Floating on the small boat, the sodden rabbits ponder what to do next. Blackberry says a nice, long ride should put distance between them and Woundwort, and they’ll be safe from men during the rainstorm. Kehaar arrives and warns them that they’re about to go under the low bridge they’d crossed over two days earlier. Hazel orders everyone to hunker down.

The punt barely makes it under the bridge. Two rabbits get knocked over by the low overhang; one, a doe, is badly injured. Further down, a second bridge made of brick arches is too low, and the boat lodges against it. The bridge’s side rises vertically; the rabbits can’t climb it. Kehaar suggests they swim. They hesitate, so he jumps into the water, floats under the bridge, and flies back to them.

A group of men walks onto the bridge. The rabbits freeze, expecting an attack, but the men don’t notice them and walk on. Hazel quickly orders everyone overboard. He jumps in, gets pulled under the bridge, and comes out the other side. His feet find muddy footing, and he climbs onto the bank. Shortly,

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