Tip for English language learners: You can listen to the chapter audio while reading the story text on the page. Try slowing the playback speed so you can follow along comfortably by clicking on the three dots on the right by the speaker and selecting Playback speed.
The wind howled, the roof rattled, and the rain beat upon the bunkhouse. A feeling of restlessness kept Jake from sleeping as he looked out the window. Then he saw it, a light shining from the window of the new barn. "Now who left that lantern burning?" he mumbled to himself. "We’ll end up burning this new barn down, just like the old one, even in this rain. I’m up," he said. "I’ll take care of it." Pulling his boots back on and putting on his hat and slicker, he opened the door. A gust of wet rain chilled the bunkhouse.
"Shut that door and let a man sleep!" someone shouted.
As Jake walked through the mud, so thick it nearly pulled his boots off with every step, he thought, When will these men ever take the responsibility we expect from a hand on this ranch? Opening the barn door, he saw a lantern hanging in front of the third stall on the left. Walking toward the stall to put out the light, he heard the voice of Thomas.
"Come on, buddy, you can make it. Why’d you have to go and eat that locoweed? That’s right… see if you can drink a little. I’m not forcing you." He was so focused on his horse, lying on the floor of the stall, that he had not even heard Jake open and close the barn door.
“Oh, I see the light’s yours, Thomas. It’s awful late. How long have you been here?”
Thomas looked up, startled. “Buddy ate some locoweed while we were eating lunch in the northwest pasture. He was browsing, and I saw it right away when I went to get him. He wouldn’t come when I called. He was becoming plumb crazy as we were riding back to the ranch after checking the fence line. That pasture is no good for cattle or horses as long as we have locoweed in it. By the time we got back, I could hardly get him into the barn and into this stall. I haven’t left him since. Finally, he just lay down, exhausted. Couldn’t stand if he tried.”
“That’s bad news, Thomas. I’m sorry. You’ve loved that horse ever since Caldwell gave him to you after the old barn burned. I sure don’t want you to lose him. Most die, but not all, from eating too much locoweed. He looks half-dead, but I think you might have gotten him here in time. You’re doing right: talking to him, staying with him, and giving him what water he’ll drink.”
“Buddy’s been like a brother to me. Never had much of a family back East. Buddy’s been my family. I plan to stick by him,” Thomas replied, his voice catching. “I’m not going to give up on him, Jake.”
“All right, Thomas. You tend him as long as it takes. A good horse is worth all the time and care you can give. The boys and I will take up the slack. And one of the first things we’ll do is root out that locoweed and burn it. Is there anything else I can do to help Buddy… or you?”
“Yes, there is,” Thomas replied, with a little more hope in his voice. “This horse… and I surely need the mercy of God to get through this. I know from reading that Bible you gave me that our Father is still working, and I want to keep working with Him to save this horse. But I will need your help after breakfast. I need to roll Buddy over, and I can’t do it alone.”
“Sure thing, pard,” Jake said, picking up on the faith he heard in Thomas’s voice. “When the sun’s up, Tiny and I will come and roll Buddy over. We’ll do it two or three more times today, if needed. One of these days, he’ll be back to standing and running.”
It was still pitch black and raining as Jake left the barn, and he prayed, “Lord, save that horse, for the sake of the horse and Thomas.”
It seemed to Jake that morning came earlier than usual. Just as the first ray of light reached the window, he was up, pulling on his boots again, harder this time because they were still wet and muddy, and destined to get worse. He looked over at Tiny, who was about ready to go help Mary in the cookhouse. “Tiny, I’ve got one quick job for you to help me with before breakfast. Thomas needs us.”
“Anything you say, boss,” Tiny replied without a hint of grumbling.
As they walked to the barn, Jake explained how Thomas had been taking care of his horse all night. When Tiny saw Thomas working to help his horse, he said with a hint of encouragement, “Thomas, I think what you’ve been doing is helping. That horse knows you’re here, and that horse loves you as much as you love him. Love is a big part of healing. I’ve seen some horses come out all right with the right care.”
After Jake and Tiny rolled Buddy over, Tiny said, “Let me give you my locoweed remedy. Keep giving small amounts of water… often. Don’t give him any grain. Give Buddy that clean, green hay over there to eat when he’s ready. Eli and I will come roll him over after lunch. You are doing all you can do. Nice deep straw bed, too. Buddy will like that. Remember, a horse that ain’t dead is still worth tendin’. It is not only up to us. Our Heavenly Father is helping too.”
Later, Mary came with Thomas’s breakfast. When she opened the barn door, she startled him awake. As she poured him a cup of hot coffee, she said, “I’ll leave this pot with you. And here are ham, eggs, biscuits, and gravy. Looks like you need it. You tend to your horse, and we’ll tend to you. We’re also praying. Now get some rest when you can.”
It took a few days, but Buddy began to drink more water and eat on his own. He tried standing on his own and eventually did so with Thomas’s help. Buddy got better daily. Finally, he could walk into the corral as Thomas led the way, and then the day came when Thomas could ride him in the corral. Everyone knew Buddy had been saved from the locoweed poison to run once again and work with his pard, who never gave up.
Looking back, Jake was glad he couldn’t sleep that cold, rainy night… the night he saw the light in the barn.