Chapter Seven
Strawberry's Fayre

It was a warm sunny day and Strawberry was lying in the sun, letting it soak into his fur. It had been six Frith-rises since he had left the warren of the shining wire, and he was enjoying this new life enormously. He was just dozing when Hazel, who was covered in dirt, came out of one of the warren's side burrows and began coughing.
"Nasty cough you have there, Hazel," Strawberry said sleepily.
"I've been digging," replied the other rabbit.
"I was wondering why you were so filthy."
"Strawberry," Hazel said, "I thought you were training with Bigwig."
"I was, I mean, I volunteered but Bigwig said I wasn't suited for the military, not athletic enough or something," Strawberry replied with a yawn.
"I can't imagine why not," Hazel muttered to himself.
"Pardon?" asked Strawberry.
"Nothing," said Hazel, "nothing at all."
Strawberry yawned again. "You know, Hazel, leaving Cowslip's warren was the best decision of my life. Here there's fresh air, open spaces, and I can enjoy it all without fear."
"Yes," replied Hazel, "we're very glad to have you Strawberry, but..."
"But," the other rabbit interrupted, "it's the freedom that's most important."
"Yes," agreed the golden- brown buck, "but with freedom comes..."
"I'm free, Hazel," Strawberry interrupted him again, "free to do all the things I've ever wanted to do."
"Such as?"
"Well if I wanted to I could...I could just sleep out here all day long."
"That wouldn't be very productive now would it Strawberry?" Strawberry looked up to see Violet, who had just emerged from the warren's main entrance.
"Productive?" he asked.
"There's lots of work to be done on the warren," she told him, "you do want to help make it a nice home, don't you?"
"Well sure," said the dark pink rabbit and scratched his ear, "but what kind of work?"
"Digging," she replied bluntly.
"Digging!" he squeaked in horror.
"You heard me," she said then looked at Hazel. "Have you said anything to Bigwig yet?"
"I'd much rather stay up here with you, sweetie," he replied with a grin. She stared at him blankly. "Err... I mean I was just about to," he said then hopped off.

Bigwig was in a field at the bottom of the down, he was standing atop a log so he could keep a watchful eye on Hawkbit, Dandelion and Pipkin, who were at the far end of the field. Bigwig had heard some rather disturbing rumours about a group of rabbits that went around attacking other warrens, and so he was trying to train up an Owsla, just in case.
The training wasn't going well. Bigwig had given his trainees two very simple tasks, jump on and over a boulder and run though the hollow log. The only thing they had accomplished all morning however was to forget the tasks and fall over one another as they ran about trying to look as if they hadn't. The only rabbit who had done things right was Silver, who had managed to complete both tasks without a great deal of effort and was now standing alongside Bigwig, thoroughly enjoying himself as he watched the others attempt to finish their training.

"Right," Bigwig shouted at the three bucks for the sixth time, "over the boulder."
Dandelion and Hawkbit managed to jump onto the boulder and then down the other side. Pipkin however failed to reach the top and slid down again.
"Though the log", Bigwig ordered the two rabbits. Hawkbit and Dandelion ran to the log and both tried to run through at the same time.
"One at a time," sighed Bigwig, "teamwork is essential."
"After you, Hawkbit," Dandelion said politely.
"No after you, Dandelion," Hawkbit replied.
Dandelion shook his head, "No, I insist."
"No," said Hawkbit, "I insist."
"Now!" roared Bigwig.
Both rabbits scampered into the log, neither of them wanting to make Bigwig any angrier then he already was.
"Where's Pipkin?" Bigwig asked Silver.
"Here I am," yelled Pipkin as he came running, having given up on the boulder.
"Though the log," Bigwig instructed him.
Pipkin nodded and ran through the far end of the log.
"No," Bigwig groaned, "not that end."
Pipkin was head-butted out of the log by Hawkbit, who in turn was hit from behind by Dandelion. The three rabbits fell onto one another and lay on the grass in a tangled heap. Hawkbit looked up at Bigwig.
"How're we doing?" he asked.
Bigwig turned to Silver, "What do you think?" he asked.
"Hazel," the other rabbit replied.
"I beg your pardon?" said Dandelion.
"Err... what I mean is, look, here comes Hazel," Silver explained and pointed to their approaching leader.
"Morning, Hazel," Said Bigwig.
"Morning," replied the golden-brown buck, "how goes the training?"
Bigwig scowled.
"That bad?"
"Worse," said Silver with a grin.
"Well, anyway, that's enough about training", chuckled Hazel, "you're all wanted back at the warren."
"Really?" said Dandelion, "who by?"
"Violet," Hazel replied.
All of the rabbits groaned.
"I think I can guess why," said Hawkbit irritably.

