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ON THE FAR RIVERBANK, Chet and Corry stood watching and waiting as Rory stood in front of the Range Rover, still fifty yards from safety. Donna-Lou stood further away, her hands on Emma's shoulders and keeping her away from the rushing waters. Donna-Lou became agitated as she watched Rory just standing there. She shielded her eyes from the sun, "What's he doing? Doesn't he know we have to get away from here? Like now?"
Chet didn't answer right away. He looked at the fast-moving river, carrying fallen planks over the rapids to the right, and he wondered what he could do. He put his hands on his head, "A whole pile of the boards across the dam just fell into the–"
"I told you! Look."
Chet glanced back at Donna-Lou and then across the river to where she was pointing.
The dark outline of a horse and rider was very evident against the skyline at the top of the hill.on the far side of the river. The horse and rider were turned sideways, the horse pawing at the ground, ready for the chase and the outline of a rifle resting across the shoulder of the rider casting doubt he was here to help.
Chet put his hands to his mouth and yelled, "Rory. Behind you. Run." He waved his arms over his head.
But Rory was looking down at the gap and didn't hear them above the sound of the roaring water below him.
Corry took a step and pointed across the river, as well, "Look. There's another rider over there."
The second outline was about one hundred yards to the left of the first. Horse and rider turned a circle on the top of the ridge, pawing up clouds of dust. A moment later, the rider urged the horse down the slope. The outline of his rifle, resting butt end on the back of the horse as he rode, was very evident and menacing.
Corry tugged at Chet's sleeve in alarm, "They'll catch him, Chet. He has to hurry or they'll catch him. Or...or shoot him."
Back behind them, Emma put her hands to her eyes and began crying.
Donna-Lou put her arms around the little girl and yelled at Rory, trying desperately to be heard above the roaring water. Suddenly, her heart stopped. A mother's fear filled her and she screamed, "Corry!"
Corry was running across the old wooden dam towards Rory, his arms pumping hard as he moved across the rickety boards without a second thought.
Letting go of Emma, Donna-Lou put her hands to her mouth and took a step, "No! Corry, come back. Corry, come back here now." Emma darted past her but Donna-Lou took two quick steps and snatched her back, "No. You can't go out there. It's too dangerous."
Emma fought to free herself, "But Corry needs my help. I have to go."
Hands on his head, Chet twisted back and forth in agony, cursing as he watched Corry running across the aged structure. It had been dicey enough when they had moved slowly. But running headlong across there? He stopped moving when he saw Corry stop in his tracks, bend over, pick up the end a twenty-four foot long, loose board and then struggle to try and carry it. But the thick board was heavy and he had to turn and drag it towards the gap. It was then that Chet realized the kid had a plan. A plan that might work. He looked back at Donna-Lou and hitched up his pants, "You two stay here. I'm going to help."
Donna-Lou yelled no but Chet was already running for the wooden dam.
***
RORY COULDN'T SEE ANY way to get the Range Rover across. He took a deep breath and let it out in frustration. Time to go – he heard a faint yell above the sound of the water below and he looked up. Across the gap, Corry was running awkwardly towards him. And right behind him was Chet. He realized they were both carrying long, loose planks, struggling to get any speed as they carried them across to the opening. He put his hands to his mouth, to call out to tell them not to bother–
Crack!
The ping off the roof of the vehicle made Rory duck. He crouched and looked back along the side of the vehicle. Two riders! They were about one hundred yards apart and kicking up clouds of dust as they galloped towards the far end of the dam.
Crack! Crack!
Rory ducked again but realized those were shots from a handgun and not rifle shots. And they had come from behind him. He whirled around, fearfully expecting to see more riders.
Donna-Lou had her Glock19 in both hands, aiming across the river at the riders. She pulled the trigger again and again.
Crack! Crack!
Rory turned back and looked in the direction of the riders. They had turned their horses quickly and were heading back to the top of the ridge.
Behind him, Chet yelled, his voice still faint over the roar of the river, "Rory, get in and drive."
Rory spun back on his heels.
Corry and Chet were kneeling on the old dam boards and working to extend a long wooden board across the gap towards the Range Rover. There was another loose board lying beside them. He realized what they were doing. They were estimating the width of the Range Rover and setting the board in place opposite the three boards that were left. They were creating a ramp for the tires that he could drive across. Getting the first board in place across the gap, Corry and Chet began pushing the second board across the gap, next to the first.
Rory took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Maybe he could drive across. But there was only one way to find out. He climbed back into the Range Rover and backed up slowly, the old dam creaking in agony. Back far enough now, Rory cranked the wheel, the boards under the tires protesting, and he drove ten feet to the left and then straightened the big vehicle out.
As Corry used hand signals to help him position the tires, Chet worked to slide the two boards a little closer to the other three. A moment later, Corry began waving him forward.
Rory did his best to stay calm. It was all up to them–
Chet jumped up into his view and put up his hand to stop.
Rory applied the brakes and rocked forward from the force.
Corry and Chet disappeared for a brief moment to reposition the boards. Then they popped up again, waving him forward.
Rory held his breath as he applied the gas slowly. He felt the front tires bump slightly as they climbed on top of the boards. Inching forward, he felt the back wheels bump up. He was now on the boards. Which meant he was on the gap and over the water below.
He was waved forward again.
Rory applied the gas slowly, watching Corry and Chet intently for the slightest sign he was not straight enough. He could hear the rushing waters of the river below. The slightest mistake would put him at the bottom.
The shuddering of the platform started again. The boards under the tires began to bend under the weight of the Range Rover, threatening to crack in the middle and send vehicle and driver into the river.
Clenching his jaw, Rory maintained his focus, shutting out the sounds of the old wood groaning and the rushing water calling from below. He couldn't afford any distractions.
Crack! Ping.
Rory swore. The riders back on the ridge held the range, accuracy and power advantage with their rifles. Rory had no choice. He gunned the engine and pushed the vehicle across the gap. The front tires bumped down and then the back wheels. He slowed just enough to let Corry and Chet jump in.
Chet yelled even before the pulled the door shut, "Hurry, hurry, we gotta go."
Rory gunned the engine, rolling fast across the clattering boards.
"You two are crazy," Rory yelled with a big smile on his face.
"I almost peed myself," Corry said from the back seat.
Chet bounced in the passenger seat and looked back, "Almost? I did."
Corry let out a big belly laugh.
Rory kept his speed up, the engine growling as they shot across the shuddering platform.
Crack!
Crack! Ping.
Chet swore and ducked down.
"Hurry, hurry, hurry," Corry yelled from the floor behind Chet's seat.
Planks and supporting beams fell away behind them, plunging into the river below.
The vehicle came off the old boards of the dam and hit the bank on the other side of the river with a thud.
Rory swish-tailed to a stop in the dirt.
Donna-Lou and Emma jumped in the back doors and were thrown against the seats as Rory accelerated away from the river and the armed riders on the other side.
"You better not do that again, young man," Donna-Lou yelled.
"But we had to do something, mom," Corry protested.
"You're my hero," Emma said to Corry.
Corry rolled his eyes.
"What about me?" Chet asked as he looked back over the car seat.
Donna-Lou shook her head, "Okay, you're my hero."
A big grin lit up Chet's face.
Then the grin was gone as the sound of a deafening rumble roared in pursuit the vehicle.