Andrea Carter and the Challenging Stallion Fight

 by Caroline K. age 11

“Andrea Rose Carter!” Mother's voice stopped Andi in her tracks. She slowly turned around to find Mother standing in the hall in her housecoat.

“Yes Mother?”

Mother put her hands on her hips. “Andrea, tell me why are you going outside when the sun is not up?!”

 Andi bit her lip. “I was just going to ride for a little while before my chores.”

 Mother laughed. “You are just the funniest child in my home. Your going for a ride before sunup!” Mother shook her head. “Go ahead sweetheart. Have some fun but don't wake your brothers walking past their rooms.”

Mother turned and went back to her room.

“Thanks Mother!” Andi quietly called.

 Then she turned and tiptoed past Chad, Mitch, and Justin's rooms.

As soon as she was outside she broke into a run to the barn.

Suddenly, as she led Taffy out of the barn, she heard a horse scream.

It came from the north pasture. She scrambled onto Taffy's back and kicked her sides. Taffy leaped into a gallop.

Andi raced toward the screaming horses. Whirlwind had found another Stallion that he did not like and they were fighting.

Andi gasped when she saw them rear up and slash hooves. Taffy got closer and suddenly screamed herself as Whirlwind's hoof caught her shoulder.

Taffy bucked. Andi flew off of her and landed in the grass right in between the Stallions.

Taffy kicked up her hooves and galloped away.

“No Taffy come back!” Andi called. Without realizing it she stood up. The Stallions reared again slashing hooves. Andi was caught in the middle.

Whirlwind's hoof came up and connected with the back of Andi's head. Andi screamed and collapsed. Just before she fainted she saw, through blurry eyes, Taffy, was galloping toward home.

Andi lay down and passed out.

                                           ***

Andi woke to the sound of yelling. She opened her eyes. Chad and Mitch were galloping after the Stallions.

Chad twirled his rope and threw it out. It landed perfectly around Whirlwind's neck.

Chad yanked and the rope tightened. He tied it around his saddle horn and turned to Mitch, who had caught the other Stallion, named Smokey. Whirlwind strained on his rope. He wanted to attack Smokey again.

Quick as a wink Chad leaped out of the saddle and ran to Whirlwind. He gave him a smack on the rump.

Whirlwind whinnied but learned his lesson from the smack he received.

Mitch grabbed the Chad's wrist as he got back into the saddle.  “Easy big brother. You know Mother and Andi hate it when you smack horses hard.” He reminded Chad.

Chad nodded. “Sorry. Can you-” He was cut off. He looked around. “Where is Andi?” He asked. Taffy was nuzzling the ground. Chad tied Sky to a tree and walked over to Taffy. “Were is Andi, Taffy?” He patted Taffy. Taffy whinnied and nuzzled he ground again.

For the first time Chad looked down. Andi lay there, still as death. Chad gasped and knelt next to Taffy. He rolled Andi over and gaped when he saw her head. “Mitch go get Mother! Quick!” Chad yelled. Mitch galloped off.

Chad stared at Andi's head. Her dark braids were bright red.

Chad lifted Andi's head. It was bleeding slow and steadily. Chad whipped his bandana off and tied it around Andi's head.

It was instantly soaked with blood.

Chad sat down and rubbed his head. Andi was in so much danger.

                                              ***

Andi moaned. She woke to the sound of her Mother's voice.

“Andrea? Andrea, can you hear me?”

She opened her eyes. “Yes Mother.” She whispered. “I can hear you.” She rolled over. “My head hurts-Oh! I just remembered what happened.” She looked at Mother. “I went for a ride and I heard a horse scream. I rode after the sound and found Whirlwind and Smokey fighting. Taffy got to close and Whirlwind kicked her shoulder.”

She paused when Mother said, “Taffy had blood on her shoulder. We wondered what happened.” Mother nodded. “Go ahead sweetheart.”

Andi continued. “Taffy got scared by the screaming and the kicking and bucked me right into the middle of them. I called her but she was galloping for home. I made the mistake of standing up, and Whirlwind reared up slashing hooves with Smokey, and kicked me in the head. I collapsed and screamed, then passed out.”

Mother nodded. “You had quite an adventure. You will be alright soon. Now go to sleep.” Mother stood up and left the room.

Andi rolled over. Will I really be alright? Is that what Dr. Weaver said? Does Mother think I am in danger? I feel sick. I hope Chad got rid of that dangerous Whirlwind.

Andi closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Below her, Andi had not heard Mother telling Chad to get rid of Whirlwind.

Mother called Justin, Mitch, Melinda, and Dr. Weaver. Mother told them the story that Andi had told her. “I just hope Andrea will be fine.” Mother said.

“Don't worry, Elizabeth. She will be fine. You will just have to change Andrea's bandage every day. ”  Dr. Weaver said, leaving.

Mother hurried to Andi and prayed that Jesus would heal her soon.