Pony

Silas and Farmer make camp. Farmer tells the story of Mac Boat. Before Silas was born, Mac Boat was in the biggest counterfeiting operation in New York, called “the Orange Street Gang” (111). After several years, police captured or killed the whole gang except one member, Mac Boat, who took $20,000 in gold coins when he escaped. Nobody knows where he went or what he is doing now because he was never caught, and none of the coins he took ever reentered circulation. Farmer would love to catch Mac Boat along with the main outlaw he’s after: Roscoe Ollerenshaw. Hearing this name reminds Silas that Ollerenshaw is the boss of the men who took Pa. Farmer wants to catch him because Ollerenshaw killed Farmer’s partner years ago.

Farmer asks why Silas named his ghost friend Mittenwool instead of something more basic. Silas explains that he didn’t name him. Mittenwool doesn’t like Farmer. Farmer promises to find Silas’s father, but Silas is angry and gives Farmer the silent treatment.

“Mittenwool” was one of Silas’s first words. Neither Mittenwool nor Silas knows much about ghosts, but Silas believes that some people, like his mother, are ready to move on when they die, and others aren’t. He surmises that perhaps some people die too suddenly to process their death, or they still have something important to do or a message to deliver. Although Silas finds certain ghosts scary, he has never been scared of Mittenwool, who is a friendly, helpful companion.

Silas is also struck by the unknown connections between people both living and dead. Silas still does not know how he is connected to Mittenwool, but he assumes there must be a specific reason why Mittenwool has always chosen to remain close to him. Silas is used to mysteries, but the mystery of his father and Mac Boat bothers him.

The next morning, on Silas’s fourth day in the woods, he and Farmer continue tracking the outlaws but lose the trail. However, they find the mouth to a cave, which is likely where the men are making counterfeit bills.

The cave is lit from within, suggesting that the men are present. Silas and Farmer are on a cliff and cannot get to the cave unless they jump over a six-foot ravine. Mittenwool appears and says that Pa is inside the cave with his feet shackled but is otherwise unhurt. There are several other men inside, but Mittenwool is not sure how many there are in total. Mittenwool confirms that jumping over the ravine is the only way to reach the cave.

Farmer says that he knows the sheriff in the nearby town of Rosasharon. He and Silas will jump across the ravine, go to town, and gather a posse. They will return to confront the outlaws. Farmer jumps across the ravine on his horse, but he and his horse both get injured. Silas and Pony jump across after them.

Neither Silas nor Pony is injured by the jump. Farmer tells Silas to go into town alone and get help. He claims that the sheriff, Archibald Burns, will remember Farmer even though it has been years since they have seen each other. He advises Silas to speak to Burns, gather 12 men, and bring them back to capture Ollerenshaw and the others and help the injured Farmer. Silas heads into town, riding Pony.

Once again, Pony seems to know exactly where to go. In Rosasharon, Silas locates the jail and the police. However, he learns that Archibald Burns died five years ago. Now, there is a new sheriff, Desimonde Chalfont, who has never met Farmer. However, he has heard of Roscoe Ollerenshaw and is interested in the outlaw’s whereabouts.

Sheriff Chalfont and Deputy Jack Beautyman do not want to pursue Ollerenshaw until Silas explains the whole story. Silas acquiesces even though they are wasting time. Beautyman is skeptical of Silas’s story. Meanwhile, Silas notices the ghost of a young woman in the jailhouse; she has a prominent chest wound. The police cannot see her, and Silas doesn’t mention her. Finally, the officers agree to accompany Silas back to the cave, but they refuse to bring a posse with them until they see the situation for themselves.

Silas likes Sheriff Chalfont but dislikes Deputy Beautyman, who keeps implying that Silas is a liar. However, Silas is grateful that they have agreed to come with him. When they all reach the place where Silas left Farmer, neither Farmer nor his horse is there.

It has rained again, so Silas and the police cannot track Farmer and his horse. It is unclear whether Ollerenshaw and his men have captured Farmer or whether he has escaped on his own. Mittenwool appears and says that there are seven men in the cave; Silas relays this information to the police. Sheriff Chalfont wants to get closer to the cave to investigate.