44: Chapter 42. News at Sunset
Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher
The pre-chapter quote is from Plato, referring to Socrates, in 'Euthyphro'. Plato's statement that "the act is unjust and hateful to the gods" would seem to refer to how things develop in this chapter. So, like some other pre-chapter quotes, this one is definitely foreshadowing. But it also refers to how things turn out with the Efrafans finding the warren. Their discovery of WD is also 'unjust and hateful.' But also 'to the gods?', given an upcoming remark about Frith by Hazel?
Having just told the story about El-ahrairah besting Rowsby Woof, awesome storyteller and fastest rabbit Dandelion remembers that he's got sentry duty. Hazel soon sees the same mouse that he saved many chapters ago. It's not the same mouse by random accident. This is a reminder from Adams because it was the saving of this mouse that led to the warren's relationship with Kehaar and where would our heroes be now without meeting and saving him?
Bigwig and Blackavar are nearby and the former's patience with mice has not changed.
The mouse overhears and 'sounds Bigwig out'. Bigwig is ready to change the subject but the mouse has said something that has Hazel's hackles up a bit. A comment about "another warren." Hazel presses the point with the mouse again. He adds detail about exactly where the other rabbits were seen.
Hazel acts decisively, another Hazel trait. The reader can immediately see what he's putting together. Having sent Holly and Blackavar, the two resident reconnaissance rabbits, Hazel and Bigwig talk about the warren. Bigwig has an idea for him, Hazel, and Fiver to leave the down and check out the recently cut fields. We know that Hazel will not go for this as he wants to hear from Holly and Blackavar first.
They're coming back already and there is immediately a sense of foreboding. Not only are Holly and Blackavar back but Holly is also stamping an alarm and looks to be in a panic. His news is chilling. The Efrafans are here and in large numbers.
Blackavar recommends a quick departure. Hazel won't agree to this and neither will Bigwig.
Hazel gives the order to "Fill in the holes."
To make a defense of the warren work, the Honeycomb is used to block runs from the inside. Kehaar's somewhat malodorous run is left open and it occurs to Hazel that the Efrafans have no idea that he has left. He takes a little time to scatter some of his guano to make it look as if he is still around.
Hazel then does one of the bravest things he does in the entire book. He departs with the intention of meeting up with Woundwort, making Bigwig the Chief until he comes back.
This is a highly suspenseful chapter. The chapter is not particularly long. Things move quickly, going from the ending of Dandelion's well-told story to what seems like the worst situation that our rabbit heroes have found themselves in yet.
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