IV - Old Friends

The Grizzlies, USA

1899

After leaving my room and getting onto Lucifer I joined the other men. We rode for a long while before finding horse tracks and following them all the way to the O'Driscoll camp. Dutch ordered everyone to get into different positions just outside of the camp while Arthur and him went up a hill where they could get a good view of the camp. I walked down the mountain and joined Micah and Bill. I couldn't even think of talking to either idiots so I stayed quiet. Arthur and Dutch joined us soon after and Dutch left it up to Arthur on when to start firing. Once Arthur took the first shot all hell broke loose. I ran quickly across an open space to get to a better vantage point. Bullets were flying and I could hear O'Driscolls yelling insults and threats. Why can't they at least die without being annoying?

Arthur: There's one on the tower!

I quickly turned to the tower that stood above everything else. An O'Driscoll stood there with a rifle in hand, shooting at us. He had the advantage.

Jonah: Arthur! Cover me!

I quickly ran out of cover and shot some men that had turned their attention to me. One man tackled me to the ground but before he could do anything, he had been shot in the head and his body went limp. I pushed him off of me and looked at Arthur. He nodded at me and then moved his hand forward, telling me to go. I nodded back to him, picked up my black stalker hat and kept running. I made it to the tower and began climbing the ladder. Right as I started nearing the top the O'Driscoll came out of nowhere and started shooting at me. He was a terrible shot because he didn't even get close to hitting me. I pushed his legs, which sent him tumbling backwards, and pulled myself up onto the platform.

Jonah: I have a gift for you, my friend. I think you're really gonna like it.

I pulled out a stick of dynamite and threw it at him. He tossed it between his hands like it was a hot potato as I ran for the ladder. I slid down and heard the all too familiar noise of a scream cut off by an explosion.. When I looked up, there was blood everywhere.

Jonah: Hooray, I'm a psychopath.

I ran behind cover and we quickly cleared out the rest of the O'Driscolls. Reinforcements came through the trees but we sent them running. Once everything was quiet we all gathered in the middle of the camp.

Dutch: Good work, boys. Now, let's tear this place apart. Bill, you go search that wagon there. Micah, search that building. Arthur, you take that building to the left. Jonah, search these men. Alright men, quick. Find those detonators, explosives. Anything you can. Let's go.

I nodded and started with the man that lay closest to me. After searching a few bodies we all regrouped back with Dutch, who was now on his horse.

Dutch: Did we get everything?

Micah: Think so, Boss. Found this on one of 'em.

Micah handed Dutch a large piece of rolled up paper. Dutch thanked him and unrolled the paper.

Micah: This is perfect.

Dutch: Oh yah. Interesting. This is something about the train they was gonna rob. A mister Leviticus Cornwall. Mount back up, let's keep moving

We all mounted our horses again and followed Dutch out of the O'Driscoll camp.

Dutch: Alright, let's get outta here. Proud of you boys. All of you. Not a man down.

Bill: Good work, fellers.

Dutch: Not bad for some starving down-and-outs. They can pummel us hard as they like. We will always get back up and fight. That's who we are. Outlaws for life, fellas. Wait until we have John back… Charles and Sean back riding with us. And I believe… I know they will all be back.

Arthur: Well, you didn't get Colm but this hit will hurt him a lot more than any bullet in the head.

Jonah: I don't know, I think a bullet in the head can hurt a whole lot, if you survive.

Arthur: You know what I mean.

Dutch: Especially when we rob this train too.

Arthur: Hehe, I guess we'll see about that.

Dutch: Oh, indeed we will.

Jonah: You know, he'll come after us.

Dutch: Oh, of course he will. Just like all the rest. But we're gonna stay a step ahead of them. Make sure we always know where they are before they know where we are. We allowed ourselves to get a step behind in Blackwater. That won't happen again.

I nodded and continued riding.

Dutch: Alright, dig in, fellers! Let's make some ground!

