The Black Stallion Revolts Read Online Free Page A

let’s hear you come up with some kind of an explanation.”
    “He needs a change from the routine and daily schedule he’s had here at the farm. He’s behaved himself for a long, long while but tonight was the turning point. We won’t have a moment’s peace around here from now on. I’m convinced of that, now that I’ve thought it all over. Give him some freedom, a chance to roam and be on his own again, and it’ll get a lot out of his system. He’ll come back a better horse for it.”
    “Come back? Come back from where?”
    “How about Bill Gallon’s place in southern California?”
    “The Desert Ranch? You mean, Alec, you want to send him way out there? Why?”
    “Because Bill Gallon has several thousand fenced acres of desert and irrigated pastureland,” Alec said quietly. “The Black would have something like hishomeland. He’d have freedom to roam. It’s the closest thing I can think of to what he needs right now. Do you think Bill would let us turn him out there for a month, maybe two months?”
    “Of course. He’s one of my best friends, isn’t he? But, Alec …” Henry paused. “You really think that’ll do the trick? You just want him turned loose?”
    “That’s all,” Alec said. “It’ll be enough.
    “You should go with him. He’s your horse.”
    Alec’s gaze dropped to the huge desk in front of him. “I’ll take him out there, anyway.”
    “And then come back?” Henry asked.
    “Yes, just as soon as I know everything is all right.”
    “Why don’t you stay with him?”
    “You know why, Henry.”
    “Your work here?”
    Alec nodded.
    Henry was quiet for a few minutes, but his eyes never left Alec’s face. Finally he said, “Maybe you need a change, too.”
    “No, I’m fine.”
    “But you’ll miss him.”
    “Sure.”
    “And he’ll miss you.”
    “He’ll be too happy, too free to miss anybody,” Alec said.
    “Having just you around would make his freedom all the more exciting,” Henry said. “Just the two of you, like it was at first.”
    Alec smiled. “You’re getting sentimental, Henry.”
    “Sure, but I’d like to see you go with him, if you’re serious about all this.”
    “I’m serious, all right.”
    Henry stood up. “He’s your horse, so you stay with him. I’ll take over your jobs here, and with your dad and Jinx to help I’ll have no trouble. In fact, it’ll do me good to assume some responsibility around here for a change.”
    Alec rose from his chair. “No, Henry. I’ll come back.”
    “So you think you’re indispensable?”
    “No, it isn’t that.”
    “Sure it is, and that’s a bad state of mind.” Henry came around the desk, and took Alec by the arm. “If the Black goes, you go, too … and you stay with him until he comes back. That’s decided. Now let’s get out of these pajamas.”
    As they left the office Alec asked, “Will you call Bill Gallon today to see if it’s all right with him?”
    “Sure. When do you want to leave?”
    “As soon as we can charter a plane. The sooner the better, now that we’ve decided to get him out of here.”
    “Yeah, I guess so,” Henry returned. “No sense puttin’ it off, not after tonight.”
    After Henry had left, Alec stood for a few minutes in the darkened corridor. The air was heavy with the smells of oiled leather, and soap, and hay, and grain. All this had become so much a part of him. Wouldn’t he worry about the mares and their foals, and the yearling colts and fillies while he was away? He supposed so, but it was needless. There was competent help here and, as Henry had said, no person was indispensable.
    He heard the Black nickering, and his heart pounded while he thought of the two of them beingalone again. Remember the island? Remember his first ride on the Black? Remember Arabia? Remember riding the Black across the desert and the steady beat of the stallion’s hoofs in the sand? Yes, in spite of his love for the farm, it would be good to be alone with his horse