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each of you will with honesty and pride uphold your position in the United States Postal Service.” He reached to pick up his Bible from the table. “If you young men will step forward we will commence with the swearing in.” They walked forward, shyness preventing them from showing how eager and proud they were to be involved in something bigger than themselves.
    When they stood in front of him, he paused a moment, his gaze moving from one to the other. “Lift your right hand and repeat after me. ‘I—’” he waited until each boy had voiced his name, then continued “‘—do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.’”
    The boys repeated the words with force and pride. Seth glanced at Rebecca and noticed Benjamin standing beside her, holding the same pose as the other boys. He walked over to him. “Benjamin, did you say the oath, also?”
    Benjamin nodded his small head, his eyes down.
    Rebecca dropped a hand onto the little boy’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. Her eyes begged Seth to let the boy pretend to be a Pony Express rider.
    Seth kneeled down in front of him. “Do you understand what you’ve agreed to?” he asked.
    Benjamin bravely met his gaze. “Yes, sir.”
    Seth nodded. “Well, in that case, go get in line with the other men. You’ve pledged to be a Pony Express man.” He stood and met Rebecca’s gaze as the little boy darted around him and went to stand beside Jacob. Gratitude and moisture filled her eyes.
    For a moment, Seth understood her burden. She had a houseful of children to care for and she did it on her own. His respect for her inched up a degree. Seth nodded at her then returned his attention to the young men now fully in his charge.
    Seth picked up the stack of Bibles that he’d carried with him to the farm, now a full-fledged Pony Express station. He handed one to each of them. “You are now employees of the Pony Express. Jacob, I have decided that you will be the station’s stock tender. Your job is to take care of all the horses and make sure that a horse is ready to ride at all times. Andrew, Clayton, Thomas, Philip and Noah, you will all be riders. Your job is to make sure that the mail goes through.” Each young man nodded in turn.
    Benjamin studied the tip of his brown boots. Seth knew the boy felt left out. He ran his small hand over the engraving on the front of his new Bible.
    Seth fought the grin that threatened to break across his face. He steeled himself and then said, “Benjamin, you are too young to be a Pony Express rider, so I am making you the stock tender’s assistant. It will be your job to help Jacob take care of the horses and barn. Whatever Jacob or I ask you to do, you will do it.”
    A smile split Benjamin’s lips. “I’ll be the best stock tender’s ’sistant that anyone has ever met.”
    Seth wasn’t sure there were other stock tender assistants in the Pony Express, but he nodded just the same. “I’m sure you will.” He motioned for everyone to sit down, then pulled up a stool for himself and faced them. “I’m not sure what Mr. Bromley told you about your jobs, but let me assure you they are dangerous. You will face bad weather, robbers, outlaws and Indians. None of these should be taken lightly. You’ll have to think on your feet, learn to outrun, outsmart, and you need to trust your gut. The main point is, stay alive but get the mail through. Do you have any