The dibbun hedgehog skillfully picked the locks on all
the slaves' shackles. It sure took a while though. He led
the procession of slaves to the door. Then an idea came
into the little hedgehog's mind. There should be more
chestnuts where that came from. When the line of slaves
got to the door, the hedgehog slammed the door. There was
a gasp from the slaves.
"Mo' chesknutters an' me move 'ways from th' do!"
Canna shook her head.
"I have no more candied chestnuts, sorry." A shrew
jumped out of the crowd.
"Look what you've done, you stupid hedgepig! The door is
locked!" The hedgehog, whose name was Kiref, smacked a
paw across his mouth and muttered.
"Oops..." The shrew threw his paws up in the air.
"Now how are we going to get out?!"
"Me pick de lock... Me get log un doed..."
"You can't!" Raged the shrew "It's a deadbolt!"


All the slaves feverishly tried to get the door open.
They were all unsuccessful. The banging of foot steps was
heard.
"Hurry! Everybeast, hide!" Many of the oar slaves
hid under the benches. Kiref hid in a barrel. Now, Canna
had a plan. She went behind the door as the rest of the
wretched oar slaves hid. The doorknob jiggled. All the
oar slaves heard as the overseer unlocked the door. Then,
the heavy oak door swung open, almost smashing Canna.
Canna pushed the door back and it swung into the slave
master's face, knocking him out.
"Yes!" A cry rose from the oar slaves.
"We must make haste! For sure, some more will be down
soon."
Magnolia looked in admiration at Canna.
"Thank you. Thank you…" Next, the dibbun hedgehog
waddled up to Canna.
"Mesa thanks you, too!" The hedgehog then looked
down. "But me mommy and da are gone."
"Maybe we can find them soon. I'll help you."
"Weally?" Canna smiled. "Of course."