Arthur was a decent man.
Maybe it was the mutual respect between skilled men, or maybe it was because Stephen had thoroughly beaten Micah Bell.
Either way, the two easygoing men quickly became familiar with each other.
“Maybe when the weather clears up, we should head down the Mountain and find a Saloon for a proper drink.” Stephen slung an arm over Arthur’s shoulder, and the two looked just like old friends.
“Sure, but you’re paying.
That knife of yours last night was no joke.
My neck still hurts.” Arthur had a bandage wrapped around his neck, with a faint stain of red seeping through.
“You weren’t bad yourself.
That shot of yours took a chunk right off my arm.” Stephen raised his arm, and the two burst into hearty laughter again.
Friendship between men can really be that simple.
Just as their conversation shifted from comparing skills to something a bit less appropriate, the sound of an argument came from a nearby cabin.
Curious, they walked over.
As soon as they reached the doorway, a man in a black coat with a red shirt underneath stormed out with several others.
As he walked, he cursed at the men behind him.
“You two idiots only know how to beat up your own people.
The one who really deserves it is that bastard Colm O’Driscoll.
Are you just going to sit here and wait for him to find us?
We’ve got business to handle.
Move out!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Arthur standing shoulder to shoulder with Stephen.
He spoke directly.
“We need to find Colm and deal with that piece of trash.”
“Are you sure, Dutch?
Right now?
Everyone’s exhausted.
We need to find a place to settle down first.” Arthur looked at the aggressive Dutch, too concerned to explain anything to Stephen, and called out to him.
“But he’s coming for us.
We all know that.
I don’t want to get ambushed out in the open.” Dutch said firmly.
He grabbed Arthur’s shoulder and lowered his voice.
“Are you doubting me, Arthur?
Have you stopped trusting me?”
Arthur quickly explained.
Of course he trusted Dutch.
No one here trusted him more than he did.
But at this moment, he really did not think this was the right time.
“You said revenge is something we can’t afford…”
“But this is a good opportunity.
A rare one.
And this isn’t just revenge, it’s business.
They’re planning to rob a train, and I’m very interested in that plan.”
Dutch picked up his lever-action rifle and tossed it to Arthur.
“You might be fine scraping by in horse piss and dog shit, but I’m getting old, Arthur.”
“So you’re going after the O’Driscoll Gang?” Stephen had been confused at first, but quickly grasped the situation.
“That’s right, kid.
If you’re willing, you can come with us.
After all, you put one of our men in bed.” Dutch looked at Stephen, his expression dark.
“I figure you’d be more than happy to settle things with that bastard Colm.”
A night had passed, and Dutch had already learned everything.
He was clearly interested in this capable young man who had a grudge against Colm.
“Of course.
I’d be glad to.” Stephen led over his white horse, clearly eager.
Arthur saw how things were unfolding and knew there was no stopping it.
He sighed and mounted his horse.
“Mr.
Matthews, Mr.
Smith, Mr.
Pearson, you stay here.
Colm’s men are nearby.
The rest of you, with me.
Move!”
Dutch shouted his orders.
As soon as he gave the command, the white horse beneath him surged forward.
It was worth noting that his mount was also a fine white horse, no less impressive than Stephen’s.
Aside from Arthur and Stephen, three others rode along.
Dutch and Arthur argued continuously at the front, but Stephen had no interest in listening.
All he cared about were the heads of Colm and the O’Driscoll Gang.
“Hey, you tied me up in the snow last night.
I nearly froze to death.
Achoo!”
A young Black man rode up beside Stephen, sneezing as he spoke with some admiration.
“I saw what Micah Bell looked like after you were done with him.
Not bad at all.
Though it would’ve been better if you’d let me go sooner.”
His name was Lenny.
They had met the night before.
After Sadie called Stephen over, the whole gang gathered.
It took quite a bit of explanation before everyone fully understood what had happened.
It was not until near dawn that they realized someone was missing.
Only then did Stephen remember the unlucky guy he had left tied up behind the cabin.
“Man, I’m really sorry.
Once we get down the Mountain, I’ll buy you a drink.
As much as you want.
It’s on me,” Stephen said apologetically.
After all, the man had saved Sadie, and leaving him out in the snow all night was not right.
At that moment, a large man stepped forward.
“You knocked me out with one punch last night.
I think you owe me a drink too.”
This man was Bill.
The night before, he had just rushed out with a gun when Stephen knocked him unconscious in passing.
“Don’t worry.
Everyone gets a share.
When the time comes, I’ll make sure you all drink your fill,” Stephen said generously.
The two immediately cheered, saying the beating had been worth it.
Stephen shook his head at the two simple men.
This gang looked unusual at first glance, but in truth, it was very typical.
It seemed unusual because its leader, Dutch, appeared to be a man with ideals.
He took in women, helped others, and seemed somewhat educated.
But it was typical because the gang clearly operated on the rule of strength.
Arthur was powerful, second only to Dutch within the gang.
According to Sadie, even Micah Bell, whom he had beaten half to death the night before, could remain in the gang despite being widely hated because Dutch valued his shooting skills.
And so far, no one had reacted at all to what he had done to Micah Bell.
That was not normal.
There could only be one explanation.
That man was simply too disgusting.
“Hello, my name is Javier Escuella.
Nice to meet you.” The last rider caught up and greeted Stephen.
With a thin mustache and long hair, he looked refined, almost artistic.
“I have to say, you did a great job last night.” He smiled, then lowered his voice.
So, another one who hates Micah Bell.