Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/180

 him. Dapples had, in some unaccountable way, discovered him, when he was lifted from the wrecked sleeper and placed in the ambulance, and then had trotted on three legs to the hospital after him. Would he be less faithful than the little horse? No, not even if he burned to a crisp. He had come into the building to rescue his friend, and he would accomplish that feat or die in the attempt. Anyhow, life would not be worth living if he lost Dapples, so they might just as well burn together.

With this brave assurance, Freckles seemed to take heart. He held his head as low as he could, as the smoke was much thinner near the ground. So, with one hand thrust out in front of him in order to ward off danger, he crept forward. He reached the first stall, and felt between the partitions, but it was empty. Carefully he made his way forward to the second; that also was empty. Then he went forward to the third. The groom had said