Chapter Five
Home on the down
Holly tore though the wood, heart pounding as he ran. He heard the owl screech as it closed in on him. He ran faster, lungs burning, breath coming in sobs. The owl screeched again. Holly stopped at a small clearing and looked desperately around for a place to hide. Nowhere, there was nothing. A third screech reached him. This was it, he was going to die. Suddenly he saw a hollow tree. "Thank Frith," he said and started towards it. At that moment the owl burst through the trees and sped towards him, talons outstretched. Holly ran. He wasn't going to make it; he wasn't going to get to the tree in time, the owl was too fast...Holly tumbled into the hollow and lay there shaking. The owl gave an angry hoot and flew away.
Holly didn't move; he just lay there trembling. Oh, why hadn't he gone with Bigwig and the others? The Owsla captain poked his head out of the hole and gazed up at the sky. "Bigwig," he shouted, "where are you?"
...
Hazel woke to the pleasant sound of bird song. Taking a look around, he gave a slight smile. It was strange to think that only a few hours ago he and his friends had been homeless runaways and now they had a down all to themselves.
Hearing a gasp behind him, he turned to find Fiver upright and looking uneasy. "What it is", he asked. "Nothing", his brother replied, "I was having a dream about Captain Holly; he was trying to stop us from leaving Sandleford". "That's all behind us now," Hazel told him, "and it's a beautiful day."
"Aye," said Bigwig hopping over to them, "and the best thing about it is we don't have to move a single paw, we can just lie here for the rest of our lives".
At that moment a terrible caterwauling was heard, causing most of the rabbits to bolt for cover.
"What was that?" asked Blackberry.
"I have an idea", said Bigwig, "and if I'm right, then I'll kill him!"
Kehaar gave another screech and flapped his good wing in the morning breeze. "Morning, Kehaar", said Hannah. "Yes, good morning", he replied cheerfully and screeched again.
"Belt up, you idiot", roared a voice. Kehaar turned round to find a very angry looking Bigwig, Dandelion, and Hawkbit. The other rabbits were further away but still within ear shot.
"Are you off your rocker?" snapped Bigwig, "screaming like that, any elil for miles could hear you". "Kehaar say hello to morning", replied the gull. "You should hear whole flock sing, big music". "Oh! Is that what you call it?" asked Dandelion in horror. Bigwig turned to Hazel, "I said it was a bad idea living with a gull and I meant it".
"Be reasonable Bigwig", the golden-brown rabbit replied, "His wing's hurt".
"That's not all that'll be hurt if he doesn't clip his beak", snapped Hawkbit.
"What's wrong with the rabbits?" asked Hannah, "everyone likes gulls, and mice".
"Not me", growled Bigwig.
"Alright", said Blackberry, "that's enough let's not spoil our first day here by squabbling, come on Bigwig, join me for some breakfast".
As they hopped off Hawkbit glared at Kehaar. "One more sound from you, just one and I'll pull your tail fathers out, understand!" And with that he stormed off.
Snapper was hungry and he was hungry for meat. Snapper was a weasel and like most weasels he was cunning and wicked. A few feet in front of him was a hedgehog. Snapper smiled to himself, the stupid creature didn't even see him as he flexed his claws and jumped. The hedgehog, who was not as stupid as the weasel thought, and had known he was there the whole time, rolled up into a ball just as the weasel landed. Snapper gave a howl of pain as his paws hit the hedgehog's spikes. Snapper snarled and was about to hit the spiky devil when he caught a scent on the air. He recognized it immediately. Long ear, his favourite food. Snapper looked around; in the distance was a hill and the smell was coming from there. The weasel chuckled, "It's your lucky day hedgehog", he said then started towards the hill- towards dinner.
The bucks were just starting breakfast when Violet called for them. "You lot come over here quick." They all ran over to where she and Hannah were standing near a hole at the base of the beech tree. "There were rabbits here once, long ago", she said. Hazel hopped forward and sniffed at the hole. "No smell of disease or elil, it smells safe," he said.
