. Mayor Hilliard pounded on the desk for order. "We've got
to look at both sides of the question," he said, when the confusion had
died down. "I know there are some horses we can lose without much
regret; they don't haul as much as they eat. What Paul says, however, is
true: Every horse we keep means trading it for a cow and the food a cow
can provide.

"I think we need to keep some horses, but it ought to be the bare
minimum. I've got an idea about this log hauling. Right now, and for a
long time to come, we don't need horses once the logs are on the road.
It's a downgrade all the way to town. When the road freezes hard we can
coast a sled all the way if we rig a way to steer and brake it properly.
There are only two bad curves coming out of the canyon, and I think we
can figure a way to take care of them. Maybe a team at each one.

"This would leave most of the horses free to snake the logs out of the
hills to the road. I'm for cutting the horses to twenty-five, selecting
the best breeding stock we've got, and including the ones needed for
emergency riding, such as the Sheriff has."

For another hour it was argued back and forth, but in the end the
Mayor's plan was adopted. Then Dr. Aylesworth, who had not previously
spoken during the whole meeting, arose quietly.

"I think there's something we're forgetting, Gentlemen," he said.
"Something we've forgotten all along. Now that we are faced with our
most serious crisis yet, I suggest that you members of our city
government pass a resolution setting aside the next Sabbath as a special
day of prayer. Ask the ministers of all our denominations to co-operate
in offering special prayer services for the safety of our animals, which
we need so badly, and for the success of those who are working on
College Hill and elsewhere to find a solution to this grave problem."

Mayor Hilliard nodded approvingly. "We should have done it long ago," he
agreed. "If no one has any objections I will so declare as Dr.
Aylesworth has suggested." There were nods of approval from everyone in
the room.

By dawn the next morning the crews were ready to begin the vaccination
program. One by one, they examined the animals to make sure the best
were saved. The rest were slaughtered, examined for signs of anthrax,
and most were prepared for storage.

* * * * *

On Sunday, while the cattle crews still worked, Ken and his parents
attended services in Dr. Aylesworth'