Thanks to the federal government's Indian Removal Act of 1830, thousands of Native Americans were forced to leave their ancestral homeland.

During this period, many tribes were unwilling to cooperate and began to resist violently, thus giving birth to the infamous 'scalp policy'.

All legitimate citizens of the United States, whether ordinary or soldiers, could cut off the scalps of Native Americans in exchange for bounties or military exploits.

Even during the Civil War, no matter how fierce the fighting situation between the two sides was, they did not forget to clear the aborigines.

And in addition to the 'scalp policy', there is actually a 'bison policy' that is little known.

At that time, there were a large number of American bison living in the Americas, which was the main source of food for the Indian tribes and the raw material for their daily necessities such as tents and clothing. The Indians were ordered not to leave the reservation at will, but the bison could not have listened to the federal government.

As a result, the Indians had to migrate with the bison in order to obtain food.

As a result, the federal government began to hunt bison on a large scale to restrict their movement, cut off food sources, and eliminate the economic source of tribe-to-tribe trade.

There used to be tens of millions of bison in North America alone, but after years of indiscriminate fishing, the number has declined dramatically and is on the verge of extinction. By 1889, there were fewer than 1,000 bison in the United States.

After nearly a century of systematic genocide, the American bison almost disappeared, and only a small number of Native Americans remained.

The Wapiti tribe is one of the survivors.

They used to live in the heart of the earth, where water and grass were abundant, but now they can only survive in the mountains of the north, where birds don't.

Even this result was the result of the tribal chieftain - Luo Yu, who tried his best to get it.

Among the aborigines who lack medical care and medicine, and are usually short-lived, falling rain is considered a rare longevity. Long enough to bring enough rich life experience. He knew that the Indians could not stand up to the federal government, so in the face of persecution, he usually chose to tolerate and avoid all possible conflicts.

Unfortunately, the heavens do not seem to favor him and his tribe.

A few months ago, several explorers broke into the reserve without permission, claiming to have found large quantities of oil beneath the territory, and then quickly reported it to Cornwall Mining and the local state government.

Oil is known to breed mildew.

Coincidentally, an army was stationed at Fort Wallace near the reservation.

Because of the oil, the state government had the idea of expelling the tribes, and the army agreed, which led to an already tense relationship between the two sides.

Falling Rain's son Flying Eagle and the other young people in the tribe have always been unaccustomed to Falling Rain's 'weak' principle, and they intend to use force to fight for their rightful rights and defend their homeland.

When the Falling Rain Chief was at a loss, the situation took an unexpected turn.

A company, Dimitrescu Mining, has taken over from Cornwall Mining and will work with the town government of Lodz, Lemoine, to develop the oil fields on the reserve.

In addition to the company's representatives, the company also sent a half-breed Indian to participate in the negotiations.

And prescribe extremely lucrative conditions for the Wapiti tribe.

The company will fund the purchase of land on the reservation, hire tribal members as consultants, and pay salaries as well as future dividends. If they want to move out, the town of Rhodes will provide a suitable resettlement site for the tribe.

This approach is contrary to the federal government's long-standing policy, but it cannot stand up to the fact that money can make the devil grind. Anyway, since the arrival of the company, the state government has not made any comments on the reservation. Even the commander of Fort Wallace traveled to Rhodes shortly afterwards to visit the mayor of the town, Hansen.

The cautious Rainfall did not believe such a thing as pie in the sky at first.

It must have been corporations and governments exploiting him and his people in a way he couldn't understand.

But when the contract was laid out in black and white, and boxes of medicines and supplies urgently needed by the tribe were moved into the reserve, Luo Yu had to believe that he might have really met a rare conscientious capitalist.

In order to show his sincerity, Luo Yu directly sent his son Feiying to Rhodes, and while serving as a hostage, he hoped that he could learn more from Mayor Han Sen how to behave in the world. The child's wings are stiff and disobedient, and it's good to go out and toss others.

As a result, Han Sen, who was tough-hearted, had a very good appetite for the Flying Eagle, and it didn't take long for the latter to look at the former.

The commissioner, Charles, remained on the reservation and was responsible for communicating with the two sides.

When Arthur arrives on the reservation, he sees a thriving scene of life and prosperity.