"Well, well, well, a rabbit warren," laughed Blackberry, "Who wants to go in first?"
"I will," replied Violet, "You coming Hannah?"
Once they were both inside Violet took a look around. They were in a large burrow with solid walls and a high roof; it was also warm and would keep the weather out. "Is it good?" asked Hannah, "It's very big."
"Nowhere near big enough," Violet sighed. "It's in good shape," she shouted back up to the others, "If everyone helps out with the digging we'll soon have a home down here."
"By everyone I assume she doesn't mean us," said Hawkbit.
"Violet," Bigwig shouted down to her, "In case you've forgotten bucks don't dig." Violet rolled her eyes, "oh here we go again."
"What's so good about bucks that they don't dig?" asked Hannah irritably.
"Be reasonable you lot," said Hazel, "Violet's the only doe, we can't expect her to dig the warren by herself."
"Yes so?" retorted Dandelion.
"So we're all going to help her out."
"Oh I don't think so," replied Bigwig.
"Look," said Hazel who was struggling to keep the anger out of his voice, "If we're going to survive here we'll need new ways of thinking."
"I've had my fill of new ways of thinking; you've already got us living with gulls and mice."
"So mice are no good eh?" snapped Hannah, "you don't like mice, fine I'm gone," and with that she stormed away from the down.
"Oh well done Bigwig, very nice, very thoughtful," scolded Fiver. Bigwig looked away sheepishly, "I didn't know she would run off, I just..."
"Just what Bigwig?" asked Blackberry. "Nothing," he replied quietly then hopped off, Hawkbit, Dandelion and Silver with him.
"We've got to get everyone pulling together or we're finished," Hazel told the others.
"You might try leading by example Hazel, the digging won't do itself," replied Violet then disappeared back down the burrow. Pipkin departed as well, going off to nibble at some grass. Kehaar was sitting close by. The young rabbit smiled when he saw the bird attempt to eat some grass. His smile soon disappeared though when Kehaar spat the grass out on top of him. "You're hungry, aren't you?" Pipkin asked.
"Me always hungry," was the gulls response, then looking sadly at his wing he sighed, "If wing was better me could go look for worms," he turned to Pipkin, "Maybe you find some worms for Kehaar?"
"By myself?"
"Yar you big strong rabbit."
Pipkin's chest swelled with pride. "Alright," he said, "worms it is then," and he ran off to find some for Kehaar.
Hannah kicked a small stone by her foot. She was on her way back to the farm but had stopped to rest not far from the bottom of the down. "Who needs mice?! I know who needs mice, everybody needs mice." She scowled and crossed her arms, thinking dark thoughts about Bigwig that if known would have shocked the rabbits. Her thoughts were interrupted by a snarl. Hannah ducked for cover and peeped out from behind a leaf. She had to bite her lip to stop herself from shrieking. Standing almost on top of her was a very large weasel. The weasel sniffed at the air and smiled, "Long ear," he said before moving off. Once the weasel had gone Hannah jumped from her hiding place and ran as fast as she could back towards the down. She had to warn the rabbits.
Pipkin found some worms at the other side of the down. They were fat and very, very wriggly. Pipkin pulled a face- how could Kehaar eat these things? They were disgusting! Pipkin made another face and was about to pick one up when he heard a ghostly voice on the wind. Pipkin froze in terror. "Bigwig," the voice said, "where are you?" A few minutes went by but he heard nothing more. He reached for a worm again but froze a second time as a shadow fell over him. Pipkin swallowed and looked up, right into the face of a weasel. "Welcome back to hunting ground, long ear," it said with a grin. Before the weasel could attack, Bigwig appeared out of nowhere and slammed into its side. The weasel snarled and turned towards Bigwig but was hit in the opposite side by Hawkbit. The weasel gave a furious roar and lunged at Bigwig. Before it reached him however it was hit in the back by Silver and was sent rolling down the hill. Bigwig, breathing heavily, looked at Pipkin. "Are you alright?" he asked. Pipkin just nodded, too frightened to speak.
