Free Ticket to Curlew by Celia Lottridge Page B

He had rope wound around his waist, but he could not believe that those oxen would follow him if he tried to lead them out of a place where they seemed so content.
    Suddenly he realized that Gregor was off his horse. He was striding through the reeds and into the shallow water. He slapped the oxen on their large rumps and spoke to them in a quiet, firm voice. To Sam’s amazement the animals turned toward shore and walked out of the water, sending waves across the pond.
    Sam slid down off Prince. He handed the rope to Gregor who quickly tied an end to the harness on each ox. He looked at the long rope with an ox at each end and made a face. Sam had the answer to that problem. He took out his pocket knife and cut the rope in the middle. Now they could get back on their horses and each lead one ox.
    When they got to the top of the hill, Sam looked back at the little pond. The water was golden now. It shone in the midst of the darkening prairie. Sam had the feeling that it would disappear as soon as they could no longer see it. He looked around him. The sky was filled with golden clouds that seemed to catch fire in the west near the setting sun.
    Gregor laid the reins on his horse’s neck and, still holding the end of the rope, he stretched his arms wide as if he wanted to touch the pale gold sky to the east and the blazing orange sky to the west. Then he picked up the reins and moved restlessly on the horse’s back. Sam knew what he meant. He wanted to make his horse fly across the darkening land. So did Sam. But instead they walked slowly and steadily, with the oxen plodding behind.
    As they neared the track, Sam saw Pa riding toward them. “Good for you, boys,” he said. “You’ve done a good job. The Martingales will certainly think so, too.”
    â€œIt was really Gregor, Pa,” said Sam. “He guessed where the oxen might be and he knew how to get them out of the pond.”
    â€œThank you, Gregor,” said Pa. “Thank you from the Martingales.”
    Gregor looked pleased. He gestured toward Sam as if to say. You deserve some credit, too. But Sam just shook his head.
    As they rode along the track, Sam said to Pa, “I guess you found my message.”
    I did,” said Pa. “Gregor’s father made sure I saw it. He seemed to think you were a smart young fellow.”
    How Pa could know what Gregor’s father thought, Sam had no idea. But when they came to Gregor’s place, there was his whole family out in the yard to greet them. The dogs barked, the younger children waved and Gregor’s mother smiled. Gregor’s father came over to Sam and Pa. He put his hand on his chest.
    â€œIvan Chomyk,” he said.
    Pa held out his hand. “James Ferrier,” he said. “And Sam Ferrier.”
    Mr. Chomyk put both of his hands around Pa’s and shook hard. Then he stepped back toward his family.
    Gregor handed Pa the rope he was still holding. He knew that the Ferriers had to be starting home. It was nearly dark and it would be a slow journey with the oxen.
    Sam and Pa rode in silence for a few minutes. The wind had blown the clouds away and the stars were starting to show themselves.
    Pa looked up and said, “This country grows on you, Sam. I admit it can seem lonely, but it grows on you. I guess you’re not so lonely now.”
    â€œNo,” said Sam. Besides his whole family there was Gregor and Prince, especially Prince. Prince was always there, ready to go with him, needing no words. Gregor was a friend, but they did need words. Sam had to figure out what to do about that.

11
    THE SMALL WHITE horse and the tall black one stood side by side on the wagon road. The two boys looked at each other.
    â€œAllo,” said Gregor. He smiled but he looked puzzled. He pointed down the track and raised his eyebrows at Sam.
    â€œHello,” said Sam. He was thinking hard. If he could make Gregor understand about the strayed