"Morning all," said Violet as Bigwig and the others reached the top of the down.
"Before you say another word, I'm not doing any digging," Hawkbit told her grumpily.
"There's a lot of work to be done on the warren and everyone needs to chip in," Violet replied coldly.
"Humph," grunted Hawkbit, "digging is for does."
"I think Hawkbit has a point," said Silver.
"I agree," said Strawberry with a yawn.
"Me too," piped up Dandelion, "digging is definitely does' work."
"I am the only doe," Violet snapped, "do you think I should build the warren myself?"
"No-one's suggesting that for a second," Hazel told her.
"Well they seem to be," Violet replied hotly and pointed at Hawkbit and the others.
"Look, for once can we just figure something out without getting mad at one another?" sighed Blackberry.
At that moment Kehaar arrived with Hannah and asked in a loud voice, "Is much big meeting, what for?"
Fiver, who was unfortunate enough to be standing near Kehaar at the time and got the full blast of the gull's voice, turned round and told him to keep quiet.
"Yes Kehaar, hush", scolded Hannah, then turned to the group of rabbits and asked, "what's the meeting for and why didn't anyone tell us?"
"Well I for one can't do any digging," said Bigwig, answering Hannah's question.
"But Bigwig," protested Hazel.
"Sorry Hazel, but my main job is defence, I have an Owsla to train."
"Oh," said Holly dryly, "did someone make you an Owsla captain when I wasn't looking?"
Bigwig ignored him.
"But until we build the warren, what is there to defend?" Violet asked him.
"Our very lives," the Owsla rabbit replied, "naturally, you wouldn't be aware of this but there's been some reports about a vicious, bloodthirsty warren nearby called Efrafa."
"Reports?" said Hazel, "from whom?"
"Well from...Strawberry," Bigwig admitted and looked at the dark pink buck who was sunning himself.
"Well?" said Hazel.
"Well what?" asked the confused Strawberry.
Hazel raised one eyebrow.
"Oh yes," the pink rabbit said, "the Efrafans, they're vicious and bloodthirsty."
"You've seen them?" asked Silver, sceptically.
"No, but I've heard stories."
"If you want to dig, Hazel, then fine, but my number one priority is military exercise," Bigwig said and began to walk away.
"Yes," shouted Kehaar, "military exercise."
"We must be prepared for attack at any moment," continued Bigwig.
"Yes, we must be", shouted Kehaar again.
"But Bigwig," said Hazel, hopping over to his friend, "these stories might be just that, we have no proof that this other warren exists."
"I'm going on solitary patrol, I'll look for some proof, if I find anything it'll mean we had better watch out, if not, I'll give Strawberry a good thrashing for all the trouble he's causing," said Bigwig with a grin.
"Just be careful, alright," laughed Hazel.
"I will be," Bigwig replied then hopped off.
"Bigwig, wait", yelled Kehaar as he and Hannah ran after him, "we go with you."
"Don't be ridiculous," Bigwig snorted, "a bird and a mouse are of no use on a military exercise."
"But Bigwig, we can do special things," insisted Hannah.
"Solitary patrol means solitary, understand?" Bigwig replied and left them staring after him miserably.
"Means solitary," Kehaar told Hannah.
"It means Bigwig doesn't want us," she replied angrily.
"Not want us, why?"
"Don't worry Kehaar, we'll show him."
Fiver had also been watching as Bigwig walked away from the down. "Be careful Bigwig", he whispered, "be careful."

