Why think about it any longer? he asked himself. There’s no sense to it any more. You have your explanation for it all. What more do you want? Flame? Sorry, but he’s part of your little dream too. You’ll have to give him up along with the rest. It was nice having Flame again. You felt much the same as you did when you were seven, when you first rode him through the park, didn’t you? Pitch’s picture of Azul Island brought everything back again. But Pitch’s explanation tonight brought you back to reality as well. Now you know how silly you’ve been, coming to this island in search of an imaginary horse. Too bad you can’t have him. Too bad there is no Flame. But there are other horses here. They’re nothing like your imaginary Flame, but they’re horses nevertheless. Tom said he’d give you one if you stayed two weeks. You’ve always wanted a horse of your own, so here’s your chance. Tomorrow you can take a closer look at them. Tomorrow you can take your pick of them. Yes, and tomorrow Pitch wants to start digging. Pitch, the historian. Steve, the archaeologist. You’d better go to sleep now. It’s getting late, and the moon is well up.…

Steve didn’t know how long he’d slept when suddenly he found himself wide awake again. He must have slept for some time, he reasoned, for the moon was directly overhead. What had awakened him? It seemed to have been something loud and shrill, like a whistle. He must have been dreaming. Pitch was sleeping soundly beside him. The night was very still. Yes, it had been a dream. He’d better go back to sleep again.

He had just closed his eyes when he heard the loud snort of the stallion, followed by nervous neighs from the mares. Then there came the sound of restless hoofs against stones.