"Whoa up there, Jacob," "Eldon" Forsythe hollered at her mule. Stopping by the side of the main road into St. Louis, she looked around at the busy sights; wagon trains coming in and going out; cattle being herded down by the river; children running along the sides with hoops, laughing and playing. Up a ways, she could see some buildings, a hotel or two, eateries, and stables. Gently kicking the sides of her mule, and clicking her tongue, she headed for the closest stable.

"Howdoo, Mister! What can I do fer ya?" an older man looked up at "Eldon" as she rode up to the hitching post.

"Why, I, er," Ella reminded herself to lower the tone of her voice. She went on gruffly, "I'd like to stable my mule here for a night or two, until I can get on with an outfit going West. Know anyone looking for a muleskinner? I can drive with the best!" She sat taller in the saddle and flexed her gloved hands on the reins.

"Well, now, you look a kind a puny fer gitting them ol' mules headed out and up over them mountains, young feller. Say, you kind a remind me of someone. Put some longer hair on you and you could be the spitting image of..."

"Nope, never met you in my life," she interrupted. "Now, how much to watch my mule? I want him fed and watered well, you understand? I'll rub him down, first. Oh, and do you recommend a hotel?" As she was talking, she threw her right leg back over the saddle and slid down to the ground. Taking off her hat, she shook the dust off it, then settled it back over her hair.

"That'll be, oh, hell, kid...wish I was young agin! Just settle up with me when you get ready to go, won't be mor'n two bits. And, listen here, go down the road about a mile, turn left and go on down to the Byway Tavern. Tell old Bill Rogerson, Joe Crawford sent you. If anyone knows who be looking fer drivers it'd be him."

"Why, thank you, Sir. I'll do that soon's I tend to Jacob, here."

Once in the stall, Ella unbuckled the cinch and slid the saddle and blanket off old Jacob, who blew out a long snort of appreciation. She grab a hunk of straw and rubbed the sweat off his back; checked his feet; then, gave him an affectionate pat. She whispered in his ear, "Thanks, old pal. Don't know what I'd do without you!"

Heading out of the stable, she remembered to swagger a bit, though a little stiff-legged as she'd seen her brothers do. Being small in the chest, she thought she just might pull it off. She silently scolded herself all the way to the Byway Tavern...Now, remember, your name is ELDON; you are a man and by gawd you are going to drive a mule team out West! You drove enough when you was married and before for your daddy. You can do this! If people looked at her a little strangely, it was that she muttered a bit; none seemed to notice a slight air of femininity, so hard did she stomp and shoulder through people along the walkways.