There were followers of Pink Nose huddling alongside of Rolly Polly’s family, and Brindley the Lame was crowded next to White Tail. They were packed in so tight that it was difficult for any one to move.
Bumper was crowded way in back alongside Fuzzy Wuzz. Not understanding the great noise, Bumper had at first stood by the entrance to fight back any intruders that followed Old Blind Rabbit. He thought they were crowding in the burrow to get him.
But Goggle Eyes and Fuzzy Wuzz understood his mistake, and they took him by the paws and forced him to the back part of the burrow. “It’s Mr. Fox and Buster the Bear!” cried Fuzzy Wuzz in his ears.
Bumper understood immediately, and his wrath turned to kindness. He helped to make room for all the strangers that came pell-mell in the burrow. The excitement didn’t quiet down at once. Shivering with terror at their narrow escape, every one squealed, and tried to talk at once.
There was danger of the little ones being trampled upon and hurt until the leaders began to get their senses back. “Stop crowding!” shouted White Tail. “We’re safe in here! Now every one keep quiet while we think.”
It was so quiet that one could almost hear their thoughts, but they were so confused that it wouldn’t have done much good. No one could have made head or tail out of them. It was Old Blind Rabbit who first got over his scare, and came to his senses.
“How many are here?” he asked, turning to the others for an answer to his question.
“So many we can’t count them,” replied Goggle Eyes. “My, I was never in such a crowd before in all my life!”
“Is White Tail here?” continued Old Blind Rabbit.
“Yes, I squeezed in at the last minute, and lost a handful of fur in doing it.”