Alexander "Alec" Ramsay

Alec is the red-headed, freckled, young protagonist of the story. Alec loves horses and forms a bond with the black stallion that no other person can understand. He is a quick thinking boy whose courage and intelligence help him overcome the difficult challenges that face him throughout the novel. Alec's parents send him to visit his Uncle Ralph, a missionary in India. While visiting, Alec develops lean muscles and tanned skin. Most importantly, Alec's uncle teaches him something that Alec had been looking forward to his whole life. Uncle Ralph teaches Alec to ride horses.

After his time in India, Alec boards the Drake, a ship headed to London, England. During the trip, Alec becomes fascinated by a wild stallion that one of the other passengers brought onto the vessel. Alec is kind to the animal and brings it sugar cubes each day in the hopes...