The horses trotted excitedly through the snow and blizzard, snowflakes falling softly in the foggy and cold air, the only thing that was clear in that air was a thick smoke that could be seen from behind a hill. A little down from Lake Isabella was the O'Driscolls' hideout, Dutch had gone there with the gang members so that he could rob the train before them.
It wasn't long before they found the hideout. Dutch and Arthur were able to see Colm O'Driscoll using the binoculars. Colm looked furious and began to beat his men seems like his plan about robbing the train wasn't so good . However, Dutch, Arthur, and the others split into several groups and decided to attack them. Arthur led the way and they all went after the O'Driscolls in that heavy snow. Arthur killed most of them with a few shots while others fired at them. A fierce battle ensued between the two groups, and after a few minutes the O'Driscolls were killed.
Although there was no sign of Colm, Dutch ordered them all to search the hideout. It wasn't long before Arthur and Bill found the dynamite and Micah the map about the train robbery . Soon Dutch as his men walked towards Colter with a satisfied smile.
" Well done, boys! Not bad for a bunch of hungry men. "
It didn't take long for them to reach the river, the air was still foggy but it wasn't that unusual to see a lone man on horseback across the river, although the man started to run away when he saw Dutch and his men, but seconds later he was caught by Arthur and brought to Colter.
" Not so fast . What's your name? "
" it's Kieran . "
" Kieran what ?? "
" Duffy. Kieran Duffy... I swear... I swear, sir.. I was going to Mexico... "
" How bad Kieran Duffy... I have bad news for you . "
" Where are you taking me?! "
" Somewhere you don't like, so I suggest you hold your breath for your screams.. "
" No! Please... "
A few moments later, when they arrived at Colter, Dutch welcomed Kieran warmly and handed him over to Bill and Micah so they could talk him out of it and torture him as much as they could. For a moment Arthur decided to think a little, he was still angry with John, even though it had been a few days since he and Javier had saved him from the wolves in that bitter cold, but he was still mad with him. That fool had brought nothing but trouble to his family. Although Arthur tried to provide a decent living for Abigail and her two-year-old son, Jack, he still knew that John did not deserve them, and he kept thinking to himself that if this damn Marston had not been there, he could have been with Abigail and even fathered Jack. But now things were different. He had become the husband of a widow he did not want to be, and he had agreed to this temporary marriage only out of compassion and so that he would no longer have to suffer the pangs of conscience throughout his miserable life.
Two days later the group set off for the railroad. They all arrived at their destination on horseback. Dutch reviewed the plan several times. Lenny and Charles had to stop the driver. Bill had to blow up the railroad with dynamite. Javier, Arthur, and Micah had to rob the train. Even though Arthur wasn't happy about it, and Micah sneered at him.
" Ha ! Did you hear that, Morgan? You and I are together. You better follow the orders. "
" Oh don't worry, Grandma. I know my stuff. You worry about yourself for now. "
" What in the hell did you just call me ?! "
" Enough! Gentlemen, we have more important works to do. All together. Micah Bell, Bill Williamson, Lenny Summers, Javier Escuella, Charles Smith, Arthur Morgan. Ride! "
It didn't take long for them to reach their destination, Dutch asked Arthur to check on Bill, who was already tying the dynamite to the railroad.
" Need a hand ? "
" Yeah. If you can, connect the wire.Tell Dutch that everything is under the control. "
A few minutes later Arthur joined Dutch, they all put on their masks and were ready to rob the train, Bill pushes the lever to detonate the dynamite but nothing happens.
" Oh no no no !!! goddamn it !! "
The train passes without any explosion while Dutch looks at Bill in despair .
" Oh, Bill... "
" Where did you find that fool?! "
Arthur looks at Dutch with a mocking tone
" Hurry up, boys! Stop that train ! "
Arthur, Lenny and Javier all run towards the train and try to jump on it before it leaves the tunnel. All three of them land on the roof with a not very good jump, which causes Javier loses his balance and falls down, and Lenny, who is clinging to it, tries to pull himself up and Arthur, well, He jumps to help him, but it doesn't take long for both of them to get into trouble with the train guards, who started shooting at them. Arthur covers Lenny to protect his young friend while Lenny tries to stop the train before it's too late...
The train stopped and it didn't take long before Dutch and his men join them to kill all the guards. Finally They met three men who have locked themselves inside the train. As the outlaws fire into the train car, the men fall to their knees and cover their heads with their hands while surrendering the other. Until one of them talked in a shaky voice
" Cornwall won't like this... "
Dutch asks him in a harsh voice while pointing his gun at the man
" Who the hell is Cornwall?! "
"Someone ...you...you don't want to mess up with ...
" We'll see ... Boys ! Search this damn train, Now ! "
" Okay Dutch . "
" Yes Boss ! "
A few minutes later, when Arthur, Micah, and Lenny searched the train, and finally they got off the train with some documents and some money.
