India, Early 20th Century

While the reader never knows Alec during his time in India with Uncle Ralph, a missionary, the fact that Alec was in India introduces the idea of the exotic and the unknown. The missionary is a sort of pioneer who travels through an unfamiliar land spreading religion. Since Alec partook in this work, he learns to live in jungles and survive traveling through a strange place. Although the author does not reveal the novel's time period specifically, the modes of available transportation and the use of horses indicates that the action of the story takes place in the early 20th century.

The Drake

The Drake is the steam ship that sinks while Alec and the black stallion are aboard. After exploring a dangerous country with his Uncle, Alec presumably knows how to take care of himself, but the fact that his parents trust him alone...