Chapter 5: Horses

"You want to be in the show?" Bill asked, looking at Annie. "What would you do in it?"

"Anything you want!" Annie said, jumping up and down. "We can learn to ride a horse or Ms. Oakley can teach us to shoot. We promise we won't get in the way."

"Annie, we need to finish our mission," Jack whispered.

"I'm sure we'll find a special source of strength here in the show," Annie whispered back before looking back at Bill.

"Well, I suppose we could teach you a thing or two, as long as your parents won't be worried about you."

"No, sir, they're going to meet us after the show," Annie said quickly.

Bill looked up at Oakley who smiled. "Well, alright then. Welcome to the Rough Riders."

Annie whooped.

Bill smiled at her. "The first thing you'll need is to learn to ride a horse."

Jack and Annie nodded and followed Bill out to the stables where the horses were kept. Bill and Oakley chose one of the horses and put a blanket and saddle on it.

When they brought it out of the stable to where Jack and Annie were standing, Jack was nervous. The horse was much bigger than him. His head didn't even come up to its back!

"This is my horse, Old Pap. Now, who wants to ride first?" Bill asked.

"Ooh, I do!" Annie yelled and ran over to Bill.

"Alright but be careful." Bill helped her into the saddle.

"Jack! I'm on a horse!" she said happily.

"You're doing well! Let Pap walk forward a bit and then pull the reins back to stop him."

Annie did as he instructed and soon could walk the horse in a little circle.

Bill clapped and helped her down. "You're a natural!"

He turned to Jack. "Are you ready for your turn?"

Jack looked at Bill, then Annie, then the huge horse. Annie had seemed very high up and very small compared to Old Pap.

"Um, I don't think I can do it," he said, looking down at his feet. "It's too high up."

Bill put a hand on his shoulder. "It's ok to be scared, son. You don't have to ride if you don't want."

Jack felt a little better but was still embarrassed that he was too scared.

"I know what may help you two," Oakley said smiling. "Why don't I show the two of you how to shoot?"

"Oh man," Jack said softly.