Jack of the Pony Express | Page 8

arrangement of tables and desks,
which Mrs. Blake had never had time to settle on.
"It's your post office, Jennie," her mother remarked. "Do just as you
please as far as the regulations permit."
The in-coming mail was later than had been reported, and did not arrive
until nearly dark. In such cases, when a night trip would be necessary
over the mountain trail between Golden Crossing and Rainbow Ridge,
the pony express rider was permitted to postpone his trip until the next
day. The trail was rather dangerous at night, though on occasions, when
there had been a bright moon and some important letters and express
packages had come in, Mr. Bailey made the night trip. Jack had done so
once, but he did not greatly care to do so again.
"But if there were any need of it I'd do it now," he said, though he
would have regretted leaving Jennie, with the prospect of a pleasant
evening in her company.
However, as it happened, there was nothing of such importance that it
could not wait over until the next day, so Jack did not have to ride away.
He put up his pony in the express stable, and he and Jennie spent a
pleasant evening together.
Jack was a little worried about his father, and made an early start the
next morning, carrying the mail and expressage. He made a quick trip
and was relieved, on stopping off for a moment at the Watson cabin, to
find that his father had passed a fairly comfortable night, and was
considerably better.
"But he can't ride the trail yet," said Mrs. Watson.
"And I don't intend to let him!" exclaimed Jack. "I'm going to be the
pony rider for a while."

Dr. Brown confirmed what he had at first said--that Mr. Bailey would
be ill for a long time, and when this had become known Jack at once
made arrangements to be permanently named as rider between
Rainbow Ridge and Golden Crossing. Mr. Perkfeld agreed to this, but,
most unexpectedly, some opposition developed among the members of
the express firm. It appeared that one of the stockholders wanted the
place of express rider for a relative of his. There were several others
who wanted the place, and there was quite a scramble for it.
But Jack really had the most logical claim to it, and, as Mr. Perkfeld
was able to make the appointment, at least for the time being, it came to
Jack.
But there was bitter feeling against him on the part of some
unscrupulous men who wanted the place, for it paid well and carried
some privileges. It was also an honor.
"You want to watch yourself, son," said Mr. Bailey, rather weakly, to
Jack one day, before the lad was about to set out on his ride to Golden
Crossing. "Watch yourself, for there is no telling what tricks some of
those fellows may be up to."
"Tricks, Dad? What do you mean?" asked Jack in wonder.
"Well, I mean they might try to do something to discredit you. Try to
make you late with the mail, or even have you lose a valuable letter or
package. They might think, if you failed to deliver promptly, you
would lose the place, and they'd have a chance. So be careful. Hold on
to it, for I'll need it when I get well again. My illness is going to cost a
pile of money."
"Don't you worry about that Dad!" exclaimed the young mountain trail
rider. "I'll watch out, and they won't catch me napping!"
He rode off up the road, followed by the fond looks of his father.
"He's a good boy," murmured Mr. Bailey, "A good boy!"

Once again the in-stage to Golden Crossing was late, but as Jack was
told by Jennie on his arrival at her post office that several important
pieces of mail were expected, he decided to ride back with the pouches,
even if it was after dark.
"There's half a moon," he said, "and I know the trail like a book. I'll
make a night ride of it."
While waiting for the stage to come in Jack remained about the post
office. Among those who came in for mail was Jake Tantrell, one of the
men who had tried unsuccessfully to get Jack's place.
"Goin' back to-night?" he inquired casually.
"Yes," Jack answered. "Anything you want carried?"
"No," was the surly answer. "An' if I had I wouldn't trust a kid like you
with it! It's a man's job to ride pony express, an' I'm surprised that they
let you have the place."
"Oh, if that's the way you feel about it, I don't want to take any of your
stuff," snapped Jack, filled with indignation. "But I've made good so far,