A/N - Here is the next chapter of Where the buffalo roam. I hope this story is keep its quality and everyone is enjoying it. :) I'd also like to say another big thank you to everyone who reads/review , especially the reviewers. It's really nice to hear your thoughts on the story and the positive feedback is really helping to motivate me. :)
white blood walls: No, Cara didn't, her name is just accidently similar. :L
Shadow knight1121: Yes, West Dickens probably will be making an appearance soon. I found him pretty funny as well. :P
Flufferz: I'm so glad you enjoy the story! :) Thank you. And I can't wait to write Jack and Eva in Mexico. :D
night stalker: Heehee, thank you, glad you enjoyed the chapter. :) And, really? That's pretty cool. :D
AllieKat626: Haha, no, that would freak me out too much to write! :D
DISCLAIMER: I do not, nor will I ever own Red Dead Redemption or anything related to it. This fanfiction is purely fan made and I only own characters and places that are new. I apologise if any of this material offends any one. I assure you I don't mean to offend in any way, shape or form. This story will contain coarse language and graphic violence.
Chapter 9 – Decent into the mines.
The five of us emerged from our cover and assessed the damage. Several bodies lay on the ground, blood splattered and smeared. I looked at the Marshal as he began to march towards the mines. "There's, more than likely, gonna be guys in the mine still," he said, glancing back to us. "We need ta' check it out." We all nodded and advanced on the mine. The adrenalin could be felt in the air as we all walked towards another fight. Jonah began to chuckle and point his gun. "Did you see that? I was shootin' them guys down!" he cried, pointing his gun at a dead corpse and firing it.
I flinched and snapped at him, "What was that for? You're wastin' bullets!" Jonah turned to me.
"Why don't you shut your yap, this aint no place for a woman," he retaliated. I gritted my teeth together.
"What's that supposed to mean! I can shoot as good as any man!" I replied, my voice rising slightly.
Jonah scowled, "Woman'll never be as good as men at this sotta thing!"
"Oh, shut it ya stupid hillbilly!" I snapped and marched off ahead.
The Marshal spoke from behind me, "Miss White, slow down, I don't think ya'll should be headin' off like that." His voice was laced with concern. I glanced back in a huff.
"I can take care of myself! I'll show you Jonah!" I was borderline furious. Jonah's words had ticked me off so bad but I knew that the adrenalin and excitement were part to blame in my rashness. Had I been level headed then I would have been more careful.
I arrived at the mouth of the mine and peered in. It was hard to see clearly in the darkness so I advanced in a little ways to be able to see more clearly. I could hear echoing shouts further down in the mine and I knew there had to be many more men. The mine was lit up by small lanterns and I could see crates and TNT down the tunnel. I glanced backwards as shadows were cast from the entrance. It was Jack and the others. I nodded to them and began to advance down the mines. I could hear boots quickly catch up to me and I looked sideways and saw Jack walk beside me. "Now, Eva," he began, "I think you should calm down a little. I know Jonah said some things that you didn't like hearing but you should just ignore him. He don't know what he's talkin' about. You and I both know that you're good with a gun, so you don't need to prove yourself to him." I paused as Jack finished. What he said did have a lotta sense in it. I looked at him.
"Well... I guess that makes sense..." I admitted. "It's just-" I was cut off by bullets streaming past me and Jack. We flinched and quickly dove behind cover. Jack glanced back at the Marshal. "Stay there, there's a couple of guys but nothin' me and Eva can't take care of." The Marshal halted on his decent into the tunnels and eyed us. "OK, but be careful," he warned. I peered over my cover (which was a wooden box) and saw another two men pointing their guns at us. I frowned and quickly tore my eyes away in order to reload my gun. I reached in to my satchel and pulled out some ammo for my Henry repeater. As I was reloading I looked over my cover and kept an eye on the miners. Jack cocked his gun and aimed near a miner. "Watch and learn," he said with a large grin on his face. I cocked my head in confusion and, next thing I knew, the burning lantern near one of the miners was shot and it burst into flames. The fire engulfed the box and the man hiding behind it. He dropped his gun and began to scream in gut wrenching pain. I couldn't help, even with all the adrenalin, but feel a little scared and a trace of pity for the man. I shook my head and compressed the inappropriate feelings into a tiny box in the pit of my soul. The man let out a few more dying screams before he fell to the ground as a charred corpse. His friend looked at the body with pure terror written across his features. He continued to stare at it like a deer caught in headlights and Jack took this opportunity to shoot him in the skull.
