"Boggis's Chicken House Number One!" spluttered the Small Fox. "We tunnelled right up under the floor and you've never seen so many big fat hens in all your life! And Dad said to prepare a feast! They'll be back soon!"
The sight of food seemed to give new strength to Mrs. Fox. "A feast it shall be!" she said, standing up. "Oh. what a fantastic fox your father is! Hurry up, child, and start plucking those chickens!"
Far away down in the tunnel, the fantastic Mr. Fox was saying, "Now for the next bit, my darlings! This one'll be as easy as pie! All we have to do is dig another little tunnel from here to there!"
"To where. Dad?"
"Don't ask so many questions. Start digging!"
12
Badger
Mr. Fox and the three remaining Small Foxes dug last and straight. They were all too excited now to feel tired or hungry. They knew they were going to have a whacking great feast before long and the fact that it was none other than Boggis's chickens they were going to eat made them churgle with laughter every time they thought of it. It was lovely to realize that while the fat farmer was sitting up there on the hill waiting for them to starve, he was also giving them their dinner without knowing it. "Keep digging," said Mr. Fox. "It's not much further."
All of a sudden a deep voice above their heads said, "Who goes there?" The foxes jumped. They looked up quickly and they saw, peeking through a small hole in the roof of the tunnel, a long black pointed furry face.
"Badger!" cried Mr. Fox.
"Foxy!" cried Badger. "My goodness me, I'm glad I've found someone at last! I've been digging around in circles for three days and nights and I haven't the foggiest idea where I am!"
Badger made the hole in the ceiling bigger and dropped down beside the foxes. A Small Badger (his son) dropped down after him. "Haven't you heard what's happening up on the hill?" Badger said excitedly "It's chaos! Half the wood has disappeared and there are men with guns all over the countryside! None of us can get out, even at night! We're all starving to death!"