Billy felt a great thrill when he heard that door shut behind him and
knew his friend was out in the open again under God's sky. Nothing ever
quite discouraged Billy when he was out of doors. But it was a work of
time to get Mark across the clearing and down in the undergrowth out of
sight of the house, where the old bicycle lay. Once there Billy felt
like holding a Thanksgiving service. But Mark was very white and lay
back on the grass looking wholly unlike himself.
"Say, Cart," said Billy after a brief silence of thought, "I gotta get
you on my machine. We gotta get down to Unity an' phone."
"All right, old man, just as you say," murmured Mark too dizzy to care.
So Billy with infinite tenderness, and much straining of his young
muscles got Mark up and managed to put him astride the wheel; but it
was tough going and slow, over rough places, among undergrowth, and
sometimes Billy had to stop for breath as he walked and pushed and held
his friend.
But Mark was coming to his own again, and by the time they reached a
road he was able to keep his balance, and know what he was doing. It
was high noon before they reached Unity and betook themselves to the
drug store. While Mark asked for medicine Billy hied him to a telephone
booth. His heart was beating wildly. He feared him much that Mark's car
was gone.
But the chief's voice answered him after a little waiting, and he
explained: "Say, I'm the kid that phoned you early this morning. Didya get that
car aw'right?" Billy held his breath, his jaded eyes dropped shut with
anxiety and weariness. But the chief's voice answered promptly, "yes,
we got yer car all right, but didn't get the men. They beat it when
they heard us coming. What sort of men were they, do you know?"
"Aw, that's aw'right, Chief, I'll tell ya when I gi'down there. Can't
tell ya over the phone. Say, I'm Billy, Billy Gaston. You know me. Over
to Sab'th Valley. Yes. You seen me play on the team. Sure. Well, say
Chief, I'm here in Unity with the guy that owns the car. Mark Carter.
You know him. Sure! Mark! Well, he's all in, an' he wants his car to
get home. He's been up all night and he ain't fit to walk. He wants me
to come over and bring his car back to Unity fer him. I got my bike
here, See? Now, I ain't got a license of course, but I c'd bring his
along. That be aw'right Chief, just over to Unity? Aw'right, Chief?
Thank ya, Chief. Yas, I'm comin' right away. S'long!"