Despite the stench of burnt flesh invading my nostrils I had to be impressed. "That was mighty clever Jack Marston," I said, a smile spreading across my face. Jack chuckled and stood up. He tipped his hat and grinned. "Well what do you expect? I am the son of John Marston after all," he said proudly. I cocked my head to the side with a slight confusion. "Is it alright that I've never heard of your pa before?" I asked. Jack chuckled and nodded.
"It is." I sighed and my smile returned. Marshal Arrington walked over with the deputies with an impressed grin on his face. He chuckled and patted Jack on the back.
"Miss White's right, that was some fine shootin'. And a damn clever idea, shootin' the lantern like that." Jack waved his hand.
"It was just somethin' I picked up. Don't forget we still have all the others left." The Marshal nodded.
"That we do. Well, let's get to it!" And with that the Marshal began walking again and we fell into step behind him.
We continued our advancement down the mines, shootin' down miners left, right and centre. The mines were like a rabbit's warren, many tunnels linked together to form a huge network. As we approached the middle we passed a lift used for transporting goods up or down. I had shot a few miners, even hitting a lantern and setting a few alight, like Jack had shown me. I couldn't help but feel proud as Jack praised my lantern shooting. "Well what do you expect? I did learn from Jack Marston after all," I giggled, playing on his sentence earlier. He rolled his eyes and playfully nudged me. Eventually we came to the very centre, the heart of the mine. Jack was first and he turned the corner only to run into a group of angry and frightened men. He froze and I quickly grabbed his arm and yanked him back behind cover, just as a storm of bullets were fired his way. "You dolt! You should be more careful!" I scolded, shaking his arm that I had clasped and frowning at him. He stared at me for a second before smiling. "Thanks for savin' my life!" he said, grinning. I frowned even deeper.
"Just be more careful from now on!" I warned as I let him go. Jack chuckled and straightened out his hat before turning to the Marshal. I scowled at the man but sighed and readied my gun. The Marshal peered around the corner and fired his rifle twice before turning back to us. "There's around ten guys in there, and they've got a pretty good defence going. Jonah, Eli, I want you two to get to the other side an' shoot them from there, that way we can distract them while Jack and Eva circle behind 'em," he explained. I cocked my head.
"Circle behind them? Where?" I asked. The Marshal pointed back the way we came.
"If you go that way and take a side path you should come to a small ledge that over sees that area. I want you two to go up there and shoot the ones that we can't reach." Jack and I nodded in understanding. "Understood, let's go Eva," Jack said we turned away from the Marshal and the deputies.
"Good luck!" I shouted back as Jack and I began to retrace our steps.
I jogged off with Jack and we went past all the shot down bodies, the still smouldering flames and the dangerous crates of explosives. Eventually, like the Marshal said, we came across another path that split off from the main one we took. I hadn't noticed it the first time we came down the tunnels. We slowed down and quietened our footsteps as we approached the ledge to keep our presence concealed. The small ledge looked down at the gunfight and sure enough we were positioned almost behind the miners. I glanced at Jack and aimed my gun. Jack nodded and pointed his own gun, but he suddenly withdrew it. I was confused. "What is it?" I whispered. He nodded his head down towards the miners.
"Look, there's a load'a TNT down there. If we shoot it it'll blow up." I nodded slowly.
"That's a damn good idea," I said, smiling. Jack grinned.
"Well, I am Jack Marston after all," he retorted cheekily. I mock scowled and lightly pushed him.
