One night, the boy came to me to give me my sweet treats. It was a hot night, and I could smell the storm in the air. I pricked my ears in the direction of the storm. The boy tread carefully on the deck, and I turned to look at him. I could have spun and ran to the back of my stall again, but I was too interested in the storm signals. I gave him a whistle in greeting, then turned to look out to sea again.

The boy became brave since I was calm for him. He put a piece of treat in his hand and proffered it to me. I looked at him puzzled. I gave a quiet whistle to see if I would scare him off. He didn't move. Hm. I really wanted the white lumps, but was unsure of him. No one else had been that close to me, not even the dark-skinned man. Staring him down, I decided that he wouldn't try to hit me. I leaned tentatively forward, ready to leap back at the least movement. The boy held still. I lipped the treat off his hand and drew back. The boy watched me for a moment then walked away again to his stall.

The wind picked up and the storm that I smelled came at last. Desert storms were violent but quick. I didn't know how a storm on the ocean would be like though. To my great astonishment, the waves rose up higher and higher, and the ship rose up on the crests of the waves, then plunged down to the bottom of the waves. I had taken thought already to eat plenty of hay when the storm was only beginning. Hay is the best thing for horses to prevent seasickness. I was terrified not with the lightning, but the speed that the ship was plunging to and fro, like a wild animal caught in a trap. I screamed several times, but barely had the balance to kick about. The people were running and shouting all over the place. Don't they know what to do? The rising panic of the mob made my panic all the more vivid. Get me out of here! I heard the ship's rumbling fall away to silence. There was something wrong with it! I saw the dark-skinned man running and trying to grab other people. He took no thought of me. Suddenly the boat plunged and I saw him lose his balance. He was too close to the edge and fell into the water.

I gave a loud call for help again, and suddenly I saw a flash of wet red hair. The boy! He struggled with my door and finally it swung open. I didn't know what to do at first. I looked at the boy, the open door, and the plunging sea. Suddenly I saw the rail was broken and I lost my head. I snorted, and galloped for the opening. I gave a great leap, accidentally knocking the boy into the water with me. I landed with a great splash, and immediately started swimming. My legs pistoned through the foaming water, and I had to work hard to keep my head afloat. Horses know how to swim naturally, and I moved my legs in a long trot motion. I needed to get away from the ship, which was slowly slipping below the waves.

I suddenly felt a yank on my halter. I furiously shook my head and turned my neck to see who was holding me back. I realized the boy had hold of my rope in desperation. I saw no one came to his aid to try to lift him into a boat. I turned my head and found I could swim while dragging him. He was coming with me. I was terrified, but glad that the boy would be with me. I felt him put his whole trust in me to keep him safe. I saved my mares many times from other stallions and dangers. I could certainly try to keep one boy safe, as long as I was able to save myself. The boy helped me by swimming as much as he could himself. He wasn't very good at it, but it did help.

Instinct told me the direction to swim in, and so I did my best against the immense waves. I swam for a very long time. Suddenly I stopped. A breeze came to my extended nostrils. Land? I turned my body toward the scent and plunged forward again. Soon the storm lessened considerably. The strong sea breeze blew in a different direction, and again I changed my heading. Several times during that long night I had to turn again to follow the distant land scent. The sun finally rose with red streaks across the sky, and I could tell the land was close by. The boy was exhausted, and so was I, but he dozed, putting his full weight on my tired head. At last, I saw green land. I only hoped that I would be able to get to this land easily. I screamed victoriously. I was almost there! There! My hooves felt the sand. New energy filled me. I had had enough of the watery world and wished only have firm ground beneath my hooves. I started to gallop, forgetting completely that the boy was attached to me. I felt him struggle but ignored him. I was on land! My head jerked suddenly and the weight dropped away, leaving the boy panting on the sand. I was free from him! I put on an extra spurt of speed and left him behind me.