When it became dark, the Water Rat felt excited. He called the others into the room. He stood everyone next to their piles of weapons. He helped them get ready for the fight. This took a long time because the Water Rat was very careful. He gave each animal a belt. He put a sword in each belt.
He gave them Pistols (small guns held in one hand). He also gave them a Truncheon (a heavy stick used by police). He gave them bandages and food in small cases. The Badger laughed at all the things. He said his big stick was enough for him. But the Water Rat wanted to be ready for any problem.
The Badger took a Dark lantern (a light with a cover to hide the flame). He grabbed his big stick. "Follow me!" he said. He told the Mole to go first because he was happy with him. He told the Water Rat to go next. He told Toad to go last. He told Toad to be very quiet.
The animals walked along the river. Suddenly, the Badger jumped into a hole in the bank. The Mole and the Water Rat followed him silently. But Toad slipped and fell into the water with a loud splash. His friends pulled him out and dried him. The Badger was very angry. He told Toad that next time he would leave him behind.
They were now inside the secret passage. It was cold, dark, and wet. Toad began to shake because he was cold and afraid. The Badger was far ahead with the light. Toad was afraid of being alone in the dark. He ran forward too fast. He hit the Water Rat, and everyone fell down.
The Badger thought enemies were attacking them. He almost shot Toad with his pistol. When he saw it was just Toad, he was very angry again. He wanted to leave Toad there. But the Mole and the Water Rat promised that Toad would be good. They moved forward again. The Water Rat held Toad’s shoulder firmly.
They moved slowly in the dark. They listened carefully. Finally, the Badger said they were under Toad Hall. They heard a loud noise above their heads. People were shouting and hitting the tables. The Badger said the weasels were having a big party.
The passage went up. The noise became very loud and clear. They heard cheering and the sound of glasses on tables. They reached the end of the passage. They stood under a Trap-door (a door in the floor) that led to the small room where the food was kept.
The weasels were making a lot of noise. They did not hear the friends. The Badger said, "Now, everyone push!" The four animals pushed the door open together. They climbed up into the room. There was only one door between them and the big dining hall.
The noise was very loud. Then, a voice started speaking. It was the Chief Weasel. He was talking about Toad. He made mean jokes about him. All the weasels laughed loudly. Toad was very angry. He wanted to fight them immediately. But the Badger told him to wait.
The Chief Weasel began to sing a mean song about Toad. The Badger held his stick with both paws. He looked at his friends. "The time is now!" he shouted. He threw the door open wide.
The weasels were terrified. They screamed and jumped. Some weasels hid under the tables. Others tried to jump out of the windows. The Ferrets (animals that look like large weasels) tried to climb up the chimney. Tables and chairs fell over. Plates and glasses broke on the floor.
The four heroes rushed into the room. The Badger used his big stick. The Mole shouted his war-cry. The Water Rat had many weapons. Toad was shouting and jumping with excitement. He went straight for the Chief Weasel. The weasels thought the hall was full of many monsters. They ran away in fear.
The fight was over quickly. The four friends used their sticks to clear the room. In five minutes, all the enemies were gone. Some weasels were on the floor. The Mole put handcuffs on them. The Badger rested on his stick. He was very tired.
"Mole, you are a great friend," the Badger said. He told the Mole to check the guards outside. The Mole left through a window. Then the Badger told Toad and the Water Rat to fix the tables. He was very hungry. He wanted a Banquet (a very large, formal meal).
Toad was a bit sad. The Badger did not say he was brave. But Toad worked hard to find food. He found chicken, cold meat, and salad. He found bread, cheese, and butter in the room. They were ready to eat.
The Mole came back through the window. He was carrying many rifles. He said the Stoats (small animals with long bodies and short legs) who were guarding the house had run away. They heard the noise inside and became afraid. When the weasels ran out, they all fought each other and fell into the river.
The Badger was happy. He told the Mole to take the prisoners upstairs. He wanted the weasels to clean the bedrooms. He wanted clean sheets and fresh soap in every room. The Mole led the prisoners away. Later, he said the rooms were clean and ready.
The weasels were very sorry. They said the Chief Weasel made them do bad things. They promised to be good. The Mole gave them some bread and let them go. They ran away as fast as they could. Then the four friends sat down and ate a big supper. They were safe in Toad Hall.
The next morning, Toad woke up late. His friends had already finished breakfast. There was not much food left for him. Toad was a little angry, but he sat down. The Badger said they must have a big party that night to celebrate.
The Badger told Toad to write the invitations. Toad did not want to stay inside on a beautiful morning. He wanted to walk around his house and feel important. But the Badger said he must write the letters. Toad finally agreed.
Toad had a plan. He went to the desk and started writing. He wanted to tell everyone that he was a hero. He wanted to tell them how he beat the Chief Weasel. He planned many speeches and songs for the party. He wanted to be the center of attention.
A small weasel came to the door to help. Toad gave him the invitations. He told the weasel to deliver them quickly. The weasel was happy to help and ran away. When the other animals came back for lunch, Toad felt very proud of himself.
After lunch, Toad wanted to practice his speeches. But the Water Rat and the Badger stopped him. They took him into a small room and shut the door. They told him to sit down. Toad felt suspicious.
"We must talk about the party," the Water Rat said. "There will be no speeches tonight. And there will be no songs. You cannot boast about yourself anymore." Toad was very disappointed. He asked if he could sing just one small song.
"No," the Water Rat said. "Your songs are too proud. You must change your ways, Toad. This is a new start for you." Toad thought for a long time. Finally, he looked at his friends. He said they were right.
"I will be a different Toad now," he said. "You will never be ashamed of me again." He felt sad, but he knew they were right. He went to his room. The Water Rat felt bad for him, but the Badger said it was necessary.
The Water Rat told the Badger a secret. He saw the weasel with Toad's invitations earlier. He took the letters away because they were too boastful. The Mole was writing new, simple invitations now.
In his room, Toad felt a bit better. He smiled to himself. He arranged the chairs in a circle. He imagined an audience was there. He sang his last boastful song very loudly to himself. He sang about how the "Hero" came home.
After the song, he felt peaceful. He brushed his hair and made it very flat and neat. He went downstairs to meet his guests. Everyone cheered when he entered the room. They said he was brave and clever. But Toad only smiled politely.
He did not boast. He told everyone that the Badger was the leader. He said the Mole and the Water Rat did the hard fighting. He said he did very little. Everyone was very surprised. Toad was a quiet and polite host all night.
The party was a big success. Everyone ate and talked. Some young animals wanted Toad to sing a song or give a speech. But Toad only shook his head. He was a completely different animal now.
After this, the four friends lived happily. Toad sent a gold necklace to the girl at the prison. He wrote her a very nice letter. He paid the engine-driver for his help. He even found the woman on the boat and paid for her horse.
On summer evenings, the friends walked together in the Wild Wood. All the animals there respected them. Mothers showed Toad to their babies. They said, "Look! That is the great Mr. Toad!" They also told stories about the brave Water Rat, the famous Mole, and the strong Badger.