The weather is like that, you just have to grit your teeth and get through those treacherous weather, the warm sunshine will always come eventually, you may be late, but you will never be absent.

It was a rare day in the snowy mountains, but Mr. Pearson, the chef and assistant head of logistics for the Van der Linde Gang, couldn't be happier when he saw the gang's supplies at the bottom.

Blackwater's failed operation caused the Van der Linde Gang to leave behind almost all of their baggage, and although he managed to save some of it, there was not much left after this period of attrition.

These days, he also asked the idle strong men in the gang to go out hunting to replenish themselves, but the gang didn't even bring him a rabbit. It's understandable to think about it, no one is more professional than them to let these guys rob their homes and kill people and goods, but if you really want to let them hunt, they are really not the best candidates.

There are currently three people in the gang who are most suitable for hunting, one is Arthur, he is the number one person in the gang to do practical things, no matter what happens, it is right to ask him to do it, but he has been so busy lately that he has no time to take care of his side, so he does not think about it; One is Charles, if there is anyone in the gang who can compare with this strong man of mixed black and Indian blood, it is estimated that only Arthur will be, but unfortunately his hand was injured in Blackwater Town, and Pearson naturally can't bear to trouble him; There is also Lenny, as a young man, he has almost endless youthful energy, Pearson called him once before, he took Bill around the snow and forests all day, but he didn't even bring back a hair, so Pearson didn't want to call him again for the time being, don't ask, ask is to see and annoy.

As for the other able-working sturdy men in the gang, Pearson was not inaccessible, but when he thought of Javier's temperament of a literary youth, Maika's unruly hanging, and John's death-defying beating, he could only sigh and be at a loss.

At this moment, a young man with pale blonde hair and bright green eyes returned from outside the camp on horseback, with a pile of iron lumps on his horse, which he did not recognize from Pearson's point of view.

"By the way, and him," Pearson thought, "what's his name?" It seems to be Brandi. Isn't this kid the hunter of this area? You might be able to hit something. I'm really confused, why didn't I think of him earlier? ”

Pearson can't be blamed, after all, Brandi has only been in the gang for a week, and it is very normal for Pearson not to think of him for the first time.

"Hey! Blondie! Hey! With that in mind, Pearson called out to Brandy.

Brandy, who had just unloaded the pile of iron on his horse's back, heard Pearson's shout, and immediately responded, "Wait until I move it into the house, Mr. Pearson!" ”

So Pearson waited for the energetic young man to finish his own business, and when he came running in a hurry, Pearson made a bitter and hateful look—and it wasn't entirely acting—and sighed and said, "If you were all busy with your own business, or if you were simply idle, you wouldn't be able to live this day." ”

"We'll be fine, Mr. Pearson." Brandi has always been optimistic.

"We're starving here," Pearson said, "and do you know how much we have left?" A couple of cans, and a rabbit, how many people do you expect these things to feed? Ten? Twelve? When I joined the Navy......"

"Oh, I don't think this kid would be happy to hear about your old sesame rotten grain, Mr. Pearson." Just as Pearson prepares to start talking about his youthful adventures, Arthur holds a cigar he had captured from the Odrisco Gang camp and hands Brandi the same one, and the two begin to swallow the smoke together, mercilessly inhaling Pearson with secondhand smoke.

Pearson ignored Arthur's verbal interruption and continued: "We were stranded at sea for fifty days ......."

"And you unfortunately survived." Arthur interrupted again, apparently fed up with Pearson's naval past.

Pearson had no choice but to change the subject: "When we escaped from Blackwater, I couldn't get supplies. ”

"When we were being hunted down by government agents, sometimes, we had to cut our procurement time short," Arthur reassured, "and we'd get through it, we've always made it." ”

Of course, he didn't forget to say a word about Pearson—if he didn't, Arthur wouldn't be Arthur: "And we can eat you if necessary, for you're the fattest one." This sentence made Brandi, who was watching the excitement from the sidelines, laugh.

In the face of Arthur's poisonous tongue, it would be unwise for you to really take advantage of it, so Pearson chose to ignore it, saying, "I told Lenny and Bill to go hunting, but they didn't find anything. ”

At this time, Charles also came to the kitchen to make a fire.

