The Black Stallion

The voyage home begins with Alec caring for the Black’s injuries. Other animal wranglers on board express amazement at the horse. Alec decides to stay in the hold with the Black, who is anxious. The trip is very rough. A terrible storm lasting for several days rocks the ship continually, causing animals and people—though not the Black—to get seasick. The ship emerges from the storm about two days away from New York City. Alec wonders how his parents will react, since they have no idea that he is bringing the Black home with him.

Alec gazes at the harbor as the ship approaches the city and spots the Statue of Liberty. He surprises himself with his emotional response at finally arriving home. Once in the harbor, a group of inspectors come aboard to check the registrations and health of the animals. The Black tosses one inspector across the stall, tearing his pant leg. The chief inspector rushes up, asking what has happened. Alec warns him that people should not quickly approach the Black. The inspector asks for his papers and Alec tells him he doesn't have any because he was shipwrecked. The inspector knows his story and says that they will let Alec and the Black pass through.

The ship makes its way to a dock opposite Brooklyn. Other stewards take the livestock off the ship, leaving the Black until last because of his reputation. When Alec tries to take the horse off the ship, the Black reacts against the lights, sounds, and frantic busyness of the city harbor around him. He keeps pulling Alec back into the hold of the ship. A police officer stands by, ready to shoot the horse. Alec begs him not to shoot. Covering the horse’s eyes, Alec gently guides the stallion down to the street.

Once off the ship, Alec sees his parents who have been watching him wrangle the Black. As he explains that the horse belongs to him, they argue about whether he can take it home. Alec explains his plan for boarding the horse and his parents give him provisional permission. A newspaper reporter named Joe Russo approaches them. Joe wants to take pictures and hear Alec’s story. He promises to provide a ride for the Black in a van to Alec’s home in Flushing, New York, if he can interview Alec.

Joe Russo provides a van so Alec can take the Black to his home. The Black travels restlessly through the hectic noises of New York City with Alec keeping the blindfold over the horse’s eyes. Alec goes next door to the Daileys to ask Mrs. Dailey if he can board the Black in their barn. She tells him another horse is stabled there and it might be difficult to find an adequate space for Alec’s horse. She agrees to let him stay if he will fix up the barn. Alec takes the Black to the barn to show him his stall. Mrs. Dailey’s husband, Henry Dailey, opens the gate and lets him in. He is quite impressed by the Black: “Henry leaned on the barn door; his eyes moved slowly over the Black. ‘The Missus told me you had a horse—but I never expected one like this!’” (74). Next to the Black’s stall is the stall of Napoleon, a 15-year-old gelding. The two horses like each other from the start.

Alec goes home after bedding down the Black. He tells his mom, dad, and Joe Russo the story of the shipwreck, the island, the trip to Rio, and back to New York. Restless, Alec goes to bed and falls asleep only to be awakened in the middle of the night by shrill noises made by the Black. Running to the barn, he finds that Tony, the owner of Napoleon, went into the stall without realizing the Black was there. Tony crouches in terror while neighbors and police officers show up, trying to figure out what's going on. Alec explains that Tony did not know there was another horse in the stall. As Alec prepares to go back to bed, he notices the Black pushing his head forward, and tells Tony that the Black likes him. Tony nervously reaches out to the Black and jerks his hand back when the stallion moves his head. Henry and Alec chuckle as Tony responds that he likes the Black too.

Alec’s parents let him stay home from school the next day to get reacclimated. He goes to the barn as soon as he awakes, where he finds Tony has made friends with the Black and is feeding him. He helps Tony harness Napoleon to pull his cart through the streets, and the Black does not like to see Napoleon leave. Alec takes the Black into the field by the barn and rides him for the first time since they were on the island.

Henry Dailey opens a trunk in the barn and shows his racing memorabilia to Alec. He explains he was an award-winning jockey and, until two years ago, he was a horse trainer. He tells Alec he recognizes greatness in the Black: “if there is only one thing that I do know anything about it's whether a horse is any good or not—[…] we can make the Black the greatest racer that ever set a hoof on any track!” (91). As they speak, a low-flying plane sputters and spooks the Black, who dashes down the field and jumps over a seven-foot fence, disappearing from their sight.

Alec and Henry immediately chase the Black. They realize he has gone to a wooded area with a large golf course. They split up and search in different directions. Alec becomes concerned that the Black might be struck by a car, or that he might frighten people so that a police officer shoots him. He searches in areas he thinks the horse might naturally go. Just as he despairs, Alec hears the Black crash through the woods on his way to a pool of water to drink. He takes the horse’s halter and leads him out of the gully onto the golf course. Alec finds Henry and they lead the horse back to the barn.

Alec realizes he has not had breakfast and it is nearly 9 a.m. He hurries home. His mother asks him where he has been. Alec says he has been with the Black, leaving out the fact that he chased the horse for more than two hours. He describes the routine he will follow that will allow him to spend time with the Black, and get his schoolwork and chores done. His mother says he can only keep the horse so long as he keeps up his schoolwork.