Suddenly the Black bolted. His action shifted marvelously as his powerful legs swept over the ground. Fleet hoofbeats made a clattering roar in Alec’s ears. The stallion’s speed became greater and greater. Alec’s body grew numb, the terrific speed made it hard for him to breathe. Once again the track became a blur, and he was conscious only of the endless white fence slipping by. His fingers grasped the stallion’s mane and his head hung low beside his neck. His only thought was to remain on the Black’s back and to stay alert. His breath came in short gasps, the white fence faded from his vision; desperately he tried to open his eyes, but his lids seemed held down by weights. Bells began to ring in his ears. Alec’s fingers tightened on the Black’s mane. He lost all track of time—then the world started turning upside down.

It seemed hours later that he felt arms reach around his waist. Then the next thing he knew, he found himself lying flat on his back beside the truck. He looked up at the men grouped around him. Henry knelt beside him, his white handkerchief stained with large dark spots bulging around his arm. Alec’s eyes fell to his own hands. Strands of long, black hair were clenched between doubled fists. Questioningly he looked up at Henry.

“How—” he began.

“It’s all right, kid. You wouldn’t let go of him. Feel all right?”

“Kinda dizzy,” answered Alec. “Where’s the Black?”

“He’s okay—we put him in the truck with Napoleon.”

“Did I fall off, Henry?” Alec asked.

Jake’s high-pitched voice reached Alec’s ears. “Fall off?” he said. “Boy, if that hoss was still running, you’d still be on him. Took all of us to get you off his back when he did stop, and then Henry was the only one of us who could get near him.”

“I’m glad I stuck on him,” Alec said. “Y’know, Henry, we’ve never seen that horse run his fastest yet. I just couldn’t seem to breathe that time.”

“Takes courage to ride him, kid,” Henry answered. “I’m pretty proud of you, but let’s try getting you to your feet. Better for you if you can walk around.”

Alec swayed a little as Henry and Jake lifted him up, but gradually the earth stopped turning around and his brain cleared. He breathed in the night air deeply.

Jim Neville came up. “Kid,” he said, “I’ve seen a lot of riding in my day, but never any to equal that!” Jim then turned to Henry. “You were right, Mr. Dailey—he is the fastest horse we’ve ever seen. I can hardly believe what I saw with my own eyes but”—Jim held the face of a stopwatch up in front of Henry—“I can’t deny this!” Then he turned brusquely to Joe Russo. “And now, Joe, we both have a deadline to make, so let’s get going.”

“Right, Jim.”

“Come around again—anytime you want,” Henry urged, “and we’ll let you see the grandest animal on four feet run without even charging admission.”