Any type of job you take comes with a promise...whether that's to your employer, or those you work with. But I'd be willing to bet that in all of the contracts you've had to sign, you've never had to swear by anything like this!! As follows this is a copy of the original pledge that a Pony Express rider had to read and sign.
Now with the official signing out of the way, and the rider being hired, he was given several things; a lightweight rifle, a Colt revolver, a bright red flannel shirt, blue trousers, a horn, and a Bible. They were then assigned to the part of the trail that they knew best, and given more instructions.
Reguardless of weather, lack of rest, or personal danger to himself, the mail must be delivered. The rider must immediately carry it over his route at the fastest speed his mount could endure. Two minutes were allowed for changing horses at a relay. To carry mail on schedule was his duty; to carry it safely was his trust.
A part of this information was collected from Ralph Moody's book, Riders of the Pony Express.