The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 18: Life At The Camp (Part 2)

Arthur pulled a beer from the snow-filled iron bucket. Sipping it, he wandered over to the corner. He found someone already there, Strauss, who was studying a ledger. Arthur said, "Cheer up, Mr. Strauss. It's a party, stop staring at your ledger."

Strauss pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses and widened his narrow eyes, somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean? I'm in a great mood."

Arthur took a sip of his beer and smiled. "Sorry, I didn't notice." It was certainly a unique way to participate in a party, sitting in a corner studying a ledger.

In the center of the room, Dutch was shouting for Javier to play another song. The atmosphere of the party was getting livelier under the influence of alcohol. Standing nearby, Molly and Mary Beth, who had just finished a dance, were chatting, hand in hand.

"I thought you Irish people loved parties, Molly?"

"I do, but there's no need to get drunk like them."

Arthur emptied his beer in agreement and went to get another bottle. By the fireplace, Uncle was pestering Javier, humming a lively tune and insisting Javier play it.

"Yes, diddle-diddle-diddle, that's the tune, come on, one, two, three—sing."

"In Louisville I met a maid

Mark well what I do say

Karen chimed in loudly,

"She was mistress of her trade! It was diddle-diddle-diddle all day"

"I put my hand upon her toe

Mark well what I do say"

Susan joined in.

"She says: "Young man you're rather low

For a diddle-diddle-diddle all day

I put my finger on her knee

Mark well what I do say;"

Arthur couldn't help but sing along.

"She says: "Young man you're rather free

For it's diddle-diddle-diddle all day;"

"I put my arm around her waist

Mark well what I do say;

She says: "Young man you're in great haste

For the diddle-diddle-diddle all day"

"I put my hand upon her thigh

Mark well what I do say"

Someone whistled in approval.

"She says: "You're gеtting pretty nice

And a diddle-diddlе-diddle all day

I put my hand upon her ass

Mark well what I do say"

Uncle let out a happy yell.

"She says: "Let's lay down on the grass;"

Arthur was sure it was John who sang that line.

"And diddle-diddle-diddle all day;"

***

Happy times always pass quickly. Everyone was noisy, singing, dancing, and drinking until dawn.

Arthur wondered why he was still sober, but the girls had already gone to their rooms to rest. Only the formidable Karen Jones was still challenging Charles to a drinking contest.

Reverend Swanson had passed out, his pants nowhere to be seen. Dutch, too, was calling it a night, unable to handle more alcohol.

"I'm glad to see you smiling, Dutch."

"Yeah, finally something to be happy about!"

Nearby, Hosea sat quietly, watching everyone with a smile, quietly smoking.

"You alright, Hosea?"

"Well done, Arthur."

Arthur felt a bit tongue-tied. Waving his hand, he said, "Ah, it wasn't just me. I heard you jumped onto the train..."

"Let's talk about it later. My tongue isn't quite sober right now."

Hosea smiled and said, "Go on."

Arthur then went to John's side and patted his face. "You alright, John?"

John opened the eye that wasn't covered by bandages and looked at Arthur. "I've already woken up from a nap. I figured no one would think to carry me back."

Noticing the pleading look in John's eyes, Arthur seriously considered whether he had drunk too much.

Yes, he had drunk too much, so he walked away, ignoring John's pitiful gaze.

At that moment, Kieran was also looking at Arthur eagerly, wondering if the party was finally coming to an end.

God knows how he had spent the entire night. He hadn't had a single drink, only some awful stew and overcooked rabbit meat, while watching everyone else sing and dance.

In the early hours of the morning, he had planned to find a corner to sleep in, but a man named Bill had pestered him to drink. Kieran had to work hard to shake him off.

Overall, while the lively atmosphere of the party had made him feel happy, Kieran was now really tired.

Just as he was watching, Arthur went over to Uncle.

"Uncle, are you alright?"

"Huh? I'm great! Haha." Uncle laughed loudly, tapping out a rhythm and singing again:

" When I was just a lad, you know

I met a gal from ole' Bordeaux

She had blonde hair, and blue eyes too

She let me ride on the ring dang doo

The ring dang doo, now what is that?

