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

again.
    Then he heard a sound. He lifted his head. It came again — a long, shrill whinny.
    â€œGem!” cried Willie.
    In answer, he heard the creaking of harness and the sound of wheels moving along the rail.
    The little mare was coming to him.
    â€œGem!” He sobbed aloud with love and hope as he managed to get on his feet.
    He had an idea. If Gem came close, maybe he could get Simon into the empty box ... somehow ... and maybe Gem would back up ... and keep on backing....
    She was close to him now.
    Oh, if only Simon would wake up.
    â€œCome on, Si! Come on!”
    â€œOw!” moaned Simon.
    â€œSi, if you can get into the box, Gem can take us out of here.”
    â€œO.K.,” said Simon. He was getting to his feet.
    Willie felt a stab of anger. He thought Simon had been pretending to be unconscious. But somehow, in the dark and narrow space, he managed to help get him into the box.
    He felt his way back along Gem’s body and found her bridle.
    With a great surge of hope he gave the command. “Now back up, girl. Back!”
    At that moment another deep rumble came from far back in the tunnel. Again came the sound of falling rocks — this time much nearer. Another rockfall….
    Something hit Willie on the head. He heard and felt no more.

Chapter 10
    Many hours passed before Willie became fully conscious. He found himself on the couch beside the warm kitchen stove. A strand of Nellie’s long hair tickled his face. He looked up into her anxious blue eyes.
    â€œWhere’s Gem?” he whispered.
    â€œShhh! Be still. Don’t worry.”
    â€œHow did I get home?”
    â€œNed found you. You’re a hero, Willie. They say you saved Simon Ross’s life.”
    â€œIs he hurt bad?”
    â€œHe has a bruised shoulder and a broken arm. But they got Simon out first. He didn’t breathe as much afterdamp as you did, Willie. And you had a concussion. Now rest.”
    Nellie left him but Maggie and Sara came, in their white flour-bag nightgowns, their long hair flowing loose.
    â€œMrs. Ross sent you some cookies,” said Maggie.
    Sara screwed up her little face. “Yuck! They taste awful,” she said.
    â€œNow, now,” said Grandma from her rocking chair.
    John hobbled over. “What’s it feel like to be a hero, Willie?”
    â€œIt feels awful,” he said.
    They all laughed.
    â€œSay good night now, girls,” said Nellie. “You should have been in bed long ago.”
    The next morning, after the children had left for school, Willie and John and Nellie sat at the kitchen table for a late breakfast. Outside the window, big snowflakes drifted down.
    Willie was feeling much better. He was telling all he could remember about what had happened at the time of the explosion, when a knock came at the door.

    It was Simon.
    His round face was pale, and his arm was in a sling. He stamped snow from his boots on the hooked rug at the door before he shuffled over to Willie.
    â€œI come to say thank ya for savin’ me,” he said.
    Willie grinned. Simon sounded as if he was reciting a lesson at school.
    â€œThat’s all right, Si. Anyone would’ve done the same,” he said.
    But in his mind, he remembered how close he had come to not going back for the boy who had bullied him.
    Simon brought his good hand out from behind his back. He held out John’s piece-can.
    â€œI found this in ... er ... the cemetery. Looked like it might be yours.”
    â€œOh, good!” exclaimed Willie. “Did you look inside? Was there any money?”
    Simon’s face turned red. “Naw. I didn’t find no money,” he mumbled.
    Willie knew Simon had spent it. “Well, thanks for the can,” he said.
    Nellie was always kind. “Won’t you sit down?” she invited.
    â€œNaw. I better go home. I jus’ wanted ya to know, Willie.”
    â€œThat’s all right, Si,” said Willie, again.
    When