"Now, now, there'll be time for your boastin' later, let's shoot that TNT crate!" I said. Jack nodded and aimed his gun. There was a second's pause as he lined up his shot before he pulled the trigger. I heard the rifle fire before a deafening blast hit me. I yelped and ducked down behind my cover a little more as I watched the area bathe in bright light before it was consumed by dust. There was a moments silence as the dust settled and rocks slipped. I looked at Jack and he was grinning at me. Slowly, a smile worked its way onto my face. "That... was... amazing!" I all but yelled. Jack chuckled and stood up. He began to dust off his clothes and holstered his rifle. He shrugged nonchalantly and smirked, "As I said before, I'm Jack Marston, son of John Marston." I grinned playfully and was about to retort about his ego but was cut off by the Marshal. "Good Lord! What the hell did you two do?" Jack and I looked down over the ledge to where the Marshal and the deputies had now emerged. The dust had settled and pieces of bodies were strewn across the floor. Blood had mingled with the chars from the explosion to create a dusty crimson mix. Jack reached out sideways and pointed a finger at me. "It was Eva," he said bluntly. I flinched and turned to him.
"Hey! It wasn't me! It was your idea!" Jack flashed me a grin and began walking back along the tunnel to meet up with the Marshal. "W-wait! Why you sayin' it was me?"
When Jack and I met up with the Marshal and the deputies we saw they were a little black with smoke. I then understood that the explosion would have taken them completely by surprise. Jonah had a face like thunder, but he had a tiny smirk on his chapped lips. He musta loved that explosion. Eli looked a little annoyed but he was more taken with searching the area for any remaining miners. The Marshal didn't look too impressed himself but he did praise Jack for his idea. "Well, as dangerous as that was that was a good idea. Saved ammo," he said as he pulled out a handkerchief and quickly mopped his face. It managed to take off some of the dirt but his face was still black around the edges. The handkerchief itself was now black. He then addressed us all. "I think that was the las' of 'em. Let's head back up outta the mines." We all nodded in silent agreement and, with one last glance around the place, double checking for enemies, we turned and began to wind our way through the twisting mines. Just as we began to walk I had a brainwave. I stared at Jack's back and smirked deviously. I knew the perfect way to get him back for Armadillo. "O-oh!" I cried, stopping suddenly and clutching my left ankle. The four men halted and looked back.
"You okay?" Jack asked, coming back and to my aid.
"I'm afraid I've hurt my ankle," I said, grinning uncontrollably. Jack raised a brow.
"Hurt ya ankle? On what?"
"I don't know, but you gotta carry me now," I stated flatly, standing up perfectly fine. Jack froze.
"You want me to carry you?" he asked slowly, as if this was a dream. I nodded with the grin still on my face.
"Yup. Piggyback." Jack stared at me like I was an insane treasure hunter who had lost their mind in the search for gold. "Think of it as payback for Armadillo." Immediately Jack spluttered. "This is what this is?" he asked. I nodded. "B-but... I don't..." He paused then sighed, "Fine. Hop on." He turned around and spun his rifle and holster forward so it was going across his broad chest and bent his knees slightly, allowing me to get on his back. I smirked with triumph and walked forward. "Don't drop me," I warned as I laid my hands on his shoulders. Jack chuckled.
"I won't." I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist and he slid his arms under my knees, holding me up. I grinned and pointed forward.
"Onward, Jack Marston!" I shouted, enjoying the small exert of power I held over him at the moment. Jack sighed and began walking. The Marshal and deputies couldn't take their shocked eyes off of us. Jonah had a nasty scowl on his face, which didn't take me by surprise. Eli looked confused and shocked, mentally debating whether or not to comment. The Marshal had a grin on his bearded face as he shook his head slowly. "Miss White, you sure are a character," he said. I grinned at him as we began walking, or rather, Jack and them began walking while I was happily seated on Jack's back. "Well, this is jus' sweet revenge for me," I said. The Marshal chuckled well heartily, "Revenge? What for?" I grinned and patted Jack on his head.
"Well, Jack here thought it would be funny to give me a scare last night. I told him I was gonna get revenge and, well, here it is!" The Marshal laughed and I grinned. It was then that I decided to lean forward and look over Jack's shoulder and peer at his face. He was pouting and glanced at me before huffing. I giggled and settled my chin on his left shoulder. It was firm and I began blushing slightly. "What's the matter Jack? Why the long face?" I giggled more as he grumbled.
"Jus' you wait, I'mma get you back for this!" he declared, a smirk working its way onto his lips. I pouted childishly.
"But if you do that then I have to get revenge on you again!"
The Marshal chuckled, "You two keep doin' that and it'll never end!" I raised my head and cocked it slightly.
