The storm is up and all is on the hazard!
Shakespeare, Julius CaesarLate in the afternoon it came on dark and very close. It was plain that therewould be no true sunset. On the green path by the riverbank, Hazel sat fidgetingas he tried to imagine what might be going on in Efrafa.
"He told you he wanted you to attack the sentries3 while the rabbits werefeeding, didn't he," he said to Kehaar, "and that he'd bring the mothers out in theconfusion?""Ya, say dis, but not 'appen. Den4 'e say go away, come again tonight.""So that's still what he means to do. The question is, when will they befeeding? 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 ifyou'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 therisk. If a patrol finds us before Bigwig comes, it won't be just a matter of gettingourselves 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 thesame time as Bigwig and not a moment before. Why don't you take them all overthe river now and wait in the undergrowth, near the boat? Once Kehaar's attackedthe 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 inno 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. Thebest thing you can do is to get on the boat and have the rope gnawed5 half throughby the time we come back. Silver can look after the fighting, if there's going to beany."Hazel hesitated. "But some of us are probably going to get hurt. I can't staybehind.""Fiver's right," said Blackberry. "You will have to wait on the boat, Hazel. Wecan't risk your being left to be picked up by the Efrafans. Besides, it's veryimportant that the rope should be half gnawed -- that's a job for someonesensible. 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 stillreluctant.
"If Bigwig doesn't come tonight," he said, "I shall go and find him, wherever heis. 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 rustling6 through the sedges. They had just reached the plankbridge when there came a rumble8 of thunder. In the intense, strange light, theplants and leaves seemed magnified and the fields beyond the river very near.
There was an oppressive stillness.
"You know, Hazel-rah," said Bluebell9, "this really is the funniest evening I'veever gone looking for a doe.""It's going to get a lot funnier soon," said Silver. "There'll be lightning andpouring rain. For goodness' sake, all of you, don't panic, or we'll never see ourwarren again. I think this is going to be a rough business," he added quietly toHazel. "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."Bigwig leaped to his feet.
"How long ago? How did it happen?""Just now. Moneywort came down to our burrow10 and told her to come up toCaptain Chervil at once. I followed them up the run. When she got to Chervil'sburrow, there were two Council police waiting just outside and one of them saidto Chervil, 'Well, as quick as you can, and don't be long.' And then they took herstraight out. They must have gone to the Council. Oh, Thlayli, what shall we do?
She'll tell them everything--""Listen to me," said Bigwig. "There's not a moment to lose. Go and getThethuthinnang and the others and bring them up to this burrow. I shan't behere, but you must wait quietly until I come back. It won't be long. Quick now!
Everything depends on it."Hyzenthlay had hardly disappeared down the run when Bigwig heard anotherrabbit approaching from the opposite direction.
"Who's there?" he said, turning swiftly.
"Chervil," answered the other. "I'm glad you're awake. Listen, Thlayli, there'sgoing to be a whole lot of trouble. Nelthilta's been arrested by the Council. I wassure she would be, after my report to Vervain this morning. Whatever it was shewas talking about, they'll get it out of her. I dare say the General will be herehimself as soon as he knows what's what. Now look here, I've got to go over to theCouncil burrow at once. You and Avens are to stay here and get the sentries onduty immediately. There'll be no silflay and no one is to go outside for any reasonwhatever. All the holes are to be double-guarded. Now, you understand theseorders, don't you?""Have you told Avens?""I haven't time to go looking for Avens; he's not in his burrow. Go and alert thesentries yourself. Send someone to find Avens and someone else to tell Bartsiathat Blackavar won't be wanted this evening. Then sit on those holes -- and thehraka holes, too -- with every sentry11 you've got. For all I know, there may be someplot to make a break-out. We arrested Nelthilta as quietly as we could, but theMark are bound to realize what's happened. If necessary you're to get rough, doyou see? Now I'm off.""Right," said Bigwig. "I'll get busy at once."He followed Chervil to the top of the run. The sentry at the hole was Marjoram.
As he stood clear to let Chervil pass, Bigwig came up behind him and looked outinto the overcast12.