It's soft and round, like a pussycat

Got a hole in the middle, and it's split in two

And that's what ya call the ring dang doo"

Arthur scratched his head. Uncle seemed to be doing just fine. Meanwhile, Javier continued to strum his guitar as if nothing was happening.

Lenny came over to Arthur and asked, "Arthur, I'm going to make a pot of coffee. Do you want some?"

It seemed Lenny wasn't planning to sleep. Youth was wonderful. Arthur shook his head and said, "No, I think everyone is fine. I'm going back to sleep."

Hearing this, Kieran quickly ran over to Arthur, saying, "Mr. Morgan, I'm sleepy too."

Arthur looked at him in confusion. "If you're sleepy, go to the room and sleep. Why are you telling me?"

Kieran said embarrassedly, "I don't know where to sleep..."

Realizing this, Arthur patted his head. Now he understood why Kieran had been struggling so much.

***

Arthur slept until the afternoon. When he woke up, the sleeping bag on the floor was empty.

On the table next to him was a bowl of cold stew, which seemed to be lunch. Pearson, despite drinking a lot last night, had still gotten up to prepare lunch for everyone.

Arthur quickly tidied himself up and walked out of the room.

The afternoon sunlight fell on the ground, and the snow had begun to melt. He saw Charles splitting wood in front of the next room. After a brief greeting, Arthur headed towards Dutch's room. He needed to hand over the bearer bonds they had stolen to Dutch.

Passing by the stable, Arthur saw Kieran brushing the horses. The previously empty haystack had been refilled.

Kieran greeted Arthur when he saw him. "Mr. Morgan, good morning."

Arthur nodded. "It's already afternoon. Did someone ask you to do this work?"

Kieran replied naturally, "No, it's just a habit. Before... I was responsible for these tasks. I saw everyone working and found something familiar to do."

It was good that he was willing to work. However, Arthur didn't intend to keep Kieran just to do chores around the camp.

Since Kieran was willing to work, Arthur couldn't fault him for it. So, he encouraged him, "Keep it up."

In these snowy mountains, Arthur's plans couldn't be put into action yet. If Kieran wanted to work, let him. Arthur left him to it.

Pushing open Dutch's door, Arthur found the room filled with smoke. Micah was in Dutch's room.

Seeing him, Arthur remembered that Micah hadn't been at the party the previous night. No wonder everything had gone smoothly.

"Dutch, are you going to reconsider? I can go to Blackwater and retrieve the money we hid there, if you trust me."

Dutch, looking at the map on the table and puffing on his cigar, said, "Not yet, not yet, Micah."

Micah, unwilling to give up, was about to say more, but Dutch had already started talking to Arthur.

"Arthur, do you need something?"

Arthur handed over the bearer bonds he had taken out of his bag. "What are you going to do with these bonds, Dutch?"

The two of them naturally ignored Micah.

Although these bonds were bearer bonds, Arthur had carefully checked them. They all had numbers, and cashing them could easily attract Cornwall's attention.

Dutch took the bonds and said, "Don't worry. These bonds should be easy to sell."

Dutch didn't seem concerned, but Arthur still advised, "Cornwall will have the numbers for these bonds. He'll be watching closely after being robbed."

"Arthur, you're starting to sound like Hosea..."

"I know. Leave these matters to me, alright?"

Arthur shrugged. He had said what he needed to say. Changing the subject, he asked, "How's that cigar?"

Dutch took a puff to confirm and said, "Not bad. Although sometimes I prefer a pipe. I lost my old one."

"I'll find you a new one when I get the chance."

Hearing this, Dutch seemed pleased and said, "See, a fine gentleman, Mr. Morgan. It's all thanks to my guidance, haha."

Arthur laughed and said, "Oh, don't get too cocky, Dutch."

Seeing that they had covered everything and Micah was still waiting to discuss Blackwater, Arthur and Dutch didn't prolong the conversation.

Before leaving, Arthur reminded Dutch again, "Don't underestimate Cornwall, Dutch."

***

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