ThesightofthemdidnothingtoencourageVervain'sparty,whowerereluctanttodigandmadelittleheadwayduring
thedarknessbeforemoonrise.
Groundsel,whofeltthatheoughttosetanexample,himselfdughiswayintotheloose,fallensoilofoneofthebankruns.Plowingoverthesoftearthlikeaflyonsummerbutterandholdinghisheadclear,hesuddenlyfoundhimselffacetofacewithBlackavar,whosankhisfrontteethintohisthroat.Groundsel,withnofreedom
tousehisweight,screamedandkickedoutasbesthecould.BlackavarhungonandGroundsel--aheavyrabbit,likealltheEfrafanofficers--draggedhimforwardashortdistancebeforehecouldridhimselfofhisgrip.Blackavarspatoutamouthfuloffurandjumpedclear,clawingwithhisfrontpaws.ButGroundselhadalreadygone.Hewasluckynottohavebeenmoreseverelywounded.
ItbecamecleartoWoundwortthatitwasgoingtobeextremelydifficult,ifnotimpossible,totakethewarrenbyattackdownthedefendedruns.Therewouldbeagoodchanceofsuccessifseveralrunscouldbeopenedandthentackledatthesametime,buthedoubtedwhetherhisrabbitswouldattemptit,afterwhattheyhadseen.Herealizedthathehadnotgivenenoughthought,
earlieron,towhathewouldhavetodoifhelostsurpriseandhadtoforceanentry:hehadbettergiveitsomethoughtnow.Asthemoonrose,hecalledCampioninandtalkeditoverwithhim.Campion'ssuggestionwasthattheyshouldsimplystarvethewarrenout.Theweatherwaswarmanddryandtheycouldeasilystaytwoorthreedays.ThisWoundwortrejectedimpatiently.Inhis
ownmind,hewasnotaltogethercertainthatdaylightmightnotbringthewhitebirddownuponthem.Theyoughttobeundergroundbydawn.But,apartfromthissecretanxiety,hefeltthathisreputationdependedonafightingvictory.HehadbroughthisOwslatogetattheserabbits,knockthemdownandbeatthem.Asiegewouldbeamiserableanti-climax.Also,
hewantedtogetbacktoEfrafaassoonashecould.Likemostwarlords,hewasneververyconfidentaboutwhatwasgoingonbehindhisback.
"IfIrememberrightly,"hesaid,"afterthemainpartofthewarrenatNutleyCopsewastakenandthefightingwasasgoodasover,therewereafewrabbitswhoshutthemselvesintoasmaller
burrowwhereitwasdifficulttogetatthem.IsaidtheyweretobedealtwithandthenIwentbacktoEfrafawiththeprisoners.Howweretheydealtwithandwhodidit,doyouknow?"
"CaptainMallowdidit,"saidCampion."He'sdead,ofcourse;butIexpectthere'ssomeoneherewhowaswithhim.I'llgoandfindout."
Hereturnedwithaheavy,stolidOwslasentrynamedRagwort,whoatfirsthadsomedifficultyinunderstandingwhatitwasthattheGeneralwantedtoknow.Atlast,however,hesaidthatwhenhehadbeenwithCaptainMallow,morethanayearago,theCaptainhadtoldthemtodigaholestraightdownintotheground.Intheendtheearthhadgivenwayunderthemandtheyhad
fallendownamongsomerabbits,whomtheyhadfoughtandbeaten.
"Well,that'sabouttheonlywayitcanbedone,"saidWoundworttoCampion."Andifwegetthemallontoit,relievingeachotherinshifts,weshouldhaveawayintotheplacebeforedawn.You'dbettergetyoursentriesoutagain--notmorethantwoorthree--andwe'llmakea
startatonce."
Soonafter,Hazelandhisrabbits,belowintheHoneycomb,heardthefirstsoundsofscratchingabove.Itwasnotlongbeforetheyrealizedthatthediggingwasgoingonattwopoints.OnewasatthenorthendoftheHoneycomb,abovetheplacewherethetreerootsformedakindofcloisterintheburrow.Heretheroof,latticed
throughandthroughwithfineroots,wasverystrong.TheotherseemedtobemoreorlessabovetheopencenteroftheHoneycomb,butrathernearertothesouthend,wherethehallbrokeupintobaysandrunswithcolumnsofearthbetween.Beyondtheserunslayseveralofthewarren'sburrows.One,linedwithfurtornfromherownbelly,containedCloverandthepileofgrassandleaves,
coveredoverwithearth,inwhichhernewbornlitterweresleeping.
"Well,weseemtobeputtingthemtoagreatdealoftrouble,"saidHazel."That'salltothegood.It'llblunttheirclawsandIshouldthinkthey'llbetiredoutbeforethey'vedone.Whatdoyoumakeofit,Blackberry?"
"I'mafraidit'sabad
lookout,Hazel-rah,"repliedBlackberry."It'struethey'reintroubleupatthetopend.There'salotofgroundaboveusthereandtherootswillholdthemupforalongtime.Butdownthisendit'seasierforthem.They'reboundtodigthroughfairlysoon.Thentheroofwillcomein;andIcan'tseethatwecandoanythingtostopthem."
Hazelcouldfeelhim
tremblingashespoke.Asthesoundsofdiggingcontinued,hesensedfearspreadingallthroughtheburrow."They'lltakeusbacktoEfrafa,"whisperedVilthuriltoThethuthinnang."Thewarrenpolice--"
"Bequiet,"saidHyzenthlay."Thebucksaren'ttalkinglikethatandwhyshouldwe?I'dratherbeherenow,asweare,thannever
haveleftEfrafa."
Itwasbravelysaid,butHazelwasnottheonlyonewhocouldtellherthoughts.BigwigrememberedthenightinEfrafawhenhehadcalmedherbytalkingofthehighdownsandthecertaintyoftheirescape.Inthedark,henuzzledHazel'sshoulderandpressedhimovertoonesideofthewideburrow.
"Listen,Hazel,"hesaid,"we'renotfinishedyet.Notbyalongway.Whentheroofbreaks,they'llcomedownintothisendoftheHoneycomb.Butwecangeteverybodybackintothesleepingburrowsbehindandblocktherunsthatleadtothem.They'llbenobetteroff."
"Well,ifwedothat,it'lllastabitlonger,"saidHazel.
"Butthey'llsoonbeabletobreakintothesleepingburrows,oncethey'reinhere."
"They'llfindmetherewhentheydo,"saidBigwig,"andoneortwomorebesides.Ishouldn'twonderiftheydidn'tdecidetogohome."
Withakindofwryenvy,HazelrealizedthatBigwig
wasactuallylookingforwardtomeetingtheEfrafanassault.Heknewhecouldfightandhemeanttoshowit.Hewasnotthinkingofanythingelse.Thehopelessnessoftheirchanceshadnoimportantplaceinhisthoughts.Eventhesoundofthedigging,cleareralready,onlysethimthinkingofthebestwaytosellhislifeasdearlyashecould.Butwhatelsewasthereforanyofthem
todo?AtleastBigwig'spreparationswouldkeeptheothersbusyandperhapsdosomethingtodispelthesilentfearthatfilledallthewarren.
"You'requiteright,Bigwig,"hesaid."Let'spreparealittlereception.WillyoutellSilverandtheotherswhatyouwantandgetthemstarted?"
AsBigwigbeganto
explainhisplantoSilverandHolly,HazelsentSpeedwelltothenorthendoftheHoneycombtolistentothediggingandkeepreportingwhathecouldmakeoutaboutitsprogress.Asfarashecouldsee,itwouldmakelittledifferencewhethertheroof-fallcamethereorinthecenter,butatleastheoughttotrytoshowtheothersthathewaskeepinghiswitsabouthim.
"Wecan'tbreakthesewallsdowntostoptherunbetween,Bigwig,"saidHolly."Theyholdtheroofupatthisend,youknow."
"Iknowthat,"answeredBigwig."We'lldigintothewallsofthesleepingburrowsbehind.They'llneedtobebiggeranyway,ifwe'reallgoingtogetintheretogether.Thenkickthelooseearthbackintothespacesbetween
thecolumns.Stopthewholethingrightup."
SincehehadcomeoutofEfrafa,Bigwig'sstandingwasveryhigh.Seeinghimingoodheart,theotherssetasidetheirfearasbesttheycouldanddidashetoldthem,enlargingtheburrowsbeyondthesouthendoftheHoneycombandpilingupthesoftearthintheentryrunsuntilwhathadbeena
colonnadebegantobecomeasolidwall.ItwasduringapauseinthisworkthatSpeedwellreportedthatthediggingabovethenorthendhadstopped.Hazelwentandcrouchedbesidehim,listeningforsometime.Therewasnothingtobeheard.HewentbacktowhereBuckthornsatguardingthefootofthesingleopenrun--Kehaar'srun,asitwascalled.
"Youknowwhat'shappened?"hesaid."They'verealizedthey'reallamongthebeechrootsupthere,sothey'vechuckedit.They'llbegoingharderattheotherendnow."
"Isupposeso,Hazel-rah,"repliedBuckthorn.Afteralittlehesaid,"D'youremembertheratsinthebarn?Wegotoutofthatallright,didn'twe?ButI'm
afraidweshan'tgetoutofthis.It'sapity,afterallwe'vedonetogether."
"Yes,weshall,"saidHazel,withalltheconvictionhecouldmuster.Butheknewthatifhestayedhewouldnotbeabletokeepupthepretense.Buckthorn--adecent,straightforwardfellowifevertherewasone--wherewouldhebebyni-Frithtomorrow?Andhehimself--
wherehadheledthem,withallhiscleverschemes?Hadtheycomeoverthecommon,amongtheshiningwires,throughthethunderstorm,theculvertsonthegreatriver,todieattheclawsofGeneralWoundwort?Itwasnotthedeaththeydeserved;itwasnottherightendoftheclevertracktheyhadrun.ButwhatcouldstopWoundwort?Whatcouldsavethemnow?Nothing,heknew--unless
sometremendousblowweretofallupontheEfrafansfromoutside:andofthattherewasnochance.HeturnedawayfromBuckthorn.
Scratch,scratch:scratch,scratchcamethesoundofthediggingabove.Crossingthefloorinthedark,Hazelfoundhimselfbesideanotherrabbit,whowascrouchingsilentlyonthenearsideofthenew-piledwall.Hestopped,
sniffing.ItwasFiver.
"Aren'tyouworking?"heaskedlistlessly.
"No,"repliedFiver."I'mlistening."
"Tothedigging,youmean?"
"No,notthedigging.There'ssomethingI'mtryingtohear--somethingtheothers
can'thear.OnlyIcan'theariteither.Butit'sclose.Deep.Leaf-drift,deep.I'mgoingaway,Hazel--goingaway."Hisvoicegrewslowanddrowsy."Falling.Butit'scold.Cold."
Theairinthedarkburrowwasstifling.HazelbentoverFiver,pushingthelimpbodywithhisnose.
"Cold,"mutteredFiver.
"How--how.How--howcold!"
Therewasalongsilence.
"Fiver?"saidHazel."Fiver?Canyouhearme?"
SuddenlyaterriblesoundbrokefromFiver;asoundatwhicheveryrabbitinthewarrenleapedindreadfulfear;asoundthatnorabbithadevermade,thatnorabbit
hadthepowertomake.Itwasdeepandutterlyunnatural.Therabbitsworkingonthefarsideofthewallcrouchedterrified.Oneofthedoesbegantosqueal.
"Dirtylittlebeasts,"yelpedFiver."How--howdareyou?Getout--out!Out--out!"
Bigwigburstthroughthepiledearth,twitchingandpanting.
"InthenameofFrith,stophim!"hegasped."They'llallgomad!"
Shuddering,HazelclawedatFiver'sside.
"Wake!Fiver,wake!"
ButFiverwaslyinginadeepstupor.
InHazel'smind,greenbrancheswerestraininginthe
wind.Upanddowntheyswayed,threshandply.Therewassomething--somethinghecouldglimpsebetweenthem.Whatwasit?Waterhesensed;andfear.Thensuddenlyhesawclearly,foraninstant,alittlehuddleofrabbitsonthebankofastreamatdawn,listeningtothesoundofyelpinginthewoodaboveandthescoldingofajay.
"IfIwereyou,Ishouldn'twaituntilni-Frith.Ishouldgonow.Infact,Ithinkyou'llhaveto.There'salargedoglooseinthewood.There'salargedoglooseinthewood."
Thewindblew,thetreesshooktheirmyriadsofleaves.Thestreamwasgone.HewasintheHoneycomb,facingBigwiginthedark,acrossthemotionlessbodyofFiver.Thescratchingfromabovewas
louderandcloser.
"Bigwig,"saidHazel,"doasIsayatonce,there'sagoodfellow.We'vegothardlyanytime.GoandgetDandelionandBlackberryandbringthemtomeatthefootofKehaar'srun,quickly."
AtthefootoftherunBuckthornwasstillinhisplace.Hehadnotmovedat
Fiver'scry,buthisbreathwasshortandhispulseveryquick.HeandtheotherthreerabbitsgatheredaboutHazelwithoutaword.
"I'vegotaplan,"saidHazel."Ifitworks,it'llfinishWoundwortforgoodandall.ButI'venotimetoexplain.Everymomentcountsnow.DandelionandBlackberry,youcomewithme.You'retogostraightupoutofthisrun
andthroughthetreestothedown.Thennorthward,overtheedgeanddowntothefields.Don'tstopforanything.You'llgofasterthanIshall.Waitformebytheirontreeatthebottom."
"ButHazel--"saidBlackberry.
"Assoonaswe'vegone,"saidHazel,turningtoBigwig,"you'retoblockthisrunand
geteveryonebackbehindthewallyou'vemade.Iftheybreakin,holdthemupaslongasyoucan.Don'tgiveintothemonanyaccount.El-ahrairahhasshownmewhattodo."