"Did Chervil tell you?" he said. "Silflay's early tonight, on account of theweather. The orders are that we're to get on with it at once."He waited for Marjoram's reply. If Chervil had already told him that no onewas to go out, it would be necessary to fight him. But after a moment Marjoramsaid, "Have you heard any thunder yet?""Get on with it at once, I said," answered Bigwig. "Go down and get Blackavarand the escort up, and be quick, too. We'll need to get the Mark out immediatelyif they're to feed before the storm breaks."Marjoram went and Bigwig hurried back to his own burrow. Hyzenthlay hadlost no time. Three or four does were crammed13 into the burrow itself and nearby,in a side run, Thethuthinnang was crouching14 with several more. All were silentand frightened and one or two were close to the stupefaction of terror.
"This is no time to go tharn," said Bigwig. "Your lives depend on doing as I say.
Listen, now. Blackavar and the police guards will be up directly. Marjoram willprobably come up behind them and you must find some excuse to keep himtalking. Soon after, you'll hear fighting, because I'm going to attack the policeguards. When you hear that, come up as fast as you can and follow me out intothe field. Don't stop for anything."As he finished speaking, he heard the unmistakable sound of Blackavar and theguards approaching. Blackavar's weary, dragging gait was like that of no otherrabbit. Without waiting for the does to reply, Bigwig returned to the mouth of therun. The three rabbits came up in single file, Bartsia leading.
"I'm afraid I've brought you up here for nothing," said Bigwig. "I've just beentold that silflay's canceled for this evening. Have a look outside and you'll seewhy."As Bartsia went to look out of the hole, Bigwig slipped quickly between himand Blackavar.
"Well, it looks very stormy, certainly," said Bartsia, "but I shouldn't havethought--""Now, Blackavar!" cried Bigwig, and leaped on Bartsia from behind.
Bartsia fell forward out of the hole with Bigwig on top of him. He was not amember of the Owslafa for nothing and was reckoned a good fighter. As theyrolled over on the ground, he turned his head and sank his teeth in Bigwig'sshoulder. He had been trained to get a grip at once and to hold it at all costs.
More than once in the past this had served him well. But in fighting a rabbit ofBigwig's strength and courage it proved a mistake. His best chance would havebeen to keep clear and use his claws. He retained his hold like a dog, and Bigwig,snarling15, brought both his own back legs forward, sank his feet in Bartsia's sideand then, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, forced himself upward. He feltBartsia's closed teeth come tearing out through his flesh and then he wasstanding above him as he fell back on the ground, kicking helplessly. Bigwigleaped clear. It was plain that Bartsia's haunch was injured. He struggled, butcould not get up.
"Think yourself lucky," said Bigwig, bleeding and cursing, "that I don't killyou."Without waiting to see what Bartsia would do, he jumped back into the hole.
He found Blackavar grappling with the other guard. Just beyond them,Hyzenthlay was coming up the run with Thethuthinnang behind her. Bigwig gavethe guard a tremendous cuff16 on the side of the head, which knocked him clearacross the run and into the prisoner's alcove17. He picked himself up, panting, andstared at Bigwig without a word.
"Don't move," said Bigwig. "There'll be worse to come if you do. Blackavar, areyou all right?""Yes, sir," said Blackavar, "but what do we do now?""Follow me," said Bigwig, "all of you. Come on!"He led the way out again. There was no sign of Bartsia, but as he looked backto make sure that the others were following, he caught a glimpse of theastonished face of Avens peering out of the other hole.
"Captain Chervil wants you!" he called, and dashed away into the field.
As he reached the clump18 of thistles where he had spoken to Kehaar thatmorning, a long roll of thunder sounded from across the valley beyond. A fewgreat, warm drops of rain were falling. Along the western horizon the lowerclouds formed a single purple mass, against which distant trees stood out minuteand sharp. The upper edges rose into the light, a far land of wild mountains.