Arthur teased with interest, "Oh, I prefer to read and write rather than hunt, and Bill is an idiot, unless the mountains are full of prey waiting to be caught." It's not surprising that they can't find ......"

"That's enough," Charles interrupted Arthur at the right time, "we'll find something to eat, let's go, Arthur, and Brandy." ”

Arthur and Brandi followed Charles to his horse, a grey snow-spotted Appaloosa horse named "Tyma". Charles took his usual bow and arrow from the saddle and handed it to Arthur: "Here, you take it, I can't use it, but you can use it." ”

Arthur looked at the rudimentary bow and arrow, which was more than an era behind the guns, and said, "Are you kidding......?"

"Shoot, and we'll scare away all the animals within a radius of miles," Charles untied the reins from his stake and mounted on horseback, "live and learn, I think." ”

Arthur looked at the bow and arrow, and finally handed it to Brandy: "I'd better give the opportunity to learn to the young people."

"Then you're welcome," said Brandy, putting the bow on his back, "and it's a good thing, and if I hadn't been able to do it, I wouldn't have been hunting with a repeating rifle." ”

The three men packed up their horses and left the camp and headed down the river towards nearby Lake Isabella.

"How are you, Charles?" Arthur asked with concern.

"I'm okay, it's this hand," Charles said, looking at his injured arm, a little annoyed in his tone, "stupid mistake." ”

"Haven't recovered yet?" Arthur wondered.

"It would be nice to have a day or two, but I can't draw the bow right now." Charles replied.

Arthur laughed at himself, "I wish I could draw a bow, but I don't have that talent." ”

"You can, trust me." Charles seems pretty sure of that.

"So, is there anything else to kill around here besides Odrysco's people?" Arthur looked around, but there was no noticeable trace.

"It's an area that's surprisingly rich in species, but it can't be compared to the warmer places where there's plenty of water and grass," says Brandy, "and it's mostly black-tailed rabbits and white-tailed deer, argali, and the occasional elk and, if you're lucky, moose." ”

Charles laughed: "I don't know about this, but I'm sure we can get meat back this time, Pearson is talking nonsense, now that the weather is better, it's time for the animals to come out and forage." ”

"I remember a long time ago, near this lake, I saw a very special bison," Brandi began to share with them, "the bison is not supposed to be in this area, but it just appeared, and to be honest, you wouldn't believe it existed just by saying it with my mouth, but its white fur really impressed me, it was a work of art within a work of art." ”

"I've heard that there are very special animals in the world, either they are bigger than their kind, or they have a very special coat color, or both, and most importantly, they are unique." Charles said.

"Like the legendary mountain lion Jaguaro you told me before?" Arthur interjected.

"That's right," affirmed Charles, "it seems that you are in luck, this creature itself is a special product of nature, and it is hard to come by. ”

"Eh, do you think it's possible that we might meet it today?" Brandi said thoughtfully.

Charles smiled: "Instead of thinking about what these haves and don'ts, let's find a high ground as soon as possible and see if we can hunt deer." ”

Three horses crossed the stream, turned left off the main road, and headed for higher ground.

"It's been a tough few days," Arthur said, "riding north from Blackwater, trapped in a blizzard, bringing John back......"

Charles said: "You're under too much pressure, I wish I could have helped you with a little bit more." ”

"I didn't mean that, I just ......," Arthur felt complicated inside, "there are a lot of things to think again." ”

"I still don't know what's going on on that ship." Charles expressed his doubts and wanted to see if Arthur knew something.

"Me too," said Arthur, "anyway, Javier told me some, but ...... Things are bad. ”

The trio crossed the hillside and returned to the main road again. It may be that the latitude here is relatively low, or it may be that the altitude here is lower, and some tenacious plants can already be seen coming out of the snow. They are supposed to be the first creatures in the region to welcome spring.

"I can already see the grass, which is a good sign." Brandi said.

"Let's take a look over here." Charles steered the horses and led the team down the river.

The weather at this time is a rare sunny day for the area, and the sun shines on the white snow, which makes the barren snow field reveal a thriving atmosphere.

"The wind has stopped." Charles, who is a good bow and arrow, is more sensitive to the wind than Arthur and Brandi.