"Butwhereareyougoing,Hazel?"askedBigwig.
"Tothefarm,"saidHazel,"tognawanotherrope.Now,youtwo,followmeupthe
run:anddon'tforget,youstopfornothinguntilyou'redownthehill.Iftherearerabbitsoutside,don'tfight--run."
Withoutanotherwordhedashedupthetunnelandoutintothewood,withBlackberryandDandeliononhisheels.
45.NuthangerFarmAgain
CryHavoc!Andletslipthedogsofwar.
Shakespeare,JuliusCaesar
AtthatmomentGeneralWoundwort,outontheopengrassbelowthebank,wasfacingThistleandRagwortinthecheckeredyellowmoonlightofthesmallhours.
"Youweren'tputatthemouthofthatruntolisten,"
hesaid."Youwereputtheretostopanyonebreakingout.Youhadnobusinesstoleaveit.Getbackatonce."
"Igiveyoumyword,sir,"saidThistlequerulously,"there'ssomeanimaldowntherethatisnotarabbit.Webothheardit."
"Anddidyousmellit?"askedWoundwort.
"No,sir.Notracksordroppingseither.Butwebothheardananimalanditwasnorabbit."
Severalofthediggershadlefttheirworkandweregatherednearby,listening.Amutteringbegan.
"TheyhadahombathatkilledCaptainMallow.Mybrotherwasthere.Hesawit."
"Theyhadagreatbirdthatturnedintoashaftoflightning."
"Therewasanotheranimalthattookthemawaydowntheriver."
"Whycan'twegohome?"
"Stopthat!"saidWoundwort.Hewentuptothegroup."Whosaidthat?You,wasit?Verywell,go
home.Goon,hurryup.I'mwaiting.That'stheway--overthere."
Therabbitdidnotmove.Woundwortlookedslowlyround.
"Right,"hesaid."Anyoneelsewhowantstogohomecangetonwithit.It'sanicelongwayandyou'llhavenoofficers,becausethey'llallbebusydigging,including
myself.CaptainVervain,CaptainGroundsel,willyoucomewithme?You,Thistle,gooutthereandfetchCaptainCampion.Andyou,Ragwort,getbacktothemouthofthatrunyouhadnobusinesstoleave."
Verysoonthediggingwasresumed.Theholewasdeepnow--deeperthanWoundworthadexpectedandstilltherewasnosignofafall.Butall
threerabbitscouldsensethatnotfarbelowthemtherelayahollowspace.
"Keepatit,"saidWoundwort."Itwon'ttakelongnow."
WhenCampioncamein,hereportedthathehadseenthreerabbitsrunningawayoverthedowntothenorth.Oneappearedtobethelamerabbit.Hehadbeenaboutto
pursuethembuthadreturnedinresponsetotheorderbroughtbyThistle.
"Itdoesn'tmatter,"saidWoundwort."Letthemgo.There'llbethreelesswhenwegetin.What,youagain?"hesnapped,asRagwortappearedbesidehim."Whatisitthistime?"
"Theopenrun,sir,"saidRagwort."It'sbeenbrokenin
andstoppedfromdownbelow."
"Thenyoucanstartdoingsomethinguseful,"saidWoundwort."Getthatrootout.No,thatone,youfool."
Thediggingcontinued,asthefirststreaksoflightbegantocomeintotheeast.
***
Thegreatfieldatthefootoftheescarpmenthadbeenreaped,butthestrawhadnotyetbeenburnedandlayinlongpalerowsuponthedarkerstubble,tentingoverthebristlingstalksandtheweedsofharvest--knotgrassandpimpernel,fluellenandspeedwell,heartseaseandpersicary--colorlessandstillintheoldmoonlight.Betweenthelinesofstrawtheexpanseofstubblewasas
openasthedown.
"Now,"saidHazel,astheycameoutfromthebeltofhawthornanddogwoodwherethepylonstood,"areyoubothsureyouunderstandwhatwe'regoingtodo?"
"It'satallorder,isn'tit,Hazel-rah?"answeredDandelion."Butwe'vegottotryit,that'scertain.There'snothingelsethat'llsavethe
warrennow."
"Comeon,then,"saidHazel."Thegoing'seasy,anyway--halfasfarnowthefield'sbeencut.Don'tbotheraboutcover--justrunintheopen.Keepwithme,though.I'llgoasfastasIcan."
Theycrossedthefieldeasilyenough,Dandelionrunningahead.Theonlyalarmcamewhenthey
startledfourpartridges,whichwhirredawayoverthehedgetothewestandsaileddown,spread-winged,intothefieldbeyond.SoontheyreachedtheroadandHazelhaltedamongthequicksetontopofthenearerbank.
"Now,Blackberry,"hesaid,"thisiswhereweleaveyou.Liecloseanddon'tmove.Whenthetimecomes,don'tbreaktoosoon.You've
gotthebestheadofanyofus.Useit--andkeepit,too.Whenyougetback,gotogroundinKehaar'srunandstaytheretillthingsaresafe.Haveyougotyourlineclear?"
"Yes,Hazel-rah,"repliedBlackberry."But,asfarasIcansee,Imayhavetorunfromheretotheirontreewithoutacheck.There'snocover."
"Iknow,"saidHazel."Itcan'tbehelped.Iftheworstcomestotheworst,you'llhavetoturnforthehedgeandthenkeeppoppinginandoutofit.Dowhateveryoulike.There'snotimeforustostayandworkitout.Onlymakesureyougetbacktothewarren.Italldependsonyou."
Blackberryburrowedhiswayintothemossandivy
roundthebaseofthethorn.Theothertwocrossedtheroadandmadeuphilltowardtheshedsbesidethelane.
"Goodrootstheykeepthere,"saidHazel,astheypassedthemandreachedthehedge."Pitywe'venotimejustnow.Whenthisisoverwe'llhaveanice,quietraidontheplace."
"Ihopewedo,Hazel-rah,"
saidDandelion."Areyougoingstraightupthelane?Whataboutcats?"
"It'sthequickestway,"saidHazel."That'sallthatmattersnow."
Bythistimethefirstlightwasclearandseverallarkswereup.Astheyapproachedthegreatringofelmtrees,theyheardoncemorethequicksighingandrustling
abovethemandoneyellowleafcamespinningdowntotheedgeoftheditch.Theyreachedthetopoftheslopeandsawbeforethemthebarnsandthefarmyard.Bird-songwasbreakingoutallroundandtherookswerecallingfromhighintheelms,butnothing--notevenasparrow--movedontheground.Straightinfront,ontheothersideofthefarmyard,closetothehouse,
stoodthedogkennel.Thedogwasnottobeseen,buttherope,tiedtotheeyeboltontheflatroof,trailedovertheedgeanddisappearedacrossthestraw-coveredthreshold.
"We'reintime,"saidHazel."Thebrute'sstillasleep.Now,Dandelion,youmustn'tmakeanymistake.Youlieinthegrassjustthere,oppositethekennel.When
therope'sgnawedthroughyou'llseeitfall.Unlessthedog'sillordeaf,it'llbealertbythen;probablybefore,I'mafraid,butthat'smylookout.It'suptoyoutoattractitandmakeitchaseyouallthewaydowntotheroad.You'reveryfast.Takecareitdoesn'tloseyou.Usethehedgesifyouwantto;butrememberit'llbetrailingtherope.GetitdowntoBlackberry.That'sallthatmatters."
"Ifweevermeetagain,Hazel-rah,"saidDandelion,ashetookcoverinthegrassverge,"weoughttohavethemakingsofthebeststoryever."
"Andyou'llbethechaptotellit,"saidHazel.Hemovedawayinahalf-circletothemorningsideandreachedthewallofthefarmhouse.Thenhebegantohopcautiouslyalongthewall,inandoutof
thenarrowflowerbed.Hisheadwasatumultofsmells--phloxinbloom,ashes,cowdung,dog,cat,hens,stagnantwater.Hecametothebackofthekennel,reekingofcreosoteandofrankstraw.Ahalf-usedbaleofstrawstoodagainstit--nodoubtcleanbeddingwhich,inthedryweather,hadnotbeenputbackundercover.Hereatleastwasonepieceofluck,forhehadexpectedtohave
troubleingettingontheroof.Hescrambledupthestraw.Acrosspartofthefeltedrooflayatornpieceofoldblanket,wetwithdew.Hazelsatup,sniffing,andputhisforepawsonit.Itdidnotslip.Hepulledhimselfup.
Howmuchnoisehadhemade?Howstrongwashisscentoverthetarandstrawandfarmyard?Hewaited,tensetojump,expecting
movementbelow.Therewasnosound.Inaterriblemiasmaofdogsmell,whichgrippedhimwithfearandcalled"Run!Run!"downeverynerve,hecreptforwardtowheretheeyeboltwasscrewedintotheroof.Hisclawsscrapedslightlyandhestoppedagain.Stilltherewasnomovement.Hecroucheddownandbegantonibbleandgnawatthethickcord.
Itwaseasierthanhehadthoughtitwouldbe.Itwasagooddealeasierthanthecordonthepunt,thoughaboutasthick.Thepuntcordhadbeendrenchedthroughwithrain,pliant,slipperyandfibrous.This,thoughdewyontheoutside,wasdry-coredandlight.Inverylittletimethecleaninsidewasshowing.Hischisel-likeforeteethbitsteadilyandhefeltthedrystrandsrip.Thecordwasas
goodashalfthroughalready.
Atthatmomenthefelttheheavyweightofthedogmovebeneathhim.Itstretched,shudderedandyawned.Theropemovedalittleandthestrawrustled.Thefoulsmellofitcamestrong,inacloud.
"Itdoesn'tmatterifithearsmenow,"thoughtHazel."IfonlyIcangettheropebitten
throughquickly,itdoesn'tmatter.Thedog'llgotoDandelion,ifonlyIcanbequickenoughtomakesurethattheropebreakswhenitbeginstotug."
Herippedatthecordagainandsatbackforaquickbreath,lookingacrossthetracktowhereDandelionwaswaiting.Thenhefrozeandstared.AshortdistancebehindDandelion,inthe
grass,wasthewhite-chestedtabby,wide-eyed,taillashing,crouching.IthadseenbothhimselfandDandelion.Ashewatched,itcreptalengthnearer.Dandelionwaslyingstill,watchingthefrontofthekennelintently,ashehadbeentold.Thecattenseditselftospring.
Beforeheknewwhathewasdoing,Hazelstampedonthehollowroof.Twicehe
stampedandthenturnedtoleaptothegroundandrun.Dandelion,reactinginstantly,shotoutofthegrasstotheopengravel.Inthesamemoment,thecatjumpedandlandedexactlywherehehadbeenlying.Thedoggavetwoquick,sharpbarksandrushedoutofthekennel.ItsawDandelionatonceandrantothefullextentoftherope.Theropewenttaut,heldforaninstantandthenpartedat
thepointwhereHazelhadgnawedittoathread.Thekenneljerkedforward,tilted,fellbackandstruckthegroundwithajolt.Hazel,alreadyoffbalance,clawedattheblanket,missedhisfootingandfellovertheedge.Helandedheavilyonhisweaklegandlaykicking.Thedogwasgone.
Hazelstoppedkickingandlaystill.Therewasaspurtof
painalonghishaunch,butheknewthathecouldmove.Herememberedtheraisedfloorofthebarnacrossthefarmyard.Hecouldlimptheshortdistance,getunderthefloorandthenmakehiswaytotheditch.Heraisedhimselfonhisforelegs.
Ontheinstanthewasknockedsidewaysandfelthimselfpresseddown.Therewasalightbutsharppricking
beneaththefuracrosshisback.Helashedoutwithhishindlegs,butstrucknothing.Heturnedhishead.Thecatwasonhim,crouchedhalfacrosshisbody.Itswhiskersbrushedhisear.Itsgreatgreeneyes,thepupilscontractedtoverticalblackslitsinthesunshine,werestaringintohisown.
"Canyourun?"hissedthecat."Ithinknot".
46.BigwigStandsHisGround
Hardpoundingthis,gentlemen.Let'sseewhowillpoundlongest.
TheDukeofWellington(atWaterloo)
GroundselscrambledupthesteepslopeoftheshaftandrejoinedWoundwortin
thepitatthetop.
"There'snothinglefttodig,sir,"hesaid."Thebottomwillfallinifanyonegoesdowntherenow."
"Canyoumakeoutwhat'sbelow?"askedWoundwort."Isitarunoraburrowweshallbeinto?"
"I'mfairlysureit'saburrow,sir,"answered
Groundsel."Infact,itfeelstomeasthoughthere'sanunusuallybigspaceunderneath."
"Howmanyrabbitsareinit,doyouthink?"
"Icouldn'thearanyatall.Buttheymaybekeepingquietandwaitingtoattackuswhenwebreakin."
"Theyhaven'tdonemuch
attackinguptonow,"saidWoundwort."Apoorlot,I'dsay--skulkingunderground,andsomeofthemrunningawayinthenight.Idon'tfancywe'llhavemuchtrouble."
"Unless,sir--"saidGroundsel.
Woundwortlookedathimandwaited.
"Unlessthe--theanimalattacksus,sir,"saidGroundsel."Whateveritis.It'snotlikeRagworttoimagineanything.He'sverystolid.I'monlytryingtothinkahead,"headded,asWoundwortstillsaidnothing.
"Well,"saidWoundwortatlast,"ifthereisananimal,it'llfindoutthatI'mananimal,too."Hecameoutonthebank,whereCampionand
Vervainwerewaitingwithanumberoftheotherrabbits.
