I've started having dreams about the last time we were in the South. I see Sean, Kieran, Hosea, and Lenny.
We need to go back north, and soon. But Dutch is determined to play these families. I'm wondering if I should just grab John, his family, Hosea, and everyone else who wants to go, and run.
--------------------------
"Hey Arthur, want to go hunting?"
They'd been at Clemens Point for a few weeks now, and Arthur was frustrated. But Hosea had started the habit of inviting Arthur for fishing or hunting. The result was a more relaxed Arthur, time for planning, and a very happy Mr. Pearson.
"Yeah, we could take a few days, go up north. Want to try your hand at a bear again, old man?" Arthur teased.
"You two leaving again?" Dutch asked. "But Arthur, we are waiting on the Gray's-"
"Oh, I'm sure Marston can handle it when they call. Plus, I probably shouldn't be seen at the Gray's place so soon," said Arthur.
Even without their scheme of returning the liquor, Dutch had found a way onto the Braithwaite plantation, and the matriarch had wasted no time in using the gang for her dirty work. Last night, Arthur burned tobacco fields with Sean, a job he cursed the entire time. It might take a few days, but Sheriff Gray would ask Dutch to swing by Calliga Hall for revenge. If he didn't find a way to stop this now, it would all end with another bullet in Sean's, if not someone else's, head.
He had tried to keep Sean away from the feud between the families, but of course, the eager kid volunteered to help. That didn't mean Arthur gave up. He took Sean robbing stagecoaches, and Sadie and Lenny as well. The four of them were bringing in good money for the camp. At least he warned Sean not go on jobs with Micah. He also went fishing a lot with Kieran, trying to help the prior O'Driscoll feel included in the gang. Plus, he now knew of a store to buy special lake lures, and they managed to bring in the giant Bluegill. Kieran earned a little respect, and they all ate well that night.
Still, Arthur had done his best to stay away from the mess that was playing both families. He hadn't been seen on the Braithwaite property at all, having been relayed orders by Dutch and Bill. Naturally, the Gray's would want revenge, prompting the order to steal the five thousand dollar horses.
Thus, a hunting trip was in order.
"Didn't know you was a coward now, Morgan!"
Micah was another reason for Arthur to be out of camp so much, though that in itself was a double edged sword. All Dutch could think about was this Confederate gold, and Micah always whispered about the riches in his ear.
"I'm being practical, Micah. If someone finds out we are playing both sides, this could end real bad."
"Let's go, Arthur," said Hosea, leading Silver Dollar and Dakota over. "We'll be back in a few days, no trouble now."
They rode out of camp and took the road north, Arthur in the lead. Hosea always let Arthur decide where they went. Normally, Arthur led them to a location where he met an interesting person. They helped Albert Mason again, this time keeping him from being eaten by a crocodile. Arthur chased down a wagon for a traveling doctor. He helped strangers who were lost get home.
Hosea could see what Arthur had meant, that he was happiest while helping people. Most people were grateful, handing Arthur the few dollars they had saved up as thanks. And every time, Arthur looked a little guilty taking it, but usually accepted. In one of their planning trips, they had talked about how much money they would need to buy land out west.
"You sure we should go this close to Valentine?" Hosea asked, once he realized where they were headed.
"Gotta keep our favorite wildlife photographer from falling off a cliff," he laughed.
The town was on high alert after Arthur, Lenny, Bill, and Karen robbed their bank of several thousand dollars, though the gang got a little less than they did last time. Arthur managed to slip about three thousand dollars into his own satchel while the other members were occupied out front. He felt bad shorting the others, but he needed that money in case they had to escape, and fast.
Arthur didn't let Albert Mason anywhere near the edge this time, grabbing the man's arm and leading him towards more stable rock. The blush that appeared on Albert's cheeks did not escape his notice, nor did the amused look on Hosea's face. When they parted ways once again, Albert giving up on the eagles for the moment, Arthur said, "Hey, if you ever need me for anything, you can write me under the name Tacitus Kilgore. And, don't ask about the name."
"Thank you, Mr. Morgan. I plan to try to get these in a gallery soon, actually, so I will write when I have a location."
Arthur waved goodbye, shaking his head at Hosea. "Shut up, old man."
"You think he will write?"
"I know he gets that gallery spot he's looking for."
"Was that all you wanted to do?"
"No, I want to go up the O'Creagh's Run."
"You were serious about another bear?"
"Naw, there's a man named Hamish Sinclair who lives there. He was a good friend to me, and I want to introduce myself."
He knew he chose the right time to stop by, because Buell was hitched outside. Arthur gave the horse a few pats, hoping that this time he wouldn't have to take the horse for Hamish. He wondered what would have happened to Buell after he died, having left the horse at the stables before the final train job. But for now, the man himself was out on his boat, cursing and trying to catch the Tyrant. He caught Arthur's eye, so Arthur waved. Hamish rowed over.
"You folks want to join me for a little fishing?" Hamish was one of the nicest people Arthur knew, trusting two strangers immediately.
"Sure!"
"Well, get in. I'm trying to catch the Tyrant, a bastard Pike that's taken over this lake."
Hosea listened as Hamish told the story of how he lost his leg, how he came here and named his horse after his old general. They managed to hook the Tyrant after a bit of a struggle and Hamish ending up in the water.
"If you ever want to fish again or go hunting, stop on by. Thank you Arthur, Hosea."
"I just might take you up on that," Arthur said to Hamish.
On the ride back south, Arthur and Hosea caught some deer with quality pelts, selling a few in at the trapper's stand and keeping the best for Mr. Pearson's crafting.
When they arrived back in camp in the early morning, Dutch was arguing with Molly. Again. It was happening a lot, and Arthur had tried to talk with her.
