By Gizmo
Copyright 1999
ST. JOSEPH, MARCH 1861
Two young men were on their way into the rapidly growing St. Joe, one on foot, the other one riding. At first there was nothing wrong about the picture, not until the two reached the first building of town. People's heads were turning and their eyes widening, as the traveling two came down the street, the bright sunlight revealing that one of them had no hair, and waved his hands in the air, causing the other young stranger to laugh. The other one, he who walked, had half-long black hair hanging over his shoulders, a huge knife strapped to his boot and a black medicine pouch around his neck.
That he was an Indian was unquestionable as you came nearer, though his shirt and trousers could have fooled you at first. He seemed to speak to his friend in a different way than anyone was used to in St. Joe, the two of them laughing at something spoken without words. They came to a stop outside the still quite smallish hotel, the bald one dismounting, pulled his hat back on his hairless head. They walked up on the sidewalk, entering the hotel building, still giggling. As they were inside, people on the street returned to their own business, though puzzled about the whole thing, what they had just seen. Well, God works in mysterious ways sometimes…
Buck and Ike sat in their room, not sure of how to continue the day. It was getting mighty hot outside, so searching for a job was out of the question for now.
"We should get something to eat," Buck suggested, in a questioning tone.
Ike nodded.
I saw a saloon on the way in, by the livery stables. he signed.
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go!"
They left the room, after locking securely. Ike took the key from his best friend, placed it in his pocket.
"And why can't I keep it?" Buck asked, trying to sound hurt.
You'll lose it. Ike signed with a grin. Buck sighed, placing a hand on Ike's shoulder.
"I won't lose it, Ike, I swear!" he promised, Ike shaking his head with a smile.
You lost it in the last place! <->"I fell off my horse, that's different!" Buck said matter-of-factly, Ike shaking his head again.
"Oh yeah, wait till your horse lets you bite the dust for once, and we'll see how many keys you have left!" he scorned, sounding more hurt than he was.
They heard a thud behind them, Buck smirking widely. "I think I'll take the key, Ike, I don't have holes in my pockets!" he chuckled, leaning down to pick it up.
Ike smiled embarrassed, his gaze falling on a man coming down the hall. Buck rose, saw the man too. The man wore an expensive dark gray suit, a gold chain hanging from on pocket to another. He pulled the clock out and looked at it with an impatient sigh. He moved past the two young men, brushing off his sleeve as he went. Buck pretended to shy away from the dust-cloud, making a face of despair. Ike smiled widely, slapping his friend's shoulder. What if the handsome man saw he was made fun of?
"Come on, Ike, let's go eat," Buck said, wiping the grin off his face, pulling his friend's arm.
As they walked down the street, Ike's brown horse led by the reins, Ike saw a big poster. Look at that! he signed excitedly.
Buck turned to see the poster also. Three young men were talking to an older, pointing at the poster, apparently asking questions. Buck read what the poster said out loud. "Wanted, riders for the Pony Express… adventure, excitement… So what, Ike?"
So what? It's us they're looking for!
"Us? Riders for… the pony Express, what is that anyway?" Buck spoke sarcastically, turning his eyes on their only horse. "Come on, he needs some attention," he said.
We should check that out. I'm not gonna move around and look for odd jobs all my life. Ike signed, a somewhat angry look on his face.
"Ike, can we please eat first?" Buck begged, his friend shrugging.
That poster sure seemed to offer what they had been looking for…
After a hot meal at the saloon, they were both feeling much better, despite the heat. Ike hadn't forgotten about the wanted poster on the way back to the hotel, pulled his friend's sleeve as they passed it a second time.
Buck followed Ike's frantic pace across the street, the man by the poster smiling widely as they approached.
"Howdy boys! Looking for some adventure out on those trails?" Ike nodded, Buck sighing. He would have to do the talking, as usual.
"What is all this?" he asked, a hesitant finger pointing at the poster.
"It's the Pony Express!" the man said proudly, dusting off the poster with a rag, making sure it was in one piece so everyone could see it. Ike nudged his friend's arm, a pleading look on his face.
"And what's the Pony Express?" Buck asked, still somewhat sarcastic in his voice. Are you happy now, Ike?
"It's the future, son. A long route all the way to Sacramento, California! The riders, brave young men like yourself, they carry mail all across the nation!" the man said, with an enthusiasm they had never met before.
"Mail? Just mail?"
"But it's an honor to carry mail with the Pony Express, sonny! And the pay is good, over $300 for one single run! The company Russell, Majors and Waddell are looking for brave, young, daring men like the two of you! What do you say, are we gonna sign?" the man smiled.
He held out a piece of paper, which both Ike and Buck threw a cautious eye.
I do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors & Waddell, that I will, under no circumstances, use profane language; that I will drink no intoxicating liquors; that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers. So help me God.