Bigwig had been on patrol for nearly two hours and had found nothing. He was just thinking of giving up when he heard voices coming from an area near the woods. Being careful to keep in the long grass he crept closer and peered out.
Standing some distance away were five bucks. Three of them were standing at the edge of the wood and seemed to be awaiting orders. The other two stood a little further away and appeared to be talking to one another. These must be the Efrafans, he thought.
Bigwig crept close so as to catch what they were saying.
The first was a strong looking rabbit with brown fur and green eyes and had an air of command about him. The second had a distinctive silver sheen to his coat. His underbelly was a cream colour but in certain lights took on a pale green-yellowy hue. This colour completed the fur on his face which covered the area around his eyes, nose and mouth, giving the appearance of a mask.
The brown rabbit spoke first.
"Corporal Moss, report," he demanded.
"I've lost the scent, Captain Campion sir, if there's an outsider about he's a crafty one."
"Spread out in a wide patrol," Campion said, addressing the whole group, "look for any signs of these outsiders, we all know what the general wants."
"Yes sir," replied the four other rabbits then hopped away into the woods, Bigwig following.

The warren was nearing completion; all that was needed was a few more sleeping chambers. All the rabbits were working hard. Well, all except Strawberry, who was lying at one end of the Honeycomb and gasping for breath, something that Violet hadn't failed to notice. "Are you going to pitch in sometime soon Strawberry?" she asked as she went over to him.
"Just give me a moment to catch my breath," he panted, "it's so stuffy in here."
Violet sighed. Strawberry was trying her patience. Still, the digging had to be done, with or without him.
"Hazel, Hawkbit," she called, "come here, will you."
The two rabbits came running.
"What is it?" Hazel asked.
"I think we need an entrance from the hill," she replied, "you two go up top and start from the outside, rest a little first if you have to."
"No, we're alright," said Hazel as he made for the exit.
"Yeah, we're fine, who needs rest," Hawkbit panted grumpily then followed Hazel.
"I'll help too, I could use the air," said Strawberry and ran after the others.

There was a cold breeze in the air and Strawberry gulped it in gratefully.
"That's all I needed, fresh air," he said with a happy sigh, then looking at the other two he added, "you two are filthy."
"Are you ready to do some digging now, Strawberry?" asked Hawkbit, not even trying to hide the contempt in his voice.
"Ready as can be," Strawberry replied then added, "oh, but first I'd like to get just a bite of clover, I forgot to eat this morning, I'll be right back," he promised and hopped off.
Hawkbit shook his head disapprovingly, "what's got into Strawberry?" he asked, looking at Hazel, "he was so happy to be with us, you'd think he'd want to help out a bit."
"He's celebrating his freedom, Hawkbit," the golden-brown rabbit replied, "we just have to be patient with him."
Hawkbit scowled, "you can be patient, Hazel, I'll be annoyed."

Bigwig had followed the Efrafans into the wood. Luckily there was plenty of cover for him to hide behind and spy on them.
"Nothing," growled Campion, "we can't go back to the general with nothing."
"Don't worry, sir," said Moss, "we'll find these outsiders and trek them back to their warren."
"Yes," said Campion "and then we'll destroy them."
"The general's orders?" asked Moss.
"The general's orders," sighed Campion.
Bigwig had heard enough; slowly he backed out of the bush he was hiding in.
As he backed out, he startled a crow that had been resting on one of the branches. The crow gave a squawk and flew into the air. The Efrafans looked up and immediately saw Bigwig.
"Hraka," he swore, then turned tail and ran.

