Noah Dixon's Intro

Noah Dixon had never been afraid of hard work. In fact, he enjoyed it normally. But the training Teaspoon was putting them through, getting them ready for their first rides, was grueling to say the least. Eachnight he collapsed in his bunk, asleep before his head even hit the pillow. Each day he dragged himself out of the bunk to do his chores and begin another day of training. He got along pretty well with his fellow riders. In fact, they even seemed to be becoming friends.

 Teaspoon had sent him out to learn the trail between Three Crossings and Cattleman's Ford, which would be his first run. The two towns were about 50 miles apart, and it would take him two days to complete the run, there and back, according to Teaspoon's calculation. The practice would take four or five days at least. He had to go easier on the horse, since the stations would not be able to change horses for the riders until the Express officially began. But once it started, he'd be riding 75 miles a day, at breakneck speeds across the countryside, and he couldn't wait.

He found his destination, and all the way stations in between, with no problems, and headed back to the Three Crossings station. His horse, Cleatus, picked up the pace, the last couple miles to the station, as eager as Noah to be home. He was home just in time for supper, and for a good night's sleep. The next day Teaspoon would be giving them last minute advice, putting them through the wringer one more time, and then the following day it would start for real. He would be a rider for the Pony Express.