“That’s right!” exclaimed Henry. “They don’t have any where he comes from!”

“Wonder how he’s going to react to it?”

“Shouldn’t bother him any,” answered Henry. The Black pawed the bedding of his stall.

“Seems pretty nervous,” Alec said.

“Yep, but that’s because he hasn’t been out,” replied Henry thoughtfully.

For the next half hour, Henry and Alec watched the falling snow. “Seems to be stopping now,” said Alec.

A few minutes later the sun broke out of the clouds. “Certainly is beautiful out there now,” said Henry as he and Alec watched the sun’s rays glisten on the white snow.

The boy turned toward the Black. “Do you think we dare take him out, Henry?” he asked.

Henry looked at the stallion, who was still pacing his stall. “He sure needs the air, Alec. It’s hard to keep a horse of his nature penned up, even for a day. Do you think you could manage him?”

Alec smiled. “I’m not afraid of anything with the Black, Henry—you know that,” he answered.

Henry grinned. “Okay, let’s get him out!” he said as he walked toward the stall.

As soon as Henry opened the stall door, the Black pushed his way out. Alec grabbed hold of his halter. “Whoa, Boy,” he said.

Henry moved toward the barn door. “Better lead him around awhile until he gets used to it,” he said as he pulled back on the door. The Black shied and Alec took a firmer grip on the halter. Cautiously he led the stallion out of the barn.

The air was cold and still. The Black’s hoofs sank into the snow. He moved gingerly around the boy, never letting his feet remain more than a fraction of a second in the same spot. The snow flew in all directions. Slowly Alec led the Black around the yard in front of the barn. The stallion kept shaking his head, and his breath shot from his nostrils, sending two streams of thick vapor into the air.

Alec attached the lead rope to the halter, giving him more room to run around. The stallion made a circle around him. Suddenly he stopped. Cautiously he lowered himself to the ground and then rolled over on his back. His legs waved above him.

“Look at him!” Alec shouted to Henry. “He loves it!”

After a few minutes, the Black climbed to his feet. Alec took him by the halter. “How’d you like it, fella?” he asked. The stallion shook his head. Alec laughed and brushed the snow off his back. “Okay to get on him now, Henry?” he asked.

“Sure,” answered Henry. He walked over beside the Black and boosted Alec onto the stallion.

“Remember, take it as easy as you can,” cautioned Henry, as Alec guided the Black into the field. He went at a fast walk, his legs sinking deeper and deeper into the snow.

Alec reached down and patted the Black’s neck. “How do you like this, fella?” he asked again. The Black swerved a little and broke into a slow trot. Alec let him go and then drew him up into a walk again. “Take it easy, Boy,” he said.