Part 8 (2/2)

”Yeah,” answered Henry, his eyes still following the Black.

Alec whistled again when the stallion came up the field. The Black stopped about thirty feet from them. Alec cautiously walked toward him.

”What's the matter, fella? Frightened of that saddle on your back?”

The stallion turned and Alec thought he was going to run down the field again. Instead he circled and then stood still. Alec put his hand in his pocket and drew out some sugar. He held it out toward the Black. ”Here, Boy.” Slowly he walked up to him and gave him the sugar. He stroked the long, sleek neck. ”You'll get used to it, fella.” He saw that the saddle was pretty well damaged but still usable.

”Walk him around a few minutes, Alec,” Henry shouted.

Alec took the Black by the lead rope and started down the field. The stallion stepped lightly along, every once in a while throwing his hind legs in the air. Ten minutes later Alec led him back to Henry. ”He isn't so bad now,” he said.

”Hop on him then, and let's see what happens.”

”Okay,” answered Alec, moving toward the left side of the stallion.

Henry gave the boy a boost and he landed in the saddle. A fraction of a second later he found himself flying through the air. The ground rushed up at him. Alec managed to draw his feet up under him and break his fall. He lay still a moment, his body aching. Henry rushed over and knelt down beside him. ”Hurt, son?” he asked anxiously.

”Guess not, Henry. Just a little jarred.”

Henry ran his fingers over Alec's legs. ”Try getting to your feet,” he said. Alec pulled himself up. He was unsteady for a moment, and then his head began to clear. He saw the Black a few feet away. The stallion looked at him and then came forward. He pushed his nose into Alec's side pocket. ”Seems just like old times on the island,” Alec said. He turned to Henry. ”Why does he throw me just because he has a saddle on his back?”

”Guess it's just one of those things, Alec. You never know how a horse like this is going to act,” Henry answered. ”He isn't used to the saddle yet, and I don't think he really knew you were on his back; all he could feel was that extra weight. Now this time talk to him like you always have before, let him know you're getting on-guess we sort of sneaked up on him then. Let him feel your arms and legs.”

”Okay, Henry.” Alec once again went to the Black's left side.

”Sure you feel all right?” Henry asked. ”Want to wait a few minutes?”

”No,” replied Alec. He looked at the stallion and held the halter with his two hands. ”Now listen, fella, take it easy!” The stallion shook his head, almost taking Alec off his feet.

Alec kept talking into the Black's ear, and his hand ran up and down the stallion's neck. Then he was in the saddle! The Black reared, but this time Alec was prepared. Up he went with the stallion high into the air, both hands grasping the Black's mane. The stallion came down and bolted across the field. Alec leaned forward and kept talking to him. The stallion's speed didn't slacken, and Alec thought he was in for another ride like the one on the island. Suddenly he found that he was able to guide the stallion-he had control of him. He turned him away from the fence and up the field again. They swept past Henry, and Alec shouted, ”Okay!” The stallion didn't have room enough to run as fast as he wanted to, and after a short while, Alec managed to slow him down and bring him to a stop near Henry.

”Nice going, Alec,” Henry said, gripping the Black's halter. ”We'll put the bridle on him right away.”

”But don't you think he's kind of tired, Henry?”

”That's one of the reasons why I want to do it now,” Henry answered. ”Besides, I don't think he's going to mind this as much as the saddle; it has a very light racing bit, and isn't much more than the halter he's got on now.”

”You're the boss, Henry,” Alec said. ”How'll we do it?”

”You stay right on his back. I'll get the bit in his mouth, and then you can draw the bridle right over his head.”

”Okay,” Alec said, as Henry moved in front of the Black.

Henry's experienced hands had the bit in the Black's mouth within a few minutes. Alec quickly drew the bridle over the stallion's head. The Black shook his head and moved uneasily around in a circle. Alec let him alone. For fifteen minutes he let the Black get used to the bit, then he guided him down the field. Carefully, and in much the same manner as he had done back on the island, Alec taught the Black to turn right and left by a slight touch of the rein. There wasn't much difference between Alec's old way and the use of the reins, and the Black caught on quickly.

Alec rode back to Henry and dismounted. Henry smiled. ”That, Alec,” he said, ”is what I call a good day's work.”

”Sure is, Henry.” Alec rubbed the Black's nose. ”Nice going, Boy,” he said proudly.

The sun was sinking behind Manhattan's skysc.r.a.pers in the distance as the man, the boy and the horse made their way back toward the barn.

NIGHT RIDE.

13.

Alec glanced at his wrist watch as he hurried away from the still-dark house where his mother and father were sleeping. One o'clock. It was two weeks since they had broken the Black to bridle and saddle. The full moon was high overhead; the stars were out; a warm spring breeze blew against his face. Henry would be waiting.

He reached the gate and let himself in. The truck Henry had borrowed was standing beside the barn. Henry was leaning against it.

”Everything all set, Henry?” Alec whispered.

”All set,” came the quiet answer. He opened the barn door carefully so as not to make any noise. ”Don't put on the light,” he said over his shoulder, as Alec followed him inside.

The Black neighed when he heard them. Old Napoleon stuck his head out of his stall and neighed, too.

”Shhhh,” said Alec and Henry together.

”Get over there and quiet them,” Henry said. ”I'll get the tack.”

Alec put a hand on each of their noses. ”Take it easy, boys,” he said. ”We don't want to wake anyone up, you know.”

The horses recognized him now in the moonlight. The Black tossed his head gently; Napoleon brushed his long tongue around the boy's hand.

Henry returned, carrying the bridle and saddle. ”Okay,” he said. ”Bring him out.”

Alec led the Black out of his stall, without removing his blanket. The stallion stepped skittishly, his hoofs shaking the barn floor.

”Hey, Alec,” Henry cautioned, ”try to get him to stand still! He's going to wake the Missus sure as shootin'!”

”I'll try, Henry,” the boy answered. ”He seems pretty nervous, though; guess he isn't used to being awakened in the middle of the night!” The Black looked back at Napoleon and whinnied as Alec led him toward the barn door. Then Henry closed the door behind them.

Suddenly Napoleon neighed inside the barn-louder than either of them had ever heard him before.

”Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!” said Henry, as he ran toward the barn. ”We'll never get out of here without waking someone up!”

<script>