"Ya know; that's a good point. Oh well, I'm gonna win anyway," I said confidently. Jack coughed and dropped me slightly. I yelped and threw my arms around his neck to keep a hold. "I think you'll find I'm the one who's gonna win," Jack said. I pouted again.
"Nu-uh. I am."
"I am."
"I am."
"I am!"
"I am!"
Jack and I kept arguing all the way until we emerged out of the dark and dusty mines and into the golden sunshine. It was there that Jack laughed and dropped his arms, sending me to the ground. I yelped as I was dropped ungracefully on my butt and a small dust cloud rose from the ground. "Hey! You could've warned me!" I complained. Jack laughed. "Where's the fun in that?" he asked. I playfully scowled.
"If you keep this up I might just havta' put a bullet in that hat of yours... Or your head, your choice," I said. Jack laughed and offered me his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet. Once I was settled on the ground he let go off my hand. However, I couldn't help but notice my increased heart rate and Jack's lingering touch. It was almost like he didn't want to let go. I blushed and shook my head, clearing myself of the thoughts. Jack regarded me strangely. "What was that for?" he asked. I blushed harder and I began to fear he could notice it. "Nothin', just getting the dust off me," I lied. He seemed to buy it and nodded to himself before we followed the Marshal towards the tent where Thompson was shot by the Marshal. As I approached the stench of a dead body reached my nose. It wasn't as strong as George Abraham's corpse was but it still stunk. Eli pulled back the tan flap and revealed for the first time the inside of the tent. Inside was a small bed, desk, a couple of crates and Thompson's body. His body was sprawled across the floor in an un-natural fashion and had a bloody lake around it. I inwardly cringed as I circled around the body. The Marshal stood over the body and shook his head, "Fool, he mighta' still been alive had he not pulled his gun on me." He sighed and turned towards the deputies. "Well, justice has been served I guess. Let's head back to Armadillo, I don' think there's much else we can do here," he said. The two deputies nodded and began to back out of the tent. I stared down at Thompson's body a second longer before I began to leave the tent. However, just as my eyes were leaving his body I noticed a slip of paper in his chest pocket.
I stopped and turned back to it, staring down at the yellow folded item. What if it's something important? It can't hurt to look, right? I silently reasoned in my head and eventually curiosity won over. I crouched down and reached out to the parchment, my fingers lightly brushing the paper before I snatched it and yanked it out of the pocket. Once it was safely in my hand I stood up and opened it up. I unfolded it multiple times and eventually it stretched out to a map of some sort. On it was several rough scribbles and they seemed to be a map of sorts. It looked familiar and I recognised one feature: a sketch of a skeletal tree with a swinging noose. My eyebrows creased as I struggled to work out what it was supposed to mean. I even tried rotating the paper round, as if it would somehow help me understand. "A map? Why is it...? Is it..." I stared at it for a further 10 seconds before an idea arose. "Is it... No! There's no way!" I couldn't believe my eyes. I was almost sure of it. "It's a treasure map!" A shocked and ecstatic grin spread across my face. I was about to march out of the tent with my prize but froze. Hang on... Perhaps I should keep this to myself. I don't want to be greedy but... I glanced at the tan flap hiding my map from the world. I sighed as I began to fold it back to its original size. Once I had finished folding it I stowed it away in my satchel, away from prying eyes. I then quickly exited the tent with one last glance back at the dead man whose map I had just stole.
As soon as I exited I was hit by the familiar wall of heat and I quickly brought a hand up to my eyes so I didn't have to squint. Jack was standing nearby with his horse and Dash's reins in his hands. The Marshal and deputies were already mounted. The Marshal spoke as I walked over to the men, "Well, we're off back to Armadillo, feel free ta' drop by later and I'll see what I've got for you. Thanks for helpin' us out. We have alotta trouble with Gaptooth Breach; miners tend ta' get a lil' protective." Jack and I nodded and the Marshal turned his horse towards the exit of the camp. "Have a safe journey back!" I called as he spurred his horse. He tipped his hat and a smile spread across his bearded face, "Will do, Miss White!" I watched as the three mounted men cantered off, leaving a billowing trail of dust behind them. Once they were out of my line of sight I turned excitedly to Jack. "Guess what I found!" I burst giddily. Jack raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know... But it's gotta be good to get ya all like this," he replied. I grinned and shot to my satchel on my side. I rifled through it and pulled out the treasure map. I proudly held it out to Jack. "Ta-da!" I giggled. Jack stared at the folded map for a few seconds before he looked up at me.