Bigwig tore out of the wood, the Efrafans in close pursuit. At this end of the wood was a river with high curving banks. The water wasn't deep but Bigwig didn't fancy the idea of swimming to the other side. A growl from behind told him that the Efrafans had made it out of the woods. He whipped round just in time to see two of them flying through the air towards him. Bigwig waited until the last second than ducked. Both rabbits sailed over the edge of the bank. Bigwig ran down the side of the bank to an area where some large rocks lay half submerged in the water. He used these to cross the river then quickly scrambled up the opposite bank.
"What are you waiting for?" yelled Campion, "After him!"
Moss gave him a nod and leaped onto the first rock. Unfortunately for the Efrafan corporal the rock was very slippery causing him to lose his footing and fall with a huge splash into the water. Campion glared up at the opposite bank. "Next time, outsider," he whispered, "next time."

Back at the down, Hazel and Hawkbit were busy digging the tunnel that led from the hillside down to the Honeycomb. It was taking longer than they had expected and Strawberry hadn't come back.
"I wonder where Strawberry got to?" panted Hazel.
"I imagine he's lost in a field of clover," replied Hawkbit sarcastically, "I mean he wouldn't be malingering surely."
"I hope not," said Hazel.
"Well we must be patient, Hazel," Hawkbit continued in the same sarcastic manner, "Strawberry just has a few adjustments to make, like staying awake during the day time".

Hawkbit was right. Strawberry had found a field of clover and had fallen asleep. He was just in the middle of a lovely dream when a loud and very angry voice snapped, "What are you doing here?"
Strawberry woke with a start and found himself looking into the face of Bigwig; the Owsla rabbit did not look happy.
"Err... nothing, I mean something, not sleeping, I was, err, guarding the clover and defending it from err..."
"Yeah, defending, is that what you call it?" snarled Bigwig furiously and pushed past him.
"Wait, Bigwig, come back," yelled Strawberry as he ran after the other rabbit, "I was defending it, really I was."

As soon as he got back to the down Bigwig began to tell the others about his encounter.
"These Efrafans aren't like us," he insisted, "they consider all outsiders a threat and they won't rest until they kill us all."
"That's right," agreed Strawberry, "they're vicious and bloodthirsty."
Bigwig gave the dark pink rabbit an angry glare. He was still mad at him for the incident with the clover-field. "They mean to discover the location of our warren and wipe us out," he finished.
"Are you sure Bigwig?" asked Hazel, "why would they want that?"
"Those are their own words, Hazel," Bigwig replied, "we need every rabbit for the Owsla," he continued, "so the digging must stop."
"Yes, yes, yes," whooped Dandelion, "the digging must stop, no more digging."
"What a relief!" sighed Strawberry.
"Stop digging?" said Violet indignantly.
"Yes," replied Bigwig, "we must defend the warren."
"But there is no warren to defend, we're not finished."
"We've got to keep digging," said Hazel, coming to Violet's aid, "if only for a place to hide if there is a threat."
"Oh, there is a threat, we could be hit at anytime from anywhere," Bigwig replied irritably then fell to the ground with a yell as an acorn hit him on the head, right between the ears. All the rabbits ran over to Bigwig then looked up to see Kehaar flying towards them, Hannah on his back. Hannah leaped from Kehaar's back to land on the now furious Bigwig.
"Morning Bigwig," she laughed.
"Bigwig glared at the infuriating rodent, "kindly remove yourself from my chest or I'll strangle you," he growled quietly.
"No need to be like that," she said hotly and jumped off the Owsla rabbit.
"Are you alright, Bigwig?" asked Blackberry as he and Hazel helped Bigwig up.
"Of course," he replied before turning round and demanding an explanation from Hannah and Kehaar.
"We do military exercise," Kehaar explained, "you must be very much proud."
"Certainly not," he huffed crossly.
"No, but you surprised Bigwig," replied Hannah between giggles.
Kehaar started laughing as well. "Yes, you look surprised when nut hit you, Bigwig fall down."
"This is no laughing matter," replied Bigwig who was struggling to control his temper.
"Is what I say," said Kehaar instantly going serious, "stop your laughing Hannah."
Hannah gave a gulp and quickly shut her mouth.
"Please continue, Bigwig," said Silver.
"Anyway as I was saying," began Bigwig for the third time, "we must form an Owsla immediately."
"You're right, Bigwig we should, but we don't need to stop digging," said Hazel, "we can split into two parties, one for defence, one for digging, alright?"
"You're the boss, Hazel," Bigwig reminded him.
"Alright," announced Hazel, "from now on Dandelion, Hawkbit, Pipkin and Silver are Owsla rabbits, Holly will retain his Sandleford rank of captain and I'm making Bigwig senior captain, which leaves Violet, Fiver, Blackberry and me to do the digging".
"Err...Hazel, you've forgotten Strawberry," said Fiver.
"I don't mind," Strawberry said quickly.
Hazel thought for a moment. "Well, Strawberry, since you don't seem to like digging much you can join the Owsla."
"Bigwig," shouted Kehaar, "we want to volunteer again for the...err... Oserly."
"Yes, you must want us now, Bigwig," piped up Hannah.
"Certainly not," Bigwig snorted, "I have no time for foolishness with gulls and mice."
"But Hannah has some good ideas, Bigwig, and from the sky Kehaar could scout out the enemy," pointed out Violet.
"You're in charge of the digging, Violet, I'll look after the Owsla," he replied then turning to his Owsla he ordered them to line up at the bottom of the hill.
"Err, what sort of line do you want, straight or crooked?" asked Hawkbit with a grin.
Bigwig gave him a warning glare.
"Straight," gulped Hawkbit and hopped after the others.
"Good luck with the Owsla, Bigwig," said Holly.
"Thanks," he replied as he started after the other rabbits, "I'll need it."
Kehaar scowled as he watched Bigwig go, then turning to Hannah he told her, "if Bigwig not want us maybe we not want Bigwig, but maybe when Bigwig want us later maybe we still not want Bigwig," and with that he walked back to his nest, head held high.

