6. “Midnight” Ride

6 "Midnight" Ride The road was a blur to Stanley. He could barely tell that they were leaving the city and heading into the smaller towns around Boston. The buildings were shorter here, and there was a lot less traffic. But Stanley couldn't see the people on the sidewalks, or the names of the stores they passed. Paul Revere was riding too fast!

They were racing the British to warn some of the colonists' most important leaders. But would they get to Lexington in time? Or would Samuel Adams and John Hancock be arrested before they got there? Stanley squirmed in the saddle behind Mr. Revere. He held on tight—one hand around Paul Revere, the other on his hat—as the horse flew past cars and bicycles. Its hooves pounded so loudly that Stanley couldn't hear anything else. He could see the moon now, peeking out from behind some clouds. Soon it would be dark, and maybe rainy. Was this what it was like on the night the real Paul Revere rode to Lexington? What was the real Paul Revere thinking as he rushed along the road? Stanley wondered. Behind every shadow, and around every corner, there could have been someone waiting to stop him. The horse was running down a twisty road. He veered right, and Stanley leaned into the turn. But when the horse veered left, Stanley was too late. Suddenly, it was like the rowboat all over again! One minute, he was on the horse; the next minute, he was carried away by a gust of wind.

Stanley drifted behind the horse like a boy-shaped leaf, and Mr. Revere didn't hear or feel a thing. Even when Stanley yelled, "Help! HELP!"

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Stanley floated to the ground like a piece of paper, just before the horse and rider disappeared around a bend in the road. He could hear the pounding hooves for a while longer... then nothing. Stanley got out of the street quickly. His arm felt a little bruised from where'd he'd fallen, but his feelings were bruised, too. In just a few seconds, he'd gone from the center of American history to the side of the road. Stanley had no idea what to do. He couldn't get in touch with Mr. Revere. He couldn't get in touch with his family. He didn't even know where he was! Even speaking at a conference of doctors with Dr. Dan would be better than this. Then he remembered Paul Revere. Not the one who'd dropped him, but the real one. He was probably scared as he raced for Lexington, right? He must have been incredibly brave. Stanley would have to be brave, too, if he was ever going to find his way out of here. He'd have to be strong. And if he could find some courage right now, maybe he could also find the courage to

talk to Dr. Dan. In spite of the problems it caused for him, Stanley still hadn't changed his mind about staying flat forever. Stanley stood up, brushed himself off, and started walking. It was so quiet in this neighborhood, wherever it was, that he could hear each of his footsteps clearly. As each one echoed, Stanley had a new thought.