"What is it?" he asked. I smirked and began to unfold it.
"I believe it is a treasure map!" I announced. Jack stared at the map apprehensively.
"A treasure map?" he asked carefully. I nodded my head furiously.
"Yup, I found it on Thompson, he had it folded up in his chest pocket," I explained. Jack moved forward and offered me my horse's reins. I took them and handed the aged map to Jack. He took it in his spare hand and allowed his dark eyes to scan the page. After a few silent moments of scrutinising the page he looked up at me. I grinned widely at him. "So? What's your verdict oh great Marston?" He rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Well, I think we do have a treasure map on our hands," he said. I grinned even wider and took the map back.
Sliding it into my satchel I turned to Jack, "Really? So are we going to go and have a look?" Jack shrugged and began to mount his horse.
"I don't see why not." I let a giggle slip past my lips as I jumped onto Dash's back. Once I was in the saddle and settled I turned to Jack.
"What's our next move?" He paused slightly in thought, scanned Gaptooth Breach for a few more seconds before he turned back to me.
"Well, we've still got a while before the sun begins to set... I say we make our way back through Gaptooth Breach back towards Armadillo and have a look for this treasure on our way back," he said, smiling at me. I grinned and nodded.
"Well, you lead the way. I have a feelin' that I'd get us lost," I sighed. Jack chuckled.
"Still?"
"Yes, still."
Jack and I made our way back through Gaptooth, similar to the way we came. We passed the Joshua trees, passed the cacti and passed the large rock formations. We kept on galloping though as we neared Ridgewood we slowed to a slow canter. We passed through the small ranch and found it was fairly busy. Men were milling around, going about their work. I even spotted Johnny Newland walking out of the barn leading a bay stallion. I couldn't help but grin as I thought back to the last time Jack and I were here. I remembered the way Jack had almost beaten him at 5 finger fillet before Johnny caught me standing near his horse. I wasn't doin' nothing, just lookin'. I shook my head and focused forward, following Jack and his golden stallion. Once we were clear of the farm Jack sped up to a fast canter and I quickly matched his speed. I was a little curious as to why we weren't galloping. I drew level with him and looked sideways at him. "Why ain't we galloping?" I asked. Jack shrugged. "I don't know... I just thought it would be nice to canter for a while. Give us a chance to talk." I smiled and nodded my head.
"That sounds good... So, what do ya want to talk about?"
"Well... I was thinkin'... Perhaps we could persuade Bonnie to let you come with me?" I fell into a stunned silence. Jack really does want me to go with him... I'd love to! I grinned widely at him and stared at him. He seemed to be shyly looking down at the horn of his saddle. "Jack Marston, what do you think the first thing out of my mouth was goin' to be when we get back? I was gonna whine to Bonnie so much she'd have to let me go!" Jack looked up from his saddle to me with a smile on his face. I smiled back and giggled slightly. "Why'd you seem so nervous for?" Jack flinched and tried to shrug it off.
"I wasn't, I was bein' polite."
"Polite?"
"Yeah, I was letting you have a choice." I giggled and rolled my eyes.
"Jack Marston, you are a real gentleman." He seemed to gain his confidence again and smirked.
"Well, what can I say?" he chuckled. I laughed as a playful idea came to mind.
"How about you explain to Bonnie what we heard in the saloon last night?" Jack's face fell.
"Why would I do that?" he asked. I laughed at his confusion mixed with panic and couldn't help but tease the man.
"Because someone's gonna have to explain to her why I now have recurring nightmares," I joked. Jack calmed a little once he understood I was playing and not being serious. He cleared his throat and sat up straight in the saddle. "I will explain to her about Armadillo if you can beat me in a race," he challenged, a confident grin spreading across his face. I raised a brow but welcomed the bet. "Okay... I think I can do that," I answered, just as confident. Jack tipped his hat down so it was nearly covering his eyes. They held a mischievous glint to them. "First one to Hanging rock wins," he stated. I nodded and shifted in the saddle.
"Agreed, ready?"
"Set."
