ARTHUR'S POV
Four days following Sean's party, the camp was still full of joy and liveliness, so much so that some of the gang members started slacking off, something that perhaps Miss Grimshaw was not so enthusiastic about. At any rate, with the return of the young Irishman, the grayness of the place was beginning to fade. The morning was cloudy and cold, and Arthur was ready to start the day when he saw at one end of the camp his elderly mentor wielding a hunting rifle. The man was sitting on a rock, polishing, setting its parts, and checking its sights. Curiosity drew the stoic man.
"Hosea." Arthur greeted.
Hosea looked up, waving over his friend. "You wanna go hunting?"
Arthur chuckled at the sight of the heavy-caliber weapon. "What are you hunting? An elephant?"
"I wish," Hosea replied, voice hoarse. "No, I saw a huge bear. One of the biggest I ever saw; I reckon nearly a thousand pounds."
"My god," Arthur shook his head. "You need me to come with you?"
"Of course, let's go!"
"Well, where are we heading exactly?"
"Up near the Dakota River," The older man explained. "Might take a few days though."
"I could do with a break from this place." Arthur pointed out, as he helped Hosea.
"Oh, me too. It's been a rough couple of weeks," Hosea replied. "You need anything?"
"I don't think so. Maybe another coat..." If they were going to the mountains, his current jacket would barely cover a caress from the wind.
"Alright, you go get what you need, I'll get the horses ready."
Arthur went to his tent to grab another coat and to talk with his son before leaving. Ethan was already awake, checking on his face in the broken mirror on the trunk.
"Hey."
"Pa," He replied, watching as his father grabbed another, much thicker coat. "You forget something at Colter?"
"Heh, you wish," Arthur snickered. "Hosea wants to go hunting near the Dakota River, says he saw a giant bear."
"Well, good luck with that." Ethan smirked.
"Nah, you best keep it - might need it." He winked.
Arthur smiled, watching as Ethan turned red with embarrassment.
"Ah, so–"
"I ain't no blind man."
Ethan quickly followed him, leaving his knife behind on the cot.
"Yeah, I know–" Ethan sighed, suddenly nervous. "What do you think I should do?"
Arthur paused, glancing over his shoulder, then continued his journey.
"I don't think I'm the best one for this," Arthur admitted, then lowered his voice "Women are complicated."
"Yeah, I guess so..." Ethan breathed.
It wasn't very helpful, but it was enough for someone who didn't express his feelings as much.
"How about I just stay out of this?" He questioned. "We've all been there, so you ain't alone - just gotta figure it out on your own."
That carte blanche - vague approval - was perhaps a little of what he could expect from his father.
"Yeah, thanks," Ethan replied. "So your horse…she anything like Boadicea?"
"Nah, she ain't like Boadicea, but she's all right," Arthur turned sad for a moment. "I miss her. She was quite the horse..."
"Kid," Hosea greeted, mounting his own horse.
"I'm not a kid anymore," Ethan huffed. "Have a good hunt, be safe."
"Oh, we'll try," Hosea waved his hand. "Good luck here."
"Yeah, thank you."
Arthur mounted his horse and tipped his hat in farewell. Ethan nodded, watching as Hosea and his father melted into the grove of trees that surrounded their camp.
…
After a quick trip to Valentine for supplies and settling some business, the pair traveled the mountain trails leading to the Dakota River. Along the way, memory and nostalgia returned to them as they recalled several of their former companions. Mac, Davey, Jenny and many others, who were no longer with them. These trips were meant to take away the stress and regret, not to reminisce.
"So...what's this lake we're heading for?"
"It's called O'Creagh's Run, up in the mountains east of Cumberland Falls. I just hope I can remember how to get there."
Arthur scoffed. "Back to the mountains, I sure didn't figure on that happening so soon."
"But this time, we're doing the chasing," Hosea pointed out. And after a long pause, following the meandering path with his gaze, he spoke again. "So, how are things with you and John?"
"Fine, I guess."
Arthur's tone of voice was something Hosea knew all too well.
"Ain't it about time you let it go now?
"It was a year, Hosea–" Arthur replied harshly. "He ditched us for a goddamn year."
"I've spoken to him many times. He knows he did wrong," Hosea sighed. "He just wants to put it all behind him now."
Arthur barked a laugh "There's a code and he knows that - he ain't Trelawny. Dutch, and you pretty much raised him. Even running off on that kid..."
