The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 19: Eastern Border

Ms. Grimshaw was busy packing. She shouted at Mary Beth, who was still reading a book, "Oh my god, put that book down and help out."

In the middle of the camp, there were three large covered wagons and two cargo carts. Most of the items were already loaded, and the horses were harnessed in front of the vehicles.

Dutch and Hosea were leaning against a wagon, smoking and chatting while waiting for Arthur to return from checking on the O'Driscoll camp for safety reasons.

Arthur didn't keep them waiting long. He approached Dutch and Hosea and said, "Are we all set? We can finally leave this drafty hellhole."

Dutch leaned against the wagon and said, "We're just waiting for you. The weather is nice today, and we can leave anytime. Any special situations?"

"None, no O'Driscolls, and no Pinkerton detectives."

Hosea said, "Then today is a good day to leave."

Dutch said, "Let's go. We can plan on the way. We can't cash the bonds yet, and we need to figure out how to get more money."

"Dutch, I suggest we stay away from enemies like Cornwall," Hosea advised, concerned about the risks of robbing such powerful figures.

This time, the O'Driscolls had taken the fall, but what about next time? Knowing Dutch, Hosea feared this success might embolden Dutch to target similar figures.

Arthur understood Hosea's concerns and admired his wisdom. He wondered if Dutch had listened. Dutch seemed noncommittal and said, "Alright, let's confirm our destination. Where are we heading?"

Hosea replied, "Heartland, as I mentioned, Dutch. I'm familiar with the area. We can set up camp near Valentine at Horseshoe Overlook. We can stay hidden there quietly, as long as we behave ourselves."

Dutch nodded and said, "Okay, let's go. Behave ourselves, whatever that means."

Once the decision to leave was announced, John and Davey, the two patients, were carried out and placed in the back of a wagon. Arthur helped with this.

John still had a thick bandage on his head, with one eye visible, looking quite spirited, though he couldn't walk. Davey was still weak but could speak. As he boarded the cart, he thanked Arthur, saying that without Arthur's medicine, he might not have made it. He claimed he had seen his deceased brother.

Seeing everything and everyone in place, Dutch said to Arthur, "Arthur, you drive the back cart and take Hosea with you. I know you two like to chat about the old days... and about old Dutch."

"Haha."

Arthur laughed and boarded the back cart with Hosea. Despite Dutch's teasing, Hosea found it oddly amusing. They had indeed been discussing Dutch a lot recently, but it felt strange to have Dutch point it out directly. It was like being caught gossiping.

The convoy soon set off in an orderly fashion. Since most of the horses were pulling the carts, people sat on the cargo carts as well. The weather was pleasant, and the group followed the river, feeling like they were on a peaceful outing.

***

After crossing Mount Hagen, the snow on the road gradually disappeared. The trees became greener, exuding a sense of vitality.

Arthur drove the cart with Hosea beside him. As they moved forward, a stream blocked their path. Hosea called it Cumberland Falls.

"Arthur, pick up the pace and cross quickly."

Arthur whipped the horses twice. The melted snow made the stream swift.

"Steady the direction, keep moving, steady." Hosea directed Arthur.

Despite holding the reins tightly, the cart wobbled significantly. After crossing the stream, the cart made it to the shore, but before they could celebrate, there was a loud "clang" followed by a "thud." The left rear wheel of the cart had detached.

The cart had to stop. "Ah, shit!"

"It's okay, Arthur," Hosea reassured the frustrated Arthur.

Charles jumped down from the wagon in the front and asked, "What's the situation?"

Arthur waved him off and said, "Just a broken wheel."

Arthur sometimes got irritable over minor issues, which he disliked. Why get upset over a wheel?

Hosea smiled and said to Charles, "Help us fix it."

Arthur lifted the wheel and found it undamaged, just detached.

With Hosea and Charles' help, they lifted the cart's rear and Arthur quickly reattached the wheel. He felt that if they delayed any longer, Hosea might strain his back. Despite Hosea's daring feats like jumping onto moving trains, he was fifty-four years old.

After securing the wheel, Arthur joked, "I didn't know you had the strength to lift a cart, Hosea."

Hosea rubbed his back and laughed, "Ha, I'm not completely useless yet."

The three began loading the scattered items back onto the cart.

Suddenly, Hosea stopped and stared at a distant hill. Arthur and Charles followed his gaze and saw three horses on a small hill, ridden by young Native Americans watching them.

Arthur put down what he was holding and asked, "What do you think?"

Charles, with Native American heritage, calmly said, "It should be fine. If they wanted to attack, they wouldn't let us see them."

Hosea waved at them, and they climbed back onto the cart. The convoy had already moved ahead, so they needed to catch up.

As they resumed their journey, Hosea said, "These poor folks, we've done a number on them."

Here, "we" referred to Americans like Hosea who came for westward expansion, while "they" were the Native American inhabitants.

Curious, Arthur asked Hosea about the Native American inhabitants of the area. Honestly, he didn't know much.

"Well... to start, the Native Americans here suffered greatly. I've mentioned that I spent some time here.

"The place we're heading to, The Heartland, has fertile land for farming and grazing. It was all their land, now taken, leaving nothing.

"Most were either killed or forced into reservations, barren places."

Arthur listened intently, not noticing Charles' silence. He asked, "What about your tribe, Charles?"

Charles, usually quiet, thought for a moment and replied, "I don't know if I have a tribe, at least not in my memory."

Realizing the question might have been inappropriate, Arthur was about to change the subject when Charles continued, "My father was black. They told me he lived with our people for a while, along with other free blacks. Later, our land was taken, and we began to wander. I was too young to remember much.

"We hid for years. My mother was taken by soldiers when I was about thirteen, and we never saw her again. My father was heartbroken and turned to alcohol. I was on my own from then on."

Sensing the conversation turning heavy, Hosea interjected, "We found Arthur around that age, maybe a bit older. He was fearless and quick to learn, thankfully."

Arthur didn't mind Hosea bringing up his past to lighten the mood and even added, "Not as fast as Marston, apparently."

Charles noticed something odd and asked, "Wait... I don't understand. Sounds like you have some issues with John?"

Hosea laughed and teased, "Arthur?"

Arthur shrugged and said, "It's a long story. Let me tell you slowly."

***

Hi guys,

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