With the lake in its back, Cape Clemmons is covered with a thin layer of mist in the early morning.

A sleepy-eyed Arthur came to the lake and prepared to wash his face.

As soon as he squatted down, Aunt Susan urged behind him: "Mr. Morgan, hurry up, you're going to be late soon." ”

Members value Arthur's new job, believing it will help the gang out of its current predicament.

Of course, Arthur himself was no exception.

Wiping off the water from his face, he returned to the bedside, trimmed his slightly sloppy beard, took out a can of oil, and made himself a regular hairstyle.

"Arthur, remember to build a good relationship with the people in the town, the future of the gang depends on you!"

"I know." Arthur responded to Ducky's expectation and rode to the town of Rhodes.

In order to be better qualified for the job of sergeant, the fierce thug of the past did something he had never thought of before, greeting every passerby in a friendly and warm manner.

"Hello."

"Good morning."

"If you need help, come to me, ma'am."

"Sir, your wallet has dropped."

Speaking of a dry mouth, Arthur finally arrives at the sheriff's office.

After a brief welcome ceremony, he was draped in a golden police badge on his chest, symbolizing the power of law enforcement.

The Nether Dog, who served as the deputy sheriff, knew that Arthur was a mallet who didn't understand anything, so he patiently explained the duties of the sheriff to him.

Since the outlaws and illegal groups in Rhodes and the surrounding area have been plowed by Han Sen, and there are only a few minions left to worry about, Arthur's job will be very easy.

Take people to patrol the perimeter of the town every day to prevent the Lemone Marauders from sneaking back.

Arrest wanted criminals in transit or issue bounty announcements.

Maintain law and order in the town, and try the criminals who have been caught.

Today, for example, the main job is to try prisoners.

The deputy sheriff brought Arthur a list with a dozen names on it, as well as the crimes they had committed.

Among them, the gang of villains of the Anders Brotherhood is impressively listed.

Through this list, Arthur found that Rhodes's punishment was extremely severe, either killed or hanged, and there was basically no third option.

It's kind of to his taste.

But looking at it, Arthur's face suddenly changed.

Because there's a familiar name on the list.

Josiah Trelawney.

Arrested on charges of fraud in relation to gold mining investments, disposing of the disposition: hanging.

As the gang's chief trickster, Trelawney and Arthur rescued Sean and left the camp again and ran outside to cheat and make money, only to be deceived to the town of Rhodes.

Arthur never expected that the new official took office with three fires, and the first fire burned on his head first.

On the day he took office, he was going to bend the law for personal gain, and he was really incompetent as a police sergeant.

"What's the matter with this person? Scammed a lot of money? He was to be hanged! ”

The deputy sheriff replied: "We were arrested before we could cheat the money, and they refused to admit their guilt and refused to pay the fine." In addition, the hanging is only a suggestion, and the specific punishment will have to be decided by Mr. Sheriff himself. ”

Arthur tentatively asked, "Is it okay to change the sentence?" ”

The deputy sergeant replied: "Of course, pay the money, the atonement." ”

Arthur asked, "What if there is no money?" ”

"The verdict is upheld." The deputy sheriff explained: "It is set by Mayor Han Sen, you can raise it with him if you have any objections." ”

Arthur looked at the list of criminals and fell into deep thought

He didn't want to find Han Sen, and he didn't have any money, so could it be that he wanted to rob the prison?

Thinking of this, Arthur looked up at the Nether Dogs coming and going in the police station, and decisively stifled the criminal thoughts that had just sprouted.

Seeing that his face was full of confusion, the deputy sergeant directly made his words clear:

"If I'm not mistaken, this person should be your friend, Mr. Sheriff, right?"

"The fine can be owed first, but it must be written on your head and paid when he has the money, but he is not allowed to enter the territory of Lodz during the period of debt."

Arthur didn't take the blame on himself in a hurry, but first asked, "What if he doesn't pay it back?" ”

The deputy sergeant said calmly: "Whoever guarantees who will be punished for him, he himself should not want to run, believe in our strength, even if he escapes to the ends of the earth, we can catch him." ”

Arthur couldn't help but recall the night he was chased by the Nether Dog.

