14. Ozma Uses the Magic Belt

           Foraconsiderabledistancethewayledstraightupwardinagentleincline,andthewanderersmadesuchgoodprogressthattheygrewhopefulandeager,thinkingtheymightseesunshineatanyminute.Butatlengththeycameunexpectedlyuponahugerockthatshutoffthepassageandblockedthemfromproceedingasinglestepfarther.

           Thisrockwasseparatefromtherestofthemountainandwasinmotion,turningslowlyaroundandaroundasifuponapivot.Whenfirsttheycametoittherewasasolidwallbeforethem;butpresentlyitrevolveduntiltherewasexposedawide,smoothpathacrossittotheotherside.Thisappearedsounexpectedlythattheywereunpreparedtotakeadvantageofitatfirst,andallowedtherockywalltoswingaroundagainbeforetheyhaddecidedtopassover.Buttheyknewnowthattherewasameansofescapeandsowaitedpatientlyuntilthepathappearedforthesecondtime.

           ThechildrenandtheWizardrushedacrossthemovingrockandsprangintothepassagebeyond,landingsafelythoughalittleoutofbreath.Jimthecab-horsecamelast,andtherockywallalmostcaughthim;forjustasheleapedtothefloorofthefurtherpassagethewallswungacrossitandaloosestonethatthebuggywheelsknockedagainstfellintothenarrowcrackwheretherockturned,andbecamewedgedthere.

           Theyheardacrunching,grindingsound,aloudsnap,andtheturn-tablecametoastopwithitsbroadestsurfaceshuttingoffthepathfromwhichtheyhadcome.

           "Nevermind,"saidZeb,"wedon’twanttogetback,anyhow."

           "I’mnotsosureofthat,"returnedDorothy.