Joey's North Intro

Rachel rode fast and hard. She was determined to not let them horrible men catch her. Hours and miles down the road, she decided that she had lost them. Her and her horse were both exhausted. She needed to find a place to hole up for the night. She had slowed the horse down to a slow walk. She didn't want to kill the poor thing.

A miracle appeared! For a minute she thought she was dreaming, so she rubbed her eyes to make sure it wasn't a mirage. No, it wasn't. It really was a house and a barn. She could see them because the moon was full and bright. She looked up into the sky. Her guardian angel must be watching over her.

She walked her horse to the barn, keeping her eyes on the house to make sure no one came out of it. She was sure that it was long after midnight and that the occupants were asleep because she didn't see any lights on, but still she wanted to be very cautious. She arrived at the barn and went inside, closing the door behind them. She tended to her horse, giving him a good rub down. Then totally exhausted she found her a soft bed of hay to lay on. She planned on sleeping for a little while and then getting up and getting out before the residents woke up. As soon as she laid down, she fell asleep, and it was a very deep sleep.

Before Rachel knew it, someone was shaking her awake. Startled she scooted back from the intruder. "Now ma'am, don't be scared. I won't hurt ya." He waited for her to get fully awake and to remember where she was. "You know I had plenty of room for ya in the house. You should've come and woke me. I wouldn't've mind at all."

Rachel moistens her mouth because it was so dry. "Um . . . I was . . . very tired . . . and I was gonna be up and gone before you were awake."

"Well, I'm glad you're not, ma'am. I could use the company. By the way I'm Joseph." Seein's how she didn't seem to be going to give it, he rubbed his bearded chin and asked, “And mightin' you have a name?"

She stood up and brushed the hay off her clothes and out of her hair and then replied, "I'm Rachel."

"Whatcha doing out here?" He saw her hesitate. "Well, come on I'm mixin' up some flapjacks for breakfast. Ya are hungry aren't ya?" Rachel's stomach did feel empty, so she nodded. "Come on we'll getcha some grub." Rachel followed Joseph.

As they entered the house, Joseph said, "Make yourself at home while I fix some vittles." Joseph went over to the stove and started cooking up a mess of flapjacks. Rachel looked around. It was a plain cabin, no pictures just furniture and not even any curtains for the windows, so she assumed that he wasn't married. Rachel sat down at the table to wait for breakfast, knowing that she should be getting farther and farther away. There was no telling if they were trailing her or not, but she was very hungry.

Joseph did a half turn just to make sure his guest was still here. "So are you gonna tell me, why you were sleeping in my barn?

"I . . . well I . . . I'm looking for a job." It was the only thing that Rachel could think of.

"A job is it? Well, I don't need any help around here. Was ya lookin' for somethin' in particular, ma'am?" She didn't know how to reply to that. Hearing no reply, Joseph continued, "What can ya do, ma'am? Can ya cook?" Can you sew?"

"Yes sir, I can do both."

"Well, I might know of someone who might need ya. There's a man goes by the name of Teaspoon. He's west of here in a town called Three Crossings. He'll be needin' a good cook and housekeeper for the Pony Express station over there. You think ya might be interested?"

Not wanting to be unkind to his hospitality, Rachel said, "I might. What's the Pony Express?"

"The Pony Express is the name of the company. It's a waystation for young riders to stop and get fresh horses in between their destinations. In fact this is one, too. This is the Sweetwater Pony Express station. The young riders will be delivering the mail. The station will need a cook and seamstress for those young lads. So ya interested?" Rachel half-heartedly nodded her head, not sure if she would go to Three Crossings or not.

"Good! Good! I'll write you a note that you can give to my old friend, Teaspoon. I'm sure he will hire a pretty gal like you, especially if your's a good cook as you are pretty." Rachel blushed. "I's only tellin' the truth, don't need to be embarrassed by it." He brought over a plate full of flapjacks and sat them down in front of Rachel. "You eat up now. You need more ya just let me know. I can rustle lots more real quick, and ya need to eat heartily for you have a long trip ahead of ya, ma'am."

