Distressed by the death of his wife, Pheasant volunteers to return to the farm and search for Natter. There he falls victim to the farmer's rifle shots. One of the baby rabbits gets caught in a snare and is saved only by Eule's careful thinking and Mole's diligent digging. Toad leads the animals to a river, but during the crossing the rabbits panic and in an attempt to help them, the fox and badger are driven off.