Alec led the Black out of his stall, his hand tight on the lead rope. The stallion’s head rose high; he knew that something unusual was going to happen. Lightly he pranced toward the door. The pier was crowded with people. Dusk had fallen and the lights were on. The Black snorted; he had never seen anything like this. He reared, but Alec brought him down. It was a cool fall night. A breeze blew in through the open door, whipping his mane. His large eyes moved nervously, and he uttered a short, sharp whistle. He shook his head and screamed louder.

Sudden silence fell upon the dock, and all eyes turned toward the Black as he stood in the doorway. Slowly Alec led him down the gangplank. He felt the stallion’s black body tremble as the city noises became louder now that the pier was quiet. Halfway down, the Black suddenly went high into the air. Alec brought him down. Three of the crew started up the gangplank to help. The Black saw them and rose again, his legs striking out in front. The men stopped in their tracks. The stallion had broken into a sweat.

Alec knew that he was losing control over him. He took a firmer grip on the rope, holding with two hands. A truck drove onto the pier, its two blazing headlights coming swiftly toward them. The Black screamed and rose once again. Alec was lifted from his feet, still gripping the rope. The stallion flung him to one side; he lost his hold, fell down to the gangplank. High above him he saw the pawing hooves. Cries from the spectators shattered the stillness.

The Black came down, his forelegs landing on each side of Alec’s head! He snorted, turned and disappeared inside the hold. Alec lay still, dazed for a moment. Then he felt hands helping him to his feet.

“Are you all right?” one of the men asked.

“Yes, I’m okay,” answered Alec. “Just a little shaken.”

“You should be after that! He’s a wild one!”

A policeman came running up, his gun in one hand. Fear for the Black crept into Alec’s heart. He looked at the officer.

“Don’t shoot him!” he said.

“I’m not going to,” answered the policeman, “unless he endangers any lives.”

Alec’s strength slowly returned.

“I’ll get him,” he said.

“I’ll go along with you,” said the officer. The other men backed down off the gangplank.

“Perhaps I can do this better alone, sir,” said Alec.

“Perhaps—but I’ll go along just in case—”

Alec entered the hold first. He saw the horse standing beside his stall. His frightened eyes turned toward the boy.

“What’s the matter, fella?” Alec said. “Is New York too much for you?” Cautiously he moved forward and placed his hand on the stallion’s neck. The Black moved nervously. “Sure, it’s new to you, but it really isn’t so bad after you get used to it.”

The stallion shoved his nose against Alec’s chest. Alec put his hand in his pocket, drew out some sugar and gave it to him. He waited while the wild look gradually left the Black’s eyes.