Campion arrived back at Efrafa in the middle of the night, just as Kyle had predicted. With trepidation he entered Woundwort's burrow and made his report.

Woundwort was irate. "Mean to tell me ye caught up wi' those three traitors an' ye didn't kill 'em?"

Campion shuffled nervously from foot to foot. "We couldn't, sir! There was more'n just three of 'em. They had over a dozen friends backin' 'em up. We were outnumbered four to one. I thought 'twould be best to return an' let ye know how the situation stood."

Woundwort stamped the ground. "Four to one? Is that all? Ye shoulda waded into 'em an' cleaned 'em up right then an' there! There was four o' you, so all ye woulda had t'do was kill four apiece! How hard could it have bin? If'n I'd been there, I coulda taken the whole bunch on meself! But since ye failed to kill 'em, mebbe I oughta kill you!"

Campion argued, "But if'n I'd tried ter fight 'em an' gotten meself killed, I wouldn't've bin able ter come back here an' tell ye the tale. Ye never woulda known where Stan, Kyle, and Mysterion were, or that they had a buncha other rabbits with 'em. Ye oughta be thankin' me!"

Woundwort considered this. "Mebbe there's some truth in wot ye say. All right, I won't kill yer. But yer ain't fit ter be an officer no more. I'm demotin' yer back down to the rank of a common paw soldier."

Campion sighed deeply. He was bummed about being demoted, but glad he wasn't going to be killed. "Thank ye, sir."

"Find Cap'n Vervain an' send 'im in ter me," Woundwort told him. Campion hurried to obey.

Moments later Vervain stepped into the room. "Ye wanted t'see me, General?"

"Aye. I've got good news fer yew, Vervain. I'm demotin' Campion and promotin' you t'be me new second in command."

Vervain's ears quivered with excitement. "Well, so yer finally recognizin' me sterling qualities o' leadership! Ye won't regret this, Chief. I promise yer, I'll be the best second in command ye could possibly imagine, much better'n that oaf Campion. So, wot's me first task?"

"I've found out where the escaped rabbits are hidin'," said Woundwort. "It turns out those three dirty bastards weren't alone. They've got a gang. They're livin' in a warren a few miles west o' here, at a place called South Down. First thing tomorrow mornin', I'm goin' to form the horde up an' lead 'em in an attack. I want you right by my side."