"Right, said Bigwig once he had caught up with the others at the foot of the down, "there's no time to lose, we must find the Efrafans before they find us. I'm afraid you're going to have to learn military tactics in action."
"Action?" said Pipkin as he ran alongside Silver, "does he mean real action?"
"I'm afraid so, kid," the other rabbit answered, "I'm afraid so."

By mid-afternoon the six rabbits had travelled a fair distance from the down, nearly three miles, and there was no sign of the Efrafans. Bigwig stopped at a field with an abandoned tractor in it and took a sniff for what must have been the eightieth time.
"Do you have the scent of the Alfalfa, Bigwig?" asked Pipkin for what must have been the hundred and eightieth time.
"It's Efrafa," answered the Owsla captain, "and no I haven't, let's move on."
"Wait, Bigwig," said Strawberry urgently.
"Well what is it?" Bigwig asked.
"I smell something," Strawberry replied as he sniffed at the air, "it's err, it's gone now."
"Then let's move on," Bigwig replied impatiently then began hopping away to catch up with the others.
"Wait, Bigwig!" Strawberry shouted again.
"I will not tolerate this behaviour," Bigwig snapped, "go back to the warren, Strawberry, you're discharged."
"D...discharged," stammered Strawberry in horror, "but...but"
"Now!" roared Bigwig.
Strawberry gave a loud sniff and hopped miserably back towards the down. Soon after all the rabbits had gone the Efrafans arrived on the scene.
"They're not far, sir," Moss said to Campion.
"Which way?" he asked.
"South, sir."
"Follow them.

Strawberry set miserably by a river staring at a frog. The frog was sitting on a lily pad and stared back at him.
"I didn't help at all with the digging," he told it, "and now I've been discharged from the Owsla, how can I tell Hazel?"
"Can't," it croaked.
"You're right, I'm no good for anything, they'll probably banish me from the warren."
"Then change."
"Yes I could change, I could do that. I'll prove I'm useful, I'll do whatever's necessary. Why, I'll even dig if I have too," and with that he hopped away.
"Good luck," the frog croaked again.

