As the stallions gained speed and ground on the Bedouins, Alec was fearful for a heartbeat that the Black and Flame would get distracted in racing or fighting one another. But the stallions were suddenly reeling as gunshots frightened them into frenzy.
Flame shied left, jumping over a spot where a bullet had hit the sand and screamed in frustration. This caused the Black to neigh and flatten his ears against his head. He started to flatten out.
In the distance, Alec could make out tents and horses. He let the Black find his stride before glancing behind them. Flame was right behind the Black but not trying to catch him. The red stallion's ears were pricked forward and his head was high. The black suddenly snorted and raised his head as well- the stallions smelled something in the air. The Bedouins had disappeared into the group of tents by this time and soon the Black and Flame were in the midst of all the commotion as well.
Yelling, shouting, gunfire, neighing- all crashed around Alec and Steve as they flew into the center of the tent circle. Just ahead was a large corral filled with ten of the finest horses Alec had ever seen. Most were black and Alec desperately tried to identify Black Minx among them. Flame let loose a shrill whistle challenge, to which several of the horses responded.
As the Black neared the fence, Alec saw Black Minx. She was tied to a post on the opposite side of the corral and she was neighing to the Black. The Black reared as more gunshots fired around him. But the Bedouins weren't shooting at the Black or Flame-
Alec turned just in time to see a black stallion bull through a tent and burst into the clearing. The stallion reared, screaming.
Satan was furious.
On his back, Lenny was yelling but Alec couldn't hear. Instead of going to Satan, Alec just pointed to Black Minx. Flame disappeared for a fraction of a second and appeared on the other side of the corral, three men on the ground behind him.
Alec pointed the Black in Black Minx's direction but Satan breezed by him- a crack sounded as Satan collided with the fence, his giant body simply crushing the wooden slats. Lenny caught onto Black Minx's lead shank as the horses in the corral scattered. Two Bedouins on horses appeared, swinging lassos. As one threw their rope, Flame blindsided the horse and the rope fell to the ground, along with the horse and rider.
Alec looked about for Pam but more Bedouins were emerging with ropes and guns and the horses were neighing in fright.
Steve and Flame charged towards Alec, Steve yelling at the top of his voice for Alec to follow and Satan started running with Black Minx close behind. Another gunshot caused Satan to rear and Lenny dropped Black Minx's lead rope!
Black Minx hardly noticed and kept running. Alec's mind and heart were torn as the Black danced around. Pam, he thought, Pam!
Lenny must have seen Alec's distraught and indecision, for Satan suddenly bumped into the Black, causing the two stallions to rear and Alec was forced to make the Black move. Flame led the way out and had to take several detours as the Bedouins blocked them in. There seemed to be only one way out- over a 4½-foot fence.
Flame rocketed over it with ease and the Black jumped as if there was nothing there. Alec turned to see Black Minx pop over the fence. A moment passed and Alec's heart beat frantically. Suddenly the whole fence exploded as Satan rammed into it, head on!
Satan seemed to be unscathed from running through a fence and ran as smoothly as ever, his strides extending, proving he was the son of the Black.
But Alec was not watching his horse- he was searching for any sign of Pam.
Within minutes, the group of hard-running horses left the tents far behind and slowed to a stop. Dismounting, Steve said, "We should rest, at least walk until we're far enough away from those men." Lenny agreed and they turned to Alec.
Alec, still on the Black, was looking back in the direction of the tents.
"Alec," Lenny said softly, "you can't go back."
Alec turned to face the two, his face hardened into a mask. He dismounted and loosened the Black's girth. Nearby, Black Minx tossed her head. She wore no tack, only the rope.
"Let's walk, then." Alec said, grabbing onto Black Minx's rope and the Black's reins.
"She's gone."