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even speak around the lump in her throat. She was worried sick and didn’t know Elias well enough to have any confidence that he’d take proper care of her boy. Besides, there were so many things that could happen while he was leading the mules. He could get kicked or bitten by one of those stubborn beasts. He could collapse from the exhaustion of walking too many hours. She remembered how when she was a girl working for her father, she’d once seen a young boy get dragged by his mule right over one of the lockgates. It was a frightening thing to watch, and it was a miracle the boy hadn’t drowned in the canal.
    “I think what we all need to do is hold hands and offer a prayer for Elias and Sammy,” Pastor William suggested.
    “You can count me out of the prayer,” Ned said. “I ain’t into all that religious stuff!”
    Pastor William gave Ned’s shoulder a squeeze. “The Lord never makes a man do anything against his will, so if you’re not comfortable with praying you can just sit and listen. How’s that sound?”
    Ned gave a nod. “Suits me just fine.”
    Pastor William joined hands with Sarah and Betsy. “Heavenly Father,” he prayed, “please be with Elias and Sammy wherever they are right now. Give them a safe trip to Easton and back, and let them know that You are right there with them. Be with Sarah and her children here, and give her a sense of peace, knowing that You’ll watch over her son and bring him safely back home. Amen.”
    Sarah sniffed as tears rolled down her hot cheeks, wishing once again that there might be some way to get her children away from the canal.

Chapter 12

    A
fter spending a night on the canal near Kimmet’s Lock, about fourteen miles from Walnutport, Elias was able to make his coal delivery to Easton by late afternoon the following day. They’d headed out as soon as the boat was unloaded and had gone as far as the Catasauqua Lock and then spent that night. They’d gotten an early start this morning, and if all went well, they should be back at Walnutport before noon.
    It had rained off and on yesterday, and even though the sun was out now, the towpath was quite muddy. Elias hoped it wouldn’t slow them down too much. He alternated between looking up ahead as he steered the boat and keeping an eye on Sammy as he led the mules.
    He frowned when he realized that Sammy’s trousers were caked with mud. He wished he could wash the boy’s clothes before he dropped him off at home, but if he took time for that, they’d be even later getting back to Walnutport. Besides, the sun wasn’t warm enough to dry the clothes.
    As they continued to travel, Elias reflected on the time he’d spent with Sammy and realized he was going to miss the boy when he returned him to his family. Last night, they’d visited during supper again, and afterward, Elias had played the accordion while they sang. Just before they’d gone to bed, Elias had told Sammy that when they got back to Walnutport, he would pay him for walking the mules. Sammy had smiled and said he planned to use the money to buy his mother a birthday present, because this coming Sunday was her birthday.
    That boy is sure thoughtful
, Elias thought.
Most kids Sammy’s age only think of themselves. He must love his mother very much
.
    “Get up there! Haw! Haw!”
    Elias jerked his head to the left and grimaced when he saw Sammy slipping and sliding along the muddy towpath, as he struggled to keep the mules moving. They balked whenever they came to a puddle, and Sammy had to lead them around it, no matter how small the puddle of water was. At the rate they were going, it would be late in the day before they made it back to Walnutport.
    Elias cupped his hands around his mouth. “Are you doing okay, Sammy? Do you need to stop for a while?”
    “I’m fine. Just need to show these stubborn mules who’s boss.” Sammy tipped his head back and began to sing, “
I’ve got a mule, she’s such a fool, she never pays me no heed.