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