The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 51: Celebration and Bad News

Horseshoe Overlook.

By the time Arthur and John returned, it was already dark. Arthur noticed that Charles, who had just come back, was on guard duty.

"You're back. There's a welcome party for Sean going on in the camp. Go join in."

Arthur let John go ahead while he dismounted and handed Charles a cigarette.

"Why are you on guard duty? Why aren't you celebrating with them?"

Charles took the cigarette and scratched his head, looking a bit unsure how to answer.

"Celebrations are better left to those who are good at it. By the way, Javier, Bill, and Micah haven't returned yet, but Dutch is back. He said Micah has been rescued."

Arthur nodded without saying much. He didn't think Charles was unsociable; everyone had their own habits, and he wouldn't force anyone to do something they didn't want to.

Arthur stood there with Charles, smoking the entire cigarette before patting him on the shoulder and heading towards the camp.

"Hey, listen, I just want to say—I know you all missed me," Sean stood on a wooden crate, holding a beer and shouted loudly. Clearly, being the center of attention at the party made Sean happier than being rescued.

When Sean saw Arthur coming in, he pointed at him and continued.

"That's right, Arthur, you too! Haha."

Karen happily pulled Sean down from the crate, interrupting what he was about to say. However, Sean was happy to toast with everyone who came up to him, and he enthusiastically showed off his bottle-chugging skills to Karen.

Seeing Sean's antics, Arthur shook his head. As he passed Dutch's tent, Dutch stopped him.

"This is truly something to celebrate, isn't it, Arthur? Another one of our brothers has returned safely."

"So, what about the other one? I heard Micah was rescued too," Arthur asked. This wasn't the question he most wanted to ask. What he really wanted to know was whether Dutch and the others had followed his plan. Arthur truly wanted to know if he had changed the original outcome of Strawberry.

Dutch, puffing on his pipe, was in a good mood. The rescue mission had gone smoothly, perhaps too smoothly. Javier and Bill, who had gone with him, hadn't even been needed.

He thought about how he could have sent them with Arthur to rescue Sean, hearing that their fight with the bounty hunters had been quite intense.

"Your plan was excellent. Following your method, I easily brought Micah out. I heard about what happened with Sean. You did a great job, Arthur. You always make me feel confident leaving things to you."

Hearing that Dutch had followed his plan, Arthur felt relieved. If things had gone according to his memory, half of Strawberry would have been wiped out. While such things weren't uncommon in the West, it would have been a big problem for them, likely attracting the attention of the Pinkertons and state police. But not because of the deaths, rather because it involved the Van der Linde gang.

"Let's not talk about these things tonight. I know we need to have a serious conversation, but not tonight. Go have fun, Arthur. I hope this little party brings back some happy memories for you." Dutch finished, then turned back into his tent to play his hand-cranked gramophone.

The camp was soon filled with cheerful and elegant music.

Arthur first checked on Davey, and of course, he brought a bottle of wine for Davey, though he wasn't sure if it was appropriate. But clearly, Davey was very pleased with Arthur's gesture.

Sean, who had already had several bottles of wine, looked even happier when he heard the music. He wobbled back onto the crate.

Beside him, Pearson happily placed his roasted squirrel and rabbit on the table and said to Sean standing on the crate.

"It's great that Mr. McGuire is back. Come on... let's celebrate properly today. I'll get you a jar of my special pickled offal. You must try it; it goes great with wine."

Arthur, who happened to be passing by, strongly doubted Pearson's claim.

Sean, standing on the crate, only heard Pearson calling his name and didn't catch the details, but that didn't stop him from responding enthusiastically.

"Don't worry, now that I'm back, everything will be fine. The best show is about to begin. Your sharpshooter McGuire is back!"

In front of Sean, Tilly quietly drank her beer, while Ms. Grimshaw, with her hands on her hips, watched Sean's antics. Although she wasn't pleased with Sean's reckless behavior, she didn't say much since he was the star of the party.

However, Ms. Grimshaw's expression was eventually noticed by Sean.

"Don't worry about anything, Ms. Grimshaw... we'll keep this camp in perfect order!"

Feeling a bit unsteady on the crate, Sean decided to say one last thing before coming down. In a little while, he probably wouldn't be able to stand so high.

"I love you all, you bastards! Have a great time, everyone!"

"We will!" Karen, sitting at the table, shouted loudly.

Immediately after, everyone cheered and applauded Sean enthusiastically for his speech.

It's no wonder these people really liked Sean, and it's no wonder Sean always said he was the joy of the gang.

Arthur watched as Mary Beth and Tilly, holding hands, shouted, "Alright! Let's have some fun."

The two went to Dutch's side and took Molly with them. Although they had previously complained about Molly being an upper-class girl, it seemed their relationship was quite good.

Coming down from the crate, Sean joined a table where Karen, Uncle, and Hosea were sitting. He chose to sit next to Karen.

"Mind if I join you?"

"I guess not," Karen said mischievously.

"Oh, with all due respect, you look adorable."

Clearly, Arthur, who hadn't decided what to do, didn't want to stay and watch this….. whatever it is scene. At his age, he didn't want to witness young love.

Without Javier's music, the party felt a bit off to Arthur. But everyone was still happily drinking. Without Javier, they had to make do with Dutch's gramophone to set the party mood. It wasn't that Arthur was picky, but Dutch's music taste didn't quite fit the camp's party atmosphere.

Arthur was still pondering this when suddenly, there was an urgent call from Charles outside the camp. He quickly rode a horse towards everyone. Arthur immediately saw two clearly injured people on the horse.

"Something's wrong!"

***

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