The company provided housing, medical care and other applications for the tribe, and the tribe took on the responsibility of protecting the factory area.

Arthur was rigorously interrogated as soon as he approached, but fortunately Charles arrived in time, otherwise he would have been killed as a saboteur.

"It's not easy to see you, Charles."

Charles smiled coyly and took Arthur to his office.

The two of them, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, were enjoying a sumptuous dinner and chatting all over the world.

During the meal, Arthur asks Charles if he had taken the bodies of Hosea and Lenny, but receives a negative answer.

"You can tell that I don't have time to leave the reservation."

Arthur seemed to understand something from the attitude of his companions, and said tentatively, "Looks like you're not going back to the gang." ”

Charles did not hide it, and nodded very dryly: "Although I have Indian ancestry, I have never lived in a tribe, and my impression of the tribe completely depends on my mother's narration. After living on the reserve during this time, I realized that I might be able to do something for them. ”

He hadn't been in the Fan Gang for too long, and he didn't have much sense of belonging, and although he liked the atmosphere in the gang, what Daqi did later made him feel very uncomfortable.

If you have this opportunity, it's better to withdraw as soon as possible.

Arthur understood Charles's choice, and besides, he himself wouldn't be in the Fan Gang for long.

According to his plan, and finally make a lot of money for the gang and ensure the future of the members, he will leave the gang and concentrate on doing things for Leon.

After talking about these unhappy topics, Arthur invited Charles to accompany him to Rhodes tomorrow.

Charles readily agreed.

There was nothing to say all night, and the two got up early in the morning.

While passing near Anissberg, Arthur stopped by Charlotte and taught her some hunting techniques with Charles.

Charlotte wanted to keep the two for lunch as a token of gratitude, but Arthur refused.

After leaving the widow of Xia, Charles made fun of Arthur's misdeeds, which confirmed his nickname of the widow's friend.

But in fact, it is not that Arthur has a soft spot for the surviving, but that this world has caused too many people to lose their husbands, and Fan Bang has also made a lot of contributions from it.

For example, as the two pass by the mines, Arthur meets Downs' wife, who has become a dust girl.

Downs was the farmer who vomited his blood when he collected his debts. Soon after he finished collecting his debts, Downs fell ill and died, and Mrs. Downs had no choice but to go to sea to work again in order to support her son, who was still an adult.

Arthur wasn't sure if Downs had died because of him, but he had something to do with him after all, so he thought about helping Mrs. Downs and giving her some money.

But Mrs. Downs avoided him like a femme fatale.

When this happened, Charles was in no mood to make fun of Arthur, and the two came to Rhodes full of melancholy.

Today's Rhodes is full of construction sites in full swing, and the once-simple southern town is on its way to a modern metropolis.

Arthur's jaw drops when his jaw drops at the rapid growth of the town, which Charles says is all due to the mayor.

Many residents recognized the former sheriff and extended a warm welcome to his return to the old place.

Arthur is forced to take on the role of the West Greeting King again, constantly greeting the townspeople who know him.

It didn't take long for the subordinates of the police station to come to greet them and inform Han Sen of the news.

At the cost of inviting everyone to have a drink in the evening, the two finally escaped, and then rushed to the house rented by Abigail's mother and son.

Seeing that Arthur was still alive, Abigail, who was washing clothes, didn't even bother to wipe his hands, and hugged him excitedly.

"Oh, Arthur, it's great to be back!"

"What about Ducky and the others, didn't they come back with you?"

Arthur told the truth about what happened that day.

When she heard that he didn't know the whereabouts of Ducky and the others, Abigail couldn't help but sigh.

"You probably don't know, Arthur, Ducky left John behind when they ran for their lives, and if it weren't for Sadie going to Mr. Hanson for help, he would have been sent to the gallows by Pinkerton by now."

Arthur's first reaction was impossible, and Charles also showed an expression of disbelief.

How could Ducky leave behind his companions, especially John, who saw him as his own.

Abigail saw what the two were thinking: "It's true, John told me himself. ”

Arthur immediately asked, "Where are the others?" ”

Abigail replied, "At the town jail, Mr. Hansen said that the robbery had not subsided, and that it was best to let him stay in it for a few more days to avoid the limelight." ”

"I see." Arthur nodded, planning to visit the prison later.

