"You're right," breathed the Ox, starting obediently toward his stall. "I more than half believe you."
"Good night, then," called the Goat Girl softly. "Don't talk in your sleep and give our plans away."
CHAPTER 5
Out of Keretaria!
Nox was asleep on a heap of white flower petals in the corner of his stall, asleep and dreaming of the Silver Mountain of Oz, when a sharp tap on the shoulder rudely awakened him.
"Come!" whispered an urgent voice. "Time to start! Come, I've managed everything." Lurching to his feet and still in a daze, the Royal Ox looked askance and with no great favor at the Goat Girl.
"Why, it's not even light!" he moaned feebly.
"Of course not," admitted Handy Mandy guardedly, "but I poked my nose out the door a moment ago and saw all the guards were a bit drowsyish, so I tapped them on the head with this." Handy Mandy raised her iron hand and with a little grimace beckoned for Nox to hurry. "Come along now, and we can be out of here before they know what's what or who."