"We'vedoneallthehardworknow,"hesaid."We'llbeabletotakeourdoeshomeassoonaswe'vefinisheddownbelow.Thewaywe'llgoaboutitisthis.I'mgoingtobreakthebottomoftheholeinandgostraightdownintotheburrowunderneath.Iwantonlythreeotherstofollow,otherwisethere'llbecomplete
confusionandweshallallbefightingeachother.Vervain,youcomebehindmeandbringtwomore.Ifthere'sanytroublewe'lldealwithit.Groundsel,youfollow.Butyou'retostayintheshaft,understand?Don'tjumpdownuntilItellyou.Whenweknowwhereweareandwhatwe'redoing,youcanbringafewmorein."
Therewasnotarabbitin
theOwslabuthadconfidenceinWoundwort.Astheyheardhimpreparingtogofirstintothedepthsoftheenemywarrenascalmlyasthoughhewerelookingfordandelions,hisofficers'spiritsrose.Itseemedtothemquitelikelythattheplacewouldbegivenupwithoutanyfightingatall.WhentheGeneralhadledthefinalassaultatNutleyCopsehehadkilledthreerabbits
undergroundandnomorehaddaredtoopposehim,althoughtherehadbeensomehardtusslesintheouterrunsthedaybefore.
"Verywell,"saidWoundwort."Now,Idon'twantanyonestrayingaway.Campion,youseetothat.Assoonaswegetoneoftheblockedrunsopenedfrominside,youcanfilltheplaceup.Keepthemtogetherhere
tillIletyouknowandthensendtheminfast."
"Bestofluck,sir,"saidCampion.
Woundwortjumpedintothepit,flattenedhisearsandwentdowntheshaft.Hehadalreadydecidedthathewasnotgoingtostoptolisten.Therewasnopoint,sincehemeanttobreakinatoncewhethertherewasanythingto
beheardornot.ItwasmoreimportantthatheshouldnotseemtohesitateorcauseVervaintodoso;andthattheenemy,iftheywerethere,shouldhavetheshortestpossibletimeinwhichtohearhimcoming.Below,therewouldbeeitherarunoraburrow.Eitherhewouldhavetofightimmediatelyorelsetherewouldfirstbeachancetolookroundandsensewherehewas.Itdidnot
matter.Whatmatteredwasfindingrabbitsandkillingthem.
Hecametothebottomoftheshaft.AsGroundselhadsaid,itwasplainlythin--brittleasiceonapuddle--chalk,pebblesandlightsoil.Woundwortscoreditacrosswithhisforeclaws.Slightlydamp,itheldamomentandthenfellinward,crumbling.Asitfell,Woundwort
followedit.
Hefellaboutthelengthofhisownbody--farenoughtotellhimthathewasinaburrow.Ashelandedhekickedoutwithhishindlegsandthendashedforward,partlytobeoutofVervain'swayashefollowedandpartlytoreachthewallandfaceaboutbeforehecouldbeattackedfrombehind.Hefoundhimselfagainstapile
ofsoftearth--evidentlytheendofablockedrunleadingoutoftheburrow--andturned.AmomentlaterVervainwasbesidehim.Thethirdrabbit,whoeverhewas,seemedtobeindifficulties.Theycouldbothhearhimscrabblinginthefallensoil.
"Overhere,"saidWoundwortsharply.
Therabbit,apowerful,
heavyveteranbythenameofThunder,joinedthem,stumbling.
"What'sthematter?"askedWoundwort.
"Nothing,sir,"answeredThunder,"onlythere'sadeadrabbitontheflooranditstartledmeforamoment."
"Adeadrabbit?"saidWoundwort."Areyousure
he'sdead?Whereishe?"
"Overthere,sir,bytheshaft."
Woundwortcrossedtheburrowquickly.Onthefarsideoftherubblethathadfalleninfromtheshaftwaslyingtheinertbodyofabuck.Hesniffedatitandthenpresseditwithhisnose.
"He'snotbeendeadlong,"
hesaid."He'snearlycoldbutnotstiff.Whatdoyoumakeofit,Vervain?Rabbitsdon'tdieunderground.
"It'saverysmallbuck,sir,"answeredVervain."Didn'tfancytheideaoffightingus,perhaps,andtheotherskilledhimwhenhesaidso."
"No,thatwon'tdo.There'snotascratchonhim.Well,leavehim,anyway.We'vegot
togeton,andarabbitthissizeisn'tgoingtomakeanydifference,deadoralive."
Hebegantomovealongthewall,sniffingashewent.Hepassedthemouthsoftwoblockedruns,cametoanopeningbetweenthicktreerootsandstopped.Theplacewasevidentlyverybig--biggerthantheCouncilburrowatEfrafa.Sincetheywerenotbeingattacked,he
couldturnthespacetohisownadvantagebygettingsomemorerabbitsinatonce.Hewentbackquicklytothefootoftheshaft.Bystandingonhishindlegshecouldjustresthisforepawsontheraggedlipofthehole.
"Groundsel?"hesaid.
"Yes,sir?"answeredGroundselfromabove.
"Comeon,"saidWoundwort,"andbringfourotherswithyou.Jumptothisside"--hemovedslightly--"there'sadeadrabbitonthefloor--oneoftheirs."
Hewasstillexpectingtobeattackedatanymoment,buttheplaceremainedsilent.Hecontinuedtolisten,sniffingthecloseair,whilethefiverabbitsdroppedonebyoneintotheburrow.Thenhetook
Groundselovertothetwoblockedrunsalongtheeasternwall.
"Gettheseopenasquickasyoucan,"hesaid,"andsendtworabbitstofindoutwhat'sbehindthetreerootsbeyond.Ifthey'reattackedyou'retogoandjoininatonce."
"Youknow,there'ssomethingstrangeaboutthewallattheotherend,sir,"
saidVervain,asGroundselbegansettinghisrabbitstowork."Mostofit'shardearththat'sneverbeendug.Butinoneortwoplacestherearepilesofmuchsofterstuff.I'dsaythatrunsleadingthroughthewallhavebeenfilledupveryrecently--probablysinceyesterdayevening."
WoundwortandVervainwentcarefullyalongthesouthwalloftheHoneycomb,
scratchingandlistening.
"Ibelieveyou'reright,"saidWoundwort."Haveyouheardanymovementfromtheotherside?"
"Yes,sir,justabouthere,"saidVervain.
"We'llgetthispileofsoftearthdown,"saidWoundwort."Puttworabbitsonit.IfI'mrightandThlayli's
ontheotherside,they'llrunintotroublebeforelong.That'swhatwewant--toforcehimtoattackthem."
AsThunderandThistlebegantodig,Woundwortcrouchedsilentlybehindthem,waiting.
***
EvenbeforeheheardtheroofoftheHoneycombfall
in,BigwigknewthatitcouldbeonlyamatteroftimebeforetheEfrafansfoundthesoftplacesinthesouthwallandsettoworktobreakthroughoneofthem.Thatwouldnottakelong.Thenhewouldhavetofight--probablywithWoundworthimself;andifWoundwortclosedwithhimandusedhisweight,hewouldhavelittlechance.Somehowhemustmanagetohurthimattheoutset,before
heexpectedit.Buthow?
HeputtheproblemtoHolly.
"Thetroubleisthiswarrenwasn'tdugtobedefended,"saidHolly."ThatwaswhattheSlackRunwasfor,backathome,sotheThrearahoncetoldme.Itwasmadesothatifweeverhadto,wecouldgetdownbeneathanenemyandcomeupwherehewasn't
expectingus."
"That'sit!"criedBigwig."That'stheidea!Look,I'mgoingtodigmyselfintotheflooroftherunjustbehindthisblockedopening.Thenyoucovermewithearth.Itwon'tbenoticed--there'ssomuchdiggingandmessintheplacealready.Iknowit'sarisk,butit'llbebetterthanjusttryingtostandupinfrontofarabbitlikeWoundwort."
"Butsupposetheybreakthroughthewallsomewhereelse?"saidHolly.
"Youmusttrytomakethemdoithere,"repliedBigwig."Whenyouhearthemontheotherside,makeanoise--doabitofscratchingorsomething--justabovewhereIam.Anythingtogettheminterested.Comeon,helpmetodig.And,Silver,geteveryonebackoutofthe
Honeycombnowandclosethiswallcompletely."
"Bigwig,"saidPipkin,"Ican'twakeFiver.He'sstilllyingoutthereinthemiddleofthefloor.What'stobedone?"
"I'mafraidthere'snothingwecandonow,"repliedBigwig."It'sagreatpity,butwe'llhavetoleavehim."
"Oh,Bigwig,"criedPipkin,"letmestayouttherewithhim!You'llnevermissme,andIcangoontrying--"
"Hlao-roo,"saidHollyaskindlyashecould,"ifwelosenoonebutFiverbeforethisbusinessisended,thentheLordFrithhimselfwillbefightingforus.No,I'msorry,oldchap,notanotherword.Weneedyou,weneedeveryone.Silver,seethathe
goesbackwiththeothers."
WhenWoundwortdroppedthroughtheroofoftheHoneycomb,Bigwigwasalreadylyingunderathincoveringofsoilontheothersideofthesouthwall,notfarfromClover'sburrow.
***
Thundersankhisteethintoapieceofbrokenrootand
pulleditout.Therewasaninstantfallofearthandagapopenedwherehehadbeendigging.Thesoilnolongerreachedtotheroof.Itwasonlyabroadpileofsoftearth,halffillingtherun.Woundwort,stillwaitingsilently,couldsmellandhearaconsiderablenumberofrabbitsonthefarside.Hehopedthatnowtheymightcomeintotheopenburrowandtrytoattackhim.But
theymadenomove.
Whenitcametofighting,Woundwortwasnotgiventocarefulcalculation.Men,andlargeranimalssuchaswolves,usuallyhaveanideaoftheirownnumbersandthoseoftheenemyandthisaffectstheirreadinesstofightandhowtheygoaboutit.Woundworthadneverhadanyneedtothinklikethis.Whathehadlearnedfromall
hisexperienceoffightingwasthatnearlyalwaystherearethosewhowanttofightandthosewhodonotbutfeeltheycannotavoidit.Morethanoncehehadfoughtaloneandimposedhiswilloncrowdsofotherrabbits.Hehelddownagreatwarrenwiththehelpofahandfulofdevotedofficers.Itdidnotoccurtohimnow--andifithad,hewouldnothavethoughtitmattered--thatmost
ofhisrabbitswerestilloutside;thatthosewhowerewithhimwerefewerthanthoseontheothersideofthewallandthatuntilGroundselhadgottherunsopentheycouldnotgetouteveniftheywantedto.Thissortofthingdoesnotcountamongfightingrabbits.Ferocityandaggressionareeverything.WhatWoundwortknewwasthatthosebeyondthewallwereafraidofhimandthat
onthisaccounthehadtheadvantage.
"Groundsel,"hesaid,"assoonasyou'vegotthoserunsopen,tellCampiontosendeveryonedownhere.Therestofyou,followme.We'llhavethisbusinessfinishedbythetimetheothersgetintojoinus."
WoundwortwaitedonlyforGroundseltobringback
thetworabbitswhohadbeensenttosearchamongthetreerootsatthenorthendoftheburrow.Then,withVervainbehindhim,heclimbedthepileoffallenearthandthrusthiswayintothenarrowrun.Inthedarkhecouldhearandsmelltherustlingandcrowdingofrabbits--bothbucksanddoes--aheadofhim.Thereweretwobucksdirectlyinhispath,buttheyfellbackasheplowed
throughtheloosesoil.Heplungedforwardandfeltthegroundsuddenlyturnbeneathhim.Thenextmomentarabbitstartedupfromtheearthathisfeetandsankhisteethinthepitofhisnearforeleg,justwhereitjoinedthebody.
Woundworthadwonalmosteveryfightofhislifebyusinghisweight.Otherrabbitscouldnotstophim
andoncetheywentdowntheyseldomgotup.Hetriedtopushnow,buthisbacklegscouldgetnopurchaseinthepileofloose,yieldingsoilbehindhim.Herearedupand,ashedidso,realizedthattheenemybeneathhimwascrouchinginascooped-outtrenchthesizeofhisownbody.Hestruckoutandfelthisclawsscoredeeplyalongthebackandhaunch.Thentheotherrabbit,stillkeeping
hisgripunderWoundwort'sshoulder,thrustupwardwithhishindlegsbracedagainstthefloorofthetrench.Woundwort,withbothforefeetofftheground,wasthrownoveronhisbackontheearthpile.Helashedout,buttheenemyhadalreadyloosedhisholdandwasbeyondhisreach.
Woundwortstoodup.Hecouldfeelthebloodrunning
downtheinsideofhisnearforeleg.Themusclewaswounded.Hecouldnotputhisfullweightonit.Buthisownclaws,too,werebloodyandthisbloodwasnothis.
"Areyouallright,sir?"askedVervain,behindhim.
"OfcourseI'mallright,youfool,"saidWoundwort."Followmeclose."
Theotherrabbitspokefrominfrontofhim.
"Youtoldmeoncetostartbyimpressingyou,General.IhopeIhave."
"ItoldyouoncethatIwouldkillyoumyself,"repliedWoundwort,"Thereisnowhitebirdhere,Thlayli."Headvancedforthesecondtime.
Bigwig'staunthadbeendeliberate.HehopedthatWoundwortwouldflyathimandsogivehimachancetobitehimagain.Butashewaited,pressedtotheground,herealizedthatWoundwortwastooclevertobedrawn.Alwaysquicktosizeupanynewsituation,hewascomingforwardslowly,keepingclosetothegroundhimself.Hemeanttousehisclaws.Afraid,listeningto
Woundwort'sapproach,Bigwigcouldheartheunevenmovementofhisforepaws,almostwithinstrikingdistance.Instinctivelyhedrewbackandashedidsothethoughtcamewiththesound:"Thenearforepaw'sdragging.Hecan'tuseitproperly."Leavinghisrightflankexposed,hestruckoutonhisnearside.