Copper-colored, weightless and motionless, they suggested a glassy fragility likethat of frost. Surely, when the thunder struck them again they would vibrate,tremble and shatter, till warm shards20, sharp as icicles, fell flashing down from theruins. Racing21 through the ocher light, Bigwig was impelled22 by a frenzy23 of tensionand energy. He did not feel the wound in his shoulder. The storm was his own.
The storm would defeat Efrafa.
He was well out into the great field and looking for a sight of the distant archwhen he felt along the ground the first stamping thuds of the alarm. He pulled upand looked about him. There did not seem to be any stragglers. The does --however many there were -- were well up with him, but scattered24 to either side.
Rabbits in flight tend to keep away from each other, and the does had opened outas they left the hole. If there was a patrol between him and the iron road theywould not get past it without loss unless they came closer together. He wouldhave to collect them, despite the delay. Then another thought came to him. If theycould get out of sight, their pursuers might be puzzled, for the rain and the failinglight would make tracking difficult.
The rain was falling faster now and the wind was rising. Over on the eveningside, a hedge ran down the length of the field toward the iron road. He sawBlackavar nearby and ran across to him.
"I want everyone the other side of that hedge," he said. "Can you get hold ofsome of them and bring them that way?"Bigwig remembered that Blackavar knew nothing except that they were on therun. There was no time to explain about Hazel and the river.
"Go straight to that ash tree in the hedge," he said, "and take all the does youcan pick up on the way. Get through to the other side and I'll be there as soon asyou are."At this moment Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang came running toward them,followed by two or three other does. They were plainly confused and uncertain.
"The stamping, Thlayli!" panted Thethuthinnang. "They're coming!""Well, run, then," said Bigwig. "Keep near me, all of you."They were better runners than he had dared to hope. As they made for the ashtree, more does fell in with them and it seemed to him that they ought now to be amatch for a patrol, unless it were a very strong one. Once through the hedge heturned south and, keeping close beside it, led them down the slope. There, aheadof him, was the arch in the overgrown embankment. But would Hazel be there?
And where was Kehaar?
-<*>-"Well, and what was to happen after that, Nelthilta?" asked GeneralWoundwort. "Make sure you tell us everything, because we know a good dealalready. Let her alone, Vervain," he added. "She can't talk if you keep cuffing25 her,you fool.""Hyzenthlay said -- oh! oh! -- she said a big bird would attack the Owslasentries," gasped26 Nelthilta, "and we would run away in the confusion. And then--""She said a bird would attack the sentries?" interrupted Woundwort, puzzled.
"Are you telling the truth? What sort of a bird?""I don't -- I don't know," panted Nelthilta. "The new officer -- she said he hadtold the bird--""What do you know about a bird?" said Woundwort, turning to Chervil.
"I reported it, sir," replied Chervil. "You'll not forget, sir, that I reported thebird--"There was a scuffling outside the crowded Council burrow and Avens camepushing his way in.
"The new officer, sir!" he cried. "He's gone! Taken a crowd of the Mark doeswith him. Jumped on Bartsia and broke his leg, sir! Blackavar's cut and run, too.
We never had a chance to stop them. Goodness knows how many have joinedhim. Thlayli -- it's Thlayli's doing!""Thlayli?" cried Woundwort. "Embleer Frith, I'll blind him when I catch him!
Chervil, Vervain, Avens -- yes and you two as well -- come with me. Which wayhas he gone?""He was going downhill, sir," answered Avens.
"Lead the way you saw him take," said Woundwort.
As they came out from the Crixa, two or three of the Efrafan officers checked atthe sight of the murky27 light and increasing rain. But the sight of the General wasmore alarming still. Pausing only to stamp the escape alarm, they set out behindhim toward the iron road.
Very soon they came upon traces of blood which the rain had not yet washedaway, and these they followed toward the ash tree in the hedge to the west of thewarren.
-<*>-Bigwig came out from the further side of the railway arch, sat up and lookedround him. There was no sign either of Hazel or of Kehaar. For the first time sincehe had attacked Bartsia he began to feel uncertain and troubled. Perhaps, afterall, Kehaar had not understood his cryptic28 message that morning? Or had somedisaster overtaken Hazel and the rest? If they were dead -- scattered -- if therewas no one left alive to meet him? He and his does would wander about the fieldsuntil the patrols hunted them down.
