AN:I blame college and work, if you have suggestions on how to inprove then do. If you have questions and they won't spoil anything I will consider answering.

May 12th

The smell of sizzling deer meat and smoke is what I first smelled when I woke up, followed by the crackling of a fire. I drank a few beers last night to help relax and fall asleep.

I leaned up onto my elbow, my head brushing the tarp that covered the wagon. Sleep was still fighting with my eyes as I yawned and rubbed them. I slid my blanket off of me and I groaned as I started to slide out the wagon. I sat at the edge of the wagon and looked out. There was just enough light to see which meant the sun had not even peeked over the horizon yet.

I looked beside the wagon and saw Bill, Javier, Reverend Swanson, and Strauss still asleep. Charles and Lenny's beds were empty.

I jumped down and picked up my boots, turning them over and making sure nothing was in them before slipping them on. I reached into the back of the wagon and pulled out my gun belt and swung it around my hips before tightening it.

I needed to take a bath soon. It had already been 2 days since my last one and while that may have not been long for others, that was way too long for me.

I walked around the makeshift tent and towards the crackling fire. Hosea sat beside it with a few pieces of meat hung over the fire by a small grate held up by two rocks on either side of the fire.

He looked up as I approached, "Reckon we're the only ones up right about now."

I looked around to see that he was right, the camp was dead silent other than the fire, meat, and birds that chirped around us.

I nodded, "Yeah. So when we headin' out," I asked setting down on a log beside the fire.

Hosea smiled, what for I had no idea.

"Soon Andrew," he said, flipping the meat with a fork.

A crunch behind me caused me to turn, Charles was walking up a Carbine repeater in his hands.

"Anything," Hosea asked, glancing between the meat and the dark skinned man.

Charles shook his head, "Nothing. I'm getting a bite then heading back out."

"You got patrol," I asked, looking up.

Charles grabbed a piece of meat off the plate beside the fire and took a bite while nodding.

Surprisingly Dutch hadn't asked me to do that yet, wanting to know why I asked Hosea.

The old man shrugged, "My best guess is, he wants to see what you can do out there. To prove yourself to him I guess."

I nodded, it made sense, especially since that seemed like the type of guy that Dutch was.

"Should almost be done. Want some coffee," Hosea asked, setting the fork down and grabbing the pot and cup.

I nodded and held my hand out as he poured a cup, steam rising up from it.

I took a sip, the coffee burning my lip and tongue slightly. I sighed at the bitter taste I was starting to like.

I closed my eyes, the smell of the coffee and the smoke and meat coupled with the sounds of the birds in the trees, it reminded me of when I used to go camping at home.

Home.

I missed it, I missed my brother and my mom. I missed my friends. I missed all of it, even if I didn't like it at times it was still home.

"You alright there son," Hosea asked.

I opened my eyes to look at Hosea, he had a look of slight concern on his face.

"Yeah, why?"

"You looked peaceful and then you looked like you thought of something awful," Hosea said, taking up the last bit of the meat.

I shook my head, "I'm fine, just remembered something from a while ago."

Hosea glanced at me as he handed me a plate with a few pieces of meat on it, "If you say so. Just remember, we're a family here. If you need to talk you'll find someone."

I nodded and took a bite of the deer meat.

"First things first, we need to get you a horse," Hosea said, climbing onto Silver Dollar with me behind him.

"What kind," I asked as we started out onto the trail leading out to the road.

"Well it depends on your preference," Hosea said, ducking under a branch, "Do you want a War horse? Maybe a Work? Race? It's up to you. As long as it's reasonably priced that is."

I looked towards the slowly rising sun and smiled, basking in it.

"Are you planning on heading out once you got yourself a horse," Hosea asked as we passed a fellow rider.

I nodded, "Yeah. Thinking I might try to cozy up to somebody in a saloon and find something."

Hosea nodded and chuckled, "That's a good place to start. I'm pretty sure Bill, Javier, and Charles are coming in later on today. They're probably gonna be doing the same thing."

We slowed to a stop and I leaned over to look. Valentine lay before us, the streets showing early morning life.

A corral lay in front of the town, no doubt for the livestock Hosea said this town was known for.

We started forward once more, men were up and starting their chores and jobs alongside a kid or a woman every now and then.

We followed the road that led us to the stables and main street.

"Actually let's head to the store first. I need to pick up a few things and I wanna make sure you don't get any money taken other than what a horse is worth," Hosea said as we turned onto main street and slowed to a stop in front of the general store.

"Come on," said the older man climbing down and stepping up onto the porch.

