The thunder of cannons was the signal for the first thrilling ride of the Pony Express in the year 1860. The route extended from Missouri to California, and for two years the most highly skilled young horsemen and the fastest mounts, carried the mail across the country in record time. Twenty four hours a day they rode at top speed, with fresh horses stationed along the route. Our story begins as a foam slicked horse pulled to a stop at the end of his run....