Got an interesting opportunity today and took it. Left Dodge Junction early (no sweet hat, sad to say), and was heading northward when a stagecoach train (yes, train, I’ll get to that) pulled up next to me. Coachmaster was an Earth pony named Royal Ann. Asked me where I was going. When I said the Crystal Empire, she asked if I wanted to ride to Baltimare; she worked for Cherry Hill Ranch and was taking a shipment of cherries to there and various places in between. When I said no thanks, I didn’t want to add to the load of the ponies pulling it, a stallion suggested I tag-team with them. When one of them got tired, I’d switch out with them, and the one that rested would switch out with the next tired one, and so on. We’d keep a faster average pace, and we’d reach Baltimare faster.
I liked the idea, but said I didn’t know how to pull in tandem with other ponies in a stagecoach. The stallion scoffed and said I just needed to keep pace. I decided, sure, I’ll do that. When we switched the first time, turns out it is just that easy. It’s a bit hard to turn, but it’s the same for everyone else, so I can’t complain that much.
So now I’m part of a stagecoach team. Don’t know how I feel about it; it’s work, but not as hard I thought it’d be. You don’t gallop most of the way, either, not like in the books. You usually keep up a brisk trot, or a canter at the fastest. You keep moving longer that way. I got tired the fastest, obviously, but I think I’m doing all right. Also: stagecoach train. There are actually three coaches hooked up in a row, one after the other. Ann says we’ll drop two of them off at places before we reach Baltimare as we deliver cherries, and the team’ll pick them up as they head back.
We moved at a faster pace than I usually travel; Dodge Junction and the bulk of the desert are already out of sight, and we’re getting into more woody areas. Camping out not too far from the road. Each pony’s got their own tent, but we all sat around the campfire together for dinner, so it’s not icey-aloney. Besides Ann, there’s three stallions and another mare in the group: respectively, Montmorency (he’s the one who spoke up the first time), Morello, Smokey Dun, and Nutberry. All were rather interested in my trip. I felt silly telling them why I was going, but Morello said that was as good a reason as any. Nutberry offered a spare map of the area, which I took just in case. Doesn’t show much south of Dodge Junction or north of Fillydelphia, but it’s real detailed within those bounds.
Nutberry pointed out the route we were taking, said it was normally five or six days, but if we keep up this pace, we should do it in maybe four. Passing through eight small towns before we reach Baltimare, but we’re also heading a bit close to the Hayseed Swamps for my liking. Nutberry says I shouldn’t worry, they’ve done that route plenty of times before, but I still don’t like it. It’s a swamp, and nothing I’ve read about swamps is good.
Hooked up in
Hooked to a stagecoach,
You learn to work togetherOr it all goes bad.
Or it goes badly.
Unexp
Finding, on the road,
Unexpected company
Is a nice surprise.
Hmm. I’m crossing out lines based on whether or not they sound nice. I’m getting into this.