I climbed down and followed after him, looking around at the town. I had never seen a town like this other than from westerns.

"Mornin' fellers," said the storekeeper.

"Mornin'. I need some coffee, some beans, a few spices, and some other things," Hosea said, walking up to the storekeeper, while holding out a list.

The man nodded and walked around the counter before showing Hosea where the things were at. I looked over at a hat rack located in the corner next to the counter.

One caught my eye and I grabbed it. It was dark brown with a flat rounded top along with the brim being flat other than the front and back being bent slightly in either direction. It had a black band with oval silver, what looked like belt buckles almost, circling the top.

I set it on my head and the cord to keep it from falling off fell to rest a few inches below my chin, it fit nicely. Not too snug, but just enough to where I doubted it would fly off easily.

"That's eight dollars and thirty five cents if you're interested," the storekeeper said, looking from me to the bag that held the things Hosea ordered.

I looked towards the older man and he nodded with a grin. I pulled out the twenty dollars Charles gave me yesterday.

"Was wondering if you have a bow and some arrows," I asked as I walked over.

The man nodded before reaching behind him, "I don't normally sell these but Mister Dalton said he only sells guns," he said, pulling a bow out.

I grabbed the bow and pulled the string back, it didn't snap but gave a nice twang. The handle fit into my palm easily.

"How many arrows?"

"Ten to fifteen," I answered, setting the bow on the counter next to the bags.

The man turned and pulled out a handful before turning back and pulling out a quiver.

"Since you're the first one who's buying a bow I'll throw this in for free," he said with a grin.

I smiled as he slid the arrows into the quiver before handing them over. I did a quick count of the arrows and counted fifteen.

"Alright, twenty four dollars and eighty nine cents for you," the man said, turning towards Hosea.

The older man pulled out the money and handed it over before grabbing the bags and heading out.

"And yours is eighteen dollars and fifty five cents."

I handed him the money before grabbing the quiver and throwing it over my shoulder. I grabbed the bow before nodding to the storekeeper and walking out.

"You wanna head to the stables or the saloon," Hosea asked as I walked out, stuffing the bags into Silver Dollar's saddlebags.

I looked towards the stables to see a few men in there, either buying or selling horses.

"Let's head to the saloon for a minute. It looks like the stables are busy anyway," I answered pointing.

Hosea turned and looked before nodding, "Might as well see if we can't find anything while we wait."

I stepped down onto the muddy street and walked over to Silver Dollar before sliding the bow and quiver into the other saddlebag that wasn't being used.

Hosea stood by the doors waiting for me. "Remember, don't get drunk. We need clear heads and don't want to attract attention."

I nodded, Hosea turned and walked in with me close behind.

The saloon was rather active for such an early hour. It was no later than 9, or 10 at the most.

"Bartender, a whiskey for me and my friend," Hosea said as we walked toward the bar.

The man nodded and set down two shot glasses on the bar before reaching under the counter and grabbing a bottle.

"You new in town," he asked, filling the shot glasses.

Hosea nodded, "Indeed we are. Came down from up north with a bunch of folk. Shut down the factory we were working at. Terrible thing, terrible."

The bartender nodded as he turned to me, "I've met you before. You came through a few weeks back tied up on a horse."

I froze for a split second before slowly nodding, "O'Driscoll's," I answered simply.

The bartender nodded, "Well, hope you took care of'em."

I nodded as Hosea and I knocked back the whiskey. It burned going down but warmed me up almost instantly.

"Indeed we did, my friend," Hosea said, putting the shot glass back on the counter.

I cleared my throat before setting mine back down.

"Do you know of any job opportunities here," Hosea asked, sliding another two quarters down on the counter.

The bartender grabbed it while nodding, "Sure. There's some bounties at the sheriff's office, Amos can always use the extra help down at the stables, and Mister Schneider has been asking for somebody to run night patrols up at Sunrise Farm."

Hosea nodded, as he knocked back another shot glass. "Thank you sir. That information is very much appreciated. Come on Andrew," Hosea said, patting my shoulder as he walked towards the door. I finished off my glass before following after the older man.

"Hey you," called a voice as a chair scraped against the floor.

I turned my head at the slightly familiar voice. Wasn't that one of the guys who tried robbing me yesterday?

"Remember me? You remember me asshole," asked the voice as footsteps headed in my direction.

Hosea gave me a questioning look as I turned towards the man.

As I suspected it was one of the men that had tried to rob me yesterday. The man was obviously drunk as he was slurring his words and he was stumbling towards me.

