THE MEETING

IT WAS FRIDAY night, the night before the race, when it

happened.

Grandfather was out of medicine. Little Willy Went to

see Doc Smith.

“Here.”Doc Smith handed little Willy a piece of

paper with some scribbling on it.“Take This to Lester

right away.”

“But it’s night time. The Stores Closed.”

“Just knock on the back door. He’ll hear you.”

“But...are you sure it's alright?”

“Yes. Lester knows I may have to call on him any

time—day or night. People don't always get sick just

during working hours, now, do they?”

“No, I guess they don’t.”Little Willy headed for the

door. He sure wished he could stay and have some of

that cinnamon cake Doc Smith was baking in the oven.

It Smelled mighty good. But Grandfather needed his

medicine. And,anyway, he wouldn’t think of staying

without being asked.

“One other thing, Willy,”Doc Smith said.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I might as well say this now as later. It's About the

race tomorrow.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“First, I want you to know that I think you're a darn

fool for using your college money to enter that race.”

Little Willy's Eyes looked to the floor.“Yes, ma’am.”

“But, since it's already been done, I also want you to

know that I’ll be rooting for you.”

Little Willy looked up.“You Will?”

“Win, Willy. Win that race tomorrow.”

Little Willy beamed. He tried to speak, but couldn't

find the words. Embarrassed, he backed over to the

door, givealittle wave, then turned quickly to leave.

“And, Willy...”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“If you stay a minute, you can have some of that

cinnamon cake I’ve got in the oven.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Later, on his way to town, little Willy sang at the top

of his lungs. The Sled's runners cut through the snow

with aswish. This was treacherous road at night, but

The moon was out and Searchlight Could see well. And,

anyway, they knew this road by heart. Nothing Was

going to happen.

Lester gave little Willy a big bottle of what looked

like dirty milk.

“How’s your grandfather doing?”Lesterasked.

“Notso good. But After I win the race tomorrow,

he’ll get better. Doc Smith thinks so too.”

Lester smiled.“I Admire you, Willy. You gota heap

of courage, going up against the likes of Stone Fox.

You know he's never lost, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know. Thank you for the medicine.”

Little Willy Waved good-bye as Searchlight Started

off down Main Street.

Lester watched the departing sled for along time

before he yelled,“Good luck, son!”

On his way out of town,along North Road, little

Willy heard dogs barking. The sounds came from the

old deserted barn near the schoolhouse.

Little Willy decided to investigate.

Hesqueaked open the barn door and peeked in. It

was dark inside and he couldn't see anything. He

 couldn't hear anything either. The dogs had stopped

barking.

He went inside the barn.

Little Willy's Eyes took a while to get used to the

dark,and then he saw them. The five Samoyeds. They

were in the corner of the barn on a bed of straw. They

were looking at him. They Were So beautiful that little

Willy couldn’t keep from smiling.

Little Willy loved dogs. He had to seethe Samoyeds

up close. They showed no alarm as he approached, or

as he held out his hand to pet them.

And then it happened.

There was a movement through the darkness to little

Willy’s right. A Sweeping Motion, fastat first; then it

appeared to slow and stop. But it didn't stop. A hand

hit little Willy right in the face, sending him over

backward.

The  dark figure spoke and said in a cold raspy voice “Child, why are you here at this hour of the night?”

It was Mr Stone fox ! “I’m sorry sir” said Little Willy “I just wanted to see the-”

“LEAVE NOW” said stone fox