Those eyes did something to the colt.

Tearing his gaze from the black colt, Alec looked at Henry quizzically. His friend’s face was sober, thoughtful. It was strange that Henry was so quiet. This is the son of the Black! he almost shouted. His horse! The beginning of everything! Alec found himself wondering again. Had Henry changed, now that he was a big-time trainer again? Had he seen too many of Boldt’s fine colts to become excited over any other colt? But this was not just another colt. Certainly Henry knew that!

Alec studied Henry’s face as the old man walked beside him, his square jaw shoved out like a toy bulldog’s, the furrows in his wrinkled brow deeper than Alec had ever seen them. Something was wrong, Alec knew. Was it that Henry wanted to continue working for Boldt rather than go through with their plans? Did he regret having signed only a year’s contract with Boldt, instead of the three-year contract the wealthy race horse owner had offered? Alec knew his present contract would terminate in two months; they’d planned it that way so Henry would be free just in case the horse did arrive. Was that what was bothering Henry? Did he want to renew his contract with Boldt, and make big money instead of going through with the original plans? Plans that could fail if the colt didn’t have the speed of his sire?

Alec’s face was tense as he turned back to his horse. The colt swerved, attempting to break away, but Alec’s grip was firm and he brought him back. If that’s what Henry wanted, he thought, he wouldn’t stand in his way. But somehow he’d raise and train the colt himself, and the day would come when Boldt, Henry and everyone else would know the speed of his horse.

They neared the van. Alec saw his father standing there, with Sebastian straining at his leash to get to him. His father smiled, but Alec could see that it was forced. The ramp of the van was down, the driver standing alongside. Just lead the colt up the short ramp, and he’d have him inside. Then home, and before long his father would have forgotten all that had happened at the pier.

Henry said, “Want me to help you take him in, Alec?”

“I can manage, Henry. Thanks.” Alec’s voice was clipped. He moved forward with the colt. Sebastian barked, then whimpered, his tail wagging; he wanted to get to Alec. The black colt swerved again, and Alec knew Sebastian wasn’t helping matters any. He was about to ask his father to take Sebastian away from the back of the van when a sudden gust of wind, blowing from the river, swept through the shed. Alec saw his father make a grab at his brown hat as the wind caught it, knocking it from his head. As the hat tumbled down to the ground, his father went after it with both hands, and Sebastian was free. Bounding forward, the puppy ran excitedly to Alec.

Then it all happened very quickly. The colt reared, swerved to the right, then plunged forward, his small hoofs striking out viciously.

And when Alec had him still once more, Sebastian lay inert upon the wooden floor of the shed.

Then his father and Henry were beside him, and his father bent over the dog. Finally, he looked up at Alec. “He’s still breathing,” he said in a strained voice. “I’ll get him to a veterinary.” Then, carrying Sebastian in his arms, he left them.

Alec stood gazing at his father’s back as the older man walked quickly away with Sebastian.

“I don’t think the colt hit him square,” Alec heard Henry say.