"No, it shan't come to that," said Bigwig to himself. "At the worst we can crossthe river and try to hide in the woodland. Confound this shoulder! It's going to bemore nuisance than I thought. Well, I'll try to get them down to the plank7 bridgeat least. If we're not overtaken soon, perhaps the rain will discourage whoever'safter us; but I doubt it."He turned back to the does waiting under the arch. Most of them lookedbewildered. Hyzenthlay had promised that they were to be protected by a greatbird and that the new officer was going to work a secret trick to evade29 the pursuit-- a trick which would defeat even the General. These things had not happened.
They were wet through. Runnels of water were trickling30 through the arch fromthe uphill side, and the bare earth was beginning to turn into mud. Ahead of themthere was nothing to be seen but a track leading through the nettles31 into anotherwide and empty field.
"Come on," said Bigwig. "It's not far now and then we'll all be safe. This way."All the rabbits obeyed him at once. There was something to be said for Efrafandiscipline, thought Bigwig grimly, as they left the arch and met the force of therain.
Along one side of the field, beside the elms, farm tractors had pounded abroad, flat path downhill toward the water meadow below -- that same path upwhich he had run three nights before, after he had left Hazel by the boat. It wasturning muddy now -- unpleasant going for rabbits -- but at least it led straight tothe river and was open enough for Kehaar to spot them if he should turn up.
He had just begun to run once more when a rabbit overtook him.
"Stop, Thlayli! What are you doing here? Where are you going?"Bigwig had been half expecting Campion to appear and had made up his mindto kill him if necessary. But now that he actually saw him at his side, disregardingthe storm and the mud, self-possessed as he led his patrol, no more than fourstrong, into the thick of a pack of desperate runaways32, he could feel only what apity it was that the two of them should be enemies and how much he would haveliked to have taken Campion with him out of Efrafa.
"Go away," he said. "Don't try to stop us, Campion. I don't want to hurt you."He glanced to his other side. "Blackavar, get the does to close up. If there areany stragglers the patrol will jump on them.""You'd do better to give in now," said Campion, still running beside him. "Ishan't let you out of my sight, wherever you go. There's an escape patrol on theway -- I heard the signal. When they get here you won't stand a chance. You'rebleeding badly now.""Curse you!" cried Bigwig, striking at him. "You'll bleed too, before I've done.""Can I fight him, sir?" said Blackavar. "He won't beat me a second time.""No," answered Bigwig, "he's only trying to delay us. Keep running.""Thlayli!" cried Thethuthinnang suddenly, from behind him. "The General!
The General! Oh, what shall we do?"Bigwig looked back. It was indeed a sight to strike terror into the bravest heart.
Woundwort had come through the arch ahead of his followers33 and was runningtoward them by himself, snarling with fury. Behind him came the patrol. In onequick glance Bigwig recognized Chervil, Avens and Groundsel. With them wereseveral more, including a heavy, savage-looking rabbit whom he guessed to beVervain, the head of the Council police. It crossed his mind that if he were to run,immediately and alone, they would probably let him go as he had come, and feelglad to be so easily rid of him. Certainly the alternative was to be killed. At thismoment Blackavar spoke19.
"Never mind, sir," he said. "You did your very best and it nearly came off. Wemay even be able to kill one or two of them before it's finished. Some of thesedoes can fight well when they're put to it."Bigwig rubbed his nose quickly against Blackavar's mutilated ear and sat backon his haunches as Woundwort came up to them.
"You dirty little beast," said Woundwort. "I hear you've attacked one of theCouncil police and broken his leg. We'll settle with you here. There's no need totake you back to Efrafa.""You crack-brained slave-driver," answered Bigwig. "I'd like to see you try.""All right," said Woundwort, "that's enough. Who have we got? Vervain,Campion, put him down. The rest of you, start getting these does back to thewarren. The prisoner you can leave to me.""Frith sees you!" cried Bigwig. "You're not fit to be called a rabbit! May Frithblast you and your foul34 Owsla full of bullies35!"At that instant a dazzling claw of lightning streaked36 down the length of the sky.