Rachel and Joseph had breakfast. Joseph saddled up Rachel's horse for her and pointed her in the right direction. He had also given her a satchel full of food, which Rachel was obliged. Rachel didn't want to disappoint the nice gentleman, so she figured she would go to Three Crossings and see what it was like. If she didn't like it, she could always keep going.

Days later Rachel arrived in Three Crossings. At first glance it seemed like it might be a nice town. Maybe this was the place for her. She tied her horse to the post and walked into the River's End Hotel where she purchased a room for the night. She then left the hotel, took her horse to the livery and boarded him there. Now to find the man known as Teaspoon. She asked the proprietor of the livery stable and was told that he would be at the Pony Express station, but since he hasn't but one rider so far that she would most likely find him at the jailhouse. Rachel thought that was strange, but she headed over there anyway.

The jailhouse door was open, so Rachel walked on in. A man looked up and saw her. He quickly stood to greet his visitor. "Good afternoon, ma'am, can I help ya?"

"I'm looking for a man known as Teaspoon." Rachel stated.

"Well, ma'am that would be me. Teaspoon Hunter at your service." He bowed and touched his hand to his hat in honor of her presence.

"I was told that you're looking for a cook for the waystation. I thought you were the stationmaster. I didn't know you were the law man, too."

"Well, ma'am I am at the moment, but soon I'll be giving it up. Another man is to arrive soon to take over, and then I'll just be the stationmaster for the Pony Express station. And may I ask how you know that I'm looking for a cook?"

"A friend of yours by the name of Joseph North told me." Rachel handed over the letter that Joseph had gave to her.

Teaspoon looked it over and commented, "Well, that was nice of him. I've been looking for a cook, and I'm glad you showed up. I was beginning to think that the lads would have to cook. I'm pretty sure your cooking would be a lot better, ma'am." Teaspoon thought, she has a pretty smile. "So where's your things. If you'll just tell me where your things are, I'll have someone take you out to the station."

"Well, I checked in at the hotel."

"Alright no problem, did you just arrive?"

"Yes."

"I know the owner. She's a very sweet gal. I'm sure she'll refund your money. So I'll get someone to pick up your things and take you to the station. Is that alright with you?" He asked as he saw a quick frown cross her face.

"Well, I don't have any things, but I'll get my horse at the livery and follow him out to the station."

"No things, none at all?" He asked, and she shook her head. "Would you like to have an advance on your salary? He dug into his pocket and brought out some money."

"Well, I guess I could use some money to get some things." She said.

Teaspoon handed her a wad of money and said, "You head on over to the store, and I'll send my only rider over to assist you."

"Thanks sir."

"Please call me Teaspoon."

"Yes si . . . Teaspoon." Rachel smiled and then walked over to the store where she began picking out some clothes. By the time she was done paying for her things, a young gentleman came into the store.

"Are you Miss Rachel," he asked.

"Yes, I am." She replied. "And are you the young rider who is to show me to the station."

"That would be me, ma'am. William F. Cody, at your service, but everybody calls me Cody." He tipped his hat to her.

After introductions were made, Cody helped Rachel with her things and then got her settled in at the waystation.

**********

Andy and Alex rode into the Sweetwater waystation. They knocked on the door, but there wasn't anybody around. "Now whatta we do, Andy?" Alex asked. They had decided earlier that they would only call each other by Andy and Alex, so that they wouldn't slip up in front of anybody.

"Maybe he went to town for supplies. He'll probably be back soon. Let's wait." Andy replied.

"Alright, but I'm gonna let my horse get a drink while we wait." Alex rode over to the trough and got down off her horse to stretch her legs. Andy followed suit. They watched their horses drink, and feeling kind of parched herself Alex lifted her canteen off her saddle horn and took a swallow. "It sure is peaceful here." She leaned up against the corral.

