A few minutes ago when they had been in the kitchen, he had thought that if only they could once get out ofthe castle, their escape would be almost complete. She now realized that the most dangerous part of it was still to come.
“Steady, steady,” said Puddleglum. “Don’t look back. Don‘t walk too quickly. Whatever you do, don’t run. Look as if we were just taking a stroll, and then, if anyone sees us, he might, just possibly, not bother. The moment we look like people running away, we‘re done.”
The distance to the City Ruinous seemed longer than Jill would have believed possible. But bit by bit they were covering it. Then came a noise. The other two gasped. Jill, who didn’t know what it was, said, “What‘s that?”
“Hunting horn,” whispered Scrubb.
“But don’t run even now,” said Puddleglum. “Not till I give the word.”
This time Jill couldn‘t help glancing over her shoulder. There, about half a mile away, was the hunt returning from behind them on the left.
They walked on. Suddenly a great clamour of giant voices arose: then shouts and hollas.
“They’ve seen us. Run,” said Puddleglum.