My unseen companion led me through the crowd towards the barn I had noticed earlier. As we got closer, I heard people inside, ponies clomping horse-shoed feet in unison as a trainer barked out orders to be obeyed. For a heart-stopping moment I thought we were headed there, but then I saw a small stable that stood by itself just off the end of the path, and I knew he had something else in mind. The stable door opened to a golden lamplight, lit by a flickering Coleman lantern that hung in the first horse stall. Cautiously I stepped into the stable and let myself be led into the stall. “Right here,” the voice behind me said.
Old blankets covered the hay that lined the stall. The hands on my body eased me down to my knees, then unhobbled my wrists. With relief, I shook out my arms and turned