"Yeah I remember you," I said vaguely, not giving anything away.

"Yeah? Well, d'you remember what you did to Jeb's face?!"

The man was leaning up into my face, his face was flushed from the alcohol and his greasy hair hung limply.

"I do. I also remember two guns pointed at my face yesterday. So from my point of view, he had it coming," I answered, anger seeping into my voice.

"Now let's calm down and all get a-," Hosea began but stopped once the man swung at my head.

I ducked, unfortunately not fast enough as he clipped my temple, I stumbled for a second before shoving him back. The man stumbled for a second before tripping over his own feet and fell backwards into the post in the middle of the room. As soon as he hit his head he slumped and didn't move. I rubbed my head where I was hit, as the bartender checked up on the man.

"You okay," Hosea asked, checking my head.

I nodded as I rubbed where there would undoubtedly be a bruise, "Yeah I'm fine."

"Then next time you tell us if you had people threatening or trying to rob you. Because they may have brought others to kill you when none of us were around," Hosea said, in a reprimanding but also fatherly way.

I nodded once more, "I understand."

Hosea nodded, "Good," he walked over to the counter once more. "For your trouble," he said, sliding another quarter onto the counter.

I scratched my whiskers as Hosea walked outside with me right behind him.

"They're not so busy now, come on. Let's get you a horse," Hosea said, as we walked towards the stables.

Several hands, or whatever they were called, were carrying bales of hay around to feed the horses.

"Morning gentlemen, can anyone give me the whereabouts of the owner of this fine stable," Hosea asked.

"That would be me," said a man with a gigantic mustache, "Amos Levi," he said, shaking Hosea's and then my hand.

"James Fenway and Aiden Bridger," Hosea said, gesturing towards each of us as he said the names.

"Nice to meet you both. So, buying or selling?"

"Buying. Young Aiden here needs a horse. Been looking for one ever since old Brock keeled over," Hosea said.

"Alright, so what you looking for," Amos asked, turning to me.

"Any big ones, preferably a War though," I answered.

Amos nodded, "Alright well you're in luck we have three at the moment," he said leading us to some stalls in the back.

"These all are Ardennes, known for their good health, stamina. They have decent speed and are known to not get scared. So? Which one has your fancy?"

One had a reddish tinge to its coat with a mohawk like mane, another had a tan coat with a braided mane, and the last one had a pure black coat with a small white ring on its forehead.

I walked up to the red coated horse and stroked it's neck. The horse turned it's head and grabbed my hat before pushing it off my head. I rested my hand and it's nose and it looked at me as if it wanted me to buy it.

I grinned as I put my hat back on my head and turned towards the older men, "This is the one."

Amos nodded, "This is a fine specimen. And I'm only asking for two hundred. Fifty dollars more and I'll throw in everything you need."

I turned towards Hosea, "I reckon we can do that," he said as he reached into his pocket and started to count the money.

A stable hand put a bridle on the horse and led it out of the pen.

"Here hold this while I put the saddle on," said the man holding the lead out to me.

I grabbed it and stroked its neck as the hand strapped up the saddle. The saddle was dark brown with a light brown blanket underneath to keep the horse from being chafed, along with some black saddlebags and a silver horn.

"Alright, it's set," said the hand, as he backed up.

I threw the lead over the horse's head and put my foot in the silver stirrup before lifting myself up. The height from atop the horse was something different from what I was used to.

"So how's it feel," Amos asked as he and Hosea walked over, "Here's the papers."

"Little higher than I'm used to but I like it," I said as I took the papers and folded them before sliding them into my pocket.

"That's how it usually goes, here. I got a brush and some snacks for him," said Amos as he put the brush and snacks in the saddlebags.

"Pleasure doing business with you," I said, grabbing an oat cake out of the saddlebag and feeding it to the horse.

Amos tipped his hat as Hosea and I started towards the store to collect Silver Dollar.

"Now that you have a horse you won't be having to borrow everyone else's," Hosea said with a smile.

I chuckled and shook my head, "I was tired of asking for it."

"Here," Hosea said, grabbing the arrows out of his saddlebag and sticking them in mine.

"Where to now," I asked as Hosea climbed on top of Silver Dollar.

"First what's his name," Hosea asked, gesturing towards the horse as he turned to me.

I looked down and patted my horse's neck, "Quinton."

Hosea tilted his head slightly, "Why that name?"

I grinned, "I had an uncle that was always really nice to me named that."

Hosea nodded, "I like it. Now come on, as much as I love scamming people, honest work never hurt no one."