"Is that a good thing?" Arthur asked.

"It's not good if there's no wind at all," Brandi explained, "but if the wind is too strong, the animals won't come out." ”

"Shhhhhhhh ”

Charles jumped off his horse and walked to the snow not far ahead, where there were a few very new trails of footsteps.

Charles crouched down and looked at it for a while, then said with certainty, "There were deer passing by here, not long ago." ”

Brandi also jumped off the horse, took a closer look, and affirmed: "No more than fifteen minutes at most." ”

"How do you two see that?" Arthur was a little surprised, but even more curious.

"How could you not tell," Charles said, "and then, we tracked them on foot." Brandy, take that bow, you can use it, and as for you, Arthur, don't shoot indiscriminately......"

"That scares away the animals for miles, I know." Arthur said with a little impatience.

The three of them followed the footprints, half-squatting, and walked lightly, and after a while, Brandi, who was walking in front because he was holding a bow and arrow, suddenly stopped and motioned for the two behind him to stop.

On the edge of the stream ahead, several white-tailed deer are burying their heads in the tender grass that breaks through the snow, looking up from time to time, very leisurely.

Brandi found the right angle, stretched out his bow and arrow, and aimed at the nearest white-tailed deer.

Charles gently patted his taut shoulders to help him relax and asked, "First time with a bow and arrow?" ”

Brandi didn't bother to speak, just nodded.

"I'll teach you the trick of using a bow when I have free time in the future, and you're actually doing pretty well now, but you must remember two things: first, relax your muscles and don't be too nervous; Second, cherish every arrow and treat it as if it were the last. Be prepared, you can. Charles, after some guidance, encouraged.

Brandi remembered these words, but they didn't immediately manifest themselves in action. He knew that if he didn't do something necessary, this arrow would inevitably fail. So he closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the whole world was colored scarlet again.

The bowstring trembled, the arrows fired, and the white-tailed deer, which was still chirping for a second, screamed miserably and fell to the ground. The arrow struck exactly two inches below its ear, piercing its head.

"Perfect." Charles couldn't help but compliment, and Arthur gave him an approving look.

"Let's try again and see if we can kill another one." Charles encouraged.

Brandi took a sip of brandy from his pocket, and after a few steps forward, he saw another white-tailed deer suitable for targeting. The sound of the bowstring sounded again, and the arrow pierced its neck, and blood gushed from the wound, and it only escaped a few steps before losing all its strength, and lay on the ground, screaming and struggling.

The three of them came to the poor deer. Brandi, who shot the arrow, hesitated for a long time, and finally looked at the deer's moist and sad eyes, but still couldn't give it a good time, so Arthur volunteered to do it. He pulled out his hunting knife, crouched down beside the deer, and plunged it into its neck with swift slashing, and the deer's hooves were stretched out, and it lost all its strength to struggle forever.

"At times like these, no matter how pitiful it is, you have to help it stop," Arthur said, drawing his hunting knife and standing up to Brandy, "this is the last mercy we can give them." ”

"Brandi has already hunted two heads, Arthur, are you really not trying?" Charles asked.

Arthur looked at the other white-tailed deer who had been frightened away by his two dead companions, smiled, and suddenly let out an extremely sharp whistle, saying, "How can you not hunt since you are here?" But I'm going to hunt the cowboy way. ”

Hearing the whistle, Arthur's chestnut Morgan horse neighed and ran, and Arthur jumped onto his horse, the lock already in his palm. He suddenly let out a war cry that belonged only to a cowboy, and slapped his horse and rushed forward. The rope spun and spun in mid-air, and was finally thrown vigorously by Arthur, and the noose was impartially struck by the neck of a white-tailed deer.

Arthur dismounted, clutching the rope with both hands, and shortened the distance between him and the deer as he fought with the antlers. Arthur is extremely strong and powerful, and he can easily take advantage of this kind of wrestling. Once the two had closed the distance, Arthur wrapped one hand around the deer's neck, and with the other he pulled his hunting knife from the scabbard at his waist and plunged it into its carotid artery. The deer struggled only a little twice, and then remained motionless.

Arthur put the white-tailed deer on horseback, rode it, and returned to Charles and Brandi in a victorious manner.

