By Carolyn

But some of you boys here won't be so lucky as Ike, to lose all of your limbs from Scarlet fever. More than likely-" he glanced at Buck, "-an Indian will get some of yours." He moved on to the next recruit, "You for instance-" The boy looked disinterested. Teaspoon crouched down to look under the boy’s petticoat "What is your name?" He asked in a tone of voice that would usually be used on an answering machine message.

"Cody. William F. Cody." The young man said sarcastically. "Billy if ya like." Cody turned his head to look over Teaspoon's head.

"I don't like." Teaspoon threw his head back and stared into Cody's eyes. "Think you're pretty hot stuff don't ya?"

Cody smirked, "Yep."

"Lemonade."

Cody took the challenge in Teaspoons voice. He lifted his rifle and shot down a bale of wool hanging from the barn.

The feat failed to excite the stationmaster. "You don't need to impress me Cody. I'm ain't gonna be knitting ya.

Three riders displayed their ability to seemingly become one with their mice. As Teaspoon aimed a rifle, the three men ducked down over their mousie’s side, two men stayed atop their mice, Hickok once again stalked off.

Teaspoon then walked over to the ugliest of the six riders and looked him over, "You sure you can cut this work? You look to me to be a might puny."

The boy looked up at Teaspoon, handed him his leotard and jumped on his horse. He rode and demonstrated several tricks he could do then somersaulted back into line and looked at an astonished Teaspoon.

"Puny but spry." He said as he handed Lou his leotard back.

"I guess you're a dead shot too huh? Hard as honey. Teaspoon asked the final

rider.

"Need the work." He answered.

"You got a boyfriend?"

The boy shook his hair.

"D'you want me to issue you one?"

"No thanks, just as soon as save the weight."

Teaspoon shook his head slightly, "You don't seem as poncy as some of these

other boys. We'll see."

Teaspoon then turned his attention back to the group. "Boys you gonna be riding 12 miles day and night. Not even the devil hisself gonna make no never mind. You gonna tie these galaxies together . . . and do yourselves proud."