"I agree." Andy joined Alex by the corral. "Maybe he'll need a couple of riders here. We wouldn't have to be so discreet if not many people were around."

"That would be great. We'll ask as soon as we find the man that is suppose to work here. I wish he would show up." Alex looked to the right and then to the left hoping to see the waystation master.

They waited around well into the evening, and just when they thought that he was never going to show up, he came driving up in his wagon. He stopped his wagon as he saw the lads. "Good afternoon lads, can I help ya?" Joseph asked as he climbed down off his wagon.

"We hope so." Alex replied.

"I'll try my darndest, but first I have to get this wagon unloaded. Care to help an old gent out?" Joseph pulled the wagon up closer to the house, and then went around to the back of it.

Alex looked at Andy, and she nodded. "Sure, will give you a hand."

All three unloaded the wagon, and then Joseph said he was mighty hungry, and the lads were too, so he set about fixing up some grub for the three of them. "So my name's Joseph. What about you?" The question was for both of them. They introduced themselves, and then Alex and Andy watched him while he cooked. They offered to help, but he wouldn't hear of it, and so they glanced around the home while they waited for their food.

They both realized that he must not have a wife for he just had plain furnishings and there weren’t any curtains. Alex was too curious, and she just had to ask. "How come there's no curtains?"

"Aw! Well that would be cause I haven't had the time to make them. I've been busy getting this here waystation ready for the Pony Express." Joseph replied as he turned the pork chops over.

Alex looked at Andy. Andy nodded and then said, "Joseph that's why we're here. We want to join the Pony Express."

"You do, do ya? Are you great riders?" Joseph asked as he sat a pot of coffee at the table and then brought over the plates, cups and utensils and set the table for the three of them.

"Yeah, we think we are." Andy replied.

"You have to sit very long in the saddle and ride fast and hard." Joseph explained.

"We can do it." Alex piped in. "Do you need some riders?"

"Who me? Naw, not me, this is just a waystation for the riders to pick up fresh horses." He saw the frowns cross their faces. "But a friend of mine, Teaspoon, over in Three Crossings needs some riders. That station is going to be one of the main ones." So eat up and tomorrow morning I'll send you off in the right direction.

**********

Several days later Alex and Andy arrived in Three Crossings. They showed Joseph's note to Teaspoon. Teaspoon looked the lads over, and said, "There's going to be some training and a trial period. You two can try out."

Cody walked in. "I saw the horses in front, and I thought you might have some more signing up for the Pony Express."

"You're absolutely right, Cody. This here's Alex and Andy. Would you show them to the station for me."

"Will do, Teaspoon. Are you two ready?" Alex and Andy nodded their heads. "Well then just follow me."

Cody led them out to the waystation and introduced them to Rachel and showed them where they could bunk.

**********

Ike went into the store and bought him and Buck their necessary items. Buck had waited outside because he didn’t want any trouble. As soon as Ike came out with sacks full of items, Buck helped him secure the purchases on their horses. Once they had mounted up, Buck said, “Look.” He pointed to the sign in the window store. Ike quickly scanned the poster. His eyes grew wide when he saw the $25.00 per week.

Ike signed to Buck that it sounded like it might just be what they were looking for. Buck nodded. Then Ike asked Buck, where do we go to sign up?

Buck said, “I’m not sure.”

Ike said, ask him, and he pointed to a gentleman walking down the boardwalk who was about to pass the store.

“Sir, do you know where we sign up for that?” Buck asked as nice as he could.

“You want to see Joseph out at the waystation. Just head south out of town and keep going, you’ll find his place soon enough.” The man answered and then walked on.

Ike nodded, and so him and Buck rode south out of town.

That afternoon Ike and Buck came upon a homestead. They stopped in front of a sign. Buck read it aloud, “Sweetwater Pony Express Station.” He turned to Ike, “Let’s try here.” Ike agreed.