I laughed as I clicked Quinton after Hosea and Silver Dollar.

"So where are we headed," I asked as we exited to the north of Valentine.

"See if we can find Sunrise Farm. It's easy money for legitimate business. I also got the directions from the stable owner," Hosea explained as we came around a corner.

"What about after we find the farm?"

"We can do a little bit of hunting and then head back towards camp," Hosea answered as I came up alongside him.

I nodded, "Sounds good."

Hosea slowed down as we came to a turn in the road.

"There it is," he said, turning towards a small road clouded by trees.

We turned our horses onto the road and slowly made our way down the long road, bushes occasionally littering the side of it.

"Farms pretty big, which means the owner might be willing to pay more than usual," Hosea said as we came to the end of the road.

"I hope so," I muttered as I looked around.

The farm had a field with cows and horses mixed together on the right with different crops planted on the left.

"There's a worker, maybe they know where this Mister Schneider is," Hosea said as he climbed off Silver Dollar and tethered him to a hitch post in front of the house.

I climbed off of Quinton and did the same before following after Hosea. The worker was picking something from one of the plants.

"Excuse me sir? Would you mind telling us where we can find Mister Schneider," Hosea asked as we came upon him.

The man stopped and turned, "Sure thing. Schneider's usually in his office doing paperwork right 'bout now," he said pointing towards the main house.

"Where about inside," I asked, stepping beside Hosea.

"You walk in and take a left at a hallway then it's on your left."

Hosea nodded as he turned away, "Thank ya kindly."

I tipped my hat before following Hosea inside where we were told it was.

The house was obviously of somebody who had money but didn't go out of their way to prove it. We came to a stop at the door before Hosea knocked.

"Come in," called a deep, almost raspy voice.

Hosea opened the door and we stepped in. Schneider was almost fully white headed with silver mixed in along a big curled moustache. He looked up from the papers he was holding, his glasses lying just below his eyes.

"Saw you two ride up," he said going back to reading the papers, "Anything I can do for ya?"

"Just heard that you were looking for some people to run night patrols," Hosea answered.

Schneider put the papers down while taking off his glasses, "John Schneider. Pleasure to meet you both," he said, standing up to shake our hands.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing to the chairs in front of us.

"You're right, I'm looking for some people to run patrols. How much are you wanting," Schneider asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"How much are you paying," Hosea countered.

Schneider grinned, "Six dollars a night from ten to five, for each person. Sometimes the time might change though."

"How about a dollar an hour," Hosea asked.

Schneider paused before nodding, "That sounds good. I'll need at least another week or so, I have some hands running it right now. But I assume it'll be you two," Schneider asked looking from Hosea to me.

"It'll more than likely be me and another friend of mine," I answered.

Schneider nodded, "Alright, I look forward to seeing how you do."

Hosea and I stood up and shook Schneider's hand before walking out.

"I like the man. He seems decent even if he obviously has money," I said as we walked outside.

"Most people who have money come off like that the first time you meet them then you start to see the blackness underneath later on. Although there are some good ones occasionally," Hosea said as we started back down the road.

I looked up as I saw shadow pass overhead, a bald eagle was slowly flying across the opening of the road.

"So you wanna do a little bit of hunting or head back to camp," Hosea said as we stopped at the entrance to the farm.

"Let's go hunting. I wanna try my bow out," I answered.

Hosea nodded before pulling out a...what looked like an Evans Repeater.

"There's a spot I know further up in Cumberland Forest that always has nice game," Hosea said, turning further away from Valentine.

We spurred the horses into a canter as we followed the road for a well.

"Here, let's turn off the track and head towards the river some," Hosea said as turned towards the trees.

I climbed off of Quinton as we came to a stop at the treeline beside the water.

"Probably best if we separate, let me go first since mine won't scare off animals with the noise," I said, putting the arrows in the quiver and putting the quiver on my shoulder.

Hosea nodded, "I'll wait here until you get back."

"I shouldn't be long," I said, spotting some newer tracks by the bank; they didn't look older than an hour or so.

I slowly followed the tracks by the bank before they eventually led me away from the bank and to a small clearing in the trees. A doe stood in the clearing with a buck and another two does a little ways away from her.

I notched an arrow and drew the string back, almost to my eye as I slowed my breathing and steadied my hand.

I took a deep breath in and slowly let it out as the arrow flew into the chest of the doe.

The doe jumped up and dashed away, the other deer just a split second behind.

