Time rewinds two and a half hours earlier, when Carlos and Pizarro's group of seventy people arrived at Guillotine.
This place had numerous cliffs and precipices, with one hundred-meter-high cliff jutting out about ten meters in a platform, hence called Guillotine.
Although this place wasn't as treacherous as Death Valley, it also had many suitable hidden places for ambush.
Last night after Pizarro, Carlos, and the familiar Diego and Antonio discussed, Pizarro made the decision to ambush Henry's group here.
His thinking was that if there were other teams departing from Denver to ambush Henry, they would very likely be at Death Valley.
Let others fight with Henry first, while they waited here to reap the benefits.
Pizarro believed Henry wouldn't die so easily - after all, his battle record was truly formidable.
And even if Henry fell, the successful party would have to pass through Guillotine to get to Denver to claim the bounty.
Moreover, this place as an ambush location had sufficiently good terrain.
Pizarro divided the 70 people into four small teams to ambush in the dense forests or caves on the cliffs on both sides of the mountain road.
Not long after they set up their ambush, a cavalry force of over a hundred people brazenly charged through the mountain road.
"It's the Dodge Gang from Kansas City, led by 'Cross-eyed' Frank," Diego quietly introduced to the two bosses Carlos and Pizarro.
"Hmm~" Pizarro hummed through his nose with great dignity to show his response.
The others at this time greatly admired Pizarro's brilliant foresight - truly worthy of being the organization's strategist.
After more than half an hour, a group of 42 people passed by.
At one glance Pizarro could tell from that hardtop luxury four-wheel carriage that it was used by upper-class people. He asked puzzledly: "Who are they?"
Antonio said: "Looking at the markings on their flag, they're McKinley family people. They have several mines near Fresco Town, with two to three hundred private cavalry guards, often appearing on this mountain road."
Carlos asked: "Should we attack them?"
Antonio said: "Forget it, Henry's matter is urgent. They'll immediately send out guards to scout. We should be careful not to expose ourselves, and if we really are exposed we'll have to silence them."
The group made flag signals to communicate with others then retreated deeper into the mountains.
More than ten minutes later, five McKinley family scouts signaled that the main force could pass through Guillotine, and the group passed through this mile-or-so mountain road at high speed.
At this time, "Cross-eyed" Frank's group had already found good ambush positions on the mountains on both sides of Death Valley.
Frank instructed: "Henry's group has women and children - they probably won't arrive here for another two to three hours. If they're ambushed by others, it might be even later, but everyone shouldn't be careless. I told you all last night how strong he is."
Everyone expressed agreement and dispersed into nine groups, with one group responsible for watching the horses, leading them to a basin on the back side of the valley entrance.
The other eight groups set up ambushes, also using flag signals for simple communication.
After more than half an hour, Richard's convoy appeared at the Denver end of the valley.
Frank took out binoculars to look and asked: "Who are they?"
A bald man named Saki beside him said: "Looking at the markings on the flag, they're McKinley family. They have several mines here, all on the Fresco Town side, with over 200 cavalry mine protection forces. But today they're coming from Denver's direction, probably escorting someone to the mines."
"Boss, should we rob them? It looks like there are noble women too - maybe some important figures!" asked a thin man named Jim who had lost everything gambling last night.
Frank chuckled and said: "Rob them, we must rob them! Henry's head is valuable, but these mine owners' lives are even more valuable! Henry won't arrive so soon - let's rob them first. Keep the women, but send all the men to hell except for the one in the suit and coat."
Jim quickly made flag signals.
The bandits received the signal and lurked deeper.
This time McKinley guard captain Aiden sent out ten scouts.
Edith stuck her head out the carriage side window, seeing the narrow path ahead and the mountains on both sides, feeling this place was indeed very dangerous - no wonder it was called Death Valley.
She pulled her head back in and said with a smile: "Madeline, people really need to get out and walk around more, otherwise how could you see such unique treacherous scenery? The Guillotine ahead was already very special, and now this Death Valley is even more treacherous."
Madeline wasn't feeling well physically and was somewhat listless, forcing the corners of her mouth into what counted as a smile.
Richard outside was also very worried about the mountain road ahead, feeling somewhat terrified just looking at it.
"Aiden, if this place is over a mile long, aren't you usually afraid when passing through?"
"No, Mr. Mellon, please rest assured. We pass through often, and the McKinley family has great influence here. Nothing will happen."
After about twenty minutes, the ten scouts on both sides of the mountains all signaled - they could pass through.
Aiden felt a weight lift from his heart and said to Richard with a smile: "No problem, we'll pass through here now."
At his command, everyone formed a snake-like formation and began passing through the valley path.
Edith looked at the scenery outside the car window, always feeling that something would slide down from the peaks on both sides and crush them all to powder. She immediately dared not look anymore, closing her eyes and murmuring prayers.
Having just entered the valley less than 600 feet, suddenly dense gunfire rang out in the valley. Edith and Madeline were thrown forward by the emergency braking of the carriage, their heads crashing hard into the soft cushions in front.
At this time, each of the ten scouts on the mountains on both sides had several more holes in their bodies - on average each person was concentrated upon by five or six people, how could anyone withstand that?
Caught off guard, Richard discovered that Aiden a few meters ahead had his head hit by a bullet from somewhere, exploding into a red and white paste.
In less than a minute, all the guards were killed, unable even to make a show of protecting Richard.
Richard fumblingly took down the Winchester rifle from his saddle, but sadly found he didn't know who to aim at.
Madeline was no longer listless now, but pale-faced, almost fainting.
Edith wasn't much better, her small face pale, hands clenched tight, gritting her teeth, her gloves gripped tightly.
'I just liked admiring treacherous environments - I never thought about falling into one!
Oh God! Who will save us!'
Edith prayed silently in her heart.
Soon Richard didn't need to struggle anymore, because dozens of bandits stood up on the mountains on both sides pointing guns at him. He had no choice but to obediently follow the bandits' instructions, throw down his gun, and raise both hands high.
(End of Chapter)
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