Part 2 (2/2)

”It was a job, lad, that I hope I'll never have to be in on again. We have some other horses and cattle in the hold, too, and they're all scared to death of him. It's a regular bedlam down there now, and I hate to think what might happen when that horse is himself again! We've got him in the strongest stall, but I'm wondering whether even that'll hold him!”

Pat rose from his chair and walked to the other side of the cabin.

Alec was silent, then he spoke slowly. ”I'm sorry I've caused you all so much trouble. If only I'd been able to-”

”I didn't aim to make you feel like that, lad,” Pat interrupted. ”I guess we knew what we were doing, and from the looks of that animal he's worth it. Only we all realize now that he needs you to handle him-the Lord help anyone else that tries to!”

”Tell the captain I'll repay him and you fellows, too, Pat, somehow.”

”Sure, lad, and now I have some work to do. You try and get some more sleep, and tomorrow or the next day you'll be on your feet again.” He paused on his way to the door. ”If you give me your address, we can radio your parents that you are safe, and tell them where we're bound.”

Alec smiled and wrote his address on the piece of paper Pat handed him. ”Tell them I'll be with them-soon,” he said as he finished.

KING OF THE HERD.

6.

A few days later Alec got out of bed for the first time. His injured leg weakly supported him. As he dressed, a knock came upon the door.

”Come in,” he called.

Pat entered. In his hand was a radiogram. ”It's from your folks.” He grinned.

Alec took it and read: ”Thank G.o.d you're safe. Cabling money to Rio de Janeiro. Hurry home. Love. Mother and Dad.”

He was silent a minute, then looked up at Pat. ”It'll be great to get home,” he said.

Pat smiled. ”How's the leg feel?”

”Not so bad,” Alec answered as he continued his dressing. ”How's the Black doing?”

”I'm afraid he's feeling better-it's a good thing you're able to get down there today!” answered Pat.

Alec drew on a pair of large pants which one of the sailors had given him.

”Kinda big for you, aren't they?” asked Pat.

”Better than walking around without any.” Alec grinned.

He finished dressing and slowly limped to the door. ”Have to get to the Black before he tears the place apart.” He folded the radiogram and placed it carefully in his pocket. ”Thanks, Pat,” he said.

”Don't stay on your feet too long, son,” Pat warned. ”Remember what the Doc said.”

When Alec entered the hold, he heard the Black's pounding above the bedlam of the other horses and cattle. He came to the horse's stall and saw his dark head raised above the door. His large eyes moved nervously about. Alec called-the stallion's head jerked toward him. His nostrils quivered and he neighed. Alec reached a hand out. ”h.e.l.lo, fella,” he said, ”did you miss me?” The stallion shook his head and thrust his nose toward him. Alec ran his hand across the soft muzzle.

He took from his pocket an apple which he had saved from his breakfast. He held it out to the Black, who swept it out of his hand. Alec picked up the currycomb and brush from the floor, opened the door and went inside. ”Guess it was tough on you, fella, but they didn't have any choice,” he said. The next hour he spent in brus.h.i.+ng the Black until his body shone brilliantly.

The days pa.s.sed quickly for Alec, as he spent most of his time in the hold with the Black. His leg healed and was soon as good as ever. The captain and Pat at first attempted to get him interested in the boat and the voyage, but at last they gave up. The friends.h.i.+p between the boy and the stallion was something too much for them to understand.

The captain's hand rose to his chin as he and Pat watched Alec inside the stall. ”Y'know, Pat,” he said, ”it's almost uncanny the way those two get along-a wild beast like that, a killer, and yet gentle as a kitten when the boy's around.”

Pat nodded. ”Yes, sir,” he said, ”one of the strangest things I've ever seen. I wonder where it'll take them?”

Five days later they steamed into Rio de Janeiro. The captain delegated Pat to go with Alec to the wireless office, where he could secure the money his family had sent him, and help arrange for his sailing to the United States.

As Alec walked with Pat through the South American city, he thought how close he was getting to home. He was on the last leg of his journey! They reached the office and went in. Pat spoke to the man at the desk in Portuguese. After a few minutes the man handed him a pen, and Alec signed his name. Then he was handed his money.

Next they went to the ticket office. There they found that the next boat for the United States would sail the following day. Alec had just enough money for himself and the Black, and he booked pa.s.sage. He looked at Pat. ”That doesn't leave me anything for the captain and you fellows.”

”Don't you worry about that, Alec,” Pat answered.

When they returned to the boat, Alec made his way to the captain's office. He found him behind his large desk working over some papers in front of him. He looked up, motioned the boy to sit down and continued writing. Finally he stopped and sat back in his chair.

”Well, son,” he said, ”we've come to the parting of the ways, haven't we?”

”Yes, sir,” answered Alec. ”Pat and I got the money and everything all right.” He shoved his hand in his pocket and drew out some change. ”But this is all I have left. You see, sir-well, Mother and Dad didn't know about the Black, and what they sent was just enough to get us both back to New York.”

”And now you're thinking about what you owe us, aren't you?” the captain interrupted.

”Yes, sir,” replied Alec. ”If it hadn't been for you, we'd probably still be back on the island.”

The captain got up from his chair and walked over beside Alec. He placed an arm on his shoulder. ”Don't you worry about us, son. We don't expect anything-and you and that horse gave us more excitement around here than we've had in years.” He smiled, and they walked toward the door. ”You just see that you get the rest of the way home safely, and that'll be fine!”

”Thanks, Captain,” Alec said as he went out onto the deck.

”And don't let anyone steal that black devil from you either!”

”I won't, sir, and thanks again,” replied Alec.

The next afternoon he walked the Black down the gangplank. He had a firm grip on the stallion's halter, and kept talking soothingly to him. The s.h.i.+p that was to take them home had arrived during the night and was now being loaded with cargo. Pat and some of the sailors gathered around him as he reached the dock.

One by one they said good-bye, until only Pat remained. ”So long, Alec,” he said. ”Take good care of yourself.”

”You bet,” answered Alec. ”And remember, Pat, whenever you get to New York, you promised to look us up.”

”Sure, some day perhaps ...” He paused. ”What are you going to do with the Black when you get him home?”

”I don't know, Pat; I haven't given it much thought. I just hope Dad and Mother will let me keep him.”

Pat was looking at the stallion. ”He's built for speed. I'll bet he could tear up a track.”

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