Chapter 80: Charles, the Sensitive One
Without Pinkerton interference, rescuing Sean MacGuire became much easier.
Those bounty hunters were no match for Arthur and the others, even in numbers.
“Cole Stoudemire isn’t here. These are all Ike Skelding’s men. Looks like the intel was right — the two of them split over the bounty.”
“This works out in our favor, gentlemen.”
Trelawny relayed his information, visibly more relaxed.
The rescue went smoothly. Arthur, Mac, and the others launched a frontal assault while Charles circled the rear to provide a flank. The makeshift camp of bounty hunters was cleared out in no time.
Sean was left hanging from a tree until Arthur casually shot through his rope.
“They must’ve sent an army of bounty hunters just to nab Sean MacGuire.”
“Oh, Arthur, you know what? From this angle, you’re not so ugly.”
Bruised and busted, Sean still talked back with the same rough humor.
“Cut it out.” Arthur was speechless.
“A hug, Arthur? Give your long-lost brother a warm embrace.” Sean spread his arms.
Arthur, who had no shortage of favor in camp, walked up and slapped Sean’s shoulder. “You know, Sean, nothing matters more to me than this crew.”
“The brotherhood we’ve got—there’s nothing more real to me.”
“I’d kill for it. I’d die for it.”
Maybe feeling a bit sentimental, Arthur added, “But honestly, I would’ve left you to rot here if Charles hadn’t stopped me.”
Sean laughed. “Arthur, I wouldn’t believe a single word of that last line.”
“All right, we need to go. We’ve made too much noise; it’ll attract other trouble.” Arthur pushed Sean along.
Bringing Sean back had everyone in high spirits. Apart from the dead Jenny, the gang had survived—at least for now.
...On the ride back, Charles rode beside Arthur.
“Arthur, maybe you should tell Davey to come back to camp and join our celebration tonight for Sean’s return.”
Arthur looked surprised.
“Charles, haven’t you always disliked the Callander brothers? And shouldn’t you be the one to tell Mac? Besides, Dutch’s not exactly keen to see Davey.”
Charles replied, “I dislike the Callander brothers because they kill animals wantonly. But despite their faults, we’re family, Arthur.”
“Davey won’t do that anymore. Mac’s head is full of women now; he won’t be hunting.”
“This might be our one chance. Davey may not come back after this.”
“And Mac—he’ll go with Davey.”
Charles didn’t talk much and didn’t care for socializing; he was inward and acutely sensitive. He hated the Callanders’ slaughter, but they’d never treated him with prejudice for being part Indian and part Black. Compared to the loathsome Micah, Charles felt a strange fondness for the Callanders—Davey hated Micah even more, which gave Charles a small point of connection.
“You’re right, Charles. This might be our rare chance.”
“I’ll go find Davey. You escort Sean back to camp.”
Arthur said that and took a different mountain path.
...News of Sean’s rescue spread quickly to Blackwater — the gunfire carried, and the town wasn’t far. The bounty hunters splintered, meaning a large sum of reward money was gone. Cole Stoudemire and Ike Skelding, the two leaders, blamed each other and finally left in bitter disagreement.
“Mr. Milton, it seems things went just as you predicted.”
“What should we do next?” Ross asked, watching the bounty hunters argue.
Milton said, “We need to put pressure on the Van der Linde Gang. Them lingering in New Hanover isn’t good.”
“Sometime soon we’ll move to Horseshoe Overlook and make them feel threatened.”
Ross asked, “What about Valentine’s Davey? Aren’t we doing anything about him, Mr. Milton?”
Milton nodded. “Davey in Valentine has already secured a new legitimate identity. Targeting him would be pointless and we don’t have the means. Investigating criminals isn’t our job.”
“His moonshine business in Valentine is big; he’ll make enemies and someone will take care of him.”
“We only need to keep our eyes on the Van der Linde Gang—let them stir up more trouble in this wild western land.”
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