Hisclawsfound
Woundwort'sleg,rippingsideways;butbeforehecoulddrawback,Woundwort'swholeweightcamedownonhimandthenextmomenthisteethhadmetinhisrightear.Bigwigsquealed,presseddownandthrashingfromsidetoside.Woundwort,feelinghisenemy'sfearandhelplessness,loosedhisholdoftheearandroseabovehim,readytobiteandtearhimacrossthebackoftheneck.
ForaninstanthestoodabovethehelplessBigwig,hisshouldersfillingtherun.Thenhisinjuredforeleggavewayandhelurchedsidewaysagainstthewall.Bigwigcuffedhimtwiceacrossthefaceandfeltthethirdblowpassthroughhiswhiskersashesprangback.Thesoundofhisheavybreathingcameplainlyfromthetopoftheearthpile.Bigwig,thebloodoozingfromhisbackandear,
stoodhisgroundandwaited.SuddenlyherealizedthathecouldseethedarkshapeofGeneralWoundwortfaintlyoutlinedwherehecrouchedabovehim.ThefirsttracesofdaylightwereglimmeringthroughthebrokenroofoftheHoneycombbehind.
47.TheSkySuspended
Olebullhecomesforme,wi'sheaddown.ButIdidn'tflinch...Iwentfo'e.'Twashimasdidth'flinchin'.
FloraThompson,LarkRise
WhenHazelstamped,Dandelionleapedinstinctivelyfromthegrassverge.Iftherehadbeenaholehewouldhavemadeforit.Forthebriefestinstanthelookedupanddownthe
gravel.Thenthedogwasrushinguponhimandheturnedandmadefortheraisedbarn.Butbeforehereacheditherealizedthathemustnottakerefugeunderthefloor.Ifhedid,thedogwouldcheck:verylikelyamanwouldcallitback.Hehadtogetitoutofthefarmyardanddowntotheroad.Healtereddirectionandracedupthelanetowardtheelms.
Hehadnotexpectedthedogtobesoclosebehindhim.Hecouldhearitsbreathandtheloosegravelflyingunderitspaws.
"It'stoofastforme!"hethought."It'sgoingtocatchme!"Inanothermomentitwouldbeonhimandthenitwouldrollhimover,snappinghisbackandbitingouthislife.Heknewthathares,whenovertaken,dodgeby
turningmorequicklyandneatlythanthepursuingdoganddoublingbackontheirtrack."Ishallhavetodouble,"hethoughtdesperately."ButifIdo,itwillhuntmeupanddownthelaneandthemanwillcallitoff,orelseIshallhavetoloseitbygoingthroughthehedge:thenthewholeplanwillfail."
Hetoreoverthecrestanddowntowardthecattleshed.
WhenHazelhadtoldhimwhathewastodo,ithadseemedtohimthathistaskwouldconsistofleadingthedogonandpersuadingittofollowhim.Nowhewasrunningsimplytosavehislife,andthatataspeedhehadnevertouchedbefore,aspeedheknewhecouldnotkeepup.
InactualfactDandelioncoveredthreehundredyards
tothecattleshedinagooddeallessthanhalfaminute.Butashereachedthestrawattheentranceitseemedtohimthathehadrunforever.Hazelandthefarmyardwerelong,longago.Hehadneverdoneanythinginhislifebutruninterrordownthelane,feelingthedog'sbreathathishaunches.Insidethegateabigratranacrossinfrontofhimandthedogcheckedatitforamoment.Dandelion
gainedthenearestshedandwentheadlongbetweentwobalesofstrawatthefootofapile.Itwasanarrowplaceandheturnedroundonlywithsomedifficulty.Thedogwasimmediatelyoutside,scratchingeagerly,whiningandthrowinguploosestrawasitsniffedalongthefootofthebales.
"Sittight,"saidayoungrat,fromthestrawclose
besidehim."It'llbeoffinaminute.They'renotlikecats,youknow."
"That'sthetrouble,"saidDandelion,pantingandrollingthewhitesofhiseyes."Itmustn'tloseme;andtime'severything."
"What?"saidtherat,puzzled."Whatyousay?"
Withoutanswering,
Dandelionslippedalongtoanothercrack,gatheredhimselfamomentandthenbrokecover,runningacrosstheyardtotheoppositeshed.Itwasopen-frontedandhewentstraightthroughtotheboardingalongtheback.Therewasagapunderthebrokenendofaboardandherehecreptintothefieldbeyond.Thedog,following,thrustitsheadintothegapandpushed,barkingwith
excitement.Graduallythelooseboardleveredopenlikeatrapdooruntilitwasabletoforceitswaythrough.
Nowthathehadabetterstart,Dandelionkeptintheopenandrandownthefieldtothehedgebesidetheroad.Heknewhewasslower,butthedogseemedslower,too.Choosingathickpart,hewentthroughthehedgeandcrossedtheroad.Blackberry
cametomeethim,scutteringdownthefurtherbank.Dandeliondroppedexhaustedintheditch.Thedogwasnottwentyfeetawayontheothersideofthehedge.Itcouldnotfindabigenoughgap.
"It'sfasterthaneverIthought,"gaspedDandelion,"butI'vetakentheedgeoffit.Ican'tdoanymore.Imustgotoground.I'mfinished."
ItwasplainthatBlackberrywasfrightened.
"Frithhelpme!"hewhispered."I'llneverdoit!"
"Goon,quick,"saidDandelion,"beforeitlosesinterest.I'llovertakeyouandhelpifIcan."
Blackberryhoppeddeliberatelyintotheroadandsatup.Seeinghim,thedog
yelpedandthrustitsweightagainstthehedge.Blackberryranslowlyalongtheroadtowardapairofgatesthatstoodoppositeeachotherfurtherdown.Thedogstayedlevelwithhim.Assoonashewassurethatithadseenthegateonitsownsideandmeanttogotoit,Blackberryturnedandclimbedthebank.Outinthestubblehewaitedforthedogtoreappear.
Itwasalongtimecoming;andwhenatlastitpusheditswaybetweenthegatepostandthebankintothefield,itpaidhimnoattention.Itnosedalongthefootofthebank,putupapartridgeandbouncedafteritandthenbegantoscratchaboutinaclumpofdockplants.ForsometimeBlackberryfelttooterrifiedtomove.Then,indesperation,hehoppedslowlytowardit,tryingtoactasthoughhehad
notnoticedthatitwasthere.Itdashedafterhim,butalmostatonceseemedtoloseinterestandreturnedtoitsnosingandsniffingovertheground.Finally,whenhewasutterlyataloss,itsetoffoverthefieldofitsownaccord,paddingeasilyalongbesideoneoftherowsofthreshedstraw,trailingthebrokencordandpouncinginandoutateverysqueakandrustle.Blackberry,shelteringbehind
aparallelrow,keptlevelwithit.Inthismannertheycoveredthedistancetothepylonline,halfwaytothefootofthedown.ItwasherethatDandelioncaughtupwithhim.
"It'snotfastenough,Blackberry!Wemustgeton.Bigwigmaybedead."
"Iknow,butatleastit'sgoingtherightway.Icouldn't
getittomoveatall,tostartwith.Can'twe--"
"It'sgottocomeupthedownatspeedorthere'llbenosurprise.Comeon,we'lldrawittogether.We'llhavetogetaheadofitfirst,though."
Theyranfastthroughthestubbleuntiltheynearedthetrees.Thentheyturnedandcrossedthedog'slineinfull
view.Thistimeitpursuedinstantlyandthetworabbitsreachedtheundergrowthatthebottomofthesteepwithnomorethantenyardstospare.Astheybegantoclimbtheyheardthedogcrashingthroughthebrittleelders.Itbarkedonceandthentheywereoutontheopenslopewiththedogrunningmutebehindthem.
***
ThebloodranoverBigwig'sneckanddownhisforeleg.HewatchedWoundwortsteadilywherehecrouchedontheearthpile,expectinghimtoleapforwardatanymoment.Hecouldheararabbitmovingbehindhim,buttherunwassonarrowthathecouldnothaveturnedevenifithadbeensafetodoso.
"Everyoneallright?"he
asked.
"They'reallright,"repliedHolly."Comeon,Bigwig,letmetakeyourplacenow.Youneedarest."
"Can't,"pantedBigwig."Youcouldn'tgetpastmehere--noroom--andifIgobackthatbrute'llfollow--nextthingyou'dknowhe'dbelooseintheburrows.Youleaveittome.Iknowwhat
I'mdoing."
IthadoccurredtoBigwigthatinthenarrowrunevenhisdeadbodywouldbeaconsiderableobstacle.TheEfrafanswouldeitherhavetogetitoutordigrounditandthiswouldmeanmoredelay.IntheburrowbehindhimhecouldhearBluebell,whowasapparentlytellingthedoesastory."Goodidea,"hethought."Keep'emhappy.
MorethanIcoulddoifIhadtositthere."
"SothenEl-ahrairahsaidtothefox,'Foxyoumaysmellandfoxyoumaybe,butIcantellyourfortuneinthewater.'"
SuddenlyWoundwortspoke.
"Thlayli,"hesaid,"whydoyouwanttothrowyourlife
away?IcansendonefreshrabbitafteranotherintothisrunifIchoose.You'retoogoodtobekilled.ComebacktoEfrafa.IpromiseI'llgiveyouthecommandofanyMarkyoulike.Igiveyoumyword."
"Silflayhraka,uembleerrah,"repliedBigwig.
"'Ahha,'saidthefox,'tellmyfortune,eh?Andwhatdo
youseeinthewater,myfriend?Fatrabbitsrunningthroughthegrass,yes,yes?'"
"Verywell,"saidWoundwort."Butremember,Thlayli,youyourselfcanstopthisnonsensewheneveryouwish."
"'No,'repliedEl-ahrairah,'itisnotfatrabbitsthatIseeinthewater,butswifthoundsonthescentandmyenemy
flyingforhislife.'"
BigwigrealizedthatWoundwortalsoknewthatintherunhisbodywouldbenearlyasgreatahindrancedeadasalive."Hewantsmetocomeoutonmyfeet,"hethought."Butit'sInlé,notEfrafa,thatIshallgotofromhere."
SuddenlyWoundwortleapedforwardinasingle
boundandlandedfullagainstBigwiglikeabranchfallingfromatree.Hemadenoattempttousehisclaws.Hisgreatweightwaspushing,chesttochest,againstBigwig's.Withheadssidebysidetheybitandsnappedateachother'sshoulders.Bigwigfelthimselfslidingslowlybackward.Hecouldnotresistthetremendouspressure.Hisbacklegs,withclawsextended,furrowedthe
flooroftherunashegaveground.Inafewmomentshewouldbepushedbodilyintotheburrowbehind.Puttinghislaststrengthintotheefforttoremainwherehewas,heloosedhisteethfromWoundwort'sshoulderanddroppedhishead,likeacarthorsestrainingataload.Stillhewasslipping.Then,verygraduallyitseemed,theterriblepressurebegantoslacken.Hisclawshadahold
oftheground.Woundwort,teethsunkinhisback,wassnufflingandchoking.ThoughBigwigdidnotknowit,hisearlierblowshadtornWoundwortacrossthenose.Hisnostrilswerefullofhisownblood,andwithjawsclosedinBigwig'sfurhecouldnotdrawhisbreath.Amomentmoreandheletgohishold.Bigwig,utterlyexhausted,laywherehewas.Afterafewmomentshetried
togetup,butafaintnesscameoverhimandafeelingofturningoverandoverinaditchofleaves.Heclosedhiseyes.Therewassilenceandthen,quiteclearly,heheardFiverspeakinginthelonggrass."YouareclosertodeaththanI.YouareclosertodeaththanI."
"Thewire!"squealedBigwig.Hejerkedhimselfupandopenedhiseyes.Therun
wasempty.GeneralWoundwortwasgone.
***
WoundwortclamberedoutintotheHoneycomb,nowdimlylitdowntheshaftbythedaylightoutside.Hehadneverfeltsotired.HesawVervainandThunderlookingathimuncertainly.Hesatonhishaunchesandtriedtocleanhisfacewithhisfront
paws.
"Thlayliwon'tgiveanymoretrouble,"hesaid."You'dbetterjustgoinandfinishhimoff,Vervain,sincehewon'tcomeout."
"You'reaskingmetofighthim,sir?"askedVervain.
"Well,justtakehimonforafewmoments,"answeredWoundwort."Iwanttostart
themgettingthiswalldowninoneortwootherplaces.ThenI'llcomeback."
Vervainknewthattheimpossiblehadhappened.TheGeneralhadcomeoffworst.Whathewassayingwas,"Coverupforme.Don'tlettheothersknow."
"WhatinFrith'snamehappensnow?"thoughtVervain."Theplaintruthis
thatThlayli'shadthebestofitallalong,eversincehefirstmethiminEfrafa.Andthesoonerwe'rebacktherethebetter."
HemetWoundwort'spalestare,hesitatedamomentandthenclimbedontheearthpile.Woundwortlimpedacrosstothetworuns,halfwaydowntheeasternwall,whichGroundselhadbeentoldtogetopen.Both
werenowclearattheentrancesandthediggerswereoutofsightinthetunnels.Asheapproached,Groundselbackeddownthefurthertunnelandbegancleaninghisclawsonaprojectingroot.
"Howareyougettingon?"askedWoundwort.
"Thisrun'sopen,sir,"saidGroundsel,"buttheotherwill
takeabitlonger,I'mafraid.It'sheavilyblocked."
"One'senough,"saidWoundwort,"aslongastheycancomedownit.Wecanbringtheminandstartgettingthatendwalldown."
HewasabouttogouptherunhimselfwhenhefoundVervainbesidehim.Foramomenthethoughtthathewasgoingtosaythathehad
killedThlayli.Asecondglanceshowedhimotherwise.
