Chapter 98: Dutch Protecting the Rat
Since arriving in Valentine, the gang had been living quite comfortably for a while.
Aside from the tension between Davey and Dutch, and Micah getting thrown into Strawberry’s jail for a time, everything else had gone smoothly.
They’d pulled off several robberies without much trouble.
Most recently, Arthur and John had robbed a train together.
Then Micah persuaded Arthur to hit a bank stagecoach, and both jobs brought in plenty of money, swelling the gang’s cash box.
Life at camp had improved, and everything seemed to be heading in the right direction.
When Dutch once again declared, “I have a plan,” most of the gang actually started believing him.
They began to think that Dutch’s dream might really succeed—that buying land in Tahiti and living free wasn’t so far away after all.
“Damn it! Is that stubborn bastard going to keep chasing us forever?”
“We only robbed one of his trains! For a tycoon like him, that money’s nothing!”
Bill couldn’t help but complain, and the others around the campfire looked uneasy.
Dutch even ground out his cigar, irritation flickering across his face.
The bonds from that train job still hadn’t been sold, yet Cornwall’s trouble was only growing worse.
Bill’s words reminded everyone that maybe that train robbery hadn’t been such a great idea after all.
The objections Davey and Hosea had voiced back then now echoed in everyone’s minds.
At least for now, it was clear—the plan had been a mistake, and it had left them in a bad spot.
“Mac, isn’t Valentine Davey’s territory? Cornwall shows up there, and all Davey does is send you to pass along a message?”
“He claims he’s still part of the gang—so why isn’t he doing something about Cornwall himself?”
Micah stepped forward, his tone sharp and accusatory.
Dutch’s expression instantly brightened. The moment the blame shifted toward the Callander brothers, his mood improved.
“You rat! I’ll kill you!”
Mac didn’t have Davey’s quick tongue. Furious at Micah’s slander and unable to argue back, he went straight for a fight.
But Micah didn’t stand a chance against him.
Charles, Javier, and Arthur made no move to intervene. None of them were eager to defend Micah.
“Bill! Stop Mac!” Dutch barked. He couldn’t just let Micah, one of his most loyal followers, get beaten senseless.
Bill obeyed without hesitation, moving to restrain Mac—but it was useless.
In the story from his past life, Uncle once said Mac could take down fifteen sailors, while Bill bragged he could handle twenty.
Now, in the middle of his rage, Mac grabbed Bill and flung him several meters away like a ragdoll.
The burly Bill hit the ground hard, groaning.
“Enough, Mac! This isn’t the time for fighting among ourselves!” Dutch shouted. Seeing Bill’s failure, he had no choice but to step in.
When it came to brawling, no one in camp could match Mac. Dutch stepping in personally would have been pointless.
And truth be told, he wouldn’t dare. Everyone knew that once Mac lost his temper, only Davey could calm him down.
“Dutch, why are you protecting him?! That filthy rat! I’ll tear him apart—get out of my way!”
Even when facing Dutch, Mac didn’t back down.
“Mac, my boy, don’t tell me you’ve stopped listening to me too! Now’s not the time for your nonsense.”
“Arthur! Javier! Charles! Are you three just going to stand there and watch? Pull him off!”
Hearing Dutch’s rising anger, Arthur, Javier, and Charles rushed forward, grabbing Mac and holding him back.
Knowing he couldn’t land a hit on Micah, Mac could only glare at him with pure hatred.
“Alright, gentlemen—that’s enough. This farce ends here.”
“It seems we’ve run into some new trouble.”
“But I believe that as long as we stand together, no one—not even a tycoon—can bring us down.”
“Lenny, Strauss—you’re coming with me to Valentine tomorrow to gather information.”
“Mac, go back and tell Davey his message was a great help. I’ve always recognized him as my boy—he’s still one of us.”
“Gentlemen, ladies, there’s no need to worry too much about Cornwall. He can’t touch us—just like before.”
“Now then… I have a plan.”
Dutch seemed once again like the wise, confident leader he’d once been—someone who could talk his way out of any disaster.
Mac couldn’t wait to return to Valentine. After getting used to soft beds and daily baths, life in camp felt rough again.
Before leaving, he shot Micah one last murderous glare, still annoyed that his fist hadn’t found its target.
The next day, Dutch set off for Valentine with Lenny and Strauss.
Author's Note
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