Jo's Triumph Read Online Free Page B

land and not attack and we’ve agreed to leave ‘em alone. Not much worth having in the desert where they live anyway.”
    Standing there in the small office wanting that Pony Express job more than anything, I kept my peace.
    â€œBesides, they’re building a fort on the river — Fort Churchill. When it’s done, two thousand men will live there. That should keep them Indians in line should they forget their danged manners.”
    I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded again.
    â€œI’m short a couple of riders between Ruby and Egan Canyon. Do you know the territory?”
    â€œYes, sir. More or less.” Hadn’t I traveled along that very trail with Will and Jackson?
    â€œThat’s fine, Joe Whyte. Be here atfirst light tomorrow and Smokey McPhail will ride with you up to Ruby Valley.”
    I nodded, scarcely able to keep from crying, I was so happy.
    â€œBefore you go anywhere, you got to swear this oath.”
    I nodded again. I would have sworn anything to be leaving Carson City and earning enough money so I could be on my way to California. Mr. Roberts pushed two objects across the desk: a Bible small enough to fit in a jacket pocket and a pistol.
    â€œYou’ll need both of these,” he said and tapped the Bible with his knuckle. I placed my fingertips on the leather cover and repeated everything Mr. Roberts said.
    â€œMail first. Pony second. Rider third. The mail must get through,” I added for good measure.
    â€œYou got that right. Our business is built on trust, speed, and reliability. Sometimes we ship valuable documents, important news, and occasionally, cash deliveries. We count on our riders to get the mail through no matter what.”
    I swore that I’d uphold the ideals of the Pony Express Company — no drinking, no gambling, and no unlawful deeds. I glanced down at my stolen shirt and pants. If I could do this job, my stealing days would be over for good.
    With the advance Mr. Roberts offered me, I bought gloves, a hat and jacket, and a leather holster. Though it must have seemed a mite rude, I never once removed my cap inside for fear I would be recognized. Instead, I kept it right down over my eyes and mumbled my answers, always careful to keep my voice gruff and low as I made my purchases.
    Once I thought I saw Mrs. Pinweather hurrying along the road, and I ducked between two wagons and counted to one hundred before venturing out again.
    Early in the afternoon I took my bundles, a fresh loaf of bread, and some hard cheese back to the barn and hid myself away in the darkest corner.
    That night I slept like an old dog. At dawn I tugged the collar of my new jacket up, felt my pockets for my Bibleand the knife my pa had given me, patted my holster, and marched around to the front of the freight office.
    This time when I reached the office door, I walked right in.

Chapter Five

    Two men, Mr. Bolivar Roberts and a younger man I didn’t recognize, sat at the table.
    â€œMornin’, Joe,” Mr. Roberts said.
    I nodded.
    â€œThis here’s Smokey McPhail.”
    The man, who looked to be about the same age as my oldest brother, William, raised his tin mug toward me.
    â€œSmokey will take you on up to Ruby Valley, where you’ll start your first run. It’ll take you ’bout three days to make the trip.”
    Smokey rocked his chair back and studied me. I blushed. He had guessed my secret; I just knew it.
    â€œI got a question for you,” he said and I shifted from foot to foot, certain he was going to ask me if I was really a boy.
    â€œYou ain’t yet sixteen, are you?”
    I let out my breath and coughed, staring at my feet so I wouldn’t have to look him in the eye.
    â€œNear enough.”
    â€œNo need to mumble. I can see you ain’t shaving yet.”
    I put my hand to my chin. I wasn’t likely to start shaving any time soon, either.
    â€œNo matter. If you can ride, I ain’t going to