"I've--er--gotsomegritinmyeye,sir,"saidVervain."I'lljustgetitoutandthenI'llhaveanothergoathim."
WithoutawordWoundwortwentbacktothefarendoftheHoneycomb.Vervainfollowed.
"Youcoward,"saidWoundwortinhisear."Ifmyauthoritygoes,wherewillyoursbeinhalfaday?Aren'tyouthemosthatedofficerinEfrafa?Thatrabbit'sgottobekilled."
Oncemoreheclimbedontheearthpile.Thenhestopped.VervainandThistle,raisingtheirheadstopeerpasthimfrombehind,sawwhy.Thlaylihadmadehis
wayuptherunandwascrouchingimmediatelybelow.Bloodhadmattedthegreatthatchoffuronhishead,andoneear,halfsevered,hungdownbesidehisface.Hisbreathingwasslowandheavy.
"You'llfinditmuchhardertopushmebackfromhere,General,"hesaid.
Withasortofweary,dull
surprise,Woundwortrealizedthathewasafraid.HedidnotwanttoattackThlayliagain.Heknew,withflinchingcertainty,thathewasnotuptoit.Andwhowas?hethought.Whocoulddoit?No,theywouldhavetogetinbysomeotherwayandeveryonewouldknowwhy.
"Thlayli,"hesaid,"we'veunblockedarunouthere.Icanbringinenoughrabbitsto
pulldownthiswallinfourplaces.Whydon'tyoucomeout?"
Thlayli'sreply,whenitcame,waslowandgasping,butperfectlyclear.
"MyChiefRabbithastoldmetodefendthisrunanduntilhesaysotherwiseIshallstayhere."
"HisChiefRabbit?"said
Vervain,staring.
IthadneveroccurredtoWoundwortoranyofhisofficersthatThlayliwasnottheChiefRabbitofhiswarren.Yetwhathesaidcarriedimmediateconviction.Hewasspeakingthetruth.AndifhewasnottheChiefRabbit,thensomewhereclosebytheremustbeanother,strongerrabbitwhowas.AstrongerrabbitthanThlayli.
Wherewashe?Whatwashedoingatthismoment?
WoundwortbecameawarethatThistlewasnolongerbehindhim.
"Where'sthatyoungfellowgone?"hesaidtoVervain.
"Heseemstohaveslippedaway,sir,"answeredVervain.
"Youshouldhavestopped
him,"saidWoundwort."Fetchhimback."
ButitwasGroundselwhoreturnedtohimafewmomentslater.
"I'msorry,sir,"hesaid,"Thistle'sgoneuptheopenedrun.Ithoughtyou'dsenthimorI'dhaveaskedhimwhathewasupto.Oneortwoofmyrabbitsseemtohavegonewithhim--Idon'tknowwhat
for,I'msure."
"I'llgivethemwhatfor,"saidWoundwort."Comewithme."
Heknewnowwhattheywouldhavetodo.Everyrabbithehadbroughtmustbesentundergroundtodigand
everyblockedgapinthewallmustbeopened.AsforThlayli,hecouldsimplybe
leftwherehewasandthelesssaidabouthimthebetter.Theremustbenomorefightinginnarrowruns,andwhentheterribleChiefRabbitfinallyappearedhewouldbepulleddownintheopen,fromallsides.
Heturnedtore-crosstheburrow,butremainedwherehewas,staring.Inthefaintpatchoflightbelowtheraggedholeintheroof,a
rabbitwasstanding--noEfrafan,arabbitunknowntotheGeneral.Hewasverysmallandwaslookingtenselyabouthim--wide-eyedasakittenabovegroundforthefirsttime--asthoughbynomeanssurewherehemightbe.AsWoundwortwatched,heraisedatremblingforepawandpasseditgropinglyacrosshisface.Foramomentsomeold,flickering,here-and-gonefeelingstirredintheGeneral's
memory--thesmellofwetcabbageleavesinacottagegarden,thesenseofsomeeasy-going,kindlyplace,longforgottenandlost.
"Whothedevil'sthat?"askedGeneralWoundwort.
"It--itmustbetherabbitthat'sbeenlyingthere,sir,"answeredGroundsel."Therabbitwethoughtwasdead."
"Oh,isthatit?"saidWoundwort."Well,he'sjustaboutyourmark,isn'the,Vervain?That'soneofthemyoumightbeabletotackle,atallevents.Hurryup,"hesneered,asVervainhesitated,uncertainwhethertheGeneralwereserious,"andcomeonoutassoonasyou'vefinished."
Vervainadvancedslowlyacrossthefloor.Evenhe
couldderivelittlesatisfactionfromtheprospectofkillingatharnrabbithalfhisownsize,inobediencetoacontemptuoustaunt.Thesmallrabbitmadenomovewhatever,eithertoretreatortodefendhimself,butonlystaredathimfromgreateyeswhich,thoughtroubled,werecertainlynotthoseofabeatenenemyoravictim.Beforehisgaze,Vervainstoppedinuncertaintyandforlong
momentsthetwofacedeachotherinthedimlight.Then,veryquietlyandwithnotraceoffear,thestrangerabbitsaid,
"Iamsorryforyouwithallmyheart.Butyoucannotblameus,foryoucametokillusifyoucould."
"Blameyou?"answeredVervain."Blameyouforwhat?"
"Foryourdeath.Believeme,Iamsorryforyourdeath."
Vervaininhistimehadencounteredanynumberofprisonerswho,beforetheydied,hadcursedorthreatenedhim,notuncommonlywithsupernaturalvengeance,muchasBigwighadcursedWoundwortinthestorm.Ifsuchthingshadbeenliabletohaveanyeffectonhim,he
wouldnothavebeenheadoftheOwslafa.Indeed,foralmostanyutterancethatarabbitinthisdreadfulsituationcouldfindtomake,Vervainwasunthinkinglyreadywithoneorotherofastockofjeeringrejoinders.Now,ashecontinuedtomeettheeyesofthisunaccountableenemy--theonlyonehehadfacedinallthelongnight'ssearchforbloodshed--horrorcameuponhimandhewas
filledwithasuddenfearofhiswords,gentleandinexorableasthefallingofbittersnowinalandwithoutrefuge.Theshadowyrecessesofthestrangeburrowseemedfullofwhispering,malignantghostsandherecognizedtheforgottenvoicesofrabbitsdonetodeathmonthssinceintheditchesofEfrafa.
"Letmealone!"criedVervain."Letmego!Letme
go!"
Stumblingandblundering,hefoundhiswaytotheopenedrunanddraggedhimselfupit.AtthetophecameuponWoundwort,listeningtooneofGroundsel'sdiggers,whowastremblingandwhite-eyed.
"Oh,sir,"saidtheyoungster,"theysaythere'sagreatChiefRabbitbigger
thanahare;andastrangeanimaltheyheard--"
"Shutup!"saidWoundwort."Followme,comeon."
Hecameoutonthebank,blinkinginthesunlight.Therabbitsscatteredaboutthegrassstaredathiminhorror,severalwonderingwhetherthiscouldreallybetheGeneral.Hisnoseandone
eyelidweregashedandhiswholefacewasmaskedwithblood.Ashelimpeddownfromthebankhisnearforelegtrailedandhestaggeredsideways.Hescrambledintotheopengrassandlookedabouthim.
"Now,"saidWoundwort,"thisisthelastthingwehavetodo,anditwon'ttakelong.Downbelow,there'sakindofwall."Hestopped,sensingall
aroundhimreluctanceandfear.HelookedatRagwort,wholookedaway.Twootherrabbitswereedgingoffthroughthegrass.Hecalledthemback.
"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"heasked.
"Nothing,sir,"repliedone."Weonlythoughtthat--"
AllofasuddenCaptain
Campiondashedroundthecornerofthehanger.Fromtheopendownbeyondcameasingle,highscream.Atthesamemomenttwostrangerabbits,runningtogether,leapedthebankintothewoodanddisappeareddownoneoftheblockedtunnels.
"Run!"criedCampion,stamping."Runforyourlives!"
Heracedthroughthemandwasgoneoverthedown.Notknowingwhathemeantorwheretorun,theyturnedonewayandanother.Fivebolteddowntheopenedrunandafewmoreintothewood.Butalmostbeforetheyhadbeguntoscatter,intotheirmidstboundedagreatblackdog,snapping,bitingandchasinghitherandthitherlikeafoxinachickenrun.
Woundwortalonestoodhisground.Astherestfledinalldirectionsheremainedwherehewas,bristlingandsnarling,bloody-fangedandbloody-clawed.Thedog,comingsuddenlyuponhimfacetofaceamongtheroughtussocks,recoiledamoment,startledandconfused.Thenitsprangforward;andevenastheyran,hisOwslacouldheartheGeneral'sraging,squealingcry,"Comeback,
youfools!Dogsaren'tdangerous!Comebackandfight!"
48.DeaexMachina
AndasIwasgreenandcarefree,famousamongthebarns
Aboutthehappyyardandsingingasthefarmwashome,
Inthesunthatisyoungonceonly...
DylanThomas,FernHill
WhenLucywoke,theroomwasalreadylight.Thecurtainswerenotdrawnandthepaneoftheopencasementreflectedagleamofsunwhichshecouldloseandfindbymovingherheadonthepillow.Awoodpigeonwascallingintheelms.Butitwas
someothersound,sheknew,thathadwokenher--asharpsound,apartofthedreamwhichhaddrainedaway,asshewoke,likewateroutofawashbasin.Perhapsthedoghadbarked.Butnoweverythingwasquietandtherewasonlytheflashofsunfromthewindowpaneandthesoundofthewoodpigeon,likethefirststrokesofapaintbrushonabigsheetofpaperwhenyouwerestill
notsurehowthepicturewasgoingtogo.Themorningwasfine.Wouldtherebeanymushroomsyet?Wasitworthgettingupnowandgoingdownthefieldtosee?Itwasstilltoodryandhot--notgoodmushroomweather.Themushroomswereliketheblackberries--bothwantedadropofrainbeforethey'dbeanygood.Soonthere'dbedampmorningsandthebigspiderswouldcomeinthe
hedges--theoneswithawhitecrossontheirbacks.JanePocockrunningofftothebackoftheschoolbuswhenshebroughtoneinamatchboxtoshowMissTallant.
Spider,spideronthebus,
SoppyJanethatmadeafuss,
Spidergotth'eleven-plus.
Nowshecouldn'tcatchthereflectioninhereyesanymore.Thesunhadmoved.Whatwasgoingtohappentoday?Thursday--marketdayinNewbury.Dadwouldbegoingin.DoctorwascomingtoseeMum.Doctorhadfunnyglassesthatpinchedonhisnose.They'dmadeamarkeachside.Ifhewasn'tinahurryhe'dtalktoher.Doctorwasabitfunny-likewhenyoudidn'tknowhim,but
whenyoudidhewasnice.
Suddenlytherewasanothersharpsound.Itrippedthroughthestill,earlymorninglikesomethingspilledacrossacleanfloor--asquealing--somethingfrightened,somethingdesperate.Lucyjumpedoutofbedandranacrosstothewindow.Whateveritwas,itwasonlyjustoutside.Sheleanedwellout,withherfeetoffthefloor
andthesillpressingbreathlesslyacrossherstomach.Tabwasdownbelow,rightbythekennel.He'dgotsomething:ratitmustbe,squealinglikethat.
"Tab!"calledLucysharply."Tab!Wha'yougot?"
Atthesoundofhervoicethecatlookedupforamomentandimmediatelylookedbackagainatitsprey.
'T'weren'tnorat,though;'t'wasarabbit,layin'onitssidebythekennel.Itlookedproperbad.Kickingoutan'all.Thenitsquealedagain.
Lucyrandownthestairsinhernightdressandopenedthedoor.Thegravelmadeherhobbleandsheleftitandwentonuptheflowerbed.Asshereachedthekennelthecatlookedupandspatather,keepingonepawpressed
downontherabbit'sneck.
"Gitout,Tab!"saidLucy."Croolthing!Let'nalone!"
Shecuffedthecat,whichtriedtoscratchher,earslaidflat.Sheraisedherhandagainanditgrowled,ranafewfeetandstopped,lookingbackinsulkyrage.Lucypickeduptherabbit.Itstruggledamomentandthenhelditselftenseinherfirm
grip.
"'Oldstill!"saidLucy."Iain'tgoin''urtcher!"
Shewentbacktothehouse,carryingtherabbit.
"Whatyoubinupto,eh?"saidherfather,bootsscratch-scratchoverthetiles."Lookatyorefeet!EnItoldyou--Wha'gotthere,then?"
"Rabbit,"saidLucydefensively.
"Inyernightdressan'all,catchyorebloomin'death.Wha'wantwith'im,then?"
"Gonerkeep'im."
"Youain't!"
"Ah,Dad.'E'snice."
"'Ewon'tbenobloomin'
goodt'yer.Youput'imin'utch'e'llonlydie.Youcan'tkeepwoildrabbit.'Nif'egetsout'e'lldoallmannero'bloomin''arm."
"But'e'sbad,Dad.Cat'sbinat'im."
"Catwasdoin''isjob,then.Didoughter'velet'imfinishberoights."
"Iwannershow'imto
Doctor."
"Doctor'sgotsummin'bettertodothanbideaboutwi'oldrabbit.Youjus'give'im'ere,now."
Lucybegantocry.Shehadnotlivedallherlifeonafarmfornothingandsheknewverywellthateverythingherfatherhadsaidwasright.Butshewasupsetbytheideaofkillingtherabbitincold
blood.True,shedidnotreallyknowwhatshecoulddowithitinthelongrun.WhatshewantedwastoshowittoDoctor.SheknewthatDoctorthoughtofherasaproperfarmgirl--acountrygirl.Whensheshowedhimthingsshehadfound--agoldfinch'segg,aPaintedLadyflutteringinajamjarorafungusthatlookedexactlylikeorangepeel--hetookherseriouslyandtalkedtoherashewould
toagrown-upperson.Toaskhisadviceaboutadamagedrabbitanddiscussitwithhimwouldbeverygrown-up.Meanwhile,herfathermightgivewayorhemightnot.
