Part 2 (1/2)

I'll be in to see you to-morrow”

”But what about the trail, Doctor? Some one will have to carry the mail”

”You can't!” exclaimed the physician, with decision ”That's certain!”

”I will, Dad, of course!” cried Jack ”Who has a better right than I?”

”Well, I'd like to see you do it, Jack, for I'd be sure the er,” said the man ”But I don't know that the coe--”

”I couldn't ride any better if I were twenty-one than I can now,”

interrupted Jack ”I'll go to see Mr Perkfeld the first thing in the e and

Are they all well there?” he asked, trying to make his voice sound indifferent

”Pretty well,” answered his father ”Aunt Matilda is ailing a little, but Jennie is a big help She handles all theto do You see Perkfeld in theI'ton matter an excuse to take the contract away from me There are several ant to ride the trail in my place But do the best you can”

Aer of several stage and pony express lines He controlled the one between Golden Crossing and Rainbow Ridge, and it was he who had engaged Mr Bailey

The ”Harrington ton was an influential mine owner, and an ients This letter was carried by Mr Bailey, and, in some manner, the contents of it becaton and his associates In this way they lost in adeal

While there were no open accusations, there had been hints on the part of the Harrington interests that the pony express rider ht have been bribed to let some one open and read the letter on the journey over theof the kind, and he had no idea how the contents of the letter became known He felt distressed because he was suspected, and worried greatly over the ainst hi eneral run-down condition, and the hardshi+ps of his calling, had ht and help look after Mr Bailey, and Jack was glad to have her do so The sickable to ride the er and went into town to e which arrived every other day withand points beyond The pony express was a connecting line between the two settlements

To Jack's relief Mr Perkfeldhis father's place

”I can't say just how long it will last,” went on the ement, anyhow You've ridden the route before, you say?”

”Yes, twice, when father was laid up with slight ailments”

”Well, do the best you can And another matter There are some valuable letters--But never mind I'll speak about them later,” and Mr Perkfeld turned away Jack wondered what he had been about to say

”If there are any valuable letters to be carried,” ets lost, or that the contents becos of e as soon as it ruo to Golden Crossing The trip would take about four hours, and if the otherthe round trip in about eight or nine hours

But sometimes there were delays at one end or the other, for accidents happened to the stages once in a while There had been hold-ups, too, but not since Mr Bailey had taken charge

If the stage at Golden Crossing was not on time the pony express rider had to wait for it, soht On such occasions Mr Bailey had stayed with his relative, Mrs Blake, and Jack reasoned that he could do the sae ive hi visit with his ”cousin” Jennie

On his way past his cottage Jack stopped to see how his father was, and also to report that he had been commissioned, at least temporarily, to carry the mail