Watership Down: Chapter 29 Summary & Analysis

The next morning at dawn, Hazel and Fiver head up the hill to the warren. When they arrive, they find all the other rabbits excitedly waiting their return, having heard Blackberry’s exciting tale of Fiver’s vision, and of finding Hazel in the drain. Hazel is limping a bit, but after resting a moment, runs down into the warren rather quickly. The rabbits sniff and nuzzle and tussle with Hazel, delighted to have him back.

In the afternoon, Hazel calls the whole group into the Honeycomb and announces that he is going to journey to Efrafa soon to try once more to bring back enough does for the warren. He says that he and Blackberry have a plan—but that he is reluctant to share it, should something go wrong and any others get taken into Efrafa and made to talk.

Holly speaks up. He apologizes for having to speak against Hazel, but states that he cannot imagine a return to Efrafa being anything other than a “complete disaster.” The rabbits quarrel amongst themselves for a little bit—some believe “Hazel-rah” is right, while others side with Holly. When it is quiet once again, Hazel says that returning to Efrafa is the only way to ensure the survival of their warren—they have all faced enough danger since leaving Sandleford to prepare them for something like this.

Fiver and Bigwig add their voices in support of Hazel’s plan, as do Silver and Pipkin, citing their loyalty to Hazel. Blackberry scurries down into the Honeycomb—he has been talking with Kehaar, and they have created a plan which will leave General Woundwort looking “remarkably silly.” Bluebell declares that he wants to come to satisfy his curiosity—he wonders if Bigwig is going to “dress up as a hrududu and drive all the does across the field.”

Hazel concludes the meeting and heads up to talk to Kehaar. He asks if Kehaar really means to help them get the does out of Efrafa—Kehaar promises to help “get mudders,” even though the instinct to return to “Peeg Vater” is stronger than ever. He says that once the mission is complete, he will go to the ocean and not return until the autumn. Hazel thanks Kehaar for his loyalty and promises the mission will be over soon. Bigwig pokes his head out of the warren to see what Hazel and Kehaar are up to. Hazel tells him to go warn the others that their expedition will leave at daybreak tomorrow—each rabbit is free to stay or go as he pleases.