ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

At the cliff's edge, Soni round-house kicked a man off the ledge.

Jim hurried but arrived as the man flew over the edge. The unstable limestone gave way under Soni's feet. She slipped and grabbed at the rock and brush growing out of the limestone. Then she landed on rock, about thirty-five feet below.

Jim closed his eyes. Kuruk, you have a special bond with Soni. She needs you now more than ever.

TODAY'S POST:

Jim glanced at the four injured ambushers and noticed the two dogs, Butkus and Goliath. They held their heads high and their tails were raised and rigid. They positioned themselves over their forelegs ready to lunge. They glared at the men. The dogs' muzzles wrinkled and their lips were retracted vertically, displaying their front teeth. A low, threatening snarl came from both dogs. They're in control. He glanced at Midnight. That's one strange horse. He shook his head at Midnight, whose teeth also showed. "At least you're normal." Jim patted Smoky. "I'm sure Adler used you around the ranch." He removed a rope and tied one end to the saddle horn. "I'm going to Soni."

Smoky knew what Jim needed and kept the rope taunt as he descended over the cliff.

When Jim's feet were firmly on the ledge, he released the rope and noticed Smoky backed away. He knelt beside Soni, placed two fingers on the side of her neck, and closed his eyes until he felt a pulse. Thank you, God.

At least she landed on her side. That should help a little. Jim took out his cell phone. I need to get you to a hospital. "No!" He raised his arm to throw the phone. "Maybe I'll have a signal on top." He tugged on the rope and then grabbed it.

Smoky continued to keep the rope taunt as Jim returned. After Jim checked and saw the ambushers remained contained, he attempted a call. Still no cell service. Now what? He leaned back against the limestone formation.

"We quell the storm and ride the thunder! OOH RAH!" Jim grabbed the two extra ropes and a thick blanket from Midnight's saddle. "I hope Soni trained you to be a ranch horse." After securing one rope to two corners of the blanket and doing the same with the other, he tied one end to Midnight's saddle horn and the other to Smoky's. "This should hold Soni. Okay, boys let's do it." He glanced at the dogs. "Keep up the good work."

Jim led the horses to the ledge and dropped the blanket. Then he grabbed the original rope tied to Smoky and descended to Soni. Jim released a deep breath. It better work. He glanced up at the darkening sky. There isn't much light left. Of course, buzzards. They won't get dinner here tonight. After Jim laid down the blanket, he gently lifted Soni onto it. He noticed a puddle of blood under where her head had lain and examined the wound. "It needs stitches, but doesn't look too deep."

"Okay, boys, pull!" Jim motioned with his arm for the horses to back up. Then he steadied the blanket, making sure Soni was centered. As she rose, he grabbed the other rope and climbed alongside her.

About a quarter the way up, one side of the blanket tilted sideways. "God or Great Creator, we need help!"