They both frowned at the fancy words, wondering what they all meant. But the message in itself was clear.
"I think we need some time to think about this…" Buck said skeptically, the older man nodding, still smiling.
"Alright, I'll be here fore a few more days. The first run across the country will be started on in the beginning of April, so you have until then. If you have any questions at all, just come right over!
Have a good day now, boys!" he smiled. Buck nodded, pulled Ike's arm.
"Alright, now you know," Buck said.
Sounded almost too good to be true. 300 dollars! Ike signed, trying to make his best friend see why it would be a great idea to ride with the Pony Express.
"Ike, 300 dollars for a ride across Indian land, isn't half as much as I would ask for," Buck stated, turning to the street. Ike pulled his shoulder, made him look at him again.
It could be worth it! Think about it, if the Pony Express is the future, we will have jobs for much longer than just a couple of weeks. And it's better so sit in the saddle than to walk, isn't it?
Buck couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe. But let's think about this, okay? I don't wanna regret it for the rest of my days because of you," he smiled, jabbing his friend loosely in the side.
Ike fought back, giving him an elbow in the ribs. I will think about it for a few days, I swear!
"But, Ike… there's one slight problem. I don't have a horse, remember?" Buck said, lifting an eyebrow, Ike sighing.
We'll buy you a horse then!
"Yeah? With what money?" Buck asked.
Ike thought for a moment. 300 dollars…?
Buck shook his head with a smile. "You're not gonna give up, are you?" he chuckled, Ike shaking his head.
They walked up the street to the hotel, enjoying the sunlight, ignoring the still turning heads as they went.
The next morning Ike came running into their hotel room, waking his friend up from his sound sleep. "Ike? What are you doing, it's early…" Buck whined, pulling the covers over his head.
Ike pulled it right off again, tapping his shoulder.
"What, Ike?" Buck asked irritated, slapping him with the pillow.
I have found you a horse! he smiled widely.
Buck sat up, pushing his friend off the cot, rubbing his eyes. "What horse?" he asked, yawning.
A beautiful bay, just like your old horse. He just costs 10 dollars!
"A horse for 10 dollars can't run for the Pony Express…" Buck stated, Ike's eyes widening. "Yeah, we're gonna sign. If you still want, that is?"
You know I do! Ike smiled, his friend standing.
"Was it a good-looking horse?" he asked, Ike nodded.
Looked strong and fast. Come on, only 10 dollars!
"Everything is money to you, isn't it?" Buck smiled lazily, pulling on his clothes.
"Okay, after I've had something to eat, we'll take a look at him, how's that?" Ike nodded, smiling contently.
Buck looked over the animal carefully, stating silently that Ike had been right. It was indeed a healthy and strong horse, and by the looks of his body, he had to have been fast too. The gelding placed his head on Buck's shoulder, gently investigating the boy at his side.
"Where's the owner?" Buck asked, Ike shrugging, looking around.
"May I help you boys?" a deep, yet clear voice cut them off in their wandering thoughts.
Buck spun around, a very familiar man standing behind him. It was the fancy-looking man with the gold clock, from the hotel! "Um… yeah, I'd like to buy that horse," Buck stammered, pointing at the calm animal by the fence.
"Ah, old Johnny," the man smiled, walking up to his horse. "He's a really fine horse, I tell you boys. But I have to sell him right away."
"I can take him now," Buck nodded. "Just… if he's as good as you say, why sell him so cheap?"
Ike slapped his friend's back. How can he ask that, is he nuts?!
The man chuckled. "See, I'm going to Boston in a week. I know he's worth so much more money, but I can't take him with me to the city. It wouldn't be fair, if you ask me," he spoke, Buck raising a brow.
"I see. Well, I have ten dollars right here, if…"
"He's yours, son. I think he likes you already!" the man smiled, taking the money from the young Indian, giving the horse a careful pat on the neck.
"You be good now, Johnny. I'm gonna miss ya, but I'm sure these two young men here will take good care of you," the last words were barely heard, the older man swallowing the emotions that were creating a lump in his throat.
"I'll do my best," Buck promised, the man nodding.
"I'm sure you will, son. Otherwise, I think Johnny will watch out for you," he smiled, lifting the saddle from the fence and placed it on the horse's back. "He does that a lot," he added, reaching for the bridle.
Buck mounted and felt the power of his new horse right away. This had been a good deal for sure!
"Ride safe now, boys!" the man called as the two walked down the street, toward the smiling man at the Pony Express office. "And, hey… Maybe next time you decide to make fun of a stressed man in a hotel in St. Joseph, you should wait until he's at least passed the corner!" he smiled, waving his hand after them. Buck looked at Ike for a long second, before both of them started laughing.
