The Island Stallion's Fury by Walter Farley

steady.
    The going was hard in the gorge, but much easier in the small valley. They traveled faster up the valley and entered the chasm, not stopping until they came to the cave which led to the sea chamber. Only then did they speak again.
    â€œShould we carry the foal from here?” Pitch asked.
    â€œNo, he’s resting comfortably. It’ll be easier if we go on as we are.”
    They entered the dimly lit cave and Flame walked carefully as though fully aware of the burden he carried. Never did he crabstep or break from his smooth, easy walk in the cave’s white sand.
    They came to the sea chamber and stopped beside the motor launch.
    â€œWe’ll have to be careful getting him down now,” Pitch cautioned. “I’ll get his hindquarters and watch the leg. You just take care of him up front.”
    Flame never moved as Steve carefully raised the colt’s forelegs, while Pitch lowered the hindquarters. Finally Pitch had the foal in his arms and was carrying him aboard the launch. Steve followed, and they placedthe colt on a blanket in the stern. They stepped back to see if he would make any attempt to get to his feet. He didn’t. He was weary and his eyes were half closed.
    â€œAt least he doesn’t seem to be in pain,” Steve said hopefully.
    â€œHe’s probably too tired to feel anything just now,” Pitch said. “And we were careful not to jostle him. But the sooner we get him to the vet the better. When he wakes up it might be different.”
    Steve was with Flame when Pitch started the launch’s motor. The roar of it caused the stallion to move quickly away. Steve watched him until he disappeared through the cave on his way back to Blue Valley, then he boarded the moving launch. The foal had raised his head a little at the sudden noise, but now was sleeping again. Steve hurried to the bow of the ship. Pitch kept the launch steady while Steve reached for the handholds in the wooden doors above the low sea hole. The partitions spread apart, sliding easily in their grooves.
    â€œThat’s wide enough,” Pitch yelled over the motor’s roar. The wind swept into the chamber. The open sea was before them.
    While Pitch was taking the launch through the exit, Steve ran back to the stern. Once they were outside the wall, Pitch held the boat steady while Steve closed the panels. Then he went to sit beside the foal. Pitch gunned the motor, taking the launch safely through a channel which found its way past the black shadows of submerged rocks.
    It would take them about four hours to get to Antago, Steve knew. That meant it would be a little after noon when they arrived. He turned to look back at theyellow dome of Azul Island when they were well away from the barrier walls; then his gaze swept back to the foal, who still slept. The boat rocked on the swells of the open sea; there were no waves to speak of and the colt wouldn’t be jostled in any way. Steve thought of the hours he had spent dreaming of taking this colt away with him from Blue Valley.
But not like this
. Would it be possible for the veterinarian to help him? Would it …
    Steve got to his feet and joined Pitch at the wheel. He needed Pitch’s assurance that everything would turn out all right.
    â€œEven if it’s a break, the vet on Antago could set it, couldn’t he?”
    â€œI’ve heard that he’s a very good man, Steve.” Pitch turned to the boy, saw the fear in his eyes, then added emphatically, “I’m certain everything will turn out all right. Bone injuries heal fast in the young. Why, Mrs. Reynolds’ baby fell out of her high chair when she was only a year old and broke her collarbone. And new bone started forming within a few days!”
    â€œI hope you’re right.”
    â€œI
know
I’m right,” Pitch said. “You’d better stop worrying about what the vet will do and start thinking about having some milk ready for the