"I think I've learned that."

"You've won a prize." The deputy sergeant replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

He also participated in the original operation to capture Arthur and his gang.

"I'm not complimenting you." Arthur reluctantly moved his gaze to the list again.

People must be saved, the Van der Linde gang has no habit of abandoning their companions, and the fine is easy to solve, the gang should have saved a lot of money during this time, and in the future, Trelawney himself will be.

"Let the people go, I'll pay the money, but I have to wait for tomorrow."

"As you wish, Mr. Sheriff."

After settling the affairs of his companions, Arthur signs his name on the list of criminals.

With the exception of Trelawney, the rest upheld their verdicts.

At this time, Arthur finally realized how much power he had, and a word could decide a person's life and death.

When he was an outlaw, he had to do it himself, and now all he needed was a small signature.

Even he didn't know the other party, and the other party was killed by him.

At the end of the day's work, Arthur returned to the camp, in fact, the sheriff's office had a place to rest, and the conditions were much better than in the camp, but he was reluctant to live because he knew his identity very well.

First a member of the Fan Gang, then Sheriff Rhodes.

Trelawney was also in the camp, and was bragging about how clever his deception was with the rest of the group, and if it weren't for the Rodz Township Police, he would have made a fortune this time.

Seeing this, Arthur was not in a very good mood: "Trelawney! Remember to pay it back. ”

"What money?" Trelawney looked innocent: "Fine? I thought the officer was joking. Please, my good brother, you are all a sheriff, I still need to pay money? ”

Arthur grabbed him by the collar and yelled angrily, "Do you want to drag the whole gang to hell with you?" ”

Trelawney saw that the other party was really angry, and hurriedly begged for mercy: "I give money, I can't give money, but I need time." ”

Arthur let go of his hand: "Pack up your things and get out of here, get the money and come back!" ”

Trelawney was extremely aggrieved: "Just because of a little money, you want to drive me away?" ”

Seeing the two arguing, the members gradually gathered around and persuaded Arthur to calm down.

Hearing the movement, Ducky also came out of the tent and said angrily, "Arthur Morgan, have you collected the accounts and received them from your own home?" ”

Arthur had no choice but to explain the cause and effect.

When Trelawney learned that Rhodes was Leon's territory, he felt afraid, and the whole person was so frightened that he fell to the ground and couldn't get up for a long time.

And Daqi was silent for a moment, and then persuaded: "Josiah, stay outside for a while, the money gang will help you find a way." ”

"I'll pay it back as soon as I can." Trelawney hastened to reassure him as if he were on the verge of amnesty.

Then, he packed up the luggage he had just put down and hurried out of the camp.

After a few more days, Arthur's work as a sergeant became more and more handy, the only problem was that he was getting busier and busier, at first he could go back to the camp every day to rest, then it became once every two or three days, or even longer.

Charles and Lenny are currently on his side to help.

While Arthur and John had a better relationship, Charles was clearly more reliable.

And Lenny, whose full name is Leonard Summers, was born as a black slave for generations, but he received a certain education and was considered a disciple of Hosea. People are smart, capable, and ambitious, dreaming of one day becoming a lawyer or a judge.

Hosea felt that by having Lenny with Arthur, he could learn more about the law.

The old guy himself agreed to cooperate with the Tijia Manor, to transport and sell moonshine, and to take Sean and Javier, who was recovering from his injuries, back and forth between Lodz and St. Denis every day, and kept busy.

Several ladies from the gang, with Arthur's help, go to the town to find a job with less money and more money.

Everything is going in a good direction and everyone is happy.

Except for Ducky.

He felt as if he had been hollowed out, with only a not-so-clever Bill and his disciple John at his disposal, who was often not at the camp.

It's true that the gang's funding is increasing day by day, but it's not happy.

"Molly, why are you back so late today?" Ducky stood in front of the tent, staring at his lover who had just returned from outside.

Molly Oschee, dressed in a flamboyant manner, is shaking a small fan.

