In a panic he leapt back into the woods and continued running. He did not understand what had happened, he was quite unable to collect his thoughts but just kept on running. His terror kept a tight grip on his heart and took his breath away as he blindly rushed forward. But then, suddenly, a piercing pain ran through him, he did not think he would be able endure it. He felt how it ran hotly over his left thigh, a narrow, burning thread starting from the place where he had first felt the pain. It forced him to stop running. It forced him to walk more slowly. Then his shoulders and legs seemed to go lame. He collapsed to the ground.
He was seen by Labsal as he just lay there resting.
“Get up Bambi! Get up!” The elder stood beside him and pushed him gently on his shoulder.
Bambi wanted to retort, “I can’t,” but the elder said again, “Get up! Get up!” and there was such urgency in his voice and such tenderness that Bambi said nothing. Even the pain he felt in every part of his body abated for a moment.
Now the elder spoke hurriedly and in fear. “Get up! You’ve got to get away from here, son!” Son ... it seemed to be as soon as this word slipped out of his mouth that Bambi hurried back up on his feet.
“Right, then!” said the elder. He took a deep breath and continued to urge Bambi on. “Now, come with me, just stay with me all the time ...!”
He hurried forward. Bambi followed him, even though he was yearning to drop to the ground, to lay still and rest.
The elder seemed able to see this and spoke to Bambi without pause. “Whatever the pain is you’ve now got to just bear it, you can’t even think about lying down ... never think of that at all, as that by itself will make you tired! Now you’ve got to just save yourself ... do you understand, Bambi? ... save yourself ... otherwise you’re lost ... just bear in mind that He’s coming after you ... do you understand, Bambi? ... He won’t show any mercy ... He’ll just kill you ... come with me ... just come with me ... it’ll soon be gone ... it’s got to go ...” Bambi no longer even had the strength to think of anything. The pain surged up in every step he took, robbed im of his breath and of his senses, and the line of heat that burned down into his shoulder brought a deep, delirious excitement into his heart.
The elder went round in a broad circle. It took a long time. Through his veil of pain and weakness Bambi was astonished to see that they were suddenly beside the great oak once more.
The elder stopped and smelt the ground. “Here!” he whispered, “here ... He’s here ... here too ... the dog ... come with me ... faster!”