For a bit longer I heard the creaking wagon that Double-knot was pulling. After that, the glow from Bodacious Deepthink's lantern swayed back and forth until suddenly winking out. From inside the earth came a pop and crinkle as the cave door began to slide down. Just as morning's sunlight first nicked the treetops, the cave's mouth was gone. Solid rock faced us again. "We did it," Stump whispered, hardly daring to believe it. For once only Jim Dandy had nothing to say. He stood there staring at where his father had been. The cricket perched on his shoulder said, "Take your time. I'm sure she won't be back." "You know what that means," Biz squeaked, trying to shove his way past the others. "What about Duke?" I called out, still tied to the pole and lying on the ground. But they weren't in any mood for listening, only running, although my voice did slow Biz enough to bend over and slip his crown-ring off my finger. "Mine," he squeaked before dashing after the others. So much for a troll's pledge.
