NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Dutch is Still Dutch
Life at the camp had been tough lately. Despite efforts to repair and improve the camp, conditions remained poor.
After we managed to get information about the O'Driscoll's plan for a train robbery, Dutch, being Dutch, had been busy formulating a plan. His plan naturally included robbery and dreams.
Arthur had been staying put, pondering the issue of bounties. If they were to continue this lifestyle, having a bounty on their heads wasn't a major concern. They had always dealt with it by shooting government agents or bounty hunters.
The issue was easy to handle. This lifestyle had caused Arthur to overlook an important point: in the American West of 1899, most problems could be solved with money. If not, it was because the amount of payment was not enough.
Arthur planned to get a newspaper as soon as he left the camp to check if he was wanted. He had never paid attention before.
First, he would resolve the bounty on his head. As for money, he could use the funds from the real estate scam he and Hosea had pulled off.
Arthur's thoughts drifted, but the sunlight outside the window brought him back to reality. He decided to check on John.
The weather was nice today, clear and sunny. Arthur entered the room where John was staying. Reverend Swanson, with a strange cloth wrapped around his head and his cowboy hat on top, was sitting by John's bedside, seemingly holding John's hand.
Arthur's first instinct was to joke—was he giving John his last rites? Fortunately, he thought better of it and kept the thought to himself.
"Reverend Swanson, I didn't expect to see you here."
Reverend Swanson quickly clutched a small brown bottle in his hand and stood up, placing his hand behind his back.
"Arthur, hello. I'll leave John to you." His tone was hurried, and his eyes darted away.
Arthur knew Reverend Swanson hadn't visited Davie, and John had been complaining of pain. The brown bottle was something Arthur had found for him.
Arthur chose not to expose him and instead said carefully, "If you're willing, we should talk sometime. This habit of yours will only destroy you."
Reverend Swanson nodded slightly, looking down. "I will, Arthur." With that, Reverend Swanson left the room in a hurry.
Arthur turned to John, who was lying in bed with his head mostly wrapped in bandages. He looked okay, so Arthur joked, "Still alive, I see?"
John sincerely replied, "I owe you one."
To John, Arthur was like a brother. Though Arthur had a sharp tongue, he always quietly cleaned up John's messes. John doubted he could ever repay the favor.
"You'll repay it. But for now, just rest," Arthur said.
Before Arthur could continue, Dutch entered the room, interrupting him. "Arthur, it's time to prepare for the train. I've sent Bill and Javier to watch the O'Driscoll camp."
John raised his hand, indicating he was there. "Do you want me to join?"
Dutch replied firmly, "Of course, but right now..." After briefly assessing John's condition, he continued, "Look at you."
Dutch's refusal was gentle, seemingly out of concern for John's health.
But John disagreed.
"You know me, Dutch. This is just a scratch." He tried to sit up.
Once upon a time, John had been Dutch's favorite. Whether it was reading, writing, or shooting, Dutch thought John did better than Arthur. For a long time, John was known as Dutch's golden boy.
As Dutch told John to lie back down and not push himself, Abigail entered with little Jack. Abigail frowned at the commotion, clearly thinking it disturbed John's rest. She greeted Dutch politely, and little Jack stood quietly, looking at his unfamiliar father. With golden hair and a small red scarf, Jack looked polite and well-behaved in his miniature cowboy outfit.
"This child wanted to see you, John," Abigail said, gently pulling Jack closer to the bed.
Seeing Abigail, John decided against sitting up and lay still, eyes closed. Abigail took a deep breath, holding back her words.
John then turned to Abigail and continued, "And you? Did you come to see me?"
"I wish I had seen a corpse!" Abigail snapped. Her tone was filled with anger and resentment, mostly directed at John's irresponsibility.
John had abandoned them for a whole year, and now he had gone missing again. If not for Arthur, he might have lost his life. Honestly, she didn't know how to feel seeing him like this.
"John Marston, you're a terrible person!" she scolded.
Dutch, annoyed by the scene, cut in. "He's a fool, Abigail. We all know that. Now, John, rest. Arthur, come with me."
Arthur had intended to mediate, but it was clear that wasn't needed. Arthur followed Dutch to the next room, where Hosea was waiting, smoking.
As soon as they entered, Dutch eagerly spread the plan on the table and pointed to several marked areas. "We need to change this. The previous plan was too conservative. Here, here, and here. We only know the expected attack points and targets, but what about the timing? The previous plan was too unstable." Dutch lit a cigar from his pocket.
Looking at Hosea's expression, Arthur could tell they had already discussed this. Arthur declined the cigar Hosea offered him. He wondered if it was too late to worry about Hosea's lungs.
He chose to wait quietly for Dutch to continue.
"Trust my plan. We should eliminate the O'Driscoll camp first, remove all unexpected factors, and cripple them so they can't interfere. Let's take control of this robbery plan ourselves. The O'Driscolls are just a bunch of fools. I don't believe they can succeed."
Dutch, with his cigar in his mouth, believed he could convince the two. He was confident. He chose to convince them first, considering the failure in Blackwater had dealt a significant blow to the gang's morale. At this point, his authority couldn't be publicly questioned.
Arthur hadn't even spoken when Hosea incredulously raised his hands and questioned Dutch. "Why are we doing this?"
"Look, the weather has cleared up. We can leave now and, as planned, keep a low profile! I thought we were going to keep a low profile!"
Dutch seemed irritated by the questioning, likely because they had already had a heated discussion before Arthur arrived. Regardless, Dutch believed Hosea would eventually be convinced.
Dutch looked at Arthur, realizing he still needed Arthur's support. After all, Arthur at least supported the robbery plan. Though there were some differences, the goal was the same. From previous conversations, Dutch believed Arthur would back him. Now, he needed to work with Arthur to convince Hosea that this was necessary.
So, Dutch asked in the calmest tone he could muster, "What do you want me to do, Hosea?"
Hosea looked directly at Dutch and said, "I just don't want more people to die, Dutch!"
***
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