"I know, but it's done and has been for a while now," Hosea reminded. "And anyway, you need to think about Ethan."
"What do you mean?"
"The kid accepted him almost instantly upon returning."
Arthur heaved a heavy sigh. "That don't count. They've always been close and you know it; they're family."
"Yes, family," Hosea insisted.
"So," He waved his hand. "Are we close…to the lake?"
Hosea let out a sharp, raspy laugh, taking note of how quickly Arthur changed the topic. He always did when he was uncomfortable
"It's a pond, Arthur; Moonstone Pond to be exact. And yes, we're almost there."
ETHAN'S POV
For Ethan, the morning was still young, and there was work to be done back at camp. Someone needed to tend to the animals, chop the firewood, and do whatever chores Miss Grimshaw was willing to create on the spot. No sooner did he have his cup of coffee, he went to work. Of course, everyone didn't have to work the same way; some folks, like Uncle, could go a good while without working. And others like Mrs. Adler had a good reason why, even weeks after getting off the mountain, she still couldn't keep up with the group. As Ethan finished chopping wood, he noticed off in the distance two figures sitting on the rocks. Upon further investigation, he saw Abigail comforting Sadie. The wounds in her mind caused by the O'Driscolls were still there, latent and open.
"I wish...they would have killed me too..." She said between sobs.
"I know..."
"I wish it every goddamn day."
Sadie's disconsolate mourning would turn into anger, only to turn into crying and pain once more. It was a vicious cycle on the path to healing.
"I know," Abigail repeated, hoping her words comforted the young widow.
"You know–" Sadie began, catching her breath amid her rage. "If I had any courage, if I wasn't so damn weak...I'd kill myself too."
Ethan's eyes widened, everything in him screamed to take her seriously. Abigail noticed that he was listening to them, and her eyes met his across the short distance.
He drew closer; cautiously.
"We both know it ain't true," Abigail insisted. "We both know that bravery is still living–"
Sadie turned her gaze to Abigail.
"I don't know you very well, but I can tell you are brave, Mrs. Adler. I really can."
"I don't seem very brave..."
"You are, Mrs. Adler," Ethan said from behind. "Everyday you prove it to yourself and everyone here."
Abigail smiled at Ethan, then looked back to Sadie. She looked at the young man she didn't know very well, with red and swollen eyes. His words were a source of comfort, but still not enough.
"I hope so...I really do..."
"I know so." Abigail nodded.
Moments later, she excused herself, figuring Sadie could use some time alone. She could sympathize - maybe not exactly, but she dealt with something close. Ethan turned away, headed over to the makeshift corral for the horses. Abigail soon caught up to him.
"I guess she's devastated," Ethan observed.
"Absolutely," Abigail breathed. "But everything I told her was true."
"I know you wouldn't lie to her." Ethan replied.
Abigail smiled. "What you said back there was real nice."
"I only told the truth, just like you."
"Where you headed to anyways?"
"Valentine."
"Why? Lookin' for another fight?"
"The law never caught us and I don't even think they bothered," He smirked. "Besides, I'm not going nowhere near the saloon. I'm picking up bounties."
"Bounty hunting, huh?" Abigail teased.
"Yeah, I need to do something to clear my head." Ethan said, pulling on his gloves.
"Oh, is this about Mary-Beth?"
Ethan rolled his eyes, pursing his lips slightly. "Not you too?"
Abigail laughed, as she caught the young cowboy at a crossroad. "I understand your situation."
"Oh, you do?"
Abigail nodded, "My first few weeks with John were pretty awkward. He wasn't good at the whole getting-to-know-women thing."
"Well if it makes you feel any better, John still isn't good at the whole getting-to-know-women thing," Ethan teased.
She snickered. "It gets easier with time."
Ethan nodded as he gripped the reins.
"Thanks for the advice, Abby."
Ethan gave her a nod of thanks, before trotting Gray through the canopy of trees.
…
Returning to that muddy cattle town was easy - Ethan felt more relaxed and focused this time. And as he turned the first and only corner, the Sheriff's office was waiting for him. Once Ethan tied Gray to the hitch out front, he walked up the three rickety stairs.
As he entered the small dusty building, the Sheriff was sitting at his desk off to the right, lounging in his chair with his feet propped.
"Well looky here, maybe this is our man?"
A Lawman across the room, with his rifle resting on his shoulder, narrowed his eyes .
"You a bounty hunter, son?
"Perhaps."
