The Rabbits soon found themselves in front of a large forest not far from Sandleford.
"We're not going in there are we?" Asked Silver.
"Captain Holly and the Owsla might not follow us here in the dead of night, So we might have a good chance to distance ourselves from them." Said Hazel.
The others were still nervous though, But they decided to go along with it, They hopped into the woods and headed along quietly.
"I've never bean in a wood before Hazel." Said Violet. "It looks dangerous."
Strange noises filled the air as the Rabbits traveled through the woods.
"Do you think this is where the Black Rabbit of Inle lives?" Asked Bluebell.
"Don't be ridiculous." Said Blackberry.
"In a stone warren full of disease and death."
"Please stop talking."
"With Red eyes that glow like the Fires of hell, And a cold grey expression of Sadness beyond imagining."
"Bluebell you're intimidating Pipkin." Scolded Rosemary.
"No he's not." Gulped Pipkin.
Soon the Rabbits stopped to rest.
"Well Hazel." Said Hawkbit. "This was your plan, Where do we go from here?"
"We just need to get Clear of Sandleford and I guess…" Said Hazel thoughtfully, Beofre Hawkbit cut him off Rudely.
"You Guess?" He asked indredously as he laughed. "He Guesses! Who's leader here anyway?" He turned to look around the others. "No one by the looks of it."
A rustling noise occurred.
"What was that?" Asked Dewdrop.
A badgers face poked out of a nearby Bush.
"A Lendri!" Cried Bigwig. "This way!"
The Rabbits ran like hell, Away from the Badger.
"It had just killed." Said Violet. "I saw blood on it's lips."
"Lucky for us it did." Said Bluebell. "Or it might have been quicker."
The Next morning, The Rabbits had found a place to rest, beside a small stream, Pipkin was wandering about admiring the sights.
"Stay close Pipkin." Said Bigwig.
"I think I know what we should be looking for." Fiver said. "I high lonely hill, Where the wind carries every whisper, And we can see all around, And men never come up there."
"Is it far?" Asked Hazel.
A squawk filled the air and a streak of white flew across the sky.
"I've never seen a bird like that before." Said Pipkin. "It's not Elil? Is it?"
Rosemary chuckled. "Not all birds are enemies Pipkin, He's just a gull."
"Ha!" Laughed Bigwig. "Young bucks these days don't know a thing about the world."
"And being Owsla, You and Silver must know everything, Eh Bigwig?' Hawkbit Snarked.
"Hey, You wouldn't have gotten this far without us, We know that Much." Retorted Silver.
"We should never have left Sandleford Warren in the first Place." Hawkbit Mumbled.
Fiver suddenly began to shake. "Darkness comes in the light of Day, No hope at all for those who stay."
"Oh by Frith he's off again." Scoffed Dandelion.
"And where'd the Rhyming come from?" Asked Bluebell.
"Oh my nose tickles." Mocked Hawkbit. "It's a sign from frith, The end of the world coming! Run Away!" He, Dandelion and Bluebell laughed at this.
"THEY'RE UP AHEAD!" A voice suddenly called.
"It's the Owsla!" Gasped Dewdrop.
"Everyone Run!" Cried Hazel.
The Rabbits began Running as fast as they could, With the Owlsa charging behind them, They hurried as fast as they could, Until the found themselves in front of a River.
"Well this is a nice surprise Hazel, Our Stream just became a river." Siad Bigwig.
"Maybe we should go into the Trees and Hide." Said Pipkin.
"No that won't work." Said Fiver. "We have to cross the River here.
"Cross it?" Asked Bluebell. "Maybe most of us could cross it, But you Violet and Pipkin are too small to swim."
"If Fiver says we cross here, We cross here!" Said Hazel.
"There here, I see them!" Called a voice similar to Toadflax.
"Don't let them Escape!" Called Captain Holly. "Bring Silver Alive!"
Silver suddenly got an Idea he went up a hill and Stamped his foot so loud so the Owsla could hear him.
"Looking for me?" He asked "Come and Get me!" And he Dashed off.
"After him." Called Holly.
The Owsla chased Silver to a log at the top of a large hill, Toadflax and Scabious were the first to try and catch up to silver, Who quickly slunk thought the log and out the other end, He started to Push on the Log with Both Toadflax and Scabious inside, The log Rolled downhill straight at the rest of the Owsla.
"Turn around!" Called Holly. But it was too late, the Log Crashed into the Owsla and split in two.
Meanwhile, The Rabbits were back at the River.
"There's no way down stream." Said Blackberry.
"And It just gets wider upstream." Said Bigwig.
"Where's Silver?" Asked Violet.
Silver showed up.
"Where were you?" Asked Pipkin.
"Just taking care of a Problem." Said Silver.
Suddenly, A barking noise was heard.
"There's a dog in the Woods." Said Bigwig in alarm. "Doesn't sound like it has our scent though."
"Well I for one don't fancy our chances on Hoping on water." Remarked Dandelion.
"Just swim than!" Said Dewdrop, Already hoping into the Water.
"Wonderful, Follow Hazel and Fiver, See the world, Drown." Muttered Hawkbit,, As he hopped in Followed By Dandelion.
"Fiver, Violet and Pipkin are still to small to swim." Said Rosemary.
"Well they can't stay here." Said Bigwig
Blackberry suddenly noticed something, He hoped over to it and Looked, "This Plank, Look it floats."
"And toads jump, what of it?" Asked Bigwig.
"We can use this to Get Fiver, Pipkin And Violet across." Explained Blackberry.
Suddenly the Owsla appeared.
"Get on the Plank!" Ordered Hazel. "Bigwig, Rosemary, Get your noses under it."
Fiver, Violet and Pipkin got on the Plank and Bigwig and Rosemary pushed it along, It slowly began flowing Downstream, The Owsla continued the Pursuit regardless, Two of the Officers managed to Climb onto a fallen tree branch to swipe at the group, They ended up falling into the water.
Toadflax jumped into the River and Attacked Bigwig, Who knocked him back to shore, At that moment, A collie dog appeared and Saw the Owsla, Immediately starting to chase them.
"Retreat! Retreat!" Called Holly, As he and the Owsla retreated.
As the Rabbits made it to shore, They heard Toadflax Calling them. "We'll get you Outskirters! I promise you that! And Next time there won't be a river or a Dog Between us!'
"Oh we're counting on it!" Bigwig called back.
"That was a clever trick Blackberry." Said Hazel.
"Yes, I think so too." Said Blackberry. "Let's try to remember it, It might come in handy again someday."
To Be Continued.