"Ion'yjustwantedtoshow'imtoDoctor,Dad.Iwon'tlet'imdono'arm,honest.On'yit'snicetalkingtoDoctor."
Althoughheneversaidso,herfatherwasproudofthe
wayLucygotonwithDoctor.Shewasproperbrightkid--verylikelygoin'togrammarschoolan'all,sotheytoldhim.Doctorhadsaidonceortwiceshewasrealsensiblewiththesethingsshepickedupwhatsheshowedhim.Comin'tosomethin',though,bloodyrabbits.Allsame,would'n''urt,long'sshedidn'let'ungoontheplace.
"Whydon'youdo
somethin'sensible,"hesaid,"'steado'bidin'there'ollerin'andcarryin'onlikeyouwasskimmish?Youwantsgo'ngetsomeclozeon,thenyouc'ngo'nput'iminthatoldcagewhat'sinshed.Onewhatyou'adfortheybudgies."
Lucystoppedcryingandwentupstairs,stillcarryingtherabbit.Sheshutitinadrawer,gotdressedandwentouttogetthecage.Onthe
waybackshestoppedforsomestrawfrombehindthekennel.Herfathercameacrossfromthelongbarn.
"Didy'seeBob?"
"Never,"saidLucy."Where's'egone,then?"
"Bust'isropean'off.Iknow'dthatoldropeweregett'nonlike,butIdidn'treckon'ecouldbust'im.
Anyways,Igo'gointoNewburys'mornin'.'F'eturnsupagenyou'dbesttie'imupproper."
"I'lllookoutfer'im,Dad,"saidLucy."I'llge'bi'o'breakfastuptoMumnow."
"Ah,that'sgoodgirl.Ireckonshe'llberight'satrivettomorrer."
DoctorAdamsarrivedsoon
afterten.Lucy,whowasmakingherbedandtidyingherroomlaterthansheshouldhavebeen,heardhimstophiscarundertheelmsatthetopofthelaneandwentouttomeethim,wonderingwhyhehadnotdrivenuptothehouseasusual.Hehadgotoutofthecarandwasstandingwithhishandsbehindhisback,lookingdownthelane,buthecaughtsightofherandcalledinthe
rathershy,abruptwayshewasusedto.
"Er--Lucy."
Sheranup.Hetookoffhispince-nezandputtheminhiswaistcoatpocket.
"Isthatyourdog?"
TheLabradorwascomingupthelane,lookingdecidedlytiredandtrailingitsbroken
rope.Lucylaidholdofit.
"'E'sbinoff,Doctor.'Bineversoworried'bout'im."
TheLabradorbegantosniffatDoctorAdams'shoes.
"Something'sbeenfightingwithhim,Ithink,"saidDoctorAdams."Hisnoseisscratchedquitebadly,andthatlookslikesomekindofabiteonhisleg."
"Whatd'youreckont'was,then,Doctor?"
"Well,itmighthavebeenabigrat,Isuppose,orperhapsastoat.Somethinghewentforthatputupafight."
"Igotarabbits'mornin',Doctor.Woildone.'E'saloive.Itook'unoffo'thecat.On'yIreckone's'urt.Joolikesee'im?"
"Well,I'dbettergoandseeMrs.Canefirst,Ithink."(Not"yourmother,"thoughtLucy.)"AndthenifI'vegottimeI'llhavealookatthechap."
TwentyminuteslaterLucywasholdingtherabbitasquietasshecouldwhileDoctorAdamspresseditgentlyhereandtherewiththeballsoftwofingers.
"Well,theredoesn'tseemtobemuchthematterwithhim,asfarasIcansee,"hesaidatlast."Nothing'sbroken.There'ssomethingfunnyabouthishindleg,butthat'sbeendonesometimeandit'smoreorlesshealed--orasmuchasiteverwill.Thecat'sscratchedhimacrosshere,yousee,butthat'snothingmuch.Ishouldthinkhe'llbeallrightforabit."
"Nogoodtokeep'im,though,Doctor,wouldit?In'utch,Imean."
"Oh,no,hewouldn'tliveshutupinabox.Ifhecouldn'tgetouthe'dsoondie.No,Ishouldletthepoorchapgo--unlessyouwanttoeathim."
Lucylaughed."Dad'dbeevers'woild,though,ifIwastolet'imgoanywheresround
'ere.'Ealwayssaysonerabbitmeans'undredan'one."
"Well,I'lltellyouwhat,"saidDoctorAdams,takinghisthinfobwatchonthefingersofonehandandlookingdownatitashehelditatarm'slength--forhewaslongsighted--"I'vegottogoafewmilesuptheroadtoseeanoldladyatColeHenley.Ifyouliketocomealonginthecar,youcanlethimgoonthe
downandI'llbringyoubackbeforedinner."
Lucyskipped."I'lljustgo'naskMum."
OntheridgebetweenHareWarrenDownandWatershipDown,DoctorAdamsstoppedthecar.
"Ishouldthinkthiswouldbeasgoodasanywhere,"hesaid."There'snotalotof
harmhecandohere,ifyoucometothinkaboutit."
TheywalkedashortdistanceeastwardfromtheroadandLucysettherabbitdown.Itsatstupefiedfornearlyhalfaminuteandthensuddenlydashedawayoverthegrass.
"Yes,hehasgotsomethingthematterwiththatleg,yousee,"saidDoctorAdams.
"Buthecouldperfectlywellliveforyears,asfarasthatgoes.Bornandbredinabriarpatch,BrerFox."
49.HazelComesHome
Well,we'vebeenluckydevilsboth
Andthere'snoneedofpledgeoroath
Tobindourlovelyfriendshipfast,
Byfirmerstuff
Closeboundenough.--
RobertGraves,TwoFusiliers
AlthoughWoundworthadshownhimselfatthelasttobeacreaturevirtuallymad,neverthelesswhathedid
provednotaltogetherfutile.Therecanbelittledoubtthatifhehadnotdoneit,morerabbitswouldhavebeenkilledthatmorningonWatershipDown.SoswiftlyandsilentlyhadthedogcomeupthehillbehindDandelionandBlackberrythatoneofCampion'ssentries,halfasleepunderatussockafterthelongnight,waspulleddownandkilledintheinstantthatheturnedtobolt.Later--
afterithadleftWoundwort--thedogbeatupanddownthebankandtheopengrassforsometime,barkinganddashingateverybushandclumpofweeds.ButbynowtheEfrafanshadhadtimetoscatterandhide,asbesttheycould.Besides,thedog,unexpectedlyscratchedandbitten,showedacertainreluctancetocometogrips.Atlast,however,itsucceededinputtingupandkillingthe
rabbitwhohadbeenwoundedbyglassthedaybefore,andwiththisitmadeoffbythewayithadcome,disappearingovertheedgeoftheescarpment.
TherecouldbenoquestionnowoftheEfrafansrenewingtheirattackonthewarren.Nonehadanyideabeyondsavinghisownlife.Theirleaderwasgone.Thedoghadbeensetonthembythe
rabbitstheyhadcometokill--ofthistheyweresure.Itwasallonewiththemysteriousfoxandthewhitebird.Indeed,Ragwort,themostunimaginativerabbitalive,hadactuallyhearditunderground.Campion,crouchinginapatchofnettleswithVervainandfourorfivemore,metwithnothingbutshiveringagreementwhenhesaidthathewassurethattheyoughttoleaveatoncethis
dangerousplace,wheretheyhadalreadystayedfartoolong.
WithoutCampion,probablynotonerabbitwouldhavegotbacktoEfrafa.Asitwas,allhisskillasapatrollercouldnotbringhomehalfofthosewhohadcometoWatership.Threeorfourhadrunandstrayedtoofartobefoundandwhatbecameofthemnooneever
knew.Therewereprobablyfourteenorfifteenrabbits--nomore--whosetoffwithCampion,sometimebeforeni-Frith,totrytoretracethelongjourneytheyhadmadeonlythepreviousday.Theywerenotfittocoverthedistancebynightfall:andbeforelongtheyhadworsetofacethantheirownfatigueandlowspirits.Badnewstravelsfast.DowntotheBeltandbeyond,therumorspread
thattheterribleGeneralWoundwortandhisOwslahadbeencuttopiecesonWatershipDownandthatwhatwasleftofthemwastrailingsouthwardinpoorshape,withlittlehearttokeepalert.TheThousandbegantoclosein--stoats,afox,evenatomcatfromsomefarmorother.Ateveryhaltyetanotherrabbitwasnottobefoundandnoonecouldrememberseeingwhathad
happenedtohim.OneofthesewasVervain.Ithadbeenplainfromthestartthathehadnothingleftand,indeed,therewaslittlereasonforhimtoreturntoEfrafawithouttheGeneral.
ThroughallthefearandhardshipCampionremainedsteadyandvigilant,holdingthesurvivorstogether,thinkingaheadandencouragingtheexhaustedto
keepgoing.Duringtheafternoonofthefollowingday,whiletheOffForeMarkwereatsilflay,hecamelimpingthroughthesentrylinewithastragglinghandfulofsixorsevenrabbits.HewasclosetocollapsehimselfandscarcelyabletogivetheCouncilanyaccountofthedisaster.
OnlyGroundsel,Thistleandthreeothershadthe
presenceofmindtodartdowntheopenedrunwhenthedogcame.BackintheHoneycomb,GroundselimmediatelysurrenderedhimselfandhisfugitivestoFiver,whowasstillbemusedfromhislongtrance,andscarcelyrestoredtohissensessufficientlytograspwhatwastoward.Atlength,however,afterthefiveEfrafanshadremainedcrouchingforsometimeintheburrow,listening
tothesoundsofthedoghuntingabove,Fiverrecoveredhimself,madehiswaytothemouthoftherunwhereBigwigstilllayhalfconscious,andsucceededinmakingHollyandSilverunderstandthatthesiegewasended.Therewasnolackofhelperstotearopentheblockedgapsinthesouthwall.ItsohappenedthatBluebellwasthefirstthroughintotheHoneycomb;andfor
manydaysafterwardhewasstillimprovinguponhisimitationofCaptainFiverattheheadofhiscrowdofEfrafanprisoners--"likeatomtitroundingupabunchofmoltingjackdaws,"asheputit.
Noonewasinclinedtopaythemmuchattentionatthetime,however,fortheonlythoughtsthroughoutthewarrenwereforHazeland
Bigwig.Bigwigseemedlikelytodie.Bleedinginhalfadozenplaces,helaywithclosedeyesintherunhehaddefendedandmadenoreplywhenHyzenthlaytoldhimthattheEfrafansweredefeatedandthewarrenwassaved.Afteratime,theydugcarefullytobroadentherunandasthedayworeonthedoes,eachinturn,remainedbesidehim,lickinghiswoundsandlisteningtohis
low,unsteadybreathing.
Beforethis,BlackberryandDandelionhadburrowedtheirwayinfromKehaar'srun--ithadnotbeenblockedveryheavily--andtoldtheirstory.TheycouldnotsaywhatmighthavehappenedtoHazelafterthedogbrokeloose,andbytheearlyafternooneveryonefearedtheworst.AtlastPipkin,ingreatanxietyanddistress,insisted
onsettingoutforNuthanger.Fiveratoncesaidthathewouldgowithhimandtogethertheyleftthewoodandsetoffnorthwardoverthedown.TheyhadgoneonlyashortdistancewhenFiver,sittinguponananthilltolookabout,sawarabbitapproachingoverthehighgroundtothewest.TheybothrannearerandrecognizedHazel.FiverwenttomeethimwhilePipkinracedback
totheHoneycombwiththenews.
Assoonashehadlearnedallthathadhappened--includingwhatGroundselhadtotell--HazelaskedHollytotaketwoorthreerabbitsandfindoutforcertainwhethertheEfrafanshadreallygone.ThenhehimselfwentintotherunwhereBigwigwaslying.Hyzenthlaylookedupashecame.
"Hewasawakealittlewhileago,Hazel-rah,"shesaid."Heaskedwhereyouwere;andthenhesaidhisearhurtverymuch."
Hazelnuzzledthemattedfurcap.Thebloodhadturnedhardandsetintopointedspikesthatprickedhisnose.
"You'vedoneit,Bigwig,"hesaid."They'veallrunaway."
ForseveralmomentsBigwigdidnotmove.Thenheopenedhiseyesandraisedhishead,pouchingouthischeeksandsniffingatthetworabbitsbesidehim.HesaidnothingandHazelwonderedwhetherhehadunderstood.Atlasthewhispered,"EesfinishMeesterVoundvort,ya?"
"Ya,"repliedHazel."I'vecometohelpyoutosilflay.
It'lldoyougoodandwecancleanyouupalotbetteroutside.Comeon:it'salovelyafternoon,allsunandleaves."
BigwiggotupandtotteredforwardintothedevastatedHoneycomb.Therehesankdown,rested,gotupagainandreachedthefootofKehaar'srun.
"Ithoughthe'dkilledme,"
hesaid."Nomorefightingforme--I'vehadenough.Andyou--yourplanworked,Hazel-rah,didit?Welldone.Tellmewhatitwas.Andhowdidyougetbackfromthefarm?"
"Amanbroughtmeinahrududu,"saidHazel,"nearlyalltheway."
"Andyouflewtherest,Isuppose,"saidBigwig,
"burningawhitestickinyourmouth?Comeon,tellmesensibly.What'sthematter,Hyzenthlay?"
"Oh!"saidHyzenthlay,staring."Oh!"
"Whatisit?"
"Hedid!"