Arthur's performance was not outstanding. Brandi was stunned, he didn't expect that this kind of hunting method could really be done in reality, and couldn't help but praise: "Awesome, Arthur, how did you come up with this trick?" ”

"I learned it when I was leaning cattle and sheep in the pasture," Arthur pretended to be very immodest, but the next second he noticed Charles's skeptical expression, and said angrily, "What's wrong?" Don't look at me when I started this business as a teenager, I used to be a serious pastor. ”

Charles had a "I believe you ghost" expression on his face, and didn't say much, just said, "Let's go, we should go back." ”

The trio placed each of the three deer on horseback and rode out of the hunting ground.

"Well done, Brandy, Arthur," said Charles, "this meat is enough for all of us to feed for days." ”

"You found them first." Arthur said.

"I knew you could use that bow well, Brandy." Charles praised.

Brandi smiled, "It's good they won't fight back." ”

Charles also laughed: "We've seen this kind of thing a lot. ”

"Judging by what has happened in the last few days," Arthur said, "maybe we're finally transiting." ”

"Now it's time to think about how to get out of this mountain." Charles said.

Arthur said with certainty, "It won't be long, but everybody is weak, and you can see it, and the carriage is full of snow, and we can't go anywhere unless the snow is almost melted." ”

"Well, you're right," agreed Charles, "and even if we get out of here, what happens after that?" There will be people who will hunt us down for a huge bounty. ”

Arthur didn't really care about this question: "It's a big country, there's always a place for us, and Ducky and Hosea will have a way." ”

Charles nodded nondeniably. The current Van der Linde Gang, except for the women, children, old and young, and Brandy, who has just joined, almost everyone has a bounty on their backs, and the bounty of everyone adds up to 30,000 or 40,000 US dollars, and whether they live or die. Such a large sum of money is enough to make any bounty hunter or group of bounty hunters flock to it, which is what Charles worries about. However, as Arthur said, the country is very large, and there is a legal gap between states, and in some places even federal laws cannot be controlled, coupled with the inconvenience of information transmission, the lack of police resources in various places, and other reasons, outlaws like them can easily get away with it.

The hunt was fruitful, and Arthur was in a good mood, so he began to tease the gang's chef Pearson: "I guess you have also noticed that Pearson always has a bottle of wine in his hand, and he has been doing so since we escaped from Blackwater. We gave the camp cook five minutes to pick up the essentials and leave, but he didn't bring any food. ”

"It's a good thing we hunted more than one, after all, there are so many mouths to raise." Charles said.

"And the woman who had just been rescued from the ranch," said Arthur, "you know her, don't you, Brandy?" ”

"Yes," said Brandy, nodding, "Mrs. Adler is a wretch. ”

Her eyes were full of murder. Charles said.

"If you were to do the same," said Arthur, "after all, she had lost her husband, her home, everything she had ever had." ”

Charles took on the role slightly, nodded approvingly, and then asked, "What should we do with her?" ”

"Let's wait until we get out of here and everything is on track," Arthur felt that now was not the time to think about it, "but I don't think that since Brandi has joined us, she won't be left behind by Dutsy." ”

"You're meeting someone from the Odrysco?" Charles asked.

"yes," Arthur laughed, "it was unexpected. ”

"What's going on with them?" Charles asked, seemingly unaware of the feud between the Van der Linde gang and the O'Drisko gang.

"Haven't you dealt with the Odrysco?" This time it was Brandi's turn to be surprised.

"Charles only joined us a few months ago, and we haven't met them in half a year," Arthur explained, "and I guess they're here because they've been here before." ”

"I've heard a lot about them." Charles said.

"Anyway," said Arthur, "we've been fighting them for years. A big gang, all a bunch of nasty mongrels. Their leader, Colm, had a fierce quarrel with Ducky a long time ago, and it should be a feud. ”

"I've heard of that, too." Charles nodded.

The three of them walked slowly along the road, chatting as they came to the shore of Lake Isabella. Brandi suddenly seemed to notice something, jumped off his horse, ran to a big tree by the lake to take a closer look, and after reading it, he excitedly shouted, "Arthur, Charles, come and see." ”

Arthur and Charles dismounted, somewhat confused, and came to Brandi's side. Following where he pointed, the two of them saw a large piece of bark falling off the trunk of the big tree, as if it had been rubbed by some large animal.

