Chapter 44: The Dilemma
For Arthur, it wasn't a difficult choice. However, for Dutch, it was a decision that required careful consideration.
"Old friend, stop smoking silently on the side. Give us your suggestion." Hosea seemed to emerge from his own little world, glanced at Arthur, then at Dutch.
"I thought you two would argue about other things for a while longer?"
Dutch shook his head.
"Although Arthur doesn't admit it, I understand that he no longer agrees with our common ideals. But I still see him as my child. I prefer to think... maybe he just got lost in a snowstorm on a dark night and wandered away from me, but I don't blame him. It's my responsibility..."
Arthur listened to Dutch's words with mixed feelings. Dutch's emotional appeal still affected Arthur, but Arthur was no longer swayed by empty promises.
Hosea finally gave his suggestion under Dutch's urging.
"Since both need to be saved, let's split up and act separately."
Dutch frowned. In his view, splitting up required prioritization. He preferred to save Micah first and then Sean, as Micah was about to be hanged, while Sean was just being transferred to prison. The urgency of the situations was clear to Dutch, but he didn't understand why Hosea and Arthur couldn't see it.
"How did Micah get caught? Did you send him on a job, Dutch?" Arthur hadn't seen Micah at the camp for a while and assumed Dutch had sent him on a job, not that he had been captured.
"It doesn't matter now. What do you think of Hosea's idea, Arthur?"
Arthur shrugged.
"Ever since Micah joined us, he has only brought us unnecessary trouble. Honestly, I don't like Micah, as you all know. If he was captured because of the gang, I don't mind rescuing him. But if not, I suggest we leave him."
It was a reasonable stance. Everyone knew Arthur disliked Micah, and he made it clear that his personal feelings wouldn't influence the gang's decisions. However, he also made it clear that if it wasn't for the gang, he wouldn't bother with Micah.
Dutch didn't ask Hosea's opinion again. Since Hosea didn't interject, it meant he agreed with Arthur's stance.
"Damn it, Arthur! He's one of us! We're together, and just as I wouldn't abandon any of you, I won't abandon Micah at this time!"
Seeing Dutch's agitation, Arthur felt this was the state Dutch should have been in when he came to find him. Dutch had been too calm since he arrived, which wasn't like him. As for now, Arthur couldn't tell how much of Dutch's anger was because of Micah.
"Dutch, you asked for my opinion, and that's it. Micah is trouble. Alright, if you don't want to hear that, let me put it another way. He probably wasn't arrested because of the gang."
If Dutch was angry just because Arthur didn't want to save Micah, Arthur could understand. After all, Micah was a sycophant, but who didn't like having a court jester under their command? Arthur knew Dutch did.
"I already have a damn plan! Trust me, if we follow my plan, we can rescue both of them without any accidents!"
Whether there was a plan or not, Arthur disagreed with prioritizing Micah. In Arthur's heart, Sean, who was captured because of Blackwater, had to be the priority.
After a while, Arthur decided to compromise, looking at the silent Hosea and the stubborn Dutch.
"Let's follow Hosea's plan. I think it's fair. Since we have to save both, let's act on both fronts. So, where is Micah being held?"
"Strawberry."
"Since Javier has already scouted it, what's the situation there?"
Dutch thought for a moment and said truthfully, "Micah wasn't caught by the Pinkertons, just the Strawberry sheriff."
Hearing this, Arthur had a clear idea.
"I think we don't need too many people to rescue Micah. It's just a small town, Strawberry. I've heard of it. It's a dry town in the hills with only a few sheriffs."
Hosea nodded, thinking that since both accepted his suggestion, he should continue to arrange it. He said, "Dutch, you take Javier and Bill to rescue Micah. Arthur, you take Charles, Lenny, and John to rescue Sean. I'll stay at the camp to hold down the fort. What do you think?"
Dutch thought for a moment and finally agreed to this plan because Arthur gave him a good plan to rescue Micah. Following Arthur's plan, they indeed didn't need too many people. After discussing, the three drank a bit more.
"I haven't seen Strauss in the camp recently. I heard he stopped lending and is now working at your casino?"
Arthur nodded, finished his whiskey.
"Didn't you ask me to help him? I found a permanent solution. If we stop dealing with usury, there won't be any troubles to solve. Now we have new income, and I've arranged the gang's share. Besides, don't you think usury is uncomfortable?"
Actually, Dutch also thought it was good to stop usury. As Dutch himself said, he always felt that robbery was more self-reliant and honorable than usury. Now, since Arthur was willing to share from his casino, they had new income. It was fine to stop usury.
As for where Arthur got the money... and Strauss, who obviously knew about the casino but didn't tell him, these things would have to be noted in Dutch's mind for now. It wasn't the time yet.
Arthur saw Dutch sitting there thinking and didn't ask, just drinking. Actually, Dutch wasn't thinking too much about other things but feeling regretful. He regretted not being able to stay in town for long. Otherwise, he thought playing at Arthur's casino for a few days would be nice. He could borrow some money from winning gamblers and cheat a few more gamblers at the table. It seemed like a good business.
Dutch finished his drink and said, "Since the plan is set, let's move quickly to avoid any accidents." Arthur had no objections, and the three returned to the Horseshoe Overlook camp.
At this time, at the camp. Everyone gathered and surrounded Arthur, Dutch, and Hosea as they returned.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what are you all gathered here for?" Dutch asked.
Arthur noticed Javier looking at him suspiciously, and Bill and Pearson were also giving him doubtful looks. It was too obvious; they were discussing something about him. But thinking about it, they probably just found out about his casino in town, so it wasn't surprising.
Susan approached, put down her water bucket, and said, "Stop gossiping here. Mr. Morgan, please don't mind. There are always some people in the camp who like to talk nonsense without evidence."
"Thank you, Ms. Grimshaw. I brought you some gifts. Remind me to give them to you later." Susan thanked Arthur with a smile and continued fetching water.
The others didn't know what to say. Seeing Arthur, Hosea, and Dutch return together and not looking like they had argued, they realized the rumors were baseless. Bill, realizing this, glared at Javier angrily, and Pearson returned to his table, muttering about how it delayed his cooking. He then started cutting meat to prepare his signature dinner.
Everyone gathered at Dutch's tent. After calling over Lenny, who was on lookout duty today, Hosea didn't explain other matters. He simply relayed the news about Micah and Sean, along with the plan that he, Dutch, and Arthur had decided on. Everyone prepared and mounted their horses to depart.
After Arthur and Dutch left with their respective teams, Hosea sat alone at the table in the middle of the camp, smoking quietly. Beside him, Uncle lay asleep at the table, clutching a bottle of whiskey. Hosea glanced down at Uncle, saw that he was still breathing, and left him be.
Sitting there, he reflected on the conversation between Dutch and Arthur, and the words Arthur had shared with him. His heart was filled with worry. There were many things that Dutch and Arthur hadn't said, and perhaps couldn't say.
In Hosea's view, the current calm was probably only temporary. Because he knew Dutch all too well. Hosea felt that this situation was far from over.
***
If you have enjoyed reading the story, leave some Reviews and Power Stones.
For every 100 Power Stones, you will get a bonus chapter