As soon as they got back to the others Bigwig found Kehaar and gave him the dressing down of his life. "What do you use for a brain?" he roared at the unfortunate bird. "Sending Pipkin off on his own like that! He was nearly killed thanks to your selfishness."
"Kehaar stupid bird, Kehaar sorry," replied the gull.
"The sooner you're gone the better." Bigwig snapped.
"That's enough Bigwig," said Hazel, coming over. "There's no point making him feel worse than he does."
Bigwig glowered at him. "I told you rabbits weren't meant to mix with birds and mice, look what nearly happened."
"And who warned us about Pipkin?" Hazel shot back. "Hannah the mouse, thanks to her Pipkin's safe and we know there's a weasel on the down."
Bigwig sighed. "I guess you're right," then he turned to Kehaar. "I'm sorry Kehaar, I shouldn't have shouted at you like that, but in future please be more careful for Frith's sake."
Kehaar nodded miserably and walked off, Hazel with him. "Right," said Bigwig to Pipkin, "It has to be said, don't go off on your own anymore, right, good, lecture over," and with that he began to hop away. Thinking better of it he turned back round to Pipkin and was surprised to find the young buck shaking. "Here now," he said comfortingly, "no point letting a rotten old weasel shake you up."
"It's more than that, Bigwig," replied Pipkin. "Before the weasel attacked I heard a voice in the wind calling your name."
"Impossible," the Owsla rabbit told him. "We're the only rabbits here."
"I know but what if it was The Black Rabbit of Inle." Bigwig went cold. The Black Rabbit of Inle was a being from darkest legend. It was said he came to take the spirits of dead rabbits away to the land beyond life. When The Black Rabbit called, you went without question. "Well," said Bigwig, "If he's looking for me he knows where to find me."
Holly had been travelling all day without food, water or rest. He had pushed himself to the limit and now he had collapsed by a river bank, too tired to go on. Memories flashed through the Owsla captain's unconscious mind. Memories of Sandleford and his past. He was born one in a litter of five. He and his siblings spent their whole time exploring the warren. One day they had gone too far and had been attacked by a stoat. It looked like the end for them but at the last moment they had been saved by a big rabbit called Pinecone. He was a captain of Owsla. From that moment on Holly knew he wanted to be in the Owsla too. When he was older he went to see Threarah, Sandleford's senior captain, and was accepted into the Owsla. It was a proud day for his family and one of the happiest times of his life. It didn't last. On his first day into the Owsla the warren was attacked by elil. His four brothers were killed and he was badly injured. As he lay there giving up on life he remembered a rabbit coming and standing over him. It was his best friend Twig, a rabbit with a strange growth of fur on his head. He looked down at Holly and said something he'd never forget. "Don't give in, you hear me, Holly, never give up".
Holly opened his eyes and got to his feet. Suddenly he noticed some paw prints leading away from the river. He bent down and sniffed at them- Bigwig! He followed them to the edge of a small cliff. In the distance he could see a high hill. That was it! That must be where Bigwig and the others had gone. It looked a long way off but he knew he could make it. He knew that no matter what he wouldn't give up.
It was midday and all the bucks were enjoying an afternoon silflay. All except for Bigwig. Bigwig was not a rabbit who was easily frightened but Pipkin's words about the Black Rabbit had shaken him and he kept jumping at the slightest noise. He was about to take a bite of grass when a fly buzzed past and made him jump. "What's up your nose, Bigwig?" asked Silver.
"Nothing I'm just trying to stay alert, someone has to you know, there's a dangerous weasel about."
"Yes," said Dandelion, "but apart from that I'm really starting to like it here."
"Once Violet's done digging us a nice cosy warren I'll enjoy it even more," added Hawkbit.
"Things would go a lot faster if everyone helped," snapped Violet who had stopped her digging to come up for a breath of fresh air. "I'd enjoy that, I really would."
"I don't mind helping," offered Blackberry.
"No you wouldn't, would you," said Silver dryly.
