The Same Heart The August weather was hot and muggy. There was no hint of the Fall that would soon arrive. Neil jogged along the trail on Charlie. He wiped his brow with a handkerchief. Even thought the trail was well shaded he was sweating profusely. "If only it would rain!" He muttered to Charlie, who knickered in return. Neil smiled and patted his beloved horse. "You may not be as tall and elegant as Grantland's Prince, but I wouldn't trade you for the world." Soon Neil's cabin came into sight and Charlie picked up the pace, glad to return home. After Neil had unsaddled Charlie, he led him to the river side with a bucket. He let Charlie have a long drink, then he poured river water on him to cool him off. Charlie groaned in satisfaction. Neil lingered with Charlie for some time. "You've earned it, boy. A horse that can take four days of traveling almost non-stop deserves a good bath." Neil had had a tough week. It seemed to him that everyone within fifty miles had decided to get sick. He had barely slept. Neil took Charlie to his stall and gave him his feed. Then he grabbed his soap and a towel and headed to the river for a bath himself. The cool rushing water swirled around him. He let it rush against him even after he had finished washing. Breathing a sigh of relief he hoped that no one else would need him for the night. Sadly, that was not to be so. Neil was jarred awake to the sound of someone furiously pounding on his door. Neil jumped out of bed, muttering to himself that "this better be good." He opened the door to a very wide eyed Tom Mchone. "It's Iris, she's wailin' somethin' fearful. Afraid ye might have to do an operation like ye done on Isaac years back." Neil was confused for a moment. Then he remembered. Appendicitis. Isaac had had it four years ago. "Same symptoms, Tom?" "Yep, let's hurry, please." Neil made haste in gathering his instruments and saddling Charlie. He pulled Tom up behind him and they set off into the dark night. The way to the Mchone cabin was difficult, especially at night. Neil hoped that Charlie would be able to manage the rocky paths in the dark. Charlie went confidently, sensing the urgency. Neil leaned forward in the saddle, as if to put himself closer to the Mchone cabin. By Tom's description, Iris' life could be in grave danger. Neil did not want to think of what would happen if Opal lost another girl. Charlie picked up speed. The trail was black as pitch, Neil tried to reign Charlie in, knowing the horse would not be able to avoid the hazards ahead. Charlie pressed on anyway. He stumbled, hard. Neil's stomach sickened when Charlie stopped and hobbled a few feet. He was about to swing down, but Charlie once again pressed ahead. As soon as the cabin loomed out of the night Neil dismounted and tethered Charlie quickly. Iris' wailing could be heard from outside. Neil discovered Tom was right. He operated quickly, saving the girl's life. Neil thanked heaven that he was able to make it in time. A few minutes difference, and it would have been too late. Dawn broke over the Cove. Neil sent Isaac out to check on Charlie. In the pale morning light he heard Isaac's cry. In another moment he was out with him. Neil felt as though someone had punched him in the chest. Charlie was standing, with his left front leg lifted in the air. he was breathing hard, in obvious distress. "Charlie!" Neil cried, brokenly. He rushed to his side, tears leaping to his eyes. He felt responsible, but he knew that it was Charlie who had saved Iris' life. He pressed on when he had been hurt. Charlie knickered to Neil. "I know boy, it looks bad." Neil muttered. He examined the leg. It was broken and aggravated. Sweat glistened all over Charlie's body. Neil could see he was in pain, suffering. There was nothing he could do. He unsaddled and unbridled Charlie. Then he filled a syringe. Neil hesitated. Charlie knickered at him again, as if nothing was wrong. "You'd try and carry me home if I asked you, wouldn't you, old friend." Charlie nuzzled Neil's shirt. Neil set his brow. Taking the syringe in hand he petted Charlie one last time, and administered the drug. Painlessly, Charlie died. Neil's heart broke. A few days later Christy was standing in the mission yard, looking out at the smoky blue mountains before her. She saw Neil trudging down the hill towards her. "Neil! How's Iris?" "She'll be fine. There's nothing to worry about now." "I'm so sorry about Charlie, Neil. I know he meant a lot to you. Personally, I mean, he was more than transportation, he was a loyal friend." "Thank you, Christy. That means a lot to me." Neil grasped her hand and gave her a weak smile. "I'd best be off. I have a long way to walk to this next case." Christy watched him go. Her heart was heavy. "If only we could do something for him." She walked into the mission house. Glancing at the calendar she noticed that Neil's birthday was coming up in two weeks. "September seventh. I suppose that I can think of something before then." The next day at school Christy made an announcement to the class. "As you may know, Dr. MacNeill's birthday is coming soon. It is September seventh. I want us all to do something special for him. He has done so much for us, and he is very saddened by the loss of Charlie. Maybe we can do something to cheer him up." The children excitedly chattered amongst themselves. Sam