"I'm guessing you ain't here to pass the day–" The sheriff said, rising from his seat. "Turn yourself in or discuss the finer points of county law. Then I don't need to know much more than that, till I got a reason to."
As the man approached Ethan, something about him didn't sit right, but nevertheless, he remained calm and continued studying the man.
"This here's a livestock town, mister - attracts nothing but delinquents and reprobates. Now, I'm not one to pass a quick judgment, but I've been around long enough to know you don't hire a saint to catch a sinner. You bring me what I need…I won't ask no questions and I'll pay you well.
Even as he talked about the town's smell and how it attracted outlaws, he remained calm, even if it did make him feel slightly uneasy.
"Well what do you need?"
"Why don't you have a look at that poster," The sheriff said, pointing to the wall.
Ethan followed the sheriff's finger to the board on the wall, and took the wanted poster in hand.
"Benedict Allbright - looking to sell harmful substances as miracle medicine."
"He's a low-down huckster. He's been poisoning folk with his miracle cure from here to Annesburg," The lawman almost spat with contempt. "Damn, he killed more than Landon Ricketts without even pulling a trigger - gets some kind of sick satisfaction out of it."
Ethan nodded. "Any clue where I might find him?"
"A feller over at the saloon says he thought he saw him by the gorge straight just North of here. You think you can bring him in?"
"Is the money good?" Ethan asked.
"Good enough for a kid like you."
Ethan nodded and folded the poster. "Okay, I'll see what I can do."
Ethan left the building with one goal in mind. And as soon as he mounted his horse, he headed North, down the dusty trails that led to the distant groves, and mountains they'd wandered in the weeks prior. During his travels, he couldn't help but think of Hosea and his Pa, out there looking for a giant bear.
It seemed silly when he really thought about it, but nothing was ever silly or a joke when it came to Hosea. He was the serious one. And if he said there was a giant bear, there was a giant bear.….at least it would make for an interesting campfire story, he thought. He thought it was the same as tracking an animal; like a deer or rabbit. A deer that the law was paying $50 for and had killed a bunch of innocent people. So, maybe it wasn't the same thing.
After a couple hours of following the gorge, a small smoke stream rose near the river across a narrow, steep path. He was a bit uneasy and Gray was now too.
"Shhh, easy there boy." Ethan whispered, patting Gray's neck.
He saw the camp nearby and from what he could see, the man's attire was the same, specifically the glasses he was wearing. Ethan slid off Gray and led him across the narrow path, closer to camp.
"Are you Benedict Allbright?" Ethan questioned.
The man, neurotic and nervous, like a worried rat, looked up from his campfire.
"No, not me."
"You kinda look like him," Ethan countered, gripping his belt. "And I was told he'd be up here."
Allbrigth's suspicion was clear, and he soon became defensive. Ethan took another approach; be cautious.
"You see," He began, changing his tone. "I'm looking for Allbright because I want to buy medicine. Up there in them mountains, my Pa is laid up. I heard good things about him, and I can pay good - I can pay with gold. So, if you can help me find him?"
Allbright's eyes twinkled at the idea of what gold could provide him, and a smile found his face.
"Oh, well if that's the case, if you're looking for me to help a hard-working man from the mountains, I'll be only too glad to help you." Allbright turned, reaching for his bag. "I'm a healer, you know - a doctor, the best in the whole state."
"Yeah, so I heard..."
When Allbright turned, Ethan had drawn his revolver.
"What the?"
"Game's over. Put your hands up. I'm taking you in."
"Taking me in!?"
Ethan shrugged. "Apparently that stuff you're pushing is killing folk! Now I don't know, it ain't really my business, but I think someone should stop you."
"Come on, that's crap. I'm a healer."
Allbright tried to approach Ethan, but he cocked his gun. Allbright stopped abruptly and held up his hands.
"I've got an aura... I speak to spirits... I'm a scientist. Folks get real angry for no good reason...this...this is a mistake."
"Keep your hands up. If what you're saying is true, then they'll only want you for questioning."
"I have to insist that this is a mistake!" Allbright cried out, as he backed away from Ethan.
The man took a false step on the slippery slope, and slipped off the edge. "AH - Help!"
Ethan sighed, holstered his gun and hurried over. "Hold on!"
Startled and in between screams, Allbright stared at the void before him as Ethan lifted him back onto solid ground. The man felt safe, brushing the fear of him.
"You saved my life!" He laughed. "You saved my life!"
"Yeah well, come on, at least make this easy for me."