I stood up and slung the bow over my shoulder before walking to where I last saw the doe. I followed the blood trail through a patch of trees and into another clearing before coming upon the doe laying on her side, the arrow sticking out of her side.

I grabbed the arrow shaft as close to the head as I could before pulling it out slowly.

I wiped the blood on my jeans before sticking the arrow in my quiver before bending down and throwing the doe over my shoulder with a grunt.

I turned back the way I came and started walking albeit slower than before.

"Good job, she's got some good meat on her," Hosea said as I threw the doe over the back of Quinton.

He snorted and started kicking his feet from the smell of blood.

"Whoa boy! Whoa! Easy! Easy! Easy," I said, grabbing his lead and rubbing his nose.

Quinton slowly calmed down as I shushed him and pet him on his nose and neck.

"Do you mind tying the doe to the saddle," I asked, rubbing Quinton's neck.

"Sure," Hosea said, doing as I asked.

Quinton turned his head and looked at me before snapping his head towards me and knocking my hat off.

I laughed as he snorted and stomped at the ground.

"Alright all done," Hosea said, backing off.

"Thanks," I said, giving Quinton one last pat before climbing into the saddle and putting the quiver of arrows into one of the saddlebags.

"How about you go ahead and head to camp," Hosea suggested.

"You sure," I asked, turning towards the older man.

Hosea nodded, "Sure, I don't know how long it'll take for me to find something and I don't want that deer going bad."

I nodded, "Okay, if you think so."

I spurred Quinton into a trot towards the main road. I looked around at the nature around me. It still was surprising at times that this was real.

"Oh what's this? I recognize ya! Ya one of Dutch's new mongrels," called a voice ahead of me.

I looked up to see three men stop around thirty feet ahead of me. All were wearing something with green on them.

"And I feel as if I'm not wrong by saying you're an O'Driscoll," I called back.

"Ah look you actually got part of a brain unlike the other 'family' you have," called one of them.

I slowly put my hand around the grip of my Cattleman.

"And you three have no brain between ya," I called back as I brought my gun up and got two quick shots off. One bullet hitting the one on the left and the other missing entirely.

I spurred Quinton into the treeline off the road and jumped off once we were into it. I backed up against a tree and stepped around before firing another two shots. One hit an O'Driscoll off its horse but his foot was still caught in the stirrup as he yelled for his horse to stop and the other missed.

I ran behind another tree as a bullet hit a tree right in front of my face. I flinched as bullets continued to hit the tree I was hiding behind, chips of bark flying off steadily.

"Why is there so goddamn O'Driscoll's here," I asked, angrily.

A break in the bullets allowed me enough time to fire off my last two shots in the direction where the shots had come from. I started to reload as I heard a yell.

"Come here ya bastard," yelled one of the O'Driscoll's as I was tackled. The Cattleman flew out of my hand and landed a few feet away.

"Bastard, I'll cut your fucking throat," he yelled as he grabbed my hair and slammed my head into a root.

I yelled in pain from my hair being pulled and my head being hit, before kneeing the O'Driscoll in the stomach and throwing him off of me.

I leapt over to him and swung at his face but barely managed to knock his jaw. He grunted before jerking me forward into his head, I tasted blood in my mouth. Due to me being stunned he grabbed me and rolled us over to where he was on top he swung a fist into my gut knocking the air out of my lungs.

A gunshot rang out of the trees the O'Driscoll froze for a second while letting out a gasp. I grabbed the O'Driscoll and spun him around while wrapping my arm around his neck and my legs around his torso.

He grabbed my arm and tried to pull it away but his strength was obviously fading as the minutes went on and eventually he went limp, I threw him off of me and took a sharp breath.

"You good," Hosea asked as he led Quinton back over to the tree line.

I nodded, "Ye...yeah."

I slowly sat up with a grunt, I looked around before spotting my bow and Cattleman. I slowly climbed to my feet and grabbed my weapons. I put my finger to my lips and jerked back as I let out a hiss.

"How bad is it," Hosea asked as he grabbed my chin and bent my head down, "Should get one of the girls to rub some alcohol in it. It's pretty bad."

Hosea dusted my back off as I reached down and searched the O'Driscoll for any valuables. I found a gold ring, along with some revolver and repeater bullets.

"I already checked the other two, nothing special," Hosea said as he climbed back onto Silver Dollar.

I climbed back onto Quinton as I dusted my hat off, "Did you find anything before you came to my rescue?"

Hosea chuckled, "Just a rabbit," he said, gesturing to the animal that hung from his saddle.

