Excerpt: The Red Bandana

Cook, his dog, Killer, following her master every step of the way, checked every strap in the pack train of six and all four riding horses. Only when he had tightened or loosened them all accordingly did he let the others mount up. That was when he realized Rat couldn't ride.
Rat was embarrassed, his not giving Cook an inch plan was not starting well.
"Why didn't we just leave him behind?" Cook pleaded with Mondey.
"All you have to do is show him how to ride." Mondey grumbled.
"That isn't as easy as it sounds. It will shave time off our early start."
"You've already done that," said Mondey.
"What I was doing was important. The packsaddles especially need to be in good order or they’ll injure the horses' backs."
"Fine, there will be an extra twenty-five dollars in it." Mondey sounded tired of throwing money into Cook’s pockets.
"Deal, but I warn you, it'll slow us down."
"I don't care, just so long as we're moving."
Cook nodded and turned his horse towards Rat. "I'll teach you as we go," he said.
So as the four began moving, finally, on their journey to immeasurable wealth Rat was not looking forward to anything ahead.
"Heels down kid, back straight, grip with your knees, and look directly between your horse's ears."
Rat was dizzy with trying to follow instructions, but he was certainly not so confused as his horse.
"I said, heels down."
Rat checked himself.
"Grip with your knees."
Rat tried to obey but became confused and nearly fell.
Cook was by nature an impatient man, only a few hours later he yelled, "Mr. Mondey, we won't get anywhere today if we keep him along."
"And you won't get your double pay if we don't," said Mondey.
Cook saluted him in a cavalry manner. "Point taken, but don't be annoyed if you have to pay for a few extra days."
"I don't care," muttered Mondey so that no one but Rat, who was riding next to him, heard.
"Kid, heels down!"
Rat realized he had become distacted by Mondey and almost overbalanced in his enthusiasm to right himself.