Santo is a young Native American boy stuck in quicksand in New Mexico, with his horse, Luto, standing nearby, though unable to help him. He hopes that someone, like his friend, Rabbit Stockings, will come to his aid, though he has doubts. There is no definitive way for them to know that he's in trouble, especially because Luto remains by his side, but he hopes that they will know because of their Native American intuition. As he's slowly swallowed by the earth, he recalls memories with Rabbit Stockings, such as when he was almost struck by lightning when the two were trying to ward off a thunderstorm. Rabbit Stockings feels that something is wrong and tries to tell Big Santo about it, though Big Santo is hesitant to believe him at first, thinking there is no evidence to support such suspicions. Nonetheless, the two set out to look for Santo, crossing through hills and valleys to get to him. On the way there, they come across a snake, the two of them sure that it must be a sign from a guardian spirit. Finally, they come across Santo sitting in the dirt, but no Luto to be found. When they question him, he says that while at first he alone was stuck in the sand, a large snake had bitten Luto, scaring him into the sand as well. Santo was able to free himself by using Luto as leverage, but the horse was immovable in the sand and sunk. Santo is sad, but Rabbit Stockings tells him that Luto will come back into his life, perhaps as a beautiful woman.