"Didn't you ask me to deal more with a few ladies and ladies in the manor? What else to say about lady diplomacy. ”

Ducky was momentarily speechless.

"Then you can't come back so late, it's getting dark, and you're going to be in danger."

Molly couldn't help but laugh: "Dangerous? What do you think Arthur is busy with these days? And Mrs. Archina sent someone to see me off, so there was no need to worry about it. ”

Ducky became even more worried when he heard this, and said seriously. "No more going tomorrow!"

"Why?" Molly reluctantly: "My wife and I have made an appointment for afternoon tea tomorrow." ”

Although she is Ducky's lover, she is a daughter from a wealthy family, and she is willing to follow Ducky to flee everywhere, which is already worthy of him.

Now that I can finally return to the life of an upper-class person, how can I give up casually.

Even his lover didn't listen to him, and Daqi's face turned green with anger: "Have you taken a fancy to that little white face!" ”

Molly, who was wronged, felt inexplicable: "Van der Linde, you have a problem with your brain, right?" Mr. Leon had gone out with his wife a few days earlier, and I had never seen anyone. ”

Ducky had nowhere to vent his anger: "Get back to the tent for me!" ”

He misses Mika so much now, at least Mika won't take his words as a deaf ear.

After the lover entered the tent, Ducky crossed his waist and looked around the camp with few people.

He has to come up with a plan to rebuild his prestige in the gang and let everyone know who's the boss.

"Bill! Bill, you idiot, where did you run again! ”

Bill Williams, who was simple-minded and not very well-developed in his limbs, appeared drunkenly behind a carriage: "Old. Boss, are you looking for me? ”

Ducky suppressed his anger: "Throw away the wine bottle in your hand, and go to town to get Arthur and John back for me!" ”

Not wanting to get touched, Bill left in a hurry, and it took more than an hour to return to camp with John.

"Arthur wasn't in town, he went on a business trip with the mayor to St. Denis."

Hearing this, Daqi angrily kicked the supply box next to him: "Fake! He doesn't know who he is! ”

John then stood up and said something fair: "He doesn't know, Ducky, if he knows that the gang has a mission today, he will definitely come back." ”

The pain in his toes brought Ducky back to his senses.

He understood that he had been stimulated too much to become so irritable, but for the sake of face, he could only continue to put on a tough attitude.

"It's the same with him or not, it's just the three of us in this operation, and no one else is needed."

"Bill, prepare explosives, let's go to Valentine and rob the bank!"

Hearing the words "robbing the bank", Bill excitedly cheered loudly: "I can finally do something serious!" ”

John is also very idle these days, so he doesn't have any opinions.

After setting their goal, the three of them hurried to Valentine.

In order to prove that his sword is not old, Daqi deliberately chose to carry out the robbery plan during the day of the next day, in broad daylight.

The action is smooth, and the harvest is abundant.

Nearly $10,000 was credited, bringing the gang's funds to a new level.

Ducky reverts back to being the high-spirited, charismatic gang leader, who is sought after and admired by all members, except for Arthur, who has not yet returned to camp.

An unexpected person has returned—Mika.

He came back with Pearson, the cook who had gone out to buy supplies.

"Oh, Maika, my good brother, where have you been all this time?" Ducky happily hugs the legendary mouse and tells him how much he misses.

Maika explained that after the failed train robbery, he was afraid of causing trouble for the gang, so he hid in the old forest deep in the mountains for a few days, only to find that everyone had moved away, but fortunately met Trelawney and was told the location of the new camp.

On the way there, he happened to meet Pearson and claimed that he had brought good news to the gang.

"Fatty, come and tell Ducky how much of a burden you have taken off for everyone!"

Pearson, who has been on the fringes of the gang for a long time, finally got a chance to show his face, walked quickly to his boss, and danced to tell his experience today.

"On the way into town, I met the Odrisco gang. But you also know my guts, like a tiger being cornered, it is impossible to coward! But they don't seem to want to use the knife, but hope that the two of us can sit down and talk, resolve all the grievances in the past, and be like gentlemen. ”

Aside from the braggadocio part, the gang cook's words are to the effect that the Ao Gang wants to reconcile with the Fan Gang.

