Carter, King of the Pharaohs and the Transatlantic Voyage

By Nicolas Craven

Carter, King of the Pharaohs was an ordinary horse long since retired from racing. He lived with the Blackwell’s on their property outside of Philadelphia where he spent his days with Julie; his best friend and the only daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell, roaming the Blackwell property. Carter loved listening to Julie’s stories about her day in school and what she had learned. He never imagined that one day he would be on a boat traveling to a faroff land nor that he would come face to face with a sea creature. This is a story about Carter’s journey from rural Philadelphia to Europe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645312147

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Carter, King of the Pharaohs and the Transatlantic Voyage

Nicolas Craven

Copyright © 2020 Nicolas Craven

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-64531-213-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-214-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Carter, King of the Pharaohs and the Transatlantic Voyage

Nicolas Craven

1

The summer of my fifteenth birthday, Julie and I got the news. I was shocked; as for Julie, she was outraged, but more on that later. Let me introduce myself. My name is Carter, King of the Pharaohs, or Carter for short. That name may seem strange to you. That’s because I am a horse. I’m not just any horse; I’m a racehorse, well, a retired racehorse. I never got the opportunity to run at the big races like the Kentucky Derby or the Belmont Stakes; I was not that fast. I did, however, win my fair share of races at the minor-league level. My best mile-and-a-half time was two minutes and forty-five seconds.

I spent nine years of my life racing, and then I enjoyed retirement. I was not very old; but horses, like dogs, age faster than humans. Fifteen in horse years is just a little over forty-seven in human years. When I was done racing, I would still run a lot with my friend and companion Julie Blackwell. She was my owner’s daughter. Well, I didn’t think of him as my owner, more like a father. Mr. Blackwell called me his boy on several occasions. Okay, so I used to sleep in the stable, but that was only because I was too big for the house. Julie and I tried to sneak into the house once, and let’s just say that I broke a few things. Have you heard of a bull in a china shop?

Julie turned ten, ten in human years. She was a lovely girl and had the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen. Most of the time, she kept her brown hair in a ponytail; she didn’t like having her hair in her face. She spent most of her days in school. When she was not in school, we occupied our time running around her family’s property, grooming my hair, and having all around fun adventures. We were the best of friends!

The Blackwell’s property was about a day’s ride north of Philadelphia. It was beautiful country out there with plenty of open space. I actually didn’t know how large the grounds were. What I did know was that it took us about two hours to go from the stable where I slept to the edge of the property. Julie and I had a favorite spot out there where we relaxed under a big tree. While we sat there enjoying the nice breeze, she would tell me about her day and what she learned in school.

That day was just like any other. Julie came and got me out of my room to go for an after-school ride through the fields. We headed out toward the creek and made our way toward the hills. With it being spring every day, we had more and more light. Mr. Blackwell had always said to be back in the stable about a half an hour before dark. Julie and I were very good about keeping to this.

As we were approaching the stable, we saw a car leaving the house on the main road. I have always wondered what it would be like to ride in a car. I haven’t had the opportunity yet. Julie, luckily, had ridden in one a few times and has told me all about it. She told me it feels a little like riding a horse but only slightly more comfortable. One of the times she got to ride in one, it was raining out. She said it was glorious to not have to get wet while traveling. She did, however, reassure me that she much preferred to ride me than take a car.

I don’t recognize that car, Julie said. I wonder who that was.

I didn’t know either. Mr. Blackwell entertained a lot of guests. Some of those guests were regulars, and we knew which cars were theirs.

We reached the stable, and Julie began taking the saddle off me when Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell came to us. Mr. Blackwell was a good man with strong features. He was average build, and he has a slightly receding hairline. He had a serious look on his face which concerned me somewhat. I hoped everything was okay.

Julie, Mr. Blackwell started, your mother and I have some important news that we need to share with you.

Mrs. Blackwell was a petite lady who almost always wore dresses, even while riding horses. I didn’t see her all that much because she was a doctor. Julie was so proud of her even though they didn’t spend that much time together. Apparently, it was a big deal that Mrs. Blackwell was a doctor. Women were at that time expected to stay at home with the kids.

Honey, maybe it’s best if you explain it to her, Mr. Blackwell suggested to Mrs. Blackwell.

"Julie, I want you to know that I love you very much and I am very proud to have you as my daughter. Your father and I have decided that it is