Houston piped up. "Miz Christy, supposing we could get the Doc a new horse. I'm sure that would perk him up good!" "Well, Sam Houston, that is an excellent idea. Unfortunately we haven't the funds to purchase a horse. As you know, they are very expensive." "Yes'm, but the preacher say that God will provide all that we need, so I suppose that Doc needs a horse right bad. I seen him tromping through the woods all alone. So, God will provide a horse if we ask him for one!" Christy smiled, but was skeptical. "All right, Sam Housten, will you lead the class in a prayer?" Sam Houston solemnly took off his hat and began: "God, the preacher says you supply all are needs. Doc MacNeill needs a horse, so please give him a horse for his birthday, which is September seventh. Amen." All the children looked up and in a flurry new ideas were volunteered from all the class. That night at dinner Christy explained what was going to happen. "They want to have a party for Neil, a surprise party. They want to make gifts for him themselves. We are going to be busy during the next two weeks making preparations! Sam Houston led the class in a prayer for God to give Neil a new horse. He was very serious." David looked up from his plate. "Doc MacNeill has had a lot to deal with. Maybe you should wait on this plan. Besides, there is no way he is going to be able to afford a horse anytime soon." "Well, David,as the you yourself said, "The Lord will provide all our needs." Christy replied. Miss Alice chimed in. "In my experience, Sam Houston seems to have a good ear for what the Lord is telling him. And he is right, Neil does need a horse. God will provide." Christy's heart swelled at Miss Alice's faith. If only she, too, could have that faith. The next weeks flew by. In addition to regular lessons, the children were busy making decorations, painting pictures and creating other creations for Neil's birthday. Each day Christy was surprised by the children's love for their beloved doctor. Sam Houston talked every day of the horse God would provide for Neil. Finally, September the seventh arrived. Christy had already arranged for Neil to come teach a science class that day, so she was sure of his arrival. While the children made last minute preparations Christy anxiously eyed the countryside for Neilšs approach. Then she saw him, walking as quickly as he could, up the hillside. Christy got the children into their places, then they watched him walk up the mission steps. As soon as he stepped into the mission house they all exclaimed: "Happy birthday!" Neil grinned and as he saw the big, hand painted banner and the children's decorations. Christy stepped close to him. "We wanted to do something special for your birthday, Neil. The children have planned quite a day!" Neil sat and watched as the class performed his favorite mountain songs. Read his favorite Scottish poems, and put on a play about him. They presented him with their gifts. Christy's heart leapted as she saw new life come into him. For the first time in weeks he was smiling and laughing and enjoying himself. Miss Alice and David came to see the party, Miss Alice gave Neil a gift herself. The party was interrupted by a stranger in the school house. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Neil MacNeill." Neil stood up and strode to the man. "John Macfee, it's good to see you!" Neil shook his hand. Miss Alice quietly explained to Christy that it was Mr. Macfee that sold Charlie to Neil years ago. "Doctor MacNeill, Ben Pentland told me of your terrible loss. I came to bring you something. Your sacrifice has meant a lot to me. Without men like you and horses like Charlie our families wouldn't survive in these mountains." Neil followed Mr. Macfee to the school yard. There stood a handsome horse. It looked a lot like Charlie, only taller. Christy gasped in wonder! "Neil, this horse is yours, a gift of gratitude from me to you. This horse has the very same parentage of Charlie. He has proven to be a good mountain horse, I know you need him." "Mr. Macfee, thank you, but I can't possibly accept such a gift. I..." Neil was cut off by a tug at his sleeve. Sam Houston looked up at him. "Doc MacNeill, when Miss Christy told us about your birthday we prayed to the Lord that he would give you a horse. Preacher says he gives us all we need." Neil's eyes softened and he shook Mr. Macfee's hand. "Thank you, John. I truly appreciate it." As Mr. Macfee left, Neil led away his new horse. Christy walked beside him. "I didn't believe that God would answer Sam Houston's prayer. But here is a horse, and on your birthday too!" Neil eyed the horse disdainfully. "I am a bit anxious. He may look like Charlie, but no horse could ever be Charlie again." Weeks went by, Christy saw Neil countless times riding by on his new horse, who he had named Max. She was concerned though. Neil didn't seem right. Then she didn't see Neil for days and days. When he finally returned, he was a different man. He swung down from Max and grinned as he saw her come out of the mission house to see him. "I've been away on cases for nearly a week, constantly on the road. I've barely had a wink of sleep. Max here had even less! This horse pulled through for me more than once this week. I have to say, Christy, Max not only looks like Charlie, but he has the same heart!" Max knickered in return. The End!