The Muskehoundsarrive in a village of the province, where they are able to confirm that the story which the emigrating mouse had told Pomwas no exaggeration – the peasants were living in total poverty. Suddenly, Pedigreen Hood's men arrive and start handing out money and food to the people of the village. Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds head for them in order to talk. The outlaws complain of the King’s injustice in decreeing such high taxes; the Muskehounds try to explain to them that the King cannot be responsible; either the local nobles are raising taxes on their own account, or someone other than the King is behind it.