Abigail continued, "Sadie and I managed to get the bodies of Hosea and Lenny back and bury them near Cape Clemmons, and you can send a bouquet of flowers when you have time. ”

Arthur was immediately overjoyed: "Rare good news." ”

"I don't think that's good news." Abigail covered her face and cried bitterly, "I still can't believe they're dead." ”

Hearing this, Charles lowered his head, as if in silence for the two.

Arthur patted Abigail on the shoulder comfortingly.

Without Li Ang's permission, he didn't dare to talk about such a thing as resurrection casually, let alone that no one would believe it.

It took a few minutes for Abigail to barely calm down.

"Sadie and the others live not far from here, I'll take you there."

Arthur asked, "Are they in town?" I thought I would go back to Clemmons. ”

Abigail simply said, "Mr. Hansen's arrangement." ”

Arthur understood.

Han Sen's arrangement, Li Ang's face, and the kindness that he can't repay in his life.

Subsequently, the trio intended to go to the residences of the other members.

But as soon as he went out, Arthur began to cough violently, followed by difficulty breathing, general weakness, and the whole person fell to the ground in pain and fainted.

Abigail was taken aback, but fortunately Charles was calmer and sent Arthur to the town's clinic as soon as possible.

Hand it over to the doctor, Charles reassured:

"He was in the rain yesterday, so he must have contracted a cold. You go and tell Sadie that I'm here with him. ”

Abigail's hanging heart relaxed a little: "I hope he'll be fine." ”

At the same time, Arthur, who was unconscious, had another strange dream.

He walked alone on the streets of Rhodestown, and the whole world seemed to be left alone, and from time to time gray wolves and bucks ran in front of him, but in general, wolves appeared more often.

Before Arthur could figure out what the two animals represented, he was awakened by the doctor.

Holding back his physical discomfort, he struggled to sit up from the hospital bed: "Ahem. I. Ahem, what's going on? ”

Seeing this, Charles hurriedly asked him to lie down again.

The doctor's tone was inaudible: "I'm afraid you're not doing too well, kid." ”

Arthur still coughed: "I guess too." ”

Charles asked worriedly, "Isn't it a common cold?" ”

"Unfortunately, it's much worse than a cold." The doctor's tone was like that of a judge pronouncing the death sentence: "It's tuberculosis, a very terrible disease." ”

"The disease is getting worse gradually, and if you can stay in a warm, dry place for a few years to recuperate, maybe it will get better."

Arthur suddenly remembered Downs, the honest farmer.

When he was collecting the debt, Downs was coughing incessantly, exactly the same as his current symptoms.

Is this retribution?

Thinking of this, Arthur laughed to himself, "Maybe I should go to a country club in California for the winter." ”

The doctor said regretfully, "I'm very sorry, kid. ”

As he spoke, he took out a syringe from the medicine cabinet: "I can't cure you, but I can make you feel better today." ”

Arthur's face was no longer so pale after the medication, but the tiredness and weakness between his eyebrows could not be concealed.

Both Charles and the doctor advised him to rest a little longer.

Arthur insisted on leaving: "There is nothing we can do to change what has happened, we can only move on, I still have a lot of things to do, and I must not stop." ”

"You're going to die." Charles mourned his misfortune.

"Everybody is going to die, but I think I can hold on a little longer." Arthur got out of his hospital bed and put the black gambler's hat that his father had left for him back on his head.

It is worth mentioning that in various works of art with western themes, the positive character usually wears a white hat, and the black character belongs to the villain.

Of all the members of the Fan Gang, only Mika wears a white hat.

"Don't tell them I have this disease, it's just a simple cold."

Charles reluctantly agreed to Arthur's request and helped him out of the clinic.

But as soon as he walked out of the door, Arthur immediately pushed his companion away to show that he was fine.

Charles followed his gaze into the distance and found the reason.

It turned out that Elgail, Sadie and other members were not far away, and they heard that Arthur might be in a physical condition, so they rushed to visit.

Everyone asked in a gossipy manner, but they were all perfunctory by Arthur.

(End of chapter)