John was sitting at a table, looking annoyed, and Arthur joined him. "What happened?"
"Those five thousand dollar horses? Barely got seven hundred for them!"
"Well, you can't win them all."
"The Gray's are using us, the Braithwaites, too. And I don't see gold at the end of this, Arthur."
"I know."
"You think Dutch is angry with me? About the horses?"
"It wasn't your fault, Marston. If Dutch blames you for it, then he's a fool."
That got a small laugh out of John. Soon, John was walking over to Abigail and Jack. Arthur smiled as he watched John grab some sticks and play sword fighting with his son. One benefit of being shot by Pinkerton agents, if he could call anything from that a benefit, was John's relationship with his son. Seeing Jack riding back alone, blood on his coat, had affected John in the same way as Jack's kidnapping. He was starting to step up as a father.
"Hey Arthur, want to head up to the river for some fishing?"
"Sure, Javier."
Another attempt at Arthur's to change this place was his relationship with Javier. Seeing Javier stand across from him, gun pointed in his direction at Beaver Hollow, had stung, and at first Arthur wasn't sure he could look at Javier the same way. But as he got to know the man better, he realized just how loyal he was to Dutch. Like most of them, Dutch had found Javier at his lowest moment and took him under his wing. While fishing, Arthur would talk about some of his disagreements with Dutch, just to see how Javier would react. After the disaster of rescuing Micah from the Strawberry jail, there were thin cracks in Javier's previously solid devotion to Dutch.
"What do you think about all this, Javier?" he asked once they were situated at the river.
"I'm not sure. I trust Dutch, but…"
"I know what you mean. I can't see this plan of his ending well."
"I don't trust Micah," Javier said, and the words brought hope to Arthur that he might get through to Javier finally.
"Me neither. I don't like the way he's always talking in Dutch's ear."
He and Javier didn't talk much for the rest of the trip, but he was pleased with the progress. Javier would never be a problem for the gang. Arthur just wanted him to think for himself.
But when they rode back into camp, the peace of the morning was shattered.
"ARTHUR!" Hosea was running over as soon as he spotted Dakota walking through the trees. "It's Dutch! He went to a meeting with Colm O'Driscoll!"
"What?" Arthur was off Dakota in a flash. "When did this happen?"
"About an hour ago. Dutch wouldn't listen to me! I told him again and again that it was a trap but Micah insisted that they had to try."
Arthur scanned the gathering crowd, trying to see who was missing. "Who went with him, Hosea? Who!"
"John."
Arthur felt his heart jump in his chest, the color draining from his face. "Shit, we got to go after them!" He prayed that the meeting spot was still in the same place as he jumped back on Dakota. "I swear, if Colm hurts John at all!"
Hosea was grabbing Silver Dollar when he heard, "You boys going after Colm?"
Sadie Adler was there, a fire in her eyes, her horse Bob trailing behind her.
"We're going to try to stop that meeting."
"Let me come with you! I have some unfinished business with O'Driscoll."
"We don't have time for this right now," Hosea said, but Arthur look at her carefully, wondering if now was the right time.
"First priority of this is to make sure John and Dutch make it out of that meeting in one piece. You want revenge? It's going to have to wait until after."
"Fine," she said, already mounting Bob.
"Alright, let's go," Arthur said, urging Dakota onto the trail.
"How do you know where you are going?" Sadie asked as they galloped up the road.
"Don't worry about it," Arthur said. Later, he could come up with a lie, but not now. Not with the pit in his stomach growing with every second Marston was in danger.
Up ahead, a small white horse and a larger black one were trotting down the road. The Count and Baylock, with Old Boy nowhere to be seen.
No.
"DUTCH!" he called out, and the older man slowed his horse to a stop. As soon as he was close enough, he was going to ask about John, but before he could, Micah said, "Where were you, cowpoke? We was gonna take you to our little peace talk, but you were no where to be found!"
"Where's Marston?" Arthur demanded.
"Taking the long way home, I bet," Micah said.
"Shut up, Micah, I'm asking Dutch. Where is he?"
"I'm sure he's on the way. He was our lookout, since you were conveniently missing." The words are laden with sarcasm. "Of course, now you show up with Hosea and Mrs. Adler, of all people."
"You went to meet with Colm O'Driscoll and you aren't the least bit worried that John is missing!"
Micah was the one to answer that. "Oh, Marston can handle himself." And Arthur could see it now.
In the first few days after returning to camp, bruised and beaten with an infected bullet wound, Arthur hadn't had the energy to wonder what had happened to Dutch after he went missing. He was simply relieved that no one had fallen into Colm's trap. But later, especially when Dutch left John to rot in jail, he started to wonder why. Now it was painfully clear just how easy it was for Micah to whisper assurances in Dutch's ear. Dutch had no idea anything could be wrong!
So, he looked Dutch in the eye and said, "I'm going to look for him. Come with us or go back to camp, I don't care." He directed his next comment to Micah. "If Colm hurt him at all, I'm coming for you." Before Dutch or Micah could respond, he urged Dakota forward.
The field was empty when they arrived, and Arthur led them up the hill with a quick, "this is the best vantage point for a lookout." At the top, he slid off Dakota, searching desperately for any sign of John.
"MARSTON!" he shouted, hearing Hosea do the same. He approached the ledge, scaring a vulture away from an animal corpse. This was where he had set up, he could only hope John had done the same.
And there! The dirt was padded down with boot prints. But then he saw a few red drops on the ground.
"Hosea!"
The man rushed over, taking in what Arthur was showing him.
"Is that?"
"Yeah, blood. They took him, Hosea! They took John!"
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