The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

more welcome to them than any music; she snored. And now it was a question of tiptoe
work, not daring to go too fast, hardly daring to breathe, out through the scullery (giant
sculleries smell horrid), out at last into the pale sunlight of a winter afternoon.
They were at the top of a rough little path which ran steeply down. And, thank heavens,
on the right side of the castle; the City Ruinous was in sight. In a few minutes they were
back on the broad, steep road which led down from the main gate of the castle. They
were also in full view from every single window on that side. If it had been one, or two,
or five windows there'd be a reasonable chance that no one might be looking out. But
there were nearer fifty than five. They now realized, too, that the road on which they
were, and indeed all the ground between them and the City Ruinous, didn't offer as much
cover as would hide a fox; it was all coarse grass and pebbles and flat stones. To make
matters worse, they were now in the clothes that the giants had provided for them last
night: except Puddleglum, whom nothing would fit. Jill wore a vivid green robe, rather
too long for her, and over that a scarlet mantle fringed with white fur. Scrubb had scarlet
stockings, blue tunic and cloak, a gold-hilted sword, and a feathered bonnet.
"Nice bits of colour, you two are," muttered Puddleglum. "Show up very prettily on a
winter day. The worst archer in the world couldn't miss either of you if you were in
range. And talking of archers, we'll be sorry not to have our own bows before long, I
shouldn't wonder. Bit thin, too, those clothes of yours, are they?"
"Yes, I'm freezing already," said Jill.
A few minutes ago when they had been in the kitchen, she had thought that if only they
could once get out of the 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 until 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.