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to walk between them. He felt safe. He knew as soon as he reached the lamp house Simon wouldn’t bother him with so many men around.
    He saw no more of Simon that day or the next, and then it was Sunday. He went to church in the morning, as always, but as soon as the service was over, he hurried off to the waterfront to look for Gem.
    When he got to the top of the hill and looked down, he saw that the paddock was empty. All the horses were gone. Gem was somewhere in the coal mine.
    Willie walked home slowly, kicking at stones along the way. Even when he got home and was told that his father was improving, he was too sad to say anything. He wouldn’t talk about his wonderful day at the farm with Charley. He moped around until it was time to go to bed.
    The next day when Ned Hall came through the trap, he asked him, “Is it hard to find a horse in a coal mine?”
    â€œNo. It’s easy as pie,” said Ned. “All horses go to the stable when their shift is over. Each stall has the horse’s name posted on a board. They get to know their own stall. Sometimes, I don’t go to the stable with Sparky. I just unhitch him and he trots off by himself. He wants his supper.”
    â€œOh,” said Willie. “Sometime ... sometime ... could I go to the stable with you?”
    â€œSure. I’ll take you tonight,” said Ned.
    That night, on their way to the stable, Willie told Ned the whole story of how he had made friends with the little Sable Island mare. He told about how he had hidden in Charley’s barn and then had to take Gem back.
    â€œI guess she’ll never get out of the mine again,” mourned Willie.
    â€œNot if she makes a good pit pony,” said Ned, cheerfully.
    â€œWhat if she doesn’t? What if she can’t be trained to work like Sparky?”
    Ned shook his head sadly.
    â€œUsually a horse like that has to be destroyed. If it can’t be trained, it probably won’t get sold outside. Nobody wants a kicker or a biter.”
    â€œGem ain’t lazy. She wouldn’t ever kick or bite,” said Willie.
    â€œThat’s all right, then,” said Ned, grinning.
    The dimly lighted stables seemed brighter than any other part of the mine. The rough stone walls and pit props had been freshly whitewashed. A strong, horsy smell filled Willie’s nostrils. He might have been in one of the livery stables in town. It was the kind of place he loved.
    Each animal had its own stall and on each overhead beam was a name — Nellie, Clyde, Molly — Willie walked the length of the stable, reading each name aloud, until he came to the very end.
    GEM.
    It really was Gem, with the white blaze on her nose, her long blond mane prettily combed, and her thick, woolly coat beginning to look smooth and neat.
    She looked around at him, showing the whites of her eyes, and giving a whicker of recognition.
    â€œGem!” cried Willie. He buried his face in her soft, warm neck.
    For a long time, Willie stayed in the stable with Gem, patting her and talking to her.
    â€œAh, you have new shoes, Gem ... very nice ... and you’re goin’ to have a fine new harness. You’ll have a leather cap to wear on your head … and pretty brass studs on your face mask. You’ll look pretty, Gem....”
    He looked around to see Ned watching him.
    â€œIt’s Gem! She’s my horse,” said Willie.
    â€œWell, good. Have a visit, then. I spoke to the stableman and he don’t mind if you stay for awhile.”
    Willie was anxious. “Has Gem started to work yet?”
    Ned shook his head. “She’s been a bit fractious. She was fine above ground but now she’s wary of the dark tunnels.”
    Willie’s eyes grew wide with fear. “What’s goin’ to happen to her then?”
    â€œI dunno. It depends if they can find a driver who can handle her.”
    â€œI could handle her!” cried Willie.
    Ned rolled the cud