"Look" said Hazel, "There's a weasel about and the sooner we get everyone underground the better."
"If you want to work like a doe fine," replied Hawkbit, "but we've got our pride."
"Right now your pride is of very little interest to me," growled Hazel. "I think all of you had better get digging."
"Oh do you," said Bigwig angrily. "And who's going to make me?" Hazel glared at him and stood on his hind legs ready to lunge at the other rabbit.
"Stop it," said Fiver coming between them. "There are other ways to solve this than fighting."
"Such as?" demanded Bigwig.
"Well we could play a game, Bob-stones; if I win, you and the others have to help with the digging."
"And when Bigwig wins?" asked Dandelion.
"If he wins," replied Hazel, "then you can lie in the sun for the rest of your lives.
"Only fair to warn you," Bigwig said to Fiver, "I was Bob-stone champion at Sandleford for three seasons running."
Fiver's face fell. "Oh- I didn't know that".
It was early evening and the Bob-stone game was well under way. Bob-stones was a traditional game played by rabbits. It is played with small stones, fragments of stick or the like. Fundamentally it is a very simple kind of gambling on the lines of "Odds or Evens." A cast of stones on the ground is covered by the player's front paw. The opponent must then hazard some sort of guess at the number. The first to win three times won the game. Bigwig and Fiver had both won twice and now it was Bigwig's turn.
"Bob-stone guess?" asked Fiver. Bigwig though for a moment. "Bob-stone guess is one."
Fiver lifted his paw to reveal two stones.
"Oh bad luck Bigwig, bad luck," said Silver, "come on, I've seen you do better."
Fiver turned away as Bigwig chose his stones. "Guess this one right Fiver and you win," said Pipkin.
"Bob-stone guess?" asked Bigwig. "Bob-stone guess is two," replied Fiver.
Bigwig gave a look of horror and lifted his paw, under which were two stones. Kehaar who had been watching the game gave a roar of laughter. "Now you boys have to dig like does."
"If you don't clip that beak I'll kick you off the down whether that wing works or not!" growled Bigwig.
"Leave Kehaar alone," demanded Hannah. "You're not a bunny rabbit you're a bully rabbit."
"I thought you were leaving," said Bigwig in surprise.
"I was until I saw you rabbits needed my help, hairy head."
Hawkbit glowered at Fiver. "You cheated, didn't you, those vision powers of yours; you didn't even have to guess."
"First you don't believe I have visions, now I'm using them to cheat, make up your mind will you!" Fiver shot back.
"Enough of that," said Bigwig, "whether it was fair or not isn't an issue, point is I lost and Owsla honour demands I accept that, right Silver?" Silver just nodded then scowled at Fiver.
"Come on; let's find something to eat," suggested Dandelion and the four of them hopped off. "Well at least we won," said Violet to Hazel.
"Did we?" he replied then flopped to the ground.
"First day on the down been a bit rough?" enquired Hannah.
"We won't last long if we keep fighting," responded Hazel, "and I don't know how to bring us together."
She nodded. "That's the trouble with two leaders, there can only be one."
"I know" , Hazel sighed "I guess my job's done, I got us safely to Watership Down, it's time I let Bigwig take over."
"No you're the leader," replied Hannah, firmly.
"You're not listening."
"I'm listening fine; you got them here, that makes you the leader."
"So," asked Blackberry, "when do we start digging?"
"Tomorrow," replied Violet "We start tomorrow."
That night Snapper returned. All the rabbits were asleep, perfect, Snapper grinned and crept quietly towards them. Luckily for the rabbits Kehaar, who was having a nightmare about a giant mouse kicking him into a field full of angry Bigwigs, woke up. "Weasel," he screeched as soon as he saw Snapper. Instantly everyone was awake. Bigwig roared and hit into the weasel sending him flying. Snapper snarled and glared at Bigwig who had been joined by Hazel and Silver. Knowing he couldn't fight all three of them he turned tail and ran. "One by one, I'll get you, long ears," he shouted, "one by one."