The hedge and the distant trees seemed to leap forward in the brilliance37 of theflash. Immediately upon it came the thunder: a high, tearing noise, as thoughsome huge thing were being ripped to pieces close above, which deepened andturned to enormous blows of dissolution. Then the rain fell like a waterfall. In afew seconds the ground was covered with water and over it, to a height of inches,rose a haze2 formed of a myriad38 minute splashes. Stupefied with the shock, unableeven to move, the sodden39 rabbits crouched40 inert41, almost pinned to the earth bythe rain.
A small voice spoke in Bigwig's mind.
"Your storm, Thlayli-rah. Use it."Gasping42, he struggled up and pushed Blackavar with his foot.
"Come on," he said, "get hold of Hyzenthlay. We're going."He shook his head, trying to blink the rain out of his eyes. Then it was nolonger Blackavar who was crouching in front of him but Woundwort, drenched43 inmud and rain, glaring and scrabbling in the silt44 with his great claws.
"I'll kill you myself," said Woundwort.
His long front teeth were bared like the fangs45 of a rat. Afraid, Bigwig watchedhim closely. He knew that Woundwort, with all the advantage of weight, wouldjump and try to close with him. He must try to avoid him and rely on his claws.
He shifted his ground uneasily and felt himself slipping in the mud. Why didWoundwort not jump? Then he realized that Woundwort was no longer lookingat him, but staring over his head at something beyond, something that he himselfcould not see. Suddenly, Woundwort leaped backward and in the same moment,through the all-enveloping sound of the rain, there sounded a raucous46 clamor.
"Yark! Yark! Yark!"Some big white thing was striking at Woundwort, who was cowering47 andguarding his head as best he could. Then it was gone, sailing upward and turningin the rain.
"Meester Pigvig, ees rabbits come!"Sights and feelings swirled48 through Bigwig as though in a dream. The thingsthat were happening no longer seemed connected by anything except his owndazed senses. He heard Kehaar screaming as he dived again to attack Vervain. Hefelt the rain pouring cold into the open gash49 in his shoulder. Through the curtainof rain he glimpsed Woundwort dodging50 among his officers and urging them backinto the ditch on the edge of the field. He saw Blackavar striking at Campion andCampion turning to run. Then someone beside him was saying, "Hullo, Bigwig.
Bigwig! Bigwig! What do you want us to do?" It was Silver.
"Where's Hazel?" he said.
"Waiting at the boat. I say, you're wounded! What--""Then get these does down there," said Bigwig.
All was confusion. In ones and twos the does, utterly51 bemused and scarcelyable to move or to understand what was said to them, were urged into getting upand stumbling their way down the field. Other rabbits began to appear throughthe rain: Acorn52, clearly frightened, but determined53 not to run; Dandelionencouraging Pipkin; Speedwell and Hawkbit making toward Kehaar -- the onlycreature visible above the ground haze. Bigwig and Silver brought them togetheras best they could and made them understand that they were to help to get thedoes away.
"Go back to Blackberry, go back to Blackberry," Silver kept repeating. "I leftthree of our rabbits in different places to mark the way back," he explained toBigwig. "Blackberry's first, then Bluebell, then Fiver -- he's quite near the river.""And there is Blackberry," said Bigwig.
"You did it, then, Bigwig," said Blackberry, shivering. "Was it very bad? Goodheavens, your shoulder--""It's not finished yet," said Bigwig. "Has everyone passed you?""You're the last," said Blackberry. "Can we go? This storm's terrifying me!"Kehaar alighted beside them.
"Meester Pigvig," he said, "I fly on does damn rabbits, but dey no run, dey getin ditch. I no catch 'em in dere. Dey coming all along beside you.""They'll never give up," said Bigwig. "I warn you, Silver, they'll be at us beforeit's done. There's thick cover in the water meadow -- they'll use that. Acorn, comeback, keep away from that ditch!""Go back to Bluebell! Go back to Bluebell!" repeated Silver, running from sideto side.
