'Sir,' said Bartsia, as Bigwig came in, 'that's the third time, sir, that you've disregarded my authority. Council police can't be treated in this way. I'm afraid I shall have to report it, sir.'
Bigwig made no reply and returned up the run.
'Wait a bit longer if you can,' he said as he passed the bucks. 'I don't suppose that poor fellow will get out again today.'
He wondered whether to go and look for Hyzenthlay, but decided that it would be prudent to keep away from her. She knew what to do, and the less they were seen together the better. His head ached in the heat and he wanted only to be alone and quiet. He went back to his burrow and slept.
38. The Thunder Breaks
Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim bark!
The storm is up and all is on the hazard!
Shakespeare Julius Caesar
Late in the afternoon it came on dark and very close. It was plain that there would be no true sunset. On the green path by the river bank, Hazel sat fidgeting as he tried to imagine what might be going on in Efrafa.
'He told you he wanted you to attack the sentries while the rabbits were feeding, didn't he,' he said to Kehaar, 'and that he'd bring the mothers out in the confusion?'
'Ya, say dis, but not 'appen. Den 'e say go away, come again tonight.'
'So that's still what he means to do. The question is, when will they be feeding? It's getting dark already. Silver, what do you think?'
'If I know them, they won't alter anything they usually do,' said Silver. 'But if you're worried in case we're not there in time, why not go now?'
'Because they're always patrolling. The longer we wait up there, the greater the risk. If a patrol finds us before Bigwig comes, it won't be just a matter of getting ourselves away. They'll realize we're there for some purpose and give the alarm: and that'll be the end of any chance he's got.'
'Listen, Hazel-rah,' said Blackberry. 'We ought to reach the iron road at the same time as Bigwig and not a moment before. Why don't you take them all over the river now and wait in the undergrowth, near the boat? Once Kehaar's attacked the sentries, he can fly back and tell us.'
'Yes, that's it,' answered Hazel. 'But once he's told us, we must get up there in no time at all. Bigwig's going to need us as well as Kehaar.'
'Well, you won't be able to dash up to the arch,' said Fiver, 'with your leg. The best thing you can do is to get on the boat and have the rope gnawed half through by the time we come back. Silver can look after the fighting, if there's going to be any.'
Hazel hesitated. 'But some of us are probably going to get hurt. I can't stay behind.'
'Fiver's right,' said Blackberry. 'You will have to wait on the boat, Hazel. We can't risk your being left to be picked up by the Efrafans. Besides, it's very important that the rope should be half-gnawed - that's a job for someone sensible. It mustn't break too soon or we're all finished.'
It took them some time to persuade Hazel. When at last he agreed, he was
still reluctant.
'If Bigwig doesn't come tonight,' he said, 'I shall go and find him, wherever he is. Frith knows what may have happened already.'
As they set off up the left bank, the wind began to blow in fitful, warm gusts, with a multifoliate rustling through the sedges. They had just reached the plank bridge when there came a rumble of thunder. In the intense, strange light, the plants and leaves seemed magnified and the fields beyond the river very near. There was an oppressive stillness.
'You know, Hazel-rah,' said Bluebell, 'this really is the funniest evening I've ever gone looking for a doe.'
'It's going to get a lot funnier soon,' said Silver. 'There'll be lightning and pouring rain. For goodness' sake, all of you, don't panic, or we'll never see our warren again. I think this is going to be a rough business,' he added quietly to Hazel. 'I don't like it much.'
Bigwig woke to hear his name repeated urgently.
'Thlayli! Thlayli! Wake up! Thlayli'
It was Hyzenthlay.
'What is it?' he said. 'What's the matter?'
'Nelthilta's been arrested.'