Read Online The Black Stallion's Ghost by Walter Farley - Free Book Online

brightened the sky and Alec could see huge thunderheads marching up from the south.
    â€œRain should come soon now,” he said. “It might not be so bad then.”
    The captain did not take his eyes from the window. “I smell no rain, only the electricity in the air,” he answered.
    A spurt of violet fire brightened the shed and theysaw a tall cabbage palm split in two and fall to the ground. There was another flash and still another. The earth and sky were being joined in flaming white charges while thunder crashed incessantly.
    Alec’s fingers tightened on the Black’s mane. He could not tell his horse there was nothing to fear, that it was not like the first time. Actually it was worse, except that they were not in a ship at sea.
    One did not forget a ship rolling helplessly in monstrous seas and raging winds while jarring cracks of lightning split her open. A dead ship, her engines long quiet, going deeper into the water
.
    â€œI have never known the fear of a storm,” the captain said quietly, as if intent on distracting Alec’s thoughts. “We circus people are used to all kinds of dangers, traveling and living in so many strange countries as we do. One must go where one can earn a living.”
    Alec turned to him. He knew the captain’s words were meant to be warm and friendly, to get his mind off the storm. His fear must be quite apparent, then.
    â€œYour mare must be a good traveler,” he said, willing to talk about anything that would pass the time.
    â€œ
Oui
, she has had to be,” the captain answered, “as it is with all circus animals. However, she is better than most, I believe. She is a seasoned traveler, very worldly indeed.”
    The Black moved uneasily as a loud rumble of thunder shook the shed. Alec steadied him with his hands. The thunderheads seemed to be closer, pressing down upon the hammock. Still there was no rain—only the wind and lightning and thunder.
    â€œPerhaps you don’t fear it because you have never known what a tropical storm is like,” Alec commented.
    â€œPerhaps so, Alec,” the captain answered. “It is not often that we travel so far south. Usually we are in Europe at this time of year. But in so much of the Continent today there is no time for the circus. In Germany, for example, the circus is almost dead. Perhaps it is due to television—or, perhaps, to there not being enough children. The circus is for children, you know. In Ireland last year it was very good. There is not much television in Ireland and there are many children.”
    Amid the crashes of thunder, the lightning made the world of saw grass outside leap vividly into sight, with one green ball of fire after another brightening the darkness. It was weird and frightening. One lightning bolt missed the shed by what seemed like a few yards, and for a dizzy moment Alec felt the tingle of static electricity in his body.
    He heard the captain’s voice and was astounded to find him still talking about his work.
    â€œDo you think Americans will be pleased with my act?” the captain asked.
    Alec was quick to note the slight hesitancy in his voice that betrayed his worldliness and contempt for the storm.
    â€œI think they’ll like your mare very much,” he said. “Americans love horses and will appreciate one so well trained as yours.”
    He had no sooner spoken than a great flash of lightning bathed the inside of the shed in an eerie garish light. He held his breath, expecting the earth toerupt beneath his feet; his hands tightened around the Black’s neck.
    The roof of the shed toppled but was held from falling by two wooden beams.
    Alec looked up at the sagging roof. “It’ll hold,” he said. “A tree must have fallen on it.”
    When the captain spoke, his voice was charged with emotion he could not control. “It would take a man of iron not to fear such force as this,” he said