They rode on up to the house. Before they could dismount, a man walked out onto the porch and said, “I heard your horses a comin’. Can I help you?” Joseph could tell one was an Indian, but the other wasn’t. He wondered what an Indian and a white lad were doing running around together.

“We read a sign in a store window about young riders needed. Is this the place to sign up?” Buck inquired.

“Well now, not exactly. This will be a station for the riders to pick up fresh horses on their runs, but you have to see a man by the name of Teaspoon over in Three Crossings to get hired on for the Pony Express.”

“The Pony Express?” Buck didn’t know what that was. Ike looked puzzled as well.

“The Pony Express is the name of the company hiring the riders to deliver the mail. That’s what you’ll be doing if Teaspoon hires ya. It’s a long ride to Three Crossings. Would you like to have supper with me, spend the night and then I’ll point ya in the right direction come tomorrow after breakfast?” Joseph would never refuse to offer someone a meal and warm bed just because they were an Indian. He was hospitable to everybody he met as long as they were kind to him.

Ike looked at Buck. They had ridden a long ways today, so Buck nodded at Ike. Ike smiled. “We accept your invitation.”

“Well good, go on and bed down your horses for the night, and we’ll have some supper.” Joseph told them.

**********

Several days later, Buck and Ike arrived in Three Crossings. Joseph had told them that they would more than likely find Teaspoon in the jailhouse because he was the Marshall of the town until someone else replaced him.

As they were about to walk into the jailhouse, a man came backing out of it. Not knowing that there was anybody behind him, he kept backing up and backed right into Ike. Ike was bumped backwards.

“Oh, excuse me. I didn’t mean to knock into ya like that. You ok?” Cody grabbed Ike by the arm to make sure he was balanced and wouldn’t topple backwards. “I’m sorry about that. Are you ok?”

Ike nodded.

“Why don’t you look where you’re going!” Buck was angry because his friend could have been hurt.

“Hey, I said I was sorry. Don’t get so riled. He’s ok.” Cody immediately went on the defensive.

Ike signed to Buck, and Buck didn’t say anything more.

“What’s he doing,” Cody asked as he saw the man waving his arms around.

Teaspoon who had been watching the interaction from the inside said, “He’s signing. That’s Indian sign language he’s doing.”

“Hmmm . . . maybe you could teach me some of that. It might come in handy when I want to talk to the Indians.” Cody said to Ike.

 "More than likely they'd want to scalp ya then talk to ya." Buck grinned, as he teased the young man in front of him and Ike smiled.

“Very funny.” Cody was never one to dislike someone immediately, but this Injun was getting under his skin. He didn't know Buck well enough yet to know that he was half joking and half warning him.

Teaspoon decided to step in before things got any worse. “Did you two need something,” he asked as he stepped to the doorway.

“We’re looking for Teaspoon.” Buck replied.

“That would be me.” He tugged on his suspenders. “What can I do for ya?”

“We heard you’re hiring Pony Express riders.” Buck replied. “We want to sign up.”

“Ok, I’ll be having training and a trial period to see how well you do. Cody show these lads to the station, and don’t forget to tell Rachel that I’ll be there in time for supper.” Teaspoon saw that Cody didn’t like the idea of having to guide the Indian. “Go on Cody, and maybe he’ll teach you some that Indian sign language.

Cody nodded and went over to his horse and mounted up. “Come on, I’ll show you to the bunkhouse.”

“Hey lads, what’s your names?” Teaspoon asked before they took off.

“I’m Buck, and he’s Ike.” Buck answered.

"Hey, why don't you let him speak for himself?" Cody asked annoyed that the Injun was doing all the talking.

"Because he can't talk, so I taught him sign language so that he could communicate with me and others that know how sign. Don't worry you'll catch on as we get to know you better." Buck said trying to make friends. He was beginning to see how Cody liked to talk too much and earlier he demonstrated that he just didn't always look where he was going.

Cody led Ike and Buck out to the station; he introduced them to Rachel, Andy and Alex. And he showed them where they would be bedding down at night.