Ride the Wind: Part 1

Damn, Vern, look at him go.

All the way from St. Joe in eight days.

Isn't that something?

You know, that's less than half the time they've ever done it in before.

That's hard to believe.

Hard to believe it's a miracle.

I tell you, this Pony Express is going to be the biggest thing that ever happened to the West.

What an idea.

You know, they put together the best string of thoroughbreds in the country for this job.

They're going to need them, getting over the Sierra and the Sacramento from here.

The last leg of the trip and the toughest.

I don't think we have a horse in the Ponderosa this fast.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

Hey, Joe.

I.

don't think we have a horse in the Ponderosa this fast.

I had a vision.

Yes, sir.

A vision of this land.

I saw the populous East and the great growing West.

I saw the world glide together with a single thread.

A thread of courageous young horsemen riding the wind, never leaving the saddle.

An ever-changing group of horsemen whose determination and strength and courage

will make the Pony Express a living reality.

That was my vision, my hope, my dream.

But before we can do all that, I must have pledges of your support.

Pledges of all other communities.

All the communities so far have given me.

And as soon as our receipts start rolling in, and a grateful government grants us a mail subsidy.

..

How do we know that'll happen?

I've been trying to get them to shake loose for ten years for my stage line.

All I got so far is six government mules, three inspectors, and a tax bill.

Ludlow, you're asking us to put our money into this express company of yours.

I'd like to know a little more about you before I put a nickel in it.

You want to know about Charles Ludlow, huh?

You ever hear of the Erie Canal Riverboat Service?

The New Orleans Clipper Lines?

The Washington and Boston Packet and Mail?

My father formed those companies.

Yes, gentlemen.

I was privileged to make my contribution to the growth of this great land.

But I consider those accomplishments to be less than nothing compared to the task I'm embarked on now.

Because I've long known of the cry of need.

What about Winnemucca and his Paiutes?

You think they're just going to sit there and let you ride across their land?

Well, now, let's not start worrying about a bunch of redskins.

It's my job to handle them.

Well, Winnemucca's braves are more than just a bunch of redskins, Mr. Wade.

They're about as fierce as truncheons.

Tribes you can find around here.

I think they'd be reckoned with.

You haven't had any trouble with Winnemucca since that fight at Pyramid Lake, have you?

No.

No, but he's a...

He's a strange man.

You never know what's going on in his mind.

Oh, he might let you ride across his territory without any trouble at all.

Yeah, he could do that.

But then he might just as well decide to fight.

Now, look.

Did we come here for... Did we come here for advice or dollars?

You heard what Mr. Ludlow said about need of your support.

Now, how about it?

Thank you, Curtis.

My partner, Mr. Wade, has us always hit the nail exactly on the head.

Our most pressing need right now is money.

I'll pledge $6,000.

Thank you.

Oh, by golly, if Ben Cartwright thinks that much of the deal, I'm for it, too.

You can put me down for $2,000.

$2,000, Ludlow.

I'll go for $1,500.

Excellent.

You just write down here the amount you intend to invest.

Start with Mr. Cartwright.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Well, the Cartwright trick rider, I do believe.

We had a little race outside of town.

Yeah, well, you still owe me a rematch.

Well, I'd much rather you race for the Pony Express than against it.

Uh, my name is Jabez Ludlow.

Good to see you.

Why don't you join us?

Well, I've been thinking about it.

Well, I think we have plenty of work for this.

We have plenty to do on the Ponderosa.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Thank you.

Mr. Cartwright.

Uh, my partner, Mr. Wade and I would like to speak with you privately, if we may.

Fine.

The boy's away from me.

Joe.

Joe.

You ain't seriously thinking about joining us, are you?

Well, why not?

Sure I'm seriously thinking about it.

You heard what Mr. Ludlow said about it being one of the most important things ever happening in the West.

Yeah, but Joe, you're gonna risk your life.

Well, it's my life, isn't it?

Gentlemen, I don't know what to say.

Say yes, Ben.

You're the man we want.

The man we need to make this a going enterprise.

I've been waiting.

Watching the progress of the Pony Express with a great deal of interest.

Ben, as a member of our board of directors, you'll be invaluable to us.

You see, it takes men not only with vision, but men with a practical knowledge

of the West to make a thing like this a going one.

What do you say, Mr. Cartwright?

You want to be a part of it?

Yeah.

Yes, I want to be part of it.

Now.

Look.

at him go.

He's scooping up sand in his best pocket.

Not over 25 years.

Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily.

Orphans prefer it.

I'll take 25 a month.

Our horses can't carry that much weight over the distances we have to travel.

Sorry.

I'll take 25 a month.

Name.

Aaron Bornstein.

I weigh 130 pounds, see lightning and hear thunder.

Can you ride a horse?

Mr. Al Born on a horse.

Now, boy, you're going to get a chance to prove it.

You mean I'm hired?

Yeah, you're now a Pony Express rider.

Pick a bunk in the back room.

Name.

Pat Hanley.

What do you weigh?

129 pounds.

What do you mean?

That's about right.

How's born on a horse, too?

Pick a bunk in the back room.

Excuse me, friend.

Looking for a job, friend?

Yeah.

Where you from?

Right here in Virginia City.

Got a ranch right outside the town.

Cartwright.

Hey, Jabez.

How you doing?

Fine.

You, uh, decided to join us, huh?

Yeah, yeah, you finally talked me into it.

I'm glad.

It's a big job.

We, uh, we need riders like you.

Son, it sound like you got the fever.

I'm glad.

I have.

You'll get it, too.

I can guarantee you that, mister.

Just so that paycheck comes in each month.

It don't matter to me one way or the other.

I'd better get my place in line.

I'll see you later.

Right.

What, are you gonna learn how to read?

All right, it says neither rain nor sleet nor gloom of night will stay the courier on his way.

I guess he never heard of a horse steppin' in a prairie dog hole.

Yeah.

All right.

Pays 125 a month.

That's more money than most of you have seen in your lives.

Out of that, you buy your own gear and handguns.

Handguns?

What about using a rifle?

Like to keep Indians at a distance.

Well, that's why we give you fast grain fed horses.

You use them for speed.

Outrun them.

Don't try to out fight them.

And I've got one rule.

You better all remember, bring yourselves and the male in on time, or bring yourselves in dead.

That's all.

Be here tomorrow morning, ready to go to work.

You're Joe Cartwright, aren't you?

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

I'm Emmett Carver, down Carson City with you.

Hi, Emmett.

Your dad and I know each other.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Yeah, I heard my pa mention him many times.

What do you think of that Wade?

He sure liked a kid, don't he?

Oh, yeah, he's a real barrel of laughs, that's for sure.

You know, I told my dad this is gonna be a real safe job.

Wait till he hears about that number one rule, on schedule or dead.

That'll kill him.