They found Bluebell by the hedge at the bottom of the field. He was white-eyedand ready to bolt.
"Silver," he said, "I saw a bunch of rabbits -- strangers, Efrafans, I suppose --come out of the ditch over there and slip across into the water meadow. They'rebehind us now. One of them was the biggest rabbit I've ever seen.""Then don't stay here," said Silver. "There goes Speedwell. And who's that?
Acorn and two does with him. That's everyone. Come on, quick as you can."It was only a short distance now to the river, but among the sodden patches ofrushes, the bushes and sedge and deep puddles54, they found it next to impossibleto tell their direction. Expecting to be attacked at any moment, they scuttered andfloundered through the undergrowth, finding here a doe and there one of theirown rabbits and forcing them on. Without Kehaar they would certainly have lostall touch with each other and perhaps never reached the river. The gull55 kept flyingbackward and forward along the direct line to the bank, only alighting now andthen to guide Bigwig toward some straggling doe whom he had spotted56 going thewrong way.
"Kehaar," said Bigwig, as they waited for Thethuthinnang to struggle up tothem through a half-flattened clump of nettles, "will you go and see whether youcan spot the Efrafans? They can't be far away. But why haven't they attacked us?
We're all so scattered that they could easily do us a lot of harm. I wonder whatthey're up to?"Kehaar was back in a very short time.
"Dey hiding at pridge," he said, "all under pushes. I come down, dat peeg fella'e make for fight me.""Did he?" said Bigwig. "The brute's got courage, I'll give him that.""Dey t'ink you got to cross river dere or else go all along pank. Dey not knowheem poat. You near poat now."Fiver came running through the undergrowth.
"We've been able to get some of them on the boat, Bigwig," he said, "but mostof them won't trust me. They just keep asking where you are."Bigwig ran behind him and came out on the green path by the bank. All thesurface of the river was winking57 and plopping in the rain. The level did not appearto have risen much as yet. The boat was just as he remembered it -- one endagainst the bank, the other a little way out in the stream. On the raised part at thenear end Hazel was crouching, his ears drooping58 on either side of his head and hisflattened fur completely black with rain. He was holding the taut59 rope in histeeth. Acorn, Hyzenthlay and two more were crouching near him on the wood,but the rest were huddled60 here and there along the bank. Blackberry was tryingunsuccessfully to persuade them to get out on the boat.
"Hazel's afraid to leave the rope," he said to Bigwig. "Apparently61 he's bitten itvery thin already. All these does will say is that you're their officer."Bigwig turned to Thethuthinnang.
"This is the magic trick now," he said. "Get them over there, whereHyzenthlay's sitting, do you see? All of them -- quickly."Before she could reply, another doe gave a squeal62 of fear. A little waydownstream, Campion and his patrol had emerged from the bushes and werecoming up the path. From the opposite direction Vervain, Chervil and Groundselwere approaching. The doe turned and darted63 for the undergrowth immediatelybehind her. Just as she reached it, Woundwort himself appeared in her way,reared up and dealt her a great, raking blow across the face. The doe turned oncemore and ran blindly across the path and onto the boat.
Bigwig realized that since the moment when Kehaar had attacked him in thefield, Woundwort had not only retained control over his officers but had actuallymade a plan and put it into effect. The storm and the difficult going had upset thefugitives and disorganized them. Woundwort, on the other hand, had taken hisrabbits into the ditch and then made use of it to get them down to the watermeadow, unexposed to further attack from Kehaar. Once there, he must havegone straight for the plank bridge -- which he evidently knew about -- and set anambush under cover. But as soon as he had grasped that for some reason therunaways were not making for the bridge after all, he had instantly sent Campionto make his way round through the undergrowth, regain64 the bank downstreamand cut them off; and Campion had done this without error or delay. NowWoundwort meant to fight them, here on the bank. He knew that Kehaar couldnot be everywhere and that the bushes and undergrowth provided enough cover,at a pinch, to dodge65 him. It was true that the other side had twice his numbers,but most of them were afraid of him and none was a trained Efrafan officer. Nowthat he had them pinned against the river, he would split them up and kill asmany as possible. The rest could run away and come to grief as they might.