It was the next day and all the rabbits were digging in the warren. It wasn't going well. Hawkbit had fallen over and landed on top of Bigwig, and Dandelion had been hit at least four times by flying dirt. The only one who didn't seem to mind the work was Blackberry. "This is the life hey Bigwig?" he said cheerfully.
"Humph," Bigwig snorted, "we should be thinking of a way to stop that weasel instead of doing does' work," he shouted angrily, then gave a cry of alarm as a large amount of dirt fell on top of him. Blackberry laughed and hopped over to help the Owsla rabbit dig himself out. "Thanks, Blackberry," Bigwig said then turned to Violet. "Have we done enough yet?"
Violet looked around the now big burrow. "Actually you haven't done badly at all."
"It was a little burrow but now it's a great big one," shouted Pipkin happily.
"And the roots hold up the roof," said Blackberry, "Looks like a honeycomb."
"Then that's what we'll call this chamber, the Honeycomb," declared Violet.
"Once we get it cleared out there'll be room enough for everyone," added Hazel.
"Even Kehaar?" asked Hannah. "Not likely," snorted Silver in amusement.
"Come look at this," called Fiver. They all went over to where he was standing at a large hole in one of the back walls. "Do you suppose it goes anywhere?" he asked his brother. Hazel stuck his head through the hole. "Hello," he shouted. After a few seconds he took his head out of the hole and looked at the others. "It's narrow and rocky and from the echo it goes on forever, and I can smell fresh air coming down it."
"So it must go somewhere," said Fiver.
"Well," said Hannah "I've heard stories; my uncle says he's been to the underground world twice, goes to the far side of the down."
"Not much good to us if you can't turn round in it," Dandelion told her."
"It may do us a lot of good," replied Hazel. "I think I know how to tackle that weasel."
"What's your idea Hazel?" asked Silver.
"Get everyone up top and I'll tell you."
"Right," said Hazel once they were all standing around the entrance of the warren. "This is the plan: if we can get that weasel to go down the tunnel we can seal it up behind him."
"I see," said Bigwig, "we seal him in and he comes up somewhere far away hopefully never to return, but how do we get him into the tunnel, ask nicely?" "I'll get him to chase me; you'll be waiting outside ready to run in and seal up the tunnel," replied Hazel.
"I think someone should point out the obvious flaw in your plan, you'll be sealed in there too, Hazel," said Hawkbit.
"I know, but if I don't, the weasel will get us all in the end."
Everyone was quiet for a moment then Bigwig spoke up. "Let me do it, Hazel." "Look," the other buck began but Bigwig interrupted him. "No listen, The Black Rabbit of Inle is coming for me, I heard him call my name."
"But The Black Rabbit only takes the sick and the weak to the land beyond life; it had to be a mistake," replied Dandelion.
"I don't believe he makes mistakes, Pipkin heard him too."
The young rabbit nodded. "He called, Bigwig, BIGWIG." The Owsla rabbit put his paw on Pipkin's shoulder. "I think they get the idea, the point is when The Black Rabbit comes to carry you off to the land beyond life you go. Look, Hazel, I know we've had our differences, but let's face it none of us would be here without you, if Watership Down is going to survive they need you and all of your new ideas, let me do this last thing for everyone, please, Hazel-rah."
Hazel nodded. "Right," said Bigwig, "when it gets dark I want all of you to lie in the grass behind the tree. Kehaar, when you see the weasel coming, sound the alarm."
"For you Bigwig I do anything," said the gull and hugged him. Bigwig, his cheeks burning, gave the bird a shove. "Thank you," he muttered, "that's very nice of you."
Hannah looked at Hazel. "Come inside, I want to show you something." Hazel followed her into the Honeycomb. Hannah stopped at the hole. "You watch," she said then disappeared into it. After a few moments Hazel was about to ask her what she was doing when he found her standing next to him. "Good trick hey?" she laughed, "Now come on, let's go tell Bigwig."
"Well that's all then," said Bigwig, "Any questions?" "We decided I should say a few words," replied Hawkbit, "it's been an honour to know you..."