"It came out too," Brandi was very excited, "I guess it was just over an hour ago." ”

Arthur and Charles understood at once that Brandi was referring to the white buffalo he had once spoken of.

Arthur was a little skeptical of Brandy's judgment: "It's also possible that it was left by large animals such as elk, moose, and bears, how can you tell that it was left behind?" ”

"Look at this," said Charles, who found a very peculiar white fur not far away, "it is clearly the hair of a bison, and I have never seen this albino coat color, and it seems that the legend that Brandy said that the white bison does exist, and generally operates in this area." ”

Charles stood up and said, "But this time we have brought a lot of prey, and it is not realistic to look for it again, I don't think our actions should have alarmed it, it should be active here for a while now, why don't we come to find it later, what do you think?" Blondie? ”

Brandi thought for a moment, nodded and said, "You're right, Charles, this matter should be considered in the long run. ”

Arthur didn't care about the matter: "You two have made up your mind, just open your mouth when you need me." ”

The three men made up their minds, and then mounted their horses again and headed for the camp.

"Speaking of which, we haven't talked much," Arthur said to Charles, "you must have thought of it when you joined, did you?" ”

"What comes to mind?"

"All this," said Arthur, "the chaos of Blackwater, and being here. ”

"Sooner or later, something will happen," Charles said, "This is life." ”

"I just thought you'd choose to leave." Arthur said.

"You want me to leave?"

"No, no, I don't want to, I just don't think you have any problems even if you're alone."

"I've been doing that kind of thing long enough," Charles said, "I've had enough of worrying that someone will kill you while you're sleeping......"

"Hah, I'm worried most nights, too." Arthur laughed.

Charles also smiled: "I think you're safe." This kind of life is just right for me. Of course, I could totally join other gangs, but Ducky ...... You know, Ducky is different. ”

"That's right," said Arthur, "Ducky is really different. ”

"He didn't discriminate against me, and neither do most of you, and it's not a common thing for a guy whose father is black and his mother is Indian."

"Well, we need you now, more than ever."

"Very good...... Charles nodded, and asked Arthur instead, "How long have you been following these guys?" Why don't you choose to leave? ”

"Me?" Arthur looked like he was lost in memory, "Twenty years, probably, since I was a child. ”

"Twenty years?" Charles was surprised.

"Yes," said Arthur, "it was Ducky who taught me to read, and John, who taught us other things, Ducky and Hosea. ”

"Definitely." Charles probably guessed that.

"Ducky saved me and saved most of us," Arthur said, "and that's why we're going to get through it with him." He always took good care of us. ”

As the three horses crossed a small hill, Brandy's horse snorted slightly, showing his tiredness to his owner on his back. Brandi stroked its neck and took an oatmeal from his pocket and held it to the horse's mouth.

The horses feasted happily. Charles heard the movement behind him, smiled and asked, "How is your new horse?" ”

Brandi stroked the horse's mane and said, "She's a pretty strong child, but to be honest, there are some things I wish she could have done better." ”

"Horses that can hold out in this climate are good," said Arthur, "but I'm still riding a cart-pulling horse, and when I get out of this hellish place, I'll have to find a place to buy another one."

Arthur's tone suddenly became melancholy: "Alas, I miss my Boadicia. ”

"Look at it, we don't want that to happen," Charles reassured, "I guess we're all the same, right?" Think of horses as your companions and family. If something happens to the Count, I don't know what Ducky will do. ”

"Bill and Brown Jack too," Arthur agreed, "he's a poor bastard who hugs a bottle of wine all day, but he really loves the horse. ”

"I hope they'll all survive as much as we do." Charles said.

"I once tried to ride the Earl," Arthur began to share his past scandals, "good fellow, it was stronger than an ox when it threw me off. It doesn't let anyone ride except Ducky. ”

The three of them talked and laughed, and it seemed that the distance under their feet was much shorter. In a short time, the snow-dyed eaves of the coulter village were clearly visible.

"We're back with food, guys." As soon as he entered the camp, Arthur shouted.