I put my hat back on as we started back towards camp. I groaned with every bounce, I must have hurt my hip more than I thought.

Thankfully we didn't have anything else eventful happen on the way back to camp.

"Who's there," called Javier from the entrance to the camp.

"Just us Javier," Hosea called as we passed by him.

"You don't look so good amigo," he said once he saw me.

"Don't feel that good either," I said with a grin before hissing as that stretched my split lip.

"Reckon we'll have a pretty good dinner tonight," Hosea said as we came to a stop at the hitching post.

"Hopefully. Pearson isn't as bad as everybody says he is," I said as I climbed down off of Quinton and started to untie the doe.

"I agree. But we'll keep that between us," Hosea said as he finished untying the rabbit.

I laughed and shook my head as I finished untying the doe and threw her over my shoulder. The two of us walked over to Pearson's chuck wagon.

"Ah Mister Matthews, Mister Booker! I see you two have found something for me," Pearson said as Hosea laid the rabbit on the table and I laid the deer on the ground.

"Indeed we did," Hosea said before walking away.

"Ya know Mister Booker, another deer could probably be enough to get your own satchel," Pearson said as he began cutting up the rabbit.

I nodded, "I'll be sure to do that soon."

I walked away towards the campfire where a pot of stew lay waiting. I grabbed a bowl and spoon before pouring me some.

"Jesus kid. You look like you got in a fight with a bear," Uncle said as he walked up to the fire.

"Yeah, kinda feel like it," I answered between bites.

"See you gents later," Uncle said as he walked away, a beer bottle now in his hands.

I finished the soup and smacked my lips in satisfaction before groaning as that hurt my lip. I walked over and sat the bowl down with the other dirty dishes. I felt my lip and grimaced at the pain before walking over to where I saw the girls.

"What happened to you," Karen asked as she took a drag of a cigarette.

"O'Driscoll's," I answered, "Hosea said I should come to y'all to see how bad it is," I said, gesturing towards my lip.

"Let me take a look," Mary-Beth said, taking my chin in her hand and tilting my head down.

"Yeah, you'll need stitches," Mary-Beth said with a sympathetic look, "Tilly would you-."

"Needle, string, and alcohol coming right up," Tilly said as she walked to the medical weapon.

I overheard Arthur talking to Uncle near the front of the camp. Tilly came back carrying what was needed.

"I can take care of it," Tilly said to Mary-Beth as she set the things down beside me.

"If you're gonna take the old man into town...could you take us too," Karen asked.

Tilly wet a drag with some alcohol, "This'll sting," she said, grabbing my chin as she pressed the rag down.

I hissed and tried jerking back only for Tilly to keep me in place.

"Why what you got planned," Arthur asked, lighting a cigarette.

"Nothing. Just taking care Andrew," Karen said pointing towards me.

"What happened to you kid," Arthur asked, while taking a drag.

"O'Driscoll's."

"Hmph," Arthur nodded."

"We're bored out of our minds here Arthur. Karen's about ready to murder Grimshaw," Mary-Beth said.

"This is gonna hurt," Tilly said as she finished setting up the needle and string.

"I know," I said as she began, I let out a muffled groan.

She gave me a sympathetic look, "Sorry," she muttered.

"Can Grimshaw spare you," Arthur asked.

"'Can Grimshaw spare you?' What happened to you Arthur? Three young healthy women want you to take'em a robbin' and your worried about house chores? Let's go," Karen retorted.

Arthur shook his head with a hint of a smile, "Fair enough. You got me. Once Miss Tilly and Andrew get done we'll go."

I let out a muffled chuckle at that while Tilly seemed to blush.

"You gonna come with kid," Arthur asked as Mary-Beth and Karen climbed into the back of the wagon.

I held up a thumbs up as Tilly finished up.

"There...all done," Tilly said as she cut the string.

I put my finger to my lip to feel only for my hand to get smacked back down.

"Leave it alone," Tilly said in a reprimanding tone, as she held a finger out to me.

"Yes ma'am," I said chuckling, while giving her a mocking salute.

She shook her head and climbed in while I walked over to Quinton and climbed on.

"See ya got a horse," Arthur said as I turned Quinton towards the wagon.

"What's its name," Mary-Beth asked.

"Quinton," I answered as Arthur started forward in the wagon.

"Take a left when you get out of the trees," Uncle instructed Arthur.

We got on the road and continued on slowly.

"Ladies, sing us a song," Uncle asked.

"I got a girl in Berryville, can't be screwed cause she's too damn ill. So I don't go down there no more…," the girls sang.

