“That is no use,” said the cat. “Before you had got half-way home the witch would overtake you.”
“Then what must I do? Is there anywhere I can hide?”
“When she returns and finds you gone she will ransack every corner of the tower. Not even a mouse could escape her keen eyes.”
“Oh dear! oh dear!” said Margot, beginning to cry again. “Do help me to escape, kind cat, and I will be grateful to you all my life.”
“Of course I will help you,” answered the cat, “that is why I let you out of the cupboard. Take this piece of carpet, and when the witch has almost overtaken you, throw it on to the ground and it will turn into a wide river. That will delay her for some time, because she cannot swim, but if she manages to get across, and overtakes you again, throw down this comb, which will immediately change into a dense forest. You may plunge into it without fear, for a way will open before you between the trees, but the witch will have to cut a way through, foot by foot, with her knife; and long before she has done that you will be safely home.”
Paddling with her Broom
Margot thanked the cat, and having taken the carpet and the comb, she fled swiftly down the stairs.
A short time afterwards the witch came home, and when she discovered that her prisoner had escaped she howled with rage. Mounting to the very roof of the tower, she gazed out upon the countryside, and soon descried the figure of the little girl, running as fast as she could in the direction of her home.