Chapter 167: Saving Arthur
Lone Mule Stead
Located in West Elizabeth, north of Blackwater, near Riggs Station.
This was also where Arthur was being held captive.
As a veteran player familiar with the plot from his past life, Davey naturally knew this place well. After all, aside from Guarma, this was where Arthur suffered his most severe injuries.
So when Davey received Emin’s telegram, he immediately brought his men here and lay in wait.
In truth, Davey could have rescued Arthur on the road. He could have intervened before Arthur was shot, or even killed Colm the moment he appeared.
But Davey chose not to.
Colm posed no threat to Davey, nor did they have any conflict of interests. Killing him would bring no benefit—if anything, it would only help Dutch.
Davey even considered whether he should intervene later, after Colm was arrested in Saint Denis, and break him out.
Letting Colm hang on the gallows would be far too easy on Dutch. Wouldn’t it be better to leave him a rival?
As for Arthur…
Davey had already helped him avoid tuberculosis. This time was rough, but Arthur wouldn’t die. At worst, he’d need a few weeks of rest.
Davey even knew that not long after Colm left, Arthur would have a chance to escape on his own.
So now was the moment to act. If he waited any longer, Arthur might break out himself—and that would be troublesome.
“Begin, Laval. Let these youngsters see what a Widowmaker really is.”
Watching Colm ride away from the ranch, Davey gave the order.
Nearby, several men on a wagon pulled back the oilcloth, revealing a Maxim machine gun.
One of the hired men stood on the wagon, excitement written all over his face as he manned the Maxim and aimed it at the small cabin ahead. The O’Driscoll Gang members guarding the place were caught completely off guard.
The machine gun roared like an enraged beast, lighting up the night sky.
A storm of bullets poured out. In just a few heartbeats, the guards were torn apart, riddled with holes.
The cabin itself was shredded, collapsing into splinters.
In the distance, Colm heard the unmistakable sound of the Maxim. His face drained of color. He didn’t dare look back, spurring his horse into a full gallop, terrified that even a moment’s hesitation would get him caught.
This Maxim machine gun had been seized by Davey at Shady Belle, mounted onto a wagon, and transported to Valentine.
Since it was rarely used, Davey had deliberately brought it out this time to put it to use.
...
In the cellar.
The moment Arthur heard the Maxim outside, his expression sank.
He thought the Pinkertons had arrived—heavy weapons like that were usually their calling card.
Maybe even Colm had been tricked by the Pinkertons.
Just as despair set in, the cellar door opened.
A familiar, surprised voice rang out as a kerosene lamp was lit. The light chased away the darkness, revealing Arthur hanging there.
“Arthur? You? How could it be you?”
“Quick—get him down! My God, how could they do this to you?”
“Laval, contact Doctor Calloway immediately. If he’s asleep, drag him out of bed.”
“Arthur, careful. You’re badly hurt—damn it, they even shot you. Hold on, we need to get you to the doctor right now.”
Davey cut the ropes with his dagger. Several men rushed over to support Arthur, lifting him and carrying him outside.
On Davey’s orders, the Maxim machine gun was dismantled. Thick quilts were laid across the wagon so Arthur could lie down properly.
“You saved my life, Davey,” Arthur said, his voice strained with pain.
“We’re brothers, Arthur.”
“I got word that the O’Driscoll Gang was active around New Hanover. I thought they were after my moonshine business, so I sent men to track them here.”
“Colm was here too. It seemed like a good opportunity.”
“I brought the Maxim to wipe them out. That bastard Colm just managed to escape.”
“I never imagined they’d capture you. How did this happen? Why were you caught? It’s unbelievable. Where’s Dutch? What were they doing?”
“Did Colm recruit some top-tier gunmen?”
Davey sat beside Arthur, pulling a blanket over him and quickly bandaging the wound in his shoulder to slow the bleeding.
Davey felt like Oscar owed him a little gold statue.
Arthur said quietly, “Dutch was supposed to meet them. It was a trap. From the start, their real target was me. I wanted to warn you, but it was already too late.”
“They caught me to lure Dutch into a rage, make him lose his head, and walk straight into the trap set by the Pinkertons and the federal marshals. Colm is working with the government. He thinks that handing us over will keep him safe.”
“Micah—that idiot—nearly got me killed. Hosea warned us from the beginning that this was a trap.”
Davey snorted. “That sewer rat. Dutch actually trusted him?”
“Listening to you, Arthur, I’m starting to think Micah Bell and Colm set this whole thing up together.”
“I’ve suspected him ever since Blackwater. That shifty-eyed bastard was never any good.”
“But for now, Arthur, you need rest. We’ll reach Valentine soon. The doctor will take care of your wounds.”
“For the time being, stay with me and recover. In your current state, you probably couldn’t even beat a woman.”
Arthur chuckled weakly. “Oh, Davey, you underestimate me.”
“Though… if it were a woman like Sadie, I probably really wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Having narrowly escaped death, Arthur was in surprisingly good spirits—still able to crack a joke even now.
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