"Didwhat?"
"Hedidridehomeinahrududu.AndIsawhimashecame--thatnightinEfrafa,whenIwaswithyouinyourburrow.Doyouremember?"
"Iremember,"saidBigwig."IrememberwhatIsaid,too.Isaidyou'dbettertellittoFiver.That'sagoodidea--let'sgoanddoit.Andifhe'llbelieveyou,Hazel-rah,thenIwill."
50.AndLast
Professingmyself,moreover,convincedthattheGeneral'sunjustinterference,sofarfrombeingreallyinjurioustotheirfelicity,wasperhapsratherconducivetoit,byimprovingtheirknowledgeofeachother,andaddingstrengthtotheirattachment,Ileaveittobesettledbywhomsoeveritmay
concern....
JaneAusten,NorthangerAbbey
Itwasafine,cleareveninginmid-October,aboutsixweekslater.Althoughleavesremainedonthebeechesandthesunshinewaswarm,therewasasenseofgrowingemptinessoverthewidespaceofthedown.Theflowersweresparser.Here
andthereayellowtormentilshowedinthegrass,alateharebellorafewshredsofpurplebloomonabrown,crispingtuftofself-heal.Butmostoftheplantsstilltobeseenwereinseed.Alongtheedgeofthewoodasheetofwildclematisshowedlikeapatchofsmoke,allitssweet-smellingflowersturnedtooldman'sbeard.Thesongsoftheinsectswerefewerandintermittent.Greatstretches
ofthelonggrass,oncetheteemingjungleofsummer,werealmostdeserted,withonlyahurryingbeetleoratorpidspiderleftoutofallthemyriadsofAugust.Thegnatsstilldancedinthebrightair,buttheswiftsthathadswoopedforthemweregoneandinsteadoftheirscreamingcriesinthesky,thetwitteringofarobinsoundedfromthetopofaspindletree.Thefieldsbelowthehillwereall
cleared.Onehadalreadybeenplowedandthepolishededgesofthefurrowscaughtthelightwithadullglint,conspicuousfromtheridgeabove.Thesky,too,wasvoid,withathinclaritylikethatofwater.InJulythestillblue,thickascream,hadseemedcloseabovethegreentrees,butnowthebluewashighandrare,thesunslippedsoonertothewestand,oncethere,foretoldatouchof
frost,sinkingslowandbiganddrowsy,crimsonastherosehipsthatcoveredthebriar.Asthewindfreshenedfromthesouth,theredandyellowbeechleavesraspedtogetherwithabrittlesound,harsherthanthefluidrustleofearlierdays.Itwasatimeofquietdepartures,ofthesiftingawayofallthatwasnotstaunchagainstwinter.
Manyhumanbeingssay
thattheyenjoythewinter,butwhattheyreallyenjoyisfeelingproofagainstit.Forthemthereisnowinterfoodproblem.Theyhavefiresandwarmclothes.Thewintercannothurtthemandthereforeincreasestheirsenseofclevernessandsecurity.Forbirdsandanimals,asforpoormen,winterisanothermatter.Rabbits,likemostwildanimals,sufferhardship.True,theyareluckierthan
some,forfoodofasortisnearlyalwaystobehad.Butundersnowtheymaystayundergroundfordaysatatime,feedingonlybychewingpellets.Theyaremoresubjecttodiseaseinwinterandthecoldlowerstheirvitality.Nevertheless,burrowscanbesnugandwarm,especiallywhencrowded.Winterisamoreactivematingseasonthanthelatesummerandtheautumn,
andthetimeofgreatestfertilityforthedoesstartsaboutFebruary.Therearefinedayswhensilflayisstillenjoyable.Fortheadventurous,garden-raidinghasitscharms.Andundergroundtherearestoriestobetoldandgamestobeplayed--bob-stonesandthelike.Forrabbits,winterremainswhatitwasformeninthemiddleages--hard,butbearablebytheresourceful
andnotaltogetherwithoutcompensations.
Onthewestsideofthebeechhanger,intheeveningsun,HazelandFiverweresittingwithHolly,SilverandGroundsel.TheEfrafansurvivorshadbeenallowedtojointhewarrenandafterashakystart,whentheywereregardedwithdislikeandsuspicion,weresettlingdownprettywell,largelybecause
Hazelwasdeterminedthattheyshould.
Sincethenightofthesiege,FiverhadspentmuchtimealoneandevenintheHoneycomb,oratmorningandeveningsilflay,wasoftensilentandpreoccupied.Nooneresentedthis--"Helooksrightthroughyouinsuchanice,friendlyway,"asBluebellputit--foreachinhisownmannerrecognizedthat
Fiverwasnowmorethanevergoverned,whetherhewouldorno,bythepulseofthatmysteriousworldofwhichhehadoncespokentoHazelduringthelateJunedaystheyhadspenttogetheratthefootofthedown.ItwasBigwigwhosaid--oneeveningwhenFiverwasabsentfromtheHoneycombatstorytime--thatFiverwasonewhohadpaidmoredearlythanevenhimselffor
thenight'svictoryovertheEfrafans.Yettohisdoe,Vilthuril,Fiverwasdevotedlyattached,whileshehadcometounderstandhimalmostasdeeplyaseverHazelhad.
Justoutsidethebeechhanger,Hyzenthlay'slitteroffouryoungrabbitswereplayinginthegrass.Theyhadfirstbeenbroughtuptograzeaboutsevendaysbefore.IfHyzenthlayhadhadasecond
littershewouldbythistimehaveleftthemtolookafterthemselves.Asitwas,however,shewasgrazingcloseby,watchingtheirplayandeverynowandthenmovingintocuffthestrongestandstophimbullyingtheothers.
"They'reagoodbunch,youknow,"saidHolly."Ihopewegetsomemorelikethose."
"Wecan'texpectmanymoreuntiltowardtheendofthewinter,"saidHazel,"thoughIdaresaythere'llbeafew."
"Wecanexpectanything,itseemstome,"saidHolly.
"Threelittersborninautumn--haveyoueverheardofsuchathingbefore?Frithdidn'tmeanrabbitstomateinthehighsummer."
"Idon'tknowaboutClover,"saidHazel."She'sahutchrabbit:itmaybenaturaltohertobreedatanytime,forallIknow.ButI'msurethatHyzenthlayandVilthurilstartedtheirlittersinthehighsummerbecausethey'dhadnonaturallifeinEfrafa.Forallthat,they'retheonlytwowhohavehadlitters,asyet."
"Frithnevermeantustogooutfightinginthehigh
summer,either,ifthatcomestothat,"saidSilver."Everythingthat'shappenedisunnatural--thefighting,thebreeding--andallonaccountofWoundwort.Ifhewasn'tunnatural,whowas?"
"Bigwigwasrightwhenhesaidhewasn'tlikearabbitatall,"saidHolly."Hewasafightinganimal--fierceasaratoradog.Hefoughtbecauseheactuallyfeltsafer
fightingthanrunning.Hewasbrave,allright.Butitwasn'tnatural;andthat'swhyitwasboundtofinishhimintheend.HewastryingtodosomethingthatFrithnevermeantanyrabbittodo.Ibelievehe'dhavehuntedliketheelilifhecould."
"Heisn'tdead,youknow,"brokeinGroundsel.
Theothersweresilent.
"Hehasn'tstoppedrunning,"saidGroundselpassionately."Didyouseehisbody?No.Didanyone?No.Nothingcouldkillhim.Hemaderabbitsbiggerthanthey'veeverbeen--braver,moreskillful,morecunning.Iknowwepaidforit.Somegavetheirlives.Itwasworthit,tofeelwewereEfrafans.Forthefirsttimeever,rabbitsdidn'tgoscurryingaway.Theelilfearedus.Andthatwas
onaccountofWoundwort--himandnoonebuthim.Weweren'tgoodenoughfortheGeneral.Dependuponit,he'sgonetostartanotherwarrensomewhereelse.ButnoEfrafanofficerwilleverforgethim."
"Well,nowI'lltellyousomething,"beganSilver.ButHazelcuthimshort.
"Youmustn'tsayyou
weren'tgoodenough,"hesaid."Youdideverythingforhimthatrabbitscoulddoandagreatdealmore.Andwhatalotwelearnedfromyou!AsforEfrafa,I'veheardit'sdoingwellunderCampion,evenifsomethingsaren'tquitethesameastheyusedtobe.Andlisten--bynextspring,ifI'mright,weshallhavetoomanyrabbitshereforcomfort.I'mgoingtoencouragesomeofthe
youngsterstostartanewwarrenbetweenhereandEfrafa;andIthinkyou'llfindCampionwillbereadytosendsomeofhisrabbitstojointhem.You'dbejusttherightfellowtostartthatschemeoff."
"Won'titbedifficulttoarrange?"askedHolly.
"NotwhenKehaarcomes,"saidHazel,astheybeganto
hopeasilybacktowardtheholesatthenortheastcornerofthehanger."He'llturnuponeofthesedays,whenthestormsbeginonthatBigWaterofhis.HecantakeamessagetoCampionasquicklyasyou'drundowntotheirontreeandback."
"ByFrithintheleaves,andIknowsomeonewho'llbegladtoseehim!"saidSilver."Someonenotsoveryfar
away."
Theyhadreachedtheeasternendofthetreesandhere,welloutintheopenwhereitwasstillsunny,alittlegroupofthreeyoungrabbits--biggerthanHyzenthlay's--weresquattinginthelonggrass,listeningtoahulkingveteran,lop-earedandscarredfromnosetohaunch--noneotherthanBigwig,captainofavery
free-and-easyOwsla.ThesewerethebucksofClover'slitterandalikelylottheylooked.
"Oh,no,no,no,no,"Bigwigwassaying."Oh,mywingsandbeak,thatwon'tdo!You--what'syourname--Scabious--look,I'macatandIseeyoudownatthebottomofmygardenchewingupthelettuces.Now,whatdoIdo?DoIcomewalkingupthe
middleofthepathwavingmytail?Well,doI?"
"Please,sir,I'veneverseenacat,"saidtheyoungrabbit.
"No,youhaven'tyet,"admittedthegallantcaptain."Well,acatisahorriblethingwithalongtail.It'scoveredwithfurandhasbristlingwhiskersandwhenitfightsitmakesfierce,spitefulnoises.It'scunning,see?"
"Oh,yes,sir,"answeredtheyoungrabbit.Afterapause,hesaidpolitely,"Er--youlostyourtail?"
"Willyoutellusaboutthefightinthestorm,sir?"askedoneoftheotherrabbits,"andthetunnelofwater?"
"Yes,lateron,"saidtherelentlesstrainer."Nowlook,I'macat,right?I'masleepinthesun,right?Andyou're
goingtogetpastme,right?Nowthen--"
"Theypullhisleg,youknow,"saidSilver,"butthey'ddoanythingforhim."HollyandGroundselhadgoneundergroundandSilverandHazelmovedoutoncemoreintothesun.
"Ithinkweallwould,"repliedHazel."Ifithadn'tbeenforhimthatday,thedog
wouldhavecometoolate.Woundwortandhislotwouldn'thavebeenaboveground.They'dhavebeendownbelow,finishingwhatthey'dcometodo."
"HebeatWoundwort,youknow,"saidSilver."Hehadhimbeatbeforethedogcame.ThatwaswhatIwasgoingtosayjustnow,butitwasaswellIdidn't,Isuppose."
"Iwonderhowthey'regettingonwiththatwinterburrowdownthehill,"saidHazel."We'regoingtoneeditwhenthehardweathercomes.ThatholeintheroofoftheHoneycombdoesn'thelpatall.It'llcloseupnaturallyoneday,Isuppose,butmeanwhileit'saconfoundednuisance."
"Herecometheburrow-diggers,anyway,"saidSilver.
PipkinandBluebellcameoverthecrest,togetherwiththreeorfourofthedoes.
"Ahha,ahha,OHazel-rah,"saidBluebell."Theburrow'ssnug,ithathbeendug,t'isfreefrombeetle,wormandslug.Andinthesnow,whendownwego--"
"Thenwhatalottoyouwe'llowe,"saidHazel."Imeanit,too.Theholesare
concealed,arethey?"
"JustlikeEfrafa,Ishouldthink,"saidBluebell."Asamatteroffact,Ibroughtoneupwithmetoshowyou.Youcan'tseeit,canyou?No--well,thereyouare.Isay,justlookatoldBigwigwiththoseyoungstersoverthere.Youknow,ifhewentbacktoEfrafanowtheycouldn'tdecidewhichMarktoputhimin,couldthey?He'sgotthem
all."
"Comeovertotheeveningsideofthewoodwithus,Hazel-rah?"saidPipkin."Wecameupearlyonpurposetohaveabitofsunshinebeforeitgetsdark."
"Allright,"answeredHazelgood-naturedly."We'vejustcomebackfromthere,SilverandI,butIdon'tmindslippingoveragainforabit."
"Let'sgoouttothatlittlehollowwherewefoundKehaarthatmorning,"saidSilver."It'llbeoutofthewind.D'yourememberhowhecursedatusandtriedtopeckus?"
"Andthewormswecarried?"saidBluebell."Don'tforgetthem."
Astheycamenearthehollowtheycouldhearthatit
wasnotempty.Evidentlysomeoftheotherrabbitshadhadthesameidea.
"Let'sseehowclosewecangetbeforetheyspotus,"saidSilver."RealCampionstyle--comeon."
Theyapproachedveryquietly,upwindfromthenorth.Peepingovertheedge,theysawVilthurilandherlitteroffourlyinginthesun.
Theirmotherwastellingtheyoungrabbitsastory.
