Jo's Triumph Read Online Free Page A

uneasy movement of a fresh horse.
    â€œUp you go, then. Godspeed.”
    With a grunt, the rider settled onto the new horse. “Gee-yap!” He was off,his horse’s hooves drumming a rapid departure from Carson City.
    â€œWe need more men like him,” a voice said and I realized the second man had returned with the first horse. Its breathing had slowed a little.
    â€œAye. That we do. I have a notice posted. With any luck we’ll attract some fresh blood.”
    â€œWith any luck, yes. I’ll cool Big Sam out a little longer. Then, how about some coffee?”
    â€œSounds mighty good to me,” the first man said.
    For the next little while all I could hear was the slow, even sound of the horse being walked back and forth outside. When the hoof beats came straight toward the barn, I scurried out of sight. I had just enough time to tug a couple of empty feed sacks over top of me before the door opened.
    â€œGood boy, Sammy. Here you go.”
    Hay rustled and the man left, the latch clicking shut behind him.
    I moved quietly to where a tall, black horse was tethered. Big Samwas a handsome animal. He steamed slightly in the cool air of the barn as he munched his hay.
    The men sounded like they were with the Pony Express. It didn’t take long for me to find the notice they had spoken of. It was posted clear as day on the front wall of the freight company.
    Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows
.
    Not over 18. Must be willing to risk death daily
.
    Orphans preferred
.
    Wages $25 per week
.
    Inquire within
.
    Twenty-five dollars a week? That was a small fortune! With work like that it wouldn’t take long to save enough money to get to California. A coach ticket from Carson City cost a little more than a hundred dollars. Then I’d need enough put aside to pay for room and board and maybe hire me a guide to take me to the gold fields to find my brothers.
    I leaned forward and read thenotice again. It sounded so exciting. I glanced up and down the street and read the notice one more time.
    Orphans preferred
. Well, that was me, sure enough.
    It was horses, it was riding, and they wanted skinny boys. Sure I was skinny, but did I look enough like a boy to get the job? If I did, the work would get me out of town in a hurry. I looked up the road again. Then, without pondering further on the ifs and maybes, I stepped forward and knocked on the freight office door.
    â€œC’mon in.”
    I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The office wasn’t large, but it was warm. Two men looked at me over steaming mugs of coffee.
    â€œWhat can I do for you, son?”
    I ducked my head, cleared my throat, pushed my voice low, and mumbled, “Saw the notice.”
    The man who had spoken stood up and thrust his hand toward me. “You’ve come to the right place. Name is Bolivar Roberts with the Pony Express.So happens we’re looking to replace a few riders in Utah Territory.”
    I nodded and he went on.
    â€œHow old are you, boy?” Mr. Roberts asked.
    â€œSixteen — sir,” I said, forcing my voice deep into my chest and drawing myself up straight and tall, proud for once of my gangly height. “Been riding since I was eight years old with my pa who is now dead, which makes me an orphan.”
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Mr. Roberts asked.
    I hadn’t thought of that. “Ahhh … Jo — ”
    He raised an eyebrow and gave me a hard look.
    â€œJo Wh-whyte,” I stammered.
    â€œWhere you from?”
    â€œSalt Lake City, sir. In the valley. We had ourselves a ranch there, sir.”
    â€œUtah Territory is where we need riders.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œHard territory. Some trouble between here and Salt Lake. Indians.”
    â€œYes, sir. I got friends among the Paiutes.” I hoped Sarah would still think of me as her friend.
    Mr. Roberts grunted. “I do believe the worst is over. The Paiutes agreed to keep to their