Cole Talbot had ridden with the Pony Express for its’ entire duration.
Racing across uncharted terrain with their pistols and saddlebags in relays in all manner of weather conditions from St. Joseph Missouri to Sacramento California in as short a time as 11 days .

Coles’ horse, a white stallion he named Kasper, was among the fastest. Kaspar outran many a bandit and hostile Indian.

A man he knew by reputation, William Cody, was saddling up his horse, looked in Coles’ direction and said,”Where you from boy?”

” Pennyslvania”, Cole replied.

“Where in Penn Syl Van Nia”, Cody said, stressing each syllable.

“Philadelphia”, Cole said sheepishly.

“Well ,Philly boy ,welcome to the Pony Express”, Cody laughed.

Cole was awestruck by Cody ever since he heard how Cody had tricked would be robbers with a fake saddlebag.
Cole wanted to be like his idol.