"What is it, Bigwig?" asked Hawkbit as the other rabbit stood on his hind legs sniffing.
"The Efrafans," he replied grimly.
"What, we're on their trail?" asked Dandelion.
"No I'm afraid they trailing us and have been for some time."
"Then hadn't we better go back to the warren?" asked Pipkin in a frightened voice.
"That's exactly what they want, no, we have to lead them further away, until we're sure we've lost them."
"Further away?" said Pipkin unhappily.
"Yes, now stay close."

Back at the warren Hazel and Fiver were finishing off the tunnel from the hill to the Honeycomb.
"Hazel," said Fiver as he stopped and looked up at the sky, "I see a black cloud."
"You're always seeing black clouds," his brother sighed, "what sort of bad luck are we in for this time?"
"No a real black cloud," Fiver told him and pointed at the sky. In the distance storm clouds were gathering.
"Perhaps it means something good," Fiver said optimistically.
"It means we had better get as much digging done as we can, before that storm hits", his brother said before going back to the digging.

Campion stood with his patrol on a grassy slope searching for any signs of life. They had been following the outsiders for over an hour and still nothing. Campion was just thinking of giving up when he saw movement in the bottom of the filed directly below them. Narrowing his eyes he could make out five rabbits- the outsiders.
"There," he shouted and pointed them out before racing towards the five distant figures.
"Evasive manoeuvres," yelled Bigwig as he saw the Efrafan patrol closing in on them. The five rabbits scattered. Hawkbit ran to a fence at the bottom of the field and jumped through the narrow slats. A brown furred Efrafan jumped after him but caught his foot on one of the slats and fell to the ground. Two of the Efrafans ran at Dandelion, one on each side in an attempt to catch him between them. Dandelion waited until they were almost on top of him then jumped forward. His attackers fell to the ground with a loud smack as their heads hit into one another.
"This way," shouted Bigwig.
Hawkbit, Dandelion and Silver followed him through the field, across a path and into a pipe that was lying at the edge of the next field. They all skidded to a stop; the other end of the pipe was covered by an iron grid, closing off their escape route.
"We're trapped," snarled Bigwig in frustration then gasped as he turned round to see only three rabbits behind him.
"Where's Pipkin?" he asked.
"I thought he was right behind me," Hawkbit whispered in horror.
Pipkin who had been in a blind panic and hadn't heard Bigwig when he had shouted for them to follow had been running around in all directions and had only now started towards the pipe.
"We have to get out of here," said Silver.
"Quick," ordered Bigwig, "go back."
All the rabbits turned round and froze as they saw the Efrafans closing in on the pipe.
"What do we do now?" squeaked Dandelion in dismay.
At that moment Pipkin ran right across the path of the Efrafans.
"Get him," yelled Campion then tore after the young buck.
Bigwig ran out of the pipe and watched as the enemy pursued Pipkin across the field.
"By Frith, he's leading them away from the warren", he muttered. "Now's our chance," he said turning back to the others, "Hawkbit, you and Dandelion go on back to the warren fast as you can".
"What about Pipkin?" Dandelion asked.
"Silver and I'll get him, now go".

Back at the down the storm had arrived.
"Hazel, Fiver," called Violet from beneath the beach tree, "best stop digging now, I don't like the look of those clouds."
Hazel and Fiver both looked up at the dark sky then ran under the tree with Violet. Moments later Strawberry arrived.
"Hazel, Fiver," he called, "I've come back to dig, I'll be the best digger you've ever seen."
Nobody answered.
"Where is everybody?" he thought out loud and looked around. He couldn't see any of the others so they must all be underground.
"More digging for me then," he thought. Suddenly it began to rain.
"I won't let the little rain stop me, rain or shine I'll going to dig," and with that he set to work.