"Are you taking me in?"
"I told you. It's just for questioning," Ethan sighed, pointing his gun. "Come on, cut the drama."
"I'd be better off jumping!" Allbright spat.
"Wait! They clearly want you alive, so there's no need to kill yourself."
As the man threatened to jump, Ethan cautiously approached, begging for him to stop.
"Or what? You can't shoot me!"
Ethan quickly holstered his gun.
"Please, don't–"
"I'll take my chances." Allbright replied confidently.
"Come here!" Ethan shouted, rushing him.
"Bye, friend!"
A selfish Allbright jumped off the very cliff Ethan had just saved him from. He leaned over the edge, watching as the screaming man fell into the raging river below. The man was instantly swept away by the current.
"Dammit!" Ethan yelled. "I really do not like you. Come on, Gray!"
Ethan whistled for Gray and quickly mounted him, following Allbright down the gorge.
From a distance, he could hear Allbright's cries and pleas for help. A part of him was amused, but the other part was concerned. If this man died, he would not get the bounty. "Swim to the edge, or grab onto something! Look out, the rapids - hold your breath!"
The raging river had formed banks of sediment thick enough to keep the man from being swept that far out. At that moment, Ethan knew he had a chance. He quickly grabbed the rope tacked to his saddle, always close by just in case. As Allbright's head popped out of the water once more, Ethan tossed the rope, watching as it looped around the man, then gave a yank.
"Okay...now, come here," He ordered as he dragged the man out of the river. "Closer..."
Ethan pulled the man, who was kicking, splashing and screaming, out of the murky water. When he reached the shore, he tried to break free from his restraints, but Ethan took advantage of his exhaustion to bind his legs and wrists.
"Who made you God, friend?" Allbright spat. "Who made you judge?"
Ethan chuckled slightly "Heh, I'm only in it for the money,"
"That's even worse!"
Ethan hoisted the man over his shoulder and carried him over to Gray, where he placed him on the back and strapped him down. The hunt was over; all that remained was justice.
"I think I must be suffering from exposure," Allbright whimpered.
Ethan snorted. "Good for you, suffer a little longer."
He mounted Gray and turned him around, urging him into a steady canter.
"I seem to keep blacking out...oh boy, I must warn you, my temperature is subnormal."
"You seem fine to me."
"This isn't necessary," Allbright insisted. "I'm a medical man, a healer. It's all just a big mistake. I don't feel very well."
"Shut up!" Ethan spat
The ride back to Valentine brought a few quiet moments, where Ethan could contemplate the scenery and other moments, where Allbright wouldn't shut his mouth. However, when he got back to town and made his way to the Sheriff's office, he felt the peace he surrendered finally coming back to him. Upon entering the building, Ethan found the Sheriff talking to a hysterical woman. He turned, surprise etched all over his haggard face.
"Oh my lord," He breathed. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon. Uh, Mrs. Calthorpe was just leaving."
"Alright, fine...so where do you want him?"
The Sheriff pointed to the empty cell. Ethan nodded and carried the man, who must've weighed a ton, over. He dropped him on the ground, then backed away.
"There's been some terrible mistake," Allbright insisted, exasperated. "I never did it!"
"Well….good luck, partner." He smirked. "It's been real fun, thanks for the money."
"You ain't much of a man, kid."
Ethan ignored the man, as he approached the Sheriff. "So, how much was you offering?
"Fifty–" He reached into his desk and pulled out a wad of money. "Enjoy."
"Thank you," Ethan tipped his hat.
Ethan saw how much money he had and pocketed it. He figured he could stop by the general store, buy some ammo, oil, or why not a good steak at the cantina. Obviously he would donate some to the camp when he returned, but he would have the luxury of walking around a bit before leaving. He deserved it, after all.
…
It was true that wonderful people could be found in the cow town of Valentine, sometimes people with a tragic past and possibly a tragic present. In a warm and cozy house on the outskirts of town, a woman with a solemn look on her face and many negative thoughts in her head was preparing to write a letter.
Writing a letter was never an easy task, especially when it was regarding someone of her past. Beyond knowing what she wanted to write, she had to think long and hard about the person to whom it was addressed to. She hesitated for a while, not knowing how to begin the letter or how to even continue it.
She looked out the window one last time before pressing the tip of the fountain pen against the paper. She took her time, but in the end when the letter was complete, only a few words laden with sentiment needed to be included.
"To Ethan, my Dearest Son."
