Mystery at Saddle Creek by Shelley Peterson Page B

place, Bird scrambled down and stood at Sunny’s side. She reached up over his back, and grasped the foot ends of the blanket. She started to pull. Cody took the head-end blanket corners in his mouth and lifted, allowing Bird to slide it over Sunny’s back.
    Sunny stood completely still as the blanket and comatose man were draped over him. Finally, everything was in place. The man was on his stomach with his feet hanging down Sunny’s right side and his arms down the left.
    Sunny was getting restless.
Can we go now?
    Soon, Sunny. I don’t want him to fall off when we start up the hill.
    It worried Bird that the man made no movement. His breathing was hoarse and shallow. She feared he was barely clinging to life.
    Bird looked at their work and considered how to secure him. She couldn’t tie his hands and feet together. If he slid around Sunny and hung down under his belly it would be horrible.
    I know. I’ll tie the blanket on so it doesn’t slide off, then walk beside him all the way and hold his legs.
    Bird took the rope from Tan’s tent, and as quickly as she could, tied the blanket securely around Sunny’s girth. She hoped they were ready.
    Let’s go.

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    SPEECHLESS
    Tan was deep in childhood memories, rocking on his old wooden horse. His mother held his leg so he wouldn’t fall, and she was singing something very quietly—so quietly that he couldn’t quite hear the tune. Back and forth, back and forth, rocking on his rocking horse. Back and forth, back and forth ...
    SUNNY FELT THE LIFELESS WEIGHT on his back and shifted a little to get comfortable with it. He took a step. He took another step, and another. Satisfied that the man was somewhat secure, and with Bird at his side holding the man’s leg, Sunny began the steep climb up the Escarpment.
    Bird, the way up is even harder than the way down.
    We’re going against gravity.
Bird was already breathing hard, which made her throat hurt more. At least she didn’t have to speak aloud.
    I know nothing about whatever that is. All I know is this guy feels dead. I’m going to freak out.
    Hang in there, Sunny. You’re doing great.
    I’d feel better if he started groaning again.
    Cody was in front of them, then behind, sniffing and watching out for trouble.
Be cautious. This red mud is very slippery. Go around it.
    I know what I’m doing. I’ve walked on that red mud before ...
    Just then, Sundancer stepped into a patch of the brick-coloured clay and slid out, legs splaying. Bird held tight to the man’s legs, but she was having trouble keeping upright herself. Oh, no, she thought. Sunny’s going down. He was on his knees now, with his nose in the mud. The horse tried mightily to keep his balance.
    Hold on, Sunny!
urged Bird.
You can do it!
    All at once, the man’s body pitched forward. Sunny threw up his neck to stop him from sliding off, but the action caused his hind end to skid under him.
    Bird held on tight, and looked ahead. Solid ground was one step away.
Keep going. You’re almost there.
    Sunny’s left front hoof inched forward until it found good footing. He took a deep breath and moved his right front to join it. Now, with his two front feet out of the mud, he slid his back feet slowly forward until he was finally safe. Bird let out her breath. That had been way too close.
    Good work, Sunny!
    You try that with four legs, no toes and slippery ooze!
    It took twenty-five long minutes of patience and extreme tension, but step by careful step, Sunny, Bird and Cody carried their human cargo up the steep slope. Thankfully, once they were on top of the ridge, the travelling was much easier. They walked silently along the trails and up to the kitchen door.
    Bird ran into the house to call for help, but as she opened her mouth to shout out Hannah’s name, she made a horrible discovery. She couldn’t make a sound. Nothing. She tried again. Same result. Not a