Brandi tied up the horse, unloaded the deer from the horse and put it on his shoulder, and thanked Charles: "Charles, thank you for teaching me how to use a bow and arrows. ”

"I'm just demonstrating, to be proficient, you have to keep practicing." Charles said.

The three of them arrived at Pearson's kitchen, where he had been waiting for a long time.

"Hey, look at it," if Pearson's beard were shaved off, and he would have been able to see his big mouth smiling so hard that he couldn't close it, "just put it on the ground over here." ”

When Arthur put the deer down and looked up to stretch his body, he noticed the uncle who was drinking and roasting the fire by the fire with a saucepan, and began to output without mercy: "It's really surprising, the rats in the camp are actually spinning in the kitchen." ”

"That's how you greet an old friend?" The drunken uncle has always had a good personality, and he didn't listen to Arthur's taunts at all, "I don't think we have spoken in days." ”

"I'm trying to avoid you." Arthur said.

The uncle smiled and explained to the newcomer Brandi: "He actually likes me, but the way he expresses his love is more pathetic." ”

"No, I don't like you," Arthur denied, "now get out of here." ”

"I think what Uncle said is more credible." Brandi said with a smile.

"Haha, I like you boy," the uncle laughed heartily, "well, I'll see you later, gentlemen." ”

After the uncle left, Pearson looked at the three deer lying neatly on the ground, and said, "It seems that you have a good harvest." ”

"Charles is great, Brandi is smart." Arthur gave all the credit to his teammates.

"Come, take a sip," Pearson said, handing over a bottle, "and you deserve it." ”

Brandi didn't know what was going on, so he took a big gulp, and was immediately so spicy that he couldn't speak, and he only kept coughing.

Arthur, Charles, and Pearson were all amused by Brandy's fledgling appearance.

"You don't have the experience, boy," Arthur smiled and took the bottle, only to take a sip of it, and the spicy taste made him stop laughing at once, "Oh my God, what is this?" ”

"Navy rum," Pearson said proudly, "is the best thing, the best thing!" It keeps you awake. ”

"yes, it looks like that's what keeps you awake." Arthur complained angrily.

"Charles, Arthur," Brandi finally regained his ability to speak, but his voice was slightly hoarse, "I care a lot about the traces left by that white buffalo, it may be hard for you these days, I want to catch it." ”

Arthur said that it didn't matter: "I don't have any opinion, it's just that Charles's hand injury is not healed yet, and it may not help you much." ”

Charles nodded: "Arthur is right, you can find the other people in the camp and see if they are willing to join you." ”

"Then I'll look for Lenny, he's definitely interested." Brandi laughed.

"I'm sure we'll get a lot of meat if we do catch that buffalo," Pearson said, "but I'm more concerned about the meat that I've already had, would you like to help me skin the deer?" ”

"Can I skin you?" Arthur said angrily.

"Shy, you like to joke, don't you?" Pearson laughed.

This kind of work is not suitable for people with hand injuries, so Charles went back to the house to warm up. Brandi and Arthur helped Pearson skin the deerskin together. The smell of blood grew stronger in the air.

"Well done, gentlemen," said Pearson, "the skins of this animal may be sold for a good price in the town, or for me, and I may make you something interesting and useful, and, of course, if necessary, I may have the girls make you something of their own goodness, to your satisfaction." ”

"Now I just want to get out of this mountain alive." Arthur said.

Brandi also smiled and waved his hand: "Forget it, to be honest, that white bison is more attractive to me now." ”

"Anyway, if you hunt other game, bring it to me." Pearson began to work on the deer carcass.

"Cook something good for us to-day," said Brandy, "and honestly, Mr. Pearson, I've had enough boiled beans." ”

"Haha, okay," Pearson said with a smile, "I'll show you my craft today, I think back then, I was in the Navy ......."

"Gotta get it, I'm afraid of you," Arthur's head buzzed when he heard Pearson say the word "navy", and he hurriedly pulled Brandi away, saying, "In short, find us if you need it, it's all difficult now, don't be afraid of trouble." ”

"Don't worry, I've never been polite to you in this regard." Pearson responded, and the hand under the knife cut into a cheerful rhythm.