Pipkin ran though the field as fast as his legs would carry him. One of the Efrafans lunged at him, claws outstretched. Pipkin ducked, letting the enemy rabbit sail over his head. Quickly he darted back the way he had come. All of a sudden Moss reared up in front of him snarling. Pipkin turned only to find Campion and the other Efrafans blocking his path.
"Hold it right there kid," ordered Campion, "I don't want to hurt you, really I don't."
"Too bad I can't say the same about you," yelled a voice from behind them.
The Efrafans spun round to see Silver charging towards them. In a flash Silver kicked out with his left leg, hitting one of the Efrafans in the chest, sending him flying. In the next instant he whipped round and slashed the right side of Campion's face with his claws.
"Get them, get them both," snarled Campion though gritted teeth as blood ran down his face from a cut above his eye.
"I think this is it, lad," Silver said to Pipkin as the Efrafans closed in on them, snarling. Just as all hope seemed lost, an acorn hit Moss on the head and knocked him to the ground. All the rabbits looked up to see Hannah and Kehaar. Kehaar swooped down at the Efrafans with a loud screech. The Efrafans scattered.
"Move, now!" Bigwig yelled as he came running. Pipkin and Silver nodded then raced after him.
"Hey, Bigwig, you liked the surprise this time?" shouted Hannah from Kehaar's back.
"Yeah, yeah, good work you two," panted Bigwig as he ran.
Kehaar turned to Hannah with a smile on his face, "Bigwig say good work I think he very much proud."
"Well, he should be," said Hannah crossing her arms.
"Yes, he should be," the gull agreed before flying back towards the down.
"Efrafans," yelled Silver.
Bigwig glanced back to see five distant figures coming towards them.
"They're...they're...they're going to catch us...Big...Bigwig," panted Pipkin, fear in his voice.
"Don't worry," the Owsla captain reassured him, "help is on the way."
At that moment an ear splitting roar was heard and rain poured from the sky.
"You see," Bigwig said, "they'll never follow us in this storm. Now come on."

Kehaar and Hannah landed back at the down to find Strawberry busy at work.
"What are you doing?" asked Kehaar.
"I'm digging," Strawberry shouted back, "digging my heart out."
Hannah and Kehaar both shook their heads and disappeared into the safety of the warren just as Hazel and Fiver came running out to see what all the noise was about.
"Strawberry, you have to stop digging, it's not safe," shouted Hazel as he and Fiver ran over to the tunnel.
"I can't stop," yelled Strawberry joyfully as he came out of the tunnel, "I love to dig Hazel, I love it," and with that he went back to work.
Before either of the other two could say another word the roof of the tunnel fell in, bringing the whole thing down on top of Strawberry.
"Strawberry," yelled Hazel in horror then began digging furiously at the wet earth.
"Dig, Fiver!" he shouted at his brother, "we haven't much time, he can't breathe under there."
"We'll never make it," replied Fiver as he scrabbled at the earth.
"Yes we will," said Violet as she and Blackberry emerged from beneath the beach tree and ran over to help.
Together all four rabbits tore away at the dirt until they had made a hole big enough for Hazel to get his paw through. Quickly the golden-brown buck reached into the collapsed tunnel and pulled the other rabbit out.
"Strawberry, are you alright?" he asked urgently.
"I'm...I'm filthy," the dark pink rabbit replied miserably.

The storm passed within an hour, although to the rabbits in the warren it seemed like an eternity. When all was quiet Hazel, Fiver and Violet hopped out of the warren's entrance into the glorious spring day, Strawberry behind them.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused, Hazel," he said timidly to his leader, "I just wanted to prove myself, I was afraid you'd send me away."
"Never, Strawberry," replied Hazel with a kind smile, "you're one of us now."
At that moment Bigwig, Hawkbit, Dandelion, Pipkin and Silver arrived.
"Hazel," said the Owsla captain, "we've just encountered the Efrafans and they're just as dangerous as I suspected. We must make major changes to the warren if we've to assure adequate defence."
"And just who will do all this extra digging, Bigwig?" asked Violet irritably.
"I will," he replied, "and so will my Owsla."
"But Bigwig," said Hazel with a grin, "I thought digging was does' work."
Bigwig grinned back, "But this is defence digging." Then turning to his gloomy faced Owsla he added "come on you lot, we have work to do."