The Dark is Rising, a drama by Susan Cooper for BBC World Service.
Episode 9, The Hawk in the Dark.
A thunderous knocking came from the front door of the manor house,
louder even than the screech of the blizzard.
Across the room the walker jumped, his face twisted tight with waiting.
Paul played on with his flute unhearing.
Again the crashing knock,
and Will understood this noise was not for the ears of Paul and the villagers sheltering from winter storm there in Miss Greythorne's manor.
It was he who was called, who was bound to answer to something or somebody who wished him ill.
When the dark comes rising, six shall turn it back,
and three from the circle Will walked through the unheeding people to the front door,
took hold of its iron handle and...
Out of the darkness, the great black horse of the rider reared up high over Will's head,
whose flailing eyes rolling white.
But as Will instinctively threw up one arm in self-defense,
the black stallion screamed, far back, and riding the horse disappeared into the dark.
But...
how did...
But why did the rider flee?
One sign of fire you have with you already.