" Okay, boys, let's go back to camp. We're going to get out of this hellhole ! Arthur, I'll leave these dumb rats to you. "
" Whatever you say, Boss. "
Arthur shot several into the air, and then all three men, terrified and scared and thwy all run away immediately from him .
" Yeah. Get the hell out of here... "
He whistles to call his horse, then heads towards Colter.
After a few weeks, after a long time, several wagons were moving from a snowy mountain to a land called the Heartlands. Among them were several men and women with a child who were going to start a new beginning in this land from this day, perhaps in a better place and for a better future. Dutch led the group while galloping forward on his white Arabian horse and called to his men :
" Lenny! Micah! You two, I want you to start exploring this new land. Just be careful not to cause any trouble . "
They immediately separated from the group and each went their own way, Arthur, who was sitting in a wagon next to Charles and Hosea, could well keep an eye on Mrs. Adler. She began to eat slowly, holding a glass of wine and a piece of bread in her delicate hands. Although Tilly and Mary Beth tried to comfort her, it was almost useless. She spoke and ate very little. Her husband's death had been a great event for her, and even worse was the fact that she had to travel with a bunch of runaway outlaws and marry one of them. Arthur couldn't take it any longer, so he whispered in Hosea's ear.
" She'll be fine, won't she? "
" She will. She needs time. "
" Yeah, right . So, uhhhh, have you been here before? "
" Once. I had traveled to this land with Bessie when I was younger. This land is full of strange things and hidden treasures. "
He then looked at Arthur with a grin.
" Guess you can use that journal again. "
Arthur rolled his eyes. He hadn't written anything in that journal since they were in Blackwater, but it wasn't a bad idea. Maybe he could actually write again, or even draw something.
After a while, the group reached a range called Horseshoe Overlook, which was near a town called Valentine. All of them, except for Mrs. Adler, seemed happy to have come from the snowy mountains to such a green land. Arthur, Dutch, and Hosea looked at the campers who had tired but happy faces
" My dear friends, from today, this will be our place to live. Everything we need is here, and we will all start from here. "
After Dutch finished, Hosea continued
" And if you need anything, you can get it from Valentine . There is a small town there called Valentine near us, and you don't need to worry about anything. "
A few moments later, Arthur sat down on his bed to write a few words about his experiences in his journal, feeling bad that he had to do it again after the Blackwater robbery.
" I feel like a fool... We've been traveling from one place to another for weeks now and I'm really tired. We spent some time in a place called Colter and now in Horseshoe Overlook. Along the way we lost our lovely Jenny and my good friend Davey, and now we had no news about Sean or even Mac, and that really scares me. During the recent events I met a widow named Sadie Adler. We rescued her from the O'Driscolls and now she's one of us. Now I just hope I can be a good husband to her, even if it's just for a while. 1897 "
Arthur closed his journal and rubbed his tired eyes. the recent events seemed to be really hard on him. He sleeps on his bed still wearing his favorite blue coat, hope calm himself down for a bit.
Chapter 2 : Horseshoe Overlook
It's been a few days since the gang came into this new area. Arthur, who puts on a light blue shirt while he sleeves rolled up and feels better about this new place. He walks eagerly to Pearson's wagon to pour himself some coffee when he met Hosea, who was cleaning his gun and was sitting on a corner .
" Hosea. "
" Morning, Arthur. "
" How are you, old man? "
" Good. Wanna go hunting? "
" What do you want to hunt? An Elephant? "
" No, I wished but no. I saw a huge bear, the biggest bear I've ever seen, probably a few tons. "
" Where are you going now? "
" Near the Dakota River. It might take two days. "
" Okay, I'm ready. "
" Don't you need anything? "
" No. No, I don't think so. "
" Good, let's go. Still thinking about Boadicea ? "
No, I just... I can't help but think about her. She was a good horse. This one's good, but not the Boadicea. "
" I know what you're saying. "
" Do you? "
" Yeah. I wanna to get rid of this Shire too, unruly bastard! "
Arthur looked at the horse. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, it was the biggest horse he had ever seen in his entire life. A purebred, raven black Shire horse.
" Where did you get him? "
" Someone wanted to steal him and I, well, you know, I stole him first...You know what? Let's take him to Valentine. I'm sure you can buy a better horse with this money. "
" Maybe. But I prefer this one. "
" What's wrong with having two horses? The stables always have the best ones. "
" I guess you're right. He won't throw me to the ground? "
" No. He's an angel. Only when I'm near him, of course. "
" Nasty little look in his eyes. "
" Oh , how dare you say that about this magnificent creature ? "
" Now what's this bad boy's name? "
" Albus. I'm sure you two will get along well. "
" I don't think so. "
" C'mon, Arthur. Just saddle him, I'm sure he won't let you down. "