Rigging the Towline

I scrambled straight to my wooden fleet on the braided rug, unlooping the red cotton cord from my shoulder. Kneeling by the clothespin barrow, I threaded one knotted end right through the brass split ring on the nose. With both stubby paws, I worked the thick knot until it locked tight, making a sturdy towline that trailed across the woolly cords. I gripped the free end and marched backward, feeling the cart roll forward with an eager wooden rattle, its amber wheel turning smoothly while the blue pom-pom bobbed along. For a quiet moment, my throat tightened—how much we used to love leading grand overland treks together. But seeing our convoy truly hitched and rolling brought a big, proud grin back to my face.