Chapter 40 Summary

The Way Back

The next morning the rabbits discover the doe that fell off the boat. She has drowned. Kehaar leaves to catch up with his flock and tells the rabbits he will see them the following season. The rabbits begin their long walk home, but they are exhausted and do not make it very far. Hazel considers stopping to dig out a few holes and resting for a few days. Blackavar thinks they are in fox country, but Bigwig tells him they are not. Fiver feels uneasy, but thinks it will probably be fine. Hazel makes the decision to stop and rest.

Two days later, a fox attacks and kills a doe. The rabbits move on, but soon run into Campion and a few other Owsla from Efrafa. They are outnumbered and let Hazel's group pass. Blackavar warns Hazel that they must...