At first he was aware only of the beauty of the blending of their bodies, coal-black and silver-gray. They were a tableau in the shimmering light of the moon. The mare was tied to the fence and stood absolutely still, almost as if frozen by the arrogance of the Black, who was alongside her, his tail held high and neck arched mightily. His small head was thrust out to hers and she squealed excitedly in answer to his panting snorts. He bit her lightly on the neck, and when she retaliated by striking out at him with her hind legs, he skillfully jumped away, then immediately closed in on her again. It was a game he knew well, one of a mare testing a stallion’s strength before final acquiescence.

Only then did Alec become fully aware of the captain and what he was doing. He had the Black by the long shank chain and was attempting to curb the stallion’s excitement by yanking it repeatedly. He shouted something in French at the top of his voice. Then, as if suddenly realizing his commands were not in the language the stallion understood, he shouted in English, “Back! When I say back, you back!”

The stallion screamed in rage and pain but continued to ignore the man for the waiting mare. His consuming interest was in her despite the captain’s efforts. He plunged toward her again and bit her more threateningly, low on the neck and in front of the withers. He held on to her this time, whirling her around again and again until she stood quietly before him. He could be as rough as required, but gentle as well. He began licking her wounds.

Suddenly the sharp, agonizing pain in his mouth was more than he could bear. He went back on his hind legs, seeking relief.

Alec ran across the clearing, knowing the captain had the shank chain under the stallion’s lips and across his gums, the snap attached to the halter ring on the far side. If he didn’t stop the captain, the Black in his pain and frenzy would kill him!

The stallion had turned his attention from the mare to strike savagely at the man who was causing him so much pain. But the captain moved fast, escaping the intended blow; then he began using the powerful leverage in his hands to its utmost. Repeatedly he pulled down the shank with all his strength. The Black went back on his haunches in an effort to escape the pain of the chain cutting viciously into his gums.

“Assez! Ça suffit! Enough!” the captain screamed at the stallion while backing him with terrible force. “You are a devil! You do not treat her this way! You go forward when I say you do, not before!” Relentlessly he jerked downward on the shank until the Black was almost falling over himself in an attempt to get away.

Alec’s headlong rush brought him up behind the captain. He hurled himself upon the man’s back, seeking to pin his arms to his side and prevent him from using the shank. For a few seconds he held on, his onslaught coming as a complete surprise to the captain. He sought to topple the great body clasped in his arms by throwing his own weight to one side as leverage. He managed to bring the captain to one knee, but suddenly the man straightened and swung upward and back with all his strength.

Alec knew immediately that he was no match for this man in deadly combat. He was hurled to one side and around. He held on to the bulging neck while being whirled like a pinwheel; then a large hand caught him by the shoulder, and the other hand, clenched into a fist, smashed against the side of his head. He fell hard upon the ground.

Instantly there was the taste of blood in his mouth. He didn’t quite lose consciousness, for he could hear shouts from the captain and squeals from the Black. The blood seemed never-ending and he choked upon it. Dazedly he found himself wondering if one could drown in his own blood.

He fought to maintain consciousness.