Read Online Pit Pony by Joyce Barkhouse - Free Book Online Page A

and pieces of wood flew past. Something hit him, and he was knocked to the ground.
    By the time he struggled to his feet, he heard the sound of pounding feet. Men came running.
    â€œC’mon, lad! Leave the horse. Get out of here!”
    Stunned and bewildered, Willie hesitated.
    He couldn’t leave Gem!
    She was helpless, caught between the shafts of the box. She was headed in the wrong direction. There was no room to turn her around. She tried to rear up on her hind legs, and screamed with terror.
    â€œEasy, girl, easy!” coaxed Willie, as he put out his light.
    The air was so filled with debris he hadn’t been able to see much. Now it was pitch dark. He felt as if he was choking to death. Was the air filled with poisonous gas as well?
    He had to get out ... but he couldn’t leave Gem.
    Could he make her back up, all the way back to the landing?
    A weird silence had followed the explosion. As he struggled to make the terrified horse back up, a faint cry came from far back in the tunnel.
    â€œHelp! Help!”
    Willie froze.
    Simon.
    He must be dreaming.
    But no one else could be back there, still. The men at the coal face had run for their lives.
    The cry came again, desperate, pitiful.
    â€œHelp!”
    For one terrible moment, Willie thought he would not … could not … go back. All the pit props, and walls, and ceilings in the tunnel must have been loosened by the explosion. At any moment there might be a rock fall somewhere which would cut off all hope of escape. If he could make Gem back up now, all the way back to the landing, they both could live. Why should they die trying to rescue Simon?
    But then, Willie knew he had to go back, Words echoed in his mind. In the mine every man’s life depends on the othe r .
    He choked out, “Whoa, Gem. Wait. I’ll be back.”
    But even as he said it he thought he never would.
    Gem trusted him. He felt her body trembling under his hand, but she had stopped squealing. Maybe she would wait. Maybe she would be all right.
    On his hands and knees in the black dark, he felt for one of the steel rails. He began to crawl back farther into the tunnel. His breath came in painful gasps. He tried to yell, “I’m coming!” but his mouth and nose were so full of dust his voice came out as a low croak.
    He could no longer hear Simon calling.
    Probably he was dead. Still Willie crawled on.
    He heard again, “Help!” but the call was weaker now.
    â€œHold on! I’m coming!” Willie croaked.
    At last the rail under his hand ended. He had come to a great pile of rubble.
    â€œSimon! Where are you?”
    â€œI’m caught. I’m buried under the rocks.” The sobbing voice was almost in his ear.
    â€œI’ll get you out,” said Willie.
    He felt around with his hands until he touched something soft and furry. It was Simon’s head.
    He found rocks piled on Simon’s left leg and arm which were pinning him down.
    â€œOw! Ow!” Simon kept howling as Willie pulled and lifted blindly.
    â€œI think you’re free. Can you crawl?” Willie asked.
    He felt so tired and weak, he wondered if he could crawl back himself.
    â€œI can’t ... I can’t do anything. I think my arm ... my shoulder ... is broke.”
    â€œYou’ve gotta crawl,” said Willie. Somehow Simon’s moans made him feel stronger. “We gotta get out of here. There might be a cave-in any minute. Keep your good hand on the rail.”
    â€œO.K., I’ll try,” sobbed Simon.
    It seemed to Willie they had been crawling forever when Simon suddenly whimpered, “I can’t go no further.”
    â€œYou’ve got to,” croaked Willie, desperately.
    No answer.
    He felt around in the dark. Simon was lying flat on the ground. His body was limp.
    He must have passed out.
    Willie gave way to despair. He lay beside Simon on the ground. He couldn’t get up. He thought he would never move