Bigwig began to understand why Woundwort's officers followed him andfought for him as they did.
"He's not like a rabbit at all," he thought. "Flight's the last thing he ever thinksof. If I'd known three nights ago what I know now, I don't believe I'd ever havegone into Efrafa. I suppose he hasn't realized about the boat, too? It wouldn'tsurprise me." He dashed across the grass and jumped on the planking besideHazel.
The appearance of Woundwort had achieved what Blackberry and Fiver couldnot. Every one of the does ran from the bank to the boat. Blackberry and Fiverran with them. Woundwort, following them close, reached the edge of the bankand came face to face with Bigwig. As he stood his ground, Bigwig could hearBlackberry just behind him, speaking urgently to Hazel.
"Dandelion's not here," said Blackberry. "He's the only one."Hazel spoke for the first time. "We shall have to leave him," he answered. "It'sa shame, but these fellows will be at us in a moment and we can't stop them."Bigwig spoke without taking his eyes from Woundwort. "Just a few moremoments, Hazel," he said. "I'll keep them off. We can't leave Dandelion."Woundwort sneered66 up at him. "I trusted you, Thlayli," he said. "You can trustme now. You'll either go into the river or be torn to pieces here -- the whole lot ofyou. There's nowhere left to run."Bigwig had caught sight of Dandelion looking out of the undergrowth opposite.
He was plainly at a loss.
"Groundsel! Vervain!" said Woundwort. "Come over here beside me. When Igive the word, we'll go straight into them. As for that bird, it's not dangerous--""There it is!" cried Bigwig. Woundwort looked up quickly and leaped back.
Dandelion shot out of the bushes, crossed the path in a flash and was on the boatbeside Hazel. In the same moment the rope parted and immediately the littlepunt began to move along the bank in the steady current. When it had gone a fewyards, the stern swung slowly outward until it was broadside on to the stream. Inthis position it drifted to the middle of the river and into the southward bend.
Looking back, the last thing Bigwig saw was the face of General Woundwortstaring out of the gap in the willow67 herb where the boat had lain. It reminded himof the kestrel on Watership Down which had pounced68 into the mouth of the holeand missed the mouse.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
swell
|
|
| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
sentries
|
|
| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
gnawed
|
|
| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
plank
|
|
| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
rumble
|
|
| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
bluebell
|
|
| n.风铃草 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
burrow
|
|
| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sentry
|
|
| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
overcast
|
|
| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
snarling
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
cuff
|
|
| n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
alcove
|
|
| n.凹室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
clump
|
|
| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
shards
|
|
| n.（玻璃、金属或其他硬物的）尖利的碎片( shard的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
racing
|
|
| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
impelled
|
|
| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
cuffing
|
|
| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的现在分词 )；袖口状白血球聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
murky
|
|
| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
cryptic
|
|
| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
evade
|
|
| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
trickling
|
|
| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
nettles
|
|
| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
runaways
|
|
| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
bullies
|
|
| n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
streaked
|
|
| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
brilliance
|
|
| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
myriad
|
|
| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
sodden
|
|
| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
inert
|
|
| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
gasping
|
|
| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
drenched
|
|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
silt
|
|
| n.淤泥，淤沙，粉砂层，泥沙层；vt.使淤塞；vi.被淤塞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
fangs
|
|
| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
raucous
|
|
| adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
cowering
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
swirled
|
|
| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
gash
|
|
| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
dodging
|
|
| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
acorn
|
|
| n.橡实，橡子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
puddles
|
|
| n.水坑， （尤指道路上的）雨水坑( puddle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
gull
|
|
| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
spotted
|
|
| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
winking
|
|
| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
taut
|
|
| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
squeal
|
|
| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
dodge
|
|
| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
sneered
|
|
| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
willow
|
|
| n.柳树 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
pounced
|
|
| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |