'The Pony Express'

There were 80 of us Pony Express Riders. Between us we carried mail across the country, from Missouri to California. And back.

In those days, before the telegraph was put in, the Pony Express was the quickest way to move the news. If you didn't hire us, your messages had to go by wagon train and boat and could take 25 days or more. I tell you, we sure speeded things up.

We weren't cheap. We charged $5 for a half ounce of weight. There was only so much a rider and a horse could carry, so the letters and even the newspapers were printed on special lightweight paper. And you were obliged to keep your words short.

The mail was locked up in a bag called a mochila, which was lashed to the saddle horn. We changed horses at way stations every 10 or 15 miles. That's all the distance a horse could travel at the rate we pushed him. We'd throw that locked up mochila over the fresh pony and be off again at full gallop. No dawdling allowed!

Riders changed every 75 to 100 miles. That's as far as we could travel at the rate we pushed ourselves, going lickety-split about 10 miles an hour.

Yes sir, I crossed a lot of country when I rode with the Pony Express.

And it was never easy.

We galloped through rain and snow and heat hot enough to fry you.

Over mountains and through rivers.

A rider or his pony could get snakebit.

Or ambushed by the Paiutes.

But the mail had to go through.

What a time that was! We pulled this whole, big country together. Even President Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address was carried from Washington, D.C., to California by the Pony Express. The folks were ready to bust with excitement the day they got the news.

Now that I'm old and famous and have my own Wild West Show I can't help thinking back.

I've had adventures in my life. But there were none to beat the ones I had when I rode with the Pony Express.

Kids, click here to find out about the author of this story.

---

LISTEN TO THE STORY BY PHONE: You can also follow along as this story is read aloud by calling 1-800 LATIMES, Ext. 4KIDS (1-800 528-4637, Ext. 45437). If the computer is connected to your phone line by modem, you will need to make a print of the story first and shutdown the computer before dialing the number. This story will be available by phone through Nov. 13.