"Look," Bigwig interrupted him, "You're a great bunch and you'll get on fine without me, now let's get at it."
"It's okay Bigwig, you don't have to," shouted Hazel happily as he and Hannah came up out of the warren. "Hannah's going to lead the weasel into the tunnel."
"I beg your pardon?" said Bigwig.
"There's a tiny escape hole just the right size for Hannah, it leads back to the burrow." Hannah smiled at the Owsla rabbit. "And you said mice were no good."
"All well and good but I am not letting her risk her life for me when I'm going to die anyway," Bigwig replied.
"Now be sensible Bigwig," said Fiver.
"The Black Rabbit's coming for me."
"It doesn't mean you have to go out and meet him," said Hazel.
"I'm going and that is that," replied Bigwig and began to walk off.
"Jump on him," Hazel ordered the other rabbits. Bigwig looked at the others. "You wouldn't dare," he said then give a painful grunt as Dandelion, Silver and Hawkbit jumped on top of him. Hawkbit grinned down at him. "You just made Hazel leader, best we follow his commands don't you think?" "Alright, alright," Bigwig said, "Just get off me."
Hannah didn't have long to wait before Snapper appeared. "Smelly breath," she shouted at him and ran into the Honeycomb. Snapper followed her. "No long ear," he asked in disappointment. "No, said Hannah sticking her tongue out and wiggling her paws in the air. "No long ear just a fat juicy mouse," and with that she ran into the tunnel. Snapper smiled, "Mouse mouthful now, long ear later," he said and followed her into the tunnel. As soon as he saw the weasel go in, Kehaar, who had been hiding nearby, gave a loud squawk. Immediately Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig and Silver rushed in and started to seal up the tunnel. Sensing something was wrong Snapper began to back out of the tunnel. "Smelly breath," Hannah shouted at him and jumped up and down. Snapper gave a furious snarl and leapt. Hannah jumped for the hole getting through seconds before Snapper's jaws shut behind her. This gave the rabbits enough time to seal the tunnel. "Now that," said Hannah, "was scary."
"Oh you were wonderful Hannah," yelled Hazel. Bigwig nodded, "yes, Hannah, well done and thank you."
Hannah chuckled, "Well you've certainly changed your tune haven't you Bigwig?" Bigwig smiled weakly and looked the other way, wishing he was somewhere else.
"Well, well, well", said Blackberry as they all sat at the foot of the down looking up at the stars. "Our first few days on the down have certainly been exciting haven't they?"
"Yes," replied Hazel, "and to think if not for Hannah we might all have been weasel meat, which reminds me," he said and turned to Bigwig. "Have you and Hannah made up?"
Bigwig nodded, "yes, I told her I was sorry, told Kehaar sorry too."
Pipkin was about to say something when a ghostly voice was heard. "Bigwig," it wailed, "Where are you?"
"It's The Black Rabbit," gasped Hawkbit. Bigwig stood up. "I'm going to have to go now, good bye everyone and be good, Pipkin."
Hazel and Fiver followed him as he walked away. "Get back," he said, "if you look on the face of The Black Rabbit he'll take you too."
"We're not letting you face him alone," replied Hazel. Bigwig smiled, "Hazel, Fiver, thank you."
"Bigwig," the voice wailed again and they all turned round as a very battered and very, very tired figure came out of the trees and collapsed at their feet. "By Frith, its captain Holly," shouted Hazel.
"I've been searching for days," Holly told them weakly then looked at Fiver. "You were right; we should have left when we had the chance."
"Did anyone else make it out?" asked Fiver. "Pimpernel, he's safe, left him at another warren, Sandleford's gone, destroyed by men, we're all that's left."
"It's alright Holly," Bigwig told him, "You're safe now, you're with us."
Fiver looked at his brother. "I saw it all in my head Hazel, I felt the fear, but part of me hoped I was wrong, Sandleford's gone and we're all alone, what do we do Hazel?"
"What our ancestors did before us", his brother answered. "We go on."