What is the world, O soldiers?
It is I.
I, this incessant snow,This northern sky;Soldiers, this solitudeThrough which we goIs I.
Walter de la Mare, NapoleonWhen the punt floated down the river in the rain, part of General Woundwort'sauthority went with it. He could not have appeared more openly and completelyat a loss if Hazel and his companions had flown away over the trees. Until thatvery moment he had shown up strongly, a most formidable adversary. His officershad been demoralized by Kehaar's unexpected attack. He had not. On thecontrary, he had kept up the pursuit in spite of Kehaar and had actually carriedout a scheme to cut off the fugitives' retreat. Cunning and resourceful inadversity, he had nearly succeeded in hurting the gull when he leaped at him outof the close cover by the plank bridge. Then, when he had his quarry cornered in aplace where Kehaar could not have done a great deal to help them, they hadsuddenly shown their own cunning greater than his, and left him bewildered onthe bank. He had overheard the very word -- tharn -- spoken by one of his officersto another as they returned to Efrafa through the rain. Thlayli, Blackavar and thedoes of the Near Hind had vanished. He had tried to stop them and he hadconspicuously failed.
For a great part of that night Woundwort remained awake, considering whatwas best to be done. The following day he called a Council meeting. He pointedout that it would be no good taking an expedition down the river to look forThlayli unless it were strong enough to defeat him if it found him. That wouldmean taking several officers and a number of the Owsla. There would be the riskof trouble at home while they were away. There might be another break-out. Theodds were that they would not find Thlayli at all, for there would be no trail andthey did not know where to search for him. If they did not find him, they wouldlook even bigger fools when they came back.
"And fools we look now," said Woundwort. "Make no mistake about that.
Vervain will tell you what the Marks are saying -- that Campion was chased intothe ditch by the white bird and Thlayli called down lightning from the sky andFrith knows what besides.""The best thing," said old Snowdrop, "will be to say as little about it as possible.
Let it blow over. They've got short memories.""There's one thing I think worth doing," said Woundwort. "We know now thatthere was one place where we did find Thlayli and his gang, only nobody realizedit at the time. That was when Mallow was after them with his patrol, just beforehe was killed by the fox. Something tells me that where they were once, therethey'll be again, sooner or later.
"But we can hardly stay out there with enough rabbits to fight them, sir," saidGroundsel, "and it would mean digging in and living there for some time.""I agree with you," replied Woundwort. "A patrol will be stationed therecontinuously until further notice. They'll dig scrapes and live there. They'll berelieved every two days. If Thlayli comes, he's to be watched and followedsecretly. When we know where he's taken the does, then we may be able to dealwith him. And I'll tell you this," he ended, glaring round at them with his great,pale eyes. "If we do find out where he is, I shall be ready to go to a great deal oftrouble. I told Thlayli I'd kill him myself. He may have forgotten that, but Ihaven't."Woundwort led the first patrol in person, taking Groundsel to show him whereMallow had picked up the strangers' southward trail. They dug scrapes among thescrub along the edge of Caesar's Belt and waited. After two days their hopes werelower. Vervain relieved Woundwort. He was relieved two days later by Campion.
By this time there were captains in the Owsla who said privately to each otherthat the General was in the grip of an obsession. Some way would have to befound of getting him to drop it before it went too far. At the Council meeting thenext evening it was suggested that the patrol should be discontinued in two days'
time. Woundwort, snarling, told them to wait and see. An argument began,behind which he sensed more opposition than he had ever encountered before. Inthe middle of this, with a dramatic effect that could not have been better timedfrom the General's point of view, Campion and his patrol came in, dead beat, withthe report that they had met Thlayli and his rabbits exactly where Woundworthad said they would. Unseen, they had followed them to the warren, which,though a long way off, was not too distant to be attacked, especially since no timewould have to be spent in searching for it. It did not appear to be very large andcould probably be surprised.
The news put an end to all opposition and brought both Council and Owslaback under Woundwort's undisputed control. Several of the officers were forstarting at once, but Woundwort, now that he was sure of his followers and hisenemy, took his time. Having learned from Campion that he had actually comeface to face with Thlayli, Blackavar and the rest, he decided to wait some littlewhile, in case they might be on their guard. Besides, he wanted time both toreconnoiter the way to Watership and to organize the expedition. His idea wasthat, if possible, they should make the journey in one day. This would forestallany possible rumors of their approach. To satisfy himself that they could do thisand still be fit to fight when they arrived, he took Campion and two others, andhimself covered the three and a half miles to the down east of Watership. Here, hegrasped at once the best way to approach the beech hanger without being seen orsmelled. The prevailing wind was westerly, as at Efrafa. They would arrive atevening and then assemble and rest in the combe south of Cannon Heath Down.
As soon as twilight fell and Thlayli and his rabbits had gone underground, theywould come along the ridge and attack the warren. With luck, there would be nowarning whatever. They would be safe for the night in the captured warren andthe following day he himself and Vervain would be able to return to Efrafa. Theremainder, under Campion, could have a day's rest and then make their way backwith the does and any other prisoners there might be. The whole thing could befinished in three days.
It would be best not to take too many rabbits. Anyone not strong enough to gothe distance and then fight would only be a nuisance. In the event, speed mightturn out to be everything. The slower the journey, the more dangerous it wouldbe, and stragglers would attract elil and discourage the rest. Besides, asWoundwort very well knew, his leadership was going to be vital. Every rabbitwould need to feel that he was close to the General; and if he felt himself one of apicked band as well, that would be all to the good.
The rabbits to go were chosen most carefully. There were in fact about twenty-six or -seven of them, half Owsla and the rest promising youngstersrecommended by their Mark officers. Woundwort believed in emulation and helet it be known that there would be plenty of chances to win rewards. Campionand Chervil were kept busy taking out endurance patrols, and tussles and trainingfights were organized at morning silflay. The members of t............