"Soaftertheyhadswumtheriver,"saidVilthuril,"El-ahrairahledhispeopleoninthedark,throughawild,lonelyplace.Someofthemwereafraid,butheknewthewayandinthemorninghebroughtthemsafelytosomegreenfields,verybeautiful,withgood,sweetgrass.Andheretheyfoundawarren;a
warrenthatwasbewitched.Alltherabbitsinthiswarrenwereinthepowerofawickedspell.Theyworeshiningcollarsroundtheirnecksandsanglikethebirdsandsomeofthemcouldfly.Butforalltheylookedsofine,theirheartsweredarkandtharn.SothenEl-ahrairah'speoplesaid,'Ah,see,thesearethewonderfulrabbitsofPrinceRainbow.Theyarelikeprinces
themselves.Wewilllivewiththemandbecomeprinces,too.'"
Vilthurillookedupandsawthenewcomers.Shepausedforamomentandthenwenton.
"ButFrithcametoRabscuttleinadreamandwarnedhimthatthatwarrenwasenchanted.Andhedugintothegroundtofindwhere
thespellwasburied.Deephedug,andhardwasthesearch,butatlasthefoundthatwickedspellanddraggeditout.Sotheyallfledfromit,butitturnedintoagreatratandflewatEl-ahrairah.ThenEl-ahrairahfoughttherat,upanddown,andatlastheheldit,pinnedunderhisclaws,anditturnedintoagreatwhitebirdwhichspoketohimandblessedhim."
"Iseemtoknowthisstory,"whisperedHazel,"butIcan'trememberwhereI'veheardit."
Bluebellsatupandscratchedhisneckwithhishindleg.Thelittlerabbitsturnedroundattheinterruptionandinamomenthadtumbledupthesideofthehollow,squeaking"Hazel-rah!Hazel-rah!"andjumpingonHazelfromall
sides.
"Here,waitaminute,"saidHazel,cuffingthemoff."Ididn'tcomeheretogetmixedupinafightwithalotofroughslikeyou!Let'sheartherestofthestory."
"Butthere'samancomingonahorse,Hazel-rah,"saidoneoftheyoungrabbits."Oughtn'twetorunintothewood?"
"Howcanyoutell?"askedHazel."Ican'thearanything."
"NeithercanI,"saidSilver,listeningwithhisearsup.
Thelittlerabbitlookedpuzzled.
"Idon'tknowhow,Hazel-rah,"heanswered,"butI'msureI'mnotmistaken."
Theywaitedforsomelittle
time,whiletheredsunsanklower.Atlast,justasVilthurilwasabouttogoonwiththestory,theyheardhoovesontheturfandthehorsemanappearedfromthewest,canteringeasilyalongthetracktowardCannonHeathDown.
"Hewon'tbotherus,"saidSilver."Noneedtorun:he'lljustgoby.You'reafunnychap,though,youngThrear,
tospothimsofaroff."
"He'salwaysdoingthingslikethat,"saidVilthuril."Theotherdayhetoldmewhatariverlookedlikeandsaidhe'dseenitinadream.It'sFiver'sblood,youknow.It'sonlytobeexpectedwithFiver'sblood."
"Fiver'sblood?"saidHazel."Well,aslongaswe'vegotsomeofthatIdare
saywe'llbeallright.But,youknow,it'sturningchillyhere,isn'tit?Comeon,let'sgodown,andheartherestofthatstoryinagood,warmburrow.Look,there'sFiveroveronthebanknow.Who'sgoingtogettohimfirst?"
Afewminuteslatertherewasnotarabbittobeseenonthedown.ThesunsankbelowLadleHillandtheautumnstarsbegantoshine
inthedarkeningeast--PerseusandthePleiades,Cassiopeia,faintPiscesandthegreatsquareofPegasus.Thewindfreshened,andsoonmyriadsofdrybeechleaveswerefillingtheditchesandhollowsandblowingingustsacrossthedarkmilesofopengrass.Underground,thestorycontinued.
Epilogue
Hedidlookfar
Intotheserviceofthetime,andwas
Discipledofthebravest:helastedlong,
Butonusbothdidhaggishagestealon,
Andworeusoutofact....
Shakespeare,All'sWell
ThatEndsWell
Hewaspartofmydream,ofcourse--butthenIwaspartofhisdream,too.
LewisCarroll,ThroughtheLooking-Glass
"Andwhathappenedintheend?"asksthereaderwhohasfollowedHazelandhiscomradesinalltheiradventuresandreturnedwith
thematlasttothewarrenwhereFiverbroughtthemfromthefieldsofSandleford.ThewiseMr.Lockleyhastoldusthatwildrabbitslivefortwoorthreeyears.Heknowseverythingaboutrabbits:butallthesame,Hazellivedlongerthanthat.Helivedatidyfewsummers--astheysayinthatpartoftheworld--andlearnedtoknowwellthechangesofthedownstospring,towinterandto
springagain.Hesawmoreyoungrabbitsthanhecouldremember.Andsometimes,whentheytoldtalesonasunnyeveningbythebeechtrees,hecouldnotclearlyrecallwhethertheywereabouthimselforaboutsomeotherrabbitheroofdaysgoneby.
Thewarrenprosperedandso,inthefullnessoftime,didthenewwarrenontheBelt,
halfWatershipandhalfEfrafan--thewarrenthatHazelhadfirstenvisagedonthatterribleeveningwhenhesetoutalonetofaceGeneralWoundwortandtrytosavehisfriendsagainstallodds.GroundselwasthefirstChiefRabbit;buthehadStrawberryandBuckthorntogivehimadviceandhehadlearnedbetterthantomarkanyoneortoordermorethanaveryoccasionalWidePatrol.
CampionreadilyagreedtosendsomerabbitsfromEfrafaandthefirstpartywasledbynoneotherthanCaptainAvens,whoactedsensiblyandmadeaverygoodjobofit.
GeneralWoundwortwasneverseenagain.Butitwascertainlytrue,asGroundselsaid,thatnooneeverfoundhisbody,soitmayperhapsbethat,afterall,that
extraordinaryrabbitreallydidwanderawaytolivehisfiercelifesomewhereelseandtodefytheelilasresourcefullyasever.Kehaar,whowasonceaskedifhewouldlookoutforhiminhisflightsoverthedowns,merelyreplied,"Datdamnrabbit--Inosee'im,InovantIsee'im."Beforemanymonthshadpassed,nooneonWatershipkneworparticularlycaredtoknowwhetherhehimselfor
hismatewasdescendedfromoneortwoEfrafanparentsorfromnoneatall.Hazelwasgladthatitshouldbeso.Andyetthereenduredthelegendthatsomewhereoutoverthedowntherelivedagreatandsolitaryrabbit,agiantwhodrovetheelillikemiceandsometimeswenttosilflayinthesky.Ifevergreatdangerarose,hewouldcomebacktofightforthosewhohonoredhisname.Andmotherrabbits
wouldtelltheirkittensthatiftheydidnotdoastheyweretold,theGeneralwouldgetthem--theGeneralwhowasfirstcousintotheBlackRabbithimself.SuchwasWoundwort'smonument:andperhapsitwouldnothavedispleasedhim.
Onechilly,blusterymorninginMarch,Icannottellexactlyhowmanyspringslater,Hazelwasdozingand
wakinginhisburrow.Hehadspentagooddealoftimetherelately,forhefeltthecoldandcouldnotseemtosmellorrunsowellasindaysgoneby.Hehadbeendreaminginaconfusedway--somethingaboutrainandelderbloom--whenhewoketorealizethattherewasarabbitlyingquietlybesidehim--nodoubtsomeyoungbuckwhohadcometoaskhisadvice.Thesentryintherun
outsideshouldnotreallyhavelethiminwithoutaskingfirst.Nevermind,thoughtHazel.Heraisedhisheadandsaid,"Doyouwanttotalktome?"
"Yes,that'swhatI'vecomefor,"repliedtheother."Youknowme,don'tyou?"
"Yes,ofcourse,"saidHazel,hopinghewouldbeabletorememberhisnamein
amoment.Thenhesawthatinthedarknessoftheburrowthestranger'searswereshiningwithafaintsilverlight."Yes,mylord,"hesaid,"Yes,Iknowyou."
"You'vebeenfeelingtired,"saidthestranger,"butIcandosomethingaboutthat.I'vecometoaskwhetheryou'dcaretojoinmyOwsla.Weshallbegladtohaveyouandyou'llenjoyit.Ifyou're
ready,wemightgoalongnow."
Theywentoutpasttheyoungsentry,whopaidthevisitornoattention.Thesunwasshiningandinspiteofthecoldtherewereafewbucksanddoesatsilflay,keepingoutofthewindastheynibbledtheshootsofspringgrass.ItseemedtoHazelthathewouldnotbeneedinghisbodyanymore,
soheleftitlyingontheedgeoftheditch,butstoppedforamomenttowatchhisrabbitsandtotrytogetusedtotheextraordinaryfeelingthatstrengthandspeedwereflowinginexhaustiblyoutofhimintotheirsleekyoungbodiesandhealthysenses.
"Youneedn'tworryaboutthem,"saidhiscompanion."They'llbeallright--andthousandslikethem.Ifyou'll
comealong,I'llshowyouwhatImean."
Hereachedthetopofthebankinasingle,powerfulleap.Hazelfollowed;andtogethertheyslippedaway,runningeasilydownthroughthewood,wherethefirstprimroseswerebeginningtobloom.
LapineGlossary
Bob-stonesAtraditionalgameamongrabbits.
Crixa,theThecenterofEfrafa,atthecrossingpointoftwobridlepaths.
EfrafaThenameofthewarrenfoundedbyGeneralWoundwort.
El-ahrairahTherabbitfolkhero.Thename(Elil-hrair-rah)means"Enemies-
Thousand-Prince"=thePrincewithaThousandEnemies.
ElilEnemies(ofrabbits).
EmbleerStinking,e.g.thesmellofafox.
FlayFood,e.g.grassorothergreenfodder.
FlayrahUnusuallygoodfood,e.g.lettuce.
FrithThesun,personifiedasagodbyrabbits.Frithrah!=thelordSun--usedasanexclamation.
FuInléAftermoonrise.
HlaoAnydimpleordepressioninthegrass,suchasthatformedbyadaisyplantorthistle,whichcanholdmoisture.Thenameofarabbit.
Hlao-roo"LittleHlao."AnaffectionatediminutiveofthenameofHlao,oneoftherabbitsinthestory.
HlessiArabbitlivingaboveground,withoutaregularholeorwarren.Awanderingrabbit,livingintheopen.(Plural,hlessil.)
HombaAfox.(Plural,hombil.)
HrairAgreatmany;anuncountablenumber;anynumberoverfour.UHrair=TheThousand(enemies).
Hrairoo"LittleThousand."ThenameofFiverinLapine.
HrakaDroppings,excreta.
HrududuAtractor,caroranymotorvehicle.(Plural,hrududil.)
HyzenthlayLiterally,"Shine-dew-fur"=Furshininglikedew.Thenameofadoe.
InléLiterally,themoon;alsomoonrise.Butasecondmeaningcarriestheideaofdarkness,fearanddeath.
LendriAbadger.
MarliAdoe.Alsocarriesthemeaning"mother."
M'saion"Wemeetthem."
NarnNice,pleasant(toeat).
Ni-FrithNoon.
Nildro-hain"Blackbird'sSong."Thenameofadoe.
OwslaThestrongestrabbitsinawarren,therulingclique.
OwslafaTheCouncilpolice(awordfoundonlyinEfrafa).
PfeffaAcat.
RahAprince,leaderorchiefrabbit.Usuallyusedasasuffix.E.g.Threarah=LordThrear.
RooUsedasasuffixtodenoteadiminutive.E.g.Hrairoo.
SaynGroundsel.
SilfOutside,thatis,notunderground.
SilflayTogoabovegroundtofeed.Literally,tofeedoutside.Alsousedasanoun.
TharnStupefied,distraught,hypnotizedwithfear.Butcanalso,incertaincontexts,mean"lookingfoolish,"oragain
"heartbroken"or"forlorn."
Thethuthinnang"MovementofLeaves."Thenameofadoe.
ThlayFur.
Thlayli"Fur-head."Anickname.
ThrearArowantree,ormountainash.
VairToexcrete,passdroppings.
YonaAhedgehog.(Plural,yonil.)
ZornDestroyed,murdered.Denotesacatastrophe.
TableofContents
NoteAcknowledgementsContentsPARTITheJourney1.TheNoticeBoard2.TheChiefRabbit3.Hazel'sDecision4.TheDeparture
5.IntheWoods6. The Story of the
BlessingofEl-ahrairah7. The Lendri and the
River8.TheCrossing9. The Crow and the
Beanfield10. The Road and the
Common11.HardGoing12. The Stranger in the
Field13.Hospitality
14. ''Like Trees inNovember"
15.TheStoryoftheKing'sLettuce
16.Silverweed17.TheShiningWirePART II On Watership
Down18.WatershipDown19.FearintheDark20. A Honeycomb and a
Mouse21."ForEl-ahrairahtoCry"22.TheStoryoftheTrialof
El-ahrairah23.Kehaar24.NuthangerFarm25.TheRaid26.FiverBeyond27. "YouCan't Imagine It
Unless You've BeenThere"
28.AttheFootoftheHill29.ReturnandDeparturePARTIIIEfrafa30.ANewJourney31.TheStoryofEl-ahrairah
and the Black Rabbit of
Inlé32.AcrosstheIronRoad33.TheGreatRiver34.GeneralWoundwort35.Groping36.ApproachingThunder37.TheThunderBuildsUp38.TheThunderBreaksPARTIVHazel-rah39.TheBridges40.TheWayBack41. The Story of Rowsby
Woof and the FairyWogdog
42.NewsatSunset43.TheGreatPatrol44. A Message from El-
ahrairah45.NuthangerFarmAgain46. Bigwig Stands His
Ground47.TheSkySuspended48.DeaexMachina49.HazelComesHome50.AndLastEpilogueLapineGlossary