"Go!"
We both shouted in unison as we spurred our horses sharply in the sides, causing them to whinny before swiftly accelerating, like an eagle that had just spotted its prey. Our horse's hooves pounded into the dust and they galloped off, neck to neck. The wind from the speed we were running buffeted me and sent Dash's mane whipping back into my face. I couldn't suppress the surge of adrenalin that arose in me as we galloped through the wilderness. It brought back memories of racing back home; sweet memories which I had forgotten until now. I leaned back in the saddle and risked taking my hands off the reins. I threw them up in the air and let the wind whip through my open fingers. I began to laugh as we galloped and Dash even neighed with excitement. Perhaps he was reminiscing all the times we used to race as well. Jack looked over at me and I heard him laugh but he quickly spoke to me, "Be careful Eva, I don't want ya fallin' off." I heeded his warning and grabbed the reins and lent forward in the saddle. I called across to him, "I guess I should listen to you. It's the least I can do seeing as I'm goin' to beat you!" Jack barked out a laugh. "I'm sorry Eva, but you are sorely mistaken!" Jack spurred his golden stallion, causing him to whinny and suddenly speed up.
"W-what..." I watched as Dash and I was overtaken by Jack on his horse. Dash seemed to understand what was happening so he himself began to gallop harder; but, no matter how hard my stallion ran Jack's horse kept the lead. As we galloped Jack cockily shouted back to me, "Do ya want me to slow down a little Eva?" I rolled my eyes and leant forward, making it easier for Dash. "You're gonna eat your words, Jack!" I yelled back. We kept galloping, with him shouting back at me every now and again. "I thought you said you were going to win?"
The race ended with the two of us reaching the Hanging rock and Jack was the proud winner. His horse seemed to sense his victory and held his golden, white striped head high in the air. I pouted and gave Dash a pat on his neck. His head seemed to droop, like he knew we had lost. "Don't worry boy, we can't win them all," I said softly to him, patting his neck before dismounting. As soon as both feet were planted on the ground, Jack all but waltzed over to me. I rolled my eyes but kept a smile on my face. "Well, well... Look who won," Jack chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah, shut it Marston. You just got lucky," I retorted, crossing my arms and pouting. Jack chuckled and motioned to my satchel.
"Well, how about we find this treasure of yours?" he suggested. I nodded and pulled out the map and quickly unfolded it. Jack came to my side and together we stared at the map. "Well," Jack began. "Looking at this... I'd say the treasure is somewhere behind that rock." Jack pointed towards Hanging rock, where the skeletal tree still loomed gloomily despite the afternoon sun. We walked towards it and then behind it. I was beginning to understand the map now; it showed us where to go and was leading us step by step. Once we were behind it we tried to match the sketched rock to one in real life. "Is it that one?"
"No, that one's too big."
"What about that one?"
"Maybe, let's try." Jack and I advanced toward the suspected rock and looked behind it. I sighed as I found no traces behind the rock of buried treasure. I pouted and backed away back into the sun. "Perhaps we had the wrong rock?" I suggested, trying to be optimistic. Jack was still searching behind the rock and he suddenly perked up. "Hang on... I think I found something!" his excited voice came. I brightened up and quickly advanced towards him.
"You have? Let's have a look-see!" I giggled excitedly. This was the first time I had ever found treasure and I couldn't help but wonder just how much there would be. Jack was crouched near a pile of tan rocks of varying sizes. It was clear that someone had buried something. Jack began to pick the stones up and move them out of the way almost painstakingly slow. Apprehension was coiled inside me like a curled rattle snake and eventually Jack had moved enough stones to uncover a small, red chest. My eyes widened and my smile grew as my hazel orbs fell onto the chest. "Treasure..." I whispered. "Treasure... Jack, we found treasure!" I cheered with glee and resisted the urge to dance on the spot. Jack chuckled and opened the chest. I crouched down next to him and together we looked at our reward. Inside the chest was a bar of gold, along with another folded piece of paper. "Gold?" I gasped. Jack chuckled beside me.
"Well, I'll be..." Jack picked up the gold and weighed it in his hand. "This should sell for a fair price," he commented.
I giggled and shook his arm slightly, "I can't believe it! Gold!" Jack laughed at my childish excitement and handed me the gold.