We rode for some time before Dutch slowed down to get a better look at something.

Dutch: Hey! See that feller? Wasn't he in the camp with Colm?

We all looked to where Dutch was looking and saw a young man riding his horse. I recognized him as the young man that Colm was slapping.

Jonah: Leave him to me.

Dutch: Alright. We're heading back. Just bring him back alive. Could be useful.

Jonah: Okay.

I took off after him while the rest of the men went back to camp. I pulled out my lasso and chased after him. He kept asking what he did but I said nothing. I finally caught up to him after a short chase and used my lasso to get him. He fell off of his horse and hit the ground while his horse took off. I quickly tied him up and loaded him onto Lucifer, all the while he was pleading for me to let him go.

Jonah: What's your name, boy?

Man: I don't know.

Jonah: You don't know your name? That sounds like it sucks.

Man: It's Kieran!

Jonah: Kieran what?

Kieran: Duffy! Kieran Duffy!

Jonah: Well, I ain't gonna lie to you… this is a real bad day for you, Kieran Duffy.

His last name sounds so stupid.

Kieran: Where are you taking me?

Jonah: Somewhere you ain't gonna like.

Kieran: Why?! What are you gonna do to me?!

Jonah: We're gonna eat you.

Kieran: WHAT?!

Jonah: I'm kidding. Or am I?

He then started crying. Jesus, can anyone take a joke these days? After some time of riding through the increasingly cold snow, he started pleading again.

Kieran: Let me go! I'll disappear. I'll go to Mexico.

Jonah: No can do, my friend.

Kieran: Please! Don't do this!

Jonah: Oh my god shut up already! This pleading thing is really starting to get on my nerves.

He didn't answer. Finally, some peace and quiet…

Kieran: Please! I'll do anything! I've only been running with them a couple of months! I don't know nothing real about 'em! Honest!

And I spoke too soon… again…

Jonah: Are you trying to test me, is that it? Cause I will break every bone in your body.

Kieran: I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Okay?

Jonah: Not one more goddamn word, am I clear?

Kieran: Okay, okay!

Jonah: That's two bones right there.

He stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Now I have some peace and quiet. After some time of riding, we made it back to camp. I got him off of Lucifer and started walking back.

Jonah: Let's introduce you to the boys. You're gonna love 'em.

Kieran: Don't hurt me, please.

Jonah: Ah, don't worry. They're real nice.

As I walked up to the door, Dutch walked out.

Dutch: Huh, found the little shit, did ya?

Jonah: Yup. He talks a lot.

Dutch: I bet. Anyway, good job, Jonah.

I nodded and took out my knife. I cut the ropes that bound Kieran's legs.

Dutch: Welcome to your new home. Hope you're real happy here.

I stood him up and held him by his arms that were still bound by ropes.

Jonah: Want me and Arthur to make him talk?

Dutch: Oh no, now all we'll get is lies.

Uncle and Bill walked by at this point and Dutch called to them.

Dutch: Uncle, Mr. Williamson, tie this maggot up someplace safe. We get him hungry first.

I pushed Kieran towards the two men.

Dutch: I got a saying, my friend. We shoot fellers, as need shooting. Save fellers, as need saving. And feed 'em as need feeding. We are going to find out what you need. I can't believe it! An O'Driscoll! In my camp!

Kieran: I ain't an O'Driscoll, mister! I hate that feller!

Uncle and Bill dragged him away.

Jonah: I'd beg to differ.

Dutch: Oh whatever you say, son!

Dutch and I turned to each other.

Dutch: Well done, Jonah.

Jonah: I'm just sorry we missed out on Colm.

Dutch: Oh there'll be time for that. Now, I gotta figure out if we can hit that train.

Dutch disappeared into the darkness of the cabin while I stood outside. I looked around before making my way back into my room. Sadie was asleep on the cot so I quietly got ready for bed.

END OF CHAPTER 4 - Old Friends

Word Count: 1,603