"Just follow me, I know where to go," I said as we reached an intersection.

"There's a blue horse lays outside her door. I got a girl in Valentine... likes to drink that fancy wine. Plumes in her hat was two feet tall... the crack in her pants paid for it all. I got a girl in Berryville... Can't get it in her cause she won't stay still. She kicks and squeals and farts and hollers. Won't take less than seven dollars."

A coach in front of us started swerving over the road.

"Look at that coach," Uncle said as the girls continued to sing.

The coach's horses got loose and a white one bolted from the coach.

The driver was cursing up a storm as they slowed to a stop.

"Is one of you gonna get that feller's horse," Tilly asked.

"I got Lumbago! I-it's a very serious condition," Uncle protested.

"I'll help'em," I said clicking Quinton forward.

"Hey. You need some help," I asked as I climbed down off of Quinton.

"Oh yes sir. If-if you wouldn't mind, it's that one over there," the man said pointing towards the white one.

I turned and started walking towards the horse while the man went to grab the other one.

The horse weighed when it saw me, "Shh. It's okay. It's okay. Shh."

It knickered but still stayed away from me, "It'll be okay. I promise. It's okay. It's okay."

The horse calmed down enough for me to grab it's lead and lead it back to the man.

The girls cheered as I brought it back.

"Here you go," I said as I tied it's lead to the coach.

"You're a gentleman sir. A gentleman," the man said with a smile.

I patted the horse's neck one more time, "I don't know about that."

"Well, regardless, thank you."

I nodded, "Sure thing," I said, climbing back onto Quinton.

"C'mon let's go," Uncle said.

"To Valentine," Karen continued.

"You sure you should be in a gang of thieves and cutthroats when you're doing things like that kid," Uncle asked with a grin.

"Haha. Very funny," I said with a mocking laugh.

"It just means you have a heart," Mary-Beth countered, "Maybe you'll be like that always. And you won't you repulsive lizard!"

"Lizards have hearts," Uncle defended.

The group fell silent until we reached the corral where a herd of sheep was being loaded.

"Ooh, smell those sheep," Tilly said grimacing.

Karen chuckled, "Or is that Uncle?"

"Very funny."

We neared main street the place now buzzing sometime after lunch.

"This looks like a decent little town," Mary-Beth said with approval.

"Other people...finally," Tilly said, looking around at the people doing random jobs.

"Look at all that snow on the mountains," Mary-Beth remarked, "Sure am glad we ain't still up there."

"Do you think we should have asked Molly to come with us," Tilly asked.

Karen scoffed, "Oh no. Miss O'Shea is far too high and mighty for the likes of us...she's a society lady now."

We turned onto the main street where it was full of busy people.

"Okay, take a good look ladies. Let's find something good," Karen said.

"Sheriff's office on the right, sure you could find some bounties there Arthur," Uncle remarked.

"Heaven forbid you put your neck on the line," Arthur retorted.

Uncle chuckled, "That's a young man's game."

"We can definitely find some mischief here," Karen said excitedly.

"Just remember to keep a low profile," Arthur said as we came to a stop.

"Will you remember that though," Karen asked.

Arthur shrugged, "Probably not."

We came to a stop near the stables and the group started to climb out.

"Uncle what are we doing," Arthur asked.

"We're gonna do what any self-respecting maniac does...put the women to work," Uncle said as he climbed down.

"With pleasure, we'll start at the saloon," Karen said as I climbed off of Quinton and tied him to the wagon.

"Okay...just stay out of trouble and don't get noticed," Arthur said as the girls started to walk away.

"Come on ladies...imagine we're in Paris," Karen remarked.

"I imagine Valentine and Paris are easily confused," Tilly teased.

The three of us started towards the general store.

"So, that's how you see yourself is it? A maniac," Arthur asked.

"Well, in my youth I used to be known as the One-Shot Kid," Uncle replied.

"How does that have anything to do with being a maniac," I asked.

"Probably best if we don't know, kid," Arthur said.

"You're a sad man Arthur Morgan, but I know you love me," Uncle said grinning.

"Obviously. You're my favorite parasite. No...ringworms are my favorite parasite. You're my second favorite parasite," Arthur said grinning.

"Very funny," Uncle retorted.

"I lied. Ringworm, then rat's with the plague, then you."

Uncle turned towards him, "Shut up."

"Hello," said the shopkeeper.

"So what do you need," I asked as we walked in.

"A drop of whiskey for a start, something to pass the time while we're waiting on the women," Uncle replied looking around.