All the members found it very bizarre, and Hosea even said bluntly: "It's a trap!" ”

Ducky also doesn't believe this is true, he and the boss of the Ao Gang have a deep blood feud.

Colm Odrisko killed the woman he loved the most, and he killed Colm's brother.

Mika, however, has been trying to persuade Ducky to change his mind.

"What's the point of trying, Ducky? Like you said, the old feud has been a long time coming, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us! ”

"Pinkerton is still tracking down our whereabouts, and we shouldn't waste our time fighting and killing those hillbillies in the O'Gang gang."

"And we have Arthur, even if it's a trap, he can kill those guys!"

Dudge was moved, not only because he felt that what Mika said made sense, but also because he trusted Arthur.

Although he resents Arthur's absence from home all day, he still believes in Arthur's loyalty to him.

Arthur will definitely protect him.

"John, go to town and wait for Arthur to come back, and then we'll go."

Early the next morning, John brought back Arthur, who was tired and tired.

Of all the gunmen in the gang, Ducky trusted Arthur and Maika the most, so only two of them were taken with him for this operation.

The location of the peace talks with the Obang was set in a sparsely populated wasteland in the heart of the earth.

Arthur hides on a nearby hilltop with a sniper rifle on his back, and if the situation is not right, he can shoot in time to rescue Ducky and Maika.

The distance was too far for him to hear what the two sides were talking about, so he could only focus on observing the movements of the O's gang.

Just when Arthur thought everything was going well, a subtle noise behind him suddenly alerted him.

He quickly turned around, but it was too late, and he was directly knocked to the ground with the butt of a gun by a member of the Olympic gang who had quietly touched him, and he was completely unconscious.

The Fan Gang and the Ao Gang have had a grudge for a long time, and it cannot be resolved by a single meeting.

Ducky and Colm eventually come to an unpleasant conclusion and the two sides break up, after which he and Maika arrive at the agreed meeting point, only to find that Arthur has been missing for a long time.

Maika said angrily: "Our 'patron saint' Mr. Morgan is always like this, maybe somewhere to drink again, not at all rude. ”

Ducky believed it, because Arthur did it often.

On the other hand, Arthur, who was captured by the Ao Gang, was tortured, beaten countless times, and finally imprisoned him in a dark cellar, saying that the heavens should not be called the earth's spirits.

He thought Ducky would come to his rescue.

Colm also thinks that Dutsy will come to his rescue, so he uses him as bait.

As a result, nothing happened.

I don't know how long it took, until the Ao Gang lost patience and let down his guard, Arthur found an opportunity to unshackle his body, rip out the bullet on his shoulder, drag his seriously injured body, and crawl out of the cellar little by little.

But when he found that the outside was full of gunmen from the Austrian Gang, he fell into despair again.

Arthur didn't want to die, at least not at the hands of the Ao Gang.

As he struggled to find a solution, a rhythmic sound of horses' hooves disrupted his thoughts.

It was a dark Turkmen horse, with a black mane, naked, tall and strong, and immediately sat a handsome young man with a tall and tall figure.

He held out his hand to the desperate outlaws.

"Mr. Morgan, I'm always there when you're at your most embarrassed, and you shouldn't feel it. I'm hurting you, right? ”

Arthur looked at the man's calm eyes, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Meanwhile, the Ao Gang gunmen spotted the unexpected intruder.

The whole camp was in turmoil, and dozens of guns were pointed at the men on horseback at the same time.

Suddenly, the gunshots rang out, and the sound of fighting shook the sky.

"We may have had a little trouble, but it's not a big problem." Leon pulled the weakened Arthur on horseback and walked leisurely among the bullets.

Silent, deadly blood flowed from his fingertips like silk threads, swimming in all directions.

The Aobang gunmen seemed to be drained of their souls in an instant, and they fell in rows, and it didn't take long for the entire camp to become a dead field.

Arthur, who witnessed the whole process, could only think of one word to describe the carnage:

Precise and elegant.

(End of chapter)