"Here, you wanna look after it?" I nodded and carefully took the gold, handling it like its value could go down just be being scratched slightly, and stored it in my satchel. I then looked back at the chest to find Jack pulling out the folded piece of paper. He opened it up to find another treasure map. "Looks like there's a second treasure," he said with interest.
"Really?" I gasped. "I wonder how many more there are!" Jack folded up the map and stood. I followed and grinned widely at him. "Can you believe it?" I asked. He chuckled.
"No, I sure can't. How about we get this to Armadillo and get a price?" I nodded eagerly and skipped back to Dot Dot Dash.
"Let's get a move on then, Mr Marston," I said, grinning. He smiled and shook his head as he walked and mounted his steed. Then the two of us cantered to Armadillo.
Once in Armadillo we went straight to the general store with the intent of selling our gold. As we entered the store we were greeted by the shopkeeper, "Hello there, I'm Herbert Moon."
Jack nodded politely, "Hi, I'm Jack Marston and this is Eva White." We walked to the counted and I pulled out the gold. "We have some gold her we'd like to sell," Jack said, motioning to the bar that I held. Herbert's glasses nearly fell off his face as he stared at the gold bar. "My, my, where'd you find this? It ain't Jewish is it?" he asked as a nasty sneer overcame his aged face. I flinched and was taken back. Why is he asking that? Does it matter whether or not it is? Jack was apparently thinking the same as a confused look made its self present on his face. "I don't know... Why?" Herbert straightened up and dusted off his clothes.
"Because I hate Jews," he stated, somewhat proudly. I gaped at this man. Was he for real?
"I also hate the British, Natives, Blacks, Catholics, homosexuals as well as other lesser beings." I felt my blood begin to boil within my veins. What's with this fool?
"Pardon me, sir, but what has this got to do with anything? And lesser beings?" I was shocked by how negative this man was. Herbert Moon stared at me strangely as if I had grown a second head. "You don't agree?" he asked. I frowned and shook my head, brown hair slipping slightly from its bun.
"Of course not! I completely disagree with you," I snapped. Jack stared between the two us as we sent each other disapproving glares. "I happen to know a very kind Jewish lady and she is most certainly not a 'lesser being'. The same goes for blacks. I know many and they are very kind! In fact, you're the only lesser being here!" I snapped, seething. Herbert Moon looked as if he had just been punched in the gut. "W-why you wrench!" he countered. I opened my mouth to fire a remark back but Jack cut me off, "Now, friend, we don't mean to cause trouble, we just want to sell our gold." Herbert turned his eyes from to Jack and barked out a laugh.
"After bringing her along? I can only offer you half the original price now," he spat. I paled.
"What? That's ridiculous!" Herbert smirked and folded his arms across his chest.
"That's what you get, you Jew-loving wench." I gritted my teeth together and turned on my heel to march out of the store.
"Fine! We'll take our gold elsewhere, you Jew-hating fool!" I quickly exited the shop, leaving Jack standing confused and frustrated at the counter.
Once outside and marched over to my horse and began to angrily adjust his saddle. I was just doing it to occupy my angry hands. Jack emerged from the shop shaking his head and sighing. "What will I do with you?" he asked as he walked over. I looked up and him and sighed.
"I'm sorry Jack... I couldn't help it; he just got me so angry. I know people who are like family who are Jewish or Black or what not, and to hear him call them that... I just snapped." I looked back to Dash's saddle guiltily. Now we had to go elsewhere to sell the gold. Why couldn't I have kept my mouth shut for a few minutes? The sound of laughter met my ears and I looked up to see Jack laughing and shaking his head. "What?" I asked, thoroughly confused by his behaviour. He grabbed his hat with one large hand and plucked it off his head, running his free hand through his hair. "You worry too much. You don't need to go apologizing for standing up for family, and it doesn't matter that we have to go elsewhere. We get more money now and it's another excuse to explore the rest of New Austin," Jack explained with a grin. I gaped at him before a soft smile found its way onto my lips. "Thank you Jack," I simply said. He nodded and shrugged.
"Well... how about we get going back to Bonnie? I'm sure she'll want to hear all about our adventures," he chuckled. I grinned, gaining my happy attitude back.
"I bet she does."