"Always thinking ahead ain't you," Arthur said, shaking his head.

"Why don't you pick out a cigar, Arthur? A cigar always focuses the mind, I find," Uncle said.

"What are you saying?"

"Well you seem a little scattered, Arthur. Trust Old Uncle."

"Whiskeys on the top shelf. Nearest the door," said the shopkeeper.

"I'll be outside when you get done," Uncle said, paying the shopkeeper.

I followed outside as I had nothing to do. I sat down beside Uncle on a bench in front of the general store.

Uncle took a swig before handing to me, "To your long career in thievery."

I shook my head with a grin and took a swig. Arthur came out and sat down beside me.

"It's a funny world. By this time in my life I pictured myself a wealthy man," Uncle remarked as Arthur took a swig and handed the bottle to Uncle.

Time passed with us mostly being silent, Arthur either took a nap or just closed his eyes while Uncle continued to drink from his bottle.

An hour or so passed before the silence was interrupted, "Gentlemen. I think I got something good," Mary-Beth said walking up to us.

I nudged Arthur awake as I sat up along with the other two.

"I snuck into this fancy house and acted like a servant girl, usually works. Someone was saying her sister was taking a trip, from New York or someplace. Train full of rich tourists, heading to Saint Denis, and then cruising off to Brazil," Mary-Beth said excitedly.

Arthur shrugged indifferently, "So?"

"A train laden with baggage and passing through a bit of deserted country at night...as to get to the docks in time for the tides, in some place called Scarlett Meadows."

"Yeah. I know. Yeah, it's real quiet out there," Uncle said, stroking his beard.

Arthur nodded, "Sounds good. Might look into it but where's Tilly and Karen?"

"I think at the hotel, they were picking up some drunken fellers they was gonna rob," Mary-Beth answered.

Arthur turned towards her, "Why?"

Mary-Beth shrugged, "Seemed easy."

She turned towards the rest of the town, "They have been gone quite a while."

Arthur sighed, "Kid help me look for them."

Mary-Beth pointed across the street, "There's Tilly over there."

A man was roughly pulling her into an alleyway.

"That does not look ideal."

"I'll handle that, Arthur. You find Karen," I said as I stepped down into the street.

"You thought I wouldn't find you Tilly," the man asked angrily.

Why does he know her?

"You can go kiss a damn snake for all I care, get off me," she said, fighting back.

"Hey! Get your hands off her," I called, stopping a few feet from them.

The man pinned Tilly to the wall as he turned towards me.

"Who're you," he asked.

"A friend of mine," Tilly answered, her breathing ragged.

"Let her go now," I said, squaring my feet.

"Or what?"

"I'm okay with dying. Are you," I asked, my voice quiet.

The man slowly pulled his arm off of Tilly and backed up, "I'll find you again Tilly Jackson."

The man turned and walked away, the two of us watching him go until he went behind the back of the building.

"Come on, hopefully Arthur's got Karen," I said as I wrapped my arm around Tilly and led her to the others.

Karen and Arthur were walking over at the same time.

"You okay," Tilly asked Karen.

Karen nodded, holding her jaw, "Sure. He only punched me, Arthur punched him a lot harder."

Mary-Beth looked past us, "Hey, who's that feller looking at us."

All of us turned to see a man on a horse across the street.

"Weren't you in Blackwater a few weeks back," the man asked, pointing at Arthur.

Arthur shook his head, "Me? No, sir. Ain't from there."

The man nodded, "Oh, you were. Well, I definitely saw you. With a bunch of fellers."

Arthur looked back at us, "Me? No, impossible."

Arthur turned and started to walk towards the man. "Listen buddy, come here."

The man turned his horse and started to gallop away.

Arthur turned towards us, "I don't like this," Uncle said.

Arthur nodded, "Me neither. Get the girls home. I'm gonna go have a word with our friend."

He ran over to an untethered horse and turned it towards the direction the stranger had gone.

"Be careful Arthur," Tilly called.

"Just a word," Arthur called back.

We watched him go until we couldn't see him any more.

"Come on, best get back to camp before anybody else is recognized," I said as I walked up to Quinton and untied him.

Uncle climbed into the driver's seat and turned the wagon to the road leading out of Valentine.

We started out definitely not in the same mood as we had coming into the town.

"Maybe we'll find something from what you girls found. Definitely could use it," I said trotting alongside the wagon.

The rest of the ride was silent other than some murmuring from the girls.

It was only late afternoon when we got back but I was tired enough to just fall asleep and so I did.