“That’s unfair, Pitch,” Steve said angrily. “I can’t do anything about them. There’s nothing you or I can do about the Piebald.”

“No, I guess there isn’t,” Pitch admitted. “But there are other things to be considered, Steve. What of Tom’s reaction to such a horse as Flame coming from this island? What do you think he’ll do?”

Steve’s eyes met Pitch’s as he said defiantly, “He can’t take him from me. He said I could have any horse I wanted if I stayed here two weeks. You heard him, Pitch.”

“Yes, I know,” Pitch replied. “And he won’t go back on his word; I know him well enough for that.” He paused before adding, “But I wasn’t thinking of his taking Flame away from you, Steve. I was wondering what he’d do about this island, once he’s seen Flame. What he and others would do, I mean.”

“I’ll tell him I found Flame on the plain outside,” Steve returned grudgingly. “I won’t tell him any more than that.”

“I don’t think he’ll believe you,” Pitch said gravely.

“Even if he doesn’t, he’ll never find his way into Blue Valley,” Steve returned with a confidence he didn’t entirely feel.

“Perhaps not, Steve. Still …” Pitch paused and his gaze left the boy as he added, “You see, I’m being selfish, too. You want your horse, and I want everything I can possibly find that was left behind by the Conquistadores. Naturally I’d like to keep this world to ourselves.”

“But I would, too, Pitch,” Steve said quickly. “We’ll just have to take a chance that no one else will find it.” He stopped, then asked slowly, “Have you thought of what Tom’s reaction will be to the things you’re bringing back—the pistol, the spurs and all that other stuff? What will you tell him when he asks where you found them, Pitch?”

The man dropped his eyes as he admitted, “I’ll tell him I found them on the sandspit outside.”

“But I don’t think he’ll believe you, either,” Steve said slowly.

They were silent for a long while as dusk slowly gave way to night and stars needled their way through the ever-darkening sky to hang like a jeweled crown above the valley. It was a wondrous view that lay before them, this world of beauty and intrigue that had been untouched for hundreds of years. Now it was theirs alone. But each asked himself, For how long will it be only ours?

Finally Pitch said, “I still think you should leave Flame here, Steve. What will you do with him, if you get him to Antago?”

“I’ll take him home with me,” Steve said slowly.

“It’ll cost money. More than you have.”