In the campsite, everyone dined amidst laughter and joy.
The nine officers were divided into three groups of three, taking turns on guard duty.
Women had a magical ability to quickly bond with each other.
By now, Edith, Madeline, Mary, and Linda had become as familiar as old friends.
They all had a basic understanding of each other.
Edith said happily: "Linda, welcome to come live in New York with your two little angels. I still have two weeks before I sail to Britain for school, and during that time I can help you get familiar with New York."
Linda smiled and said: "Thank you, but you still have to go to Fresco Town for a few days, so your schedule must be very tight."
Edith shook her head: "No, after I return to Denver this time, I'll go straight back to New York. If the timing works out, we can travel together."
Linda said with delight: "That's wonderful! Then I'll have another companion for the journey."
Madeline asked: "Edith, have you decided? I strongly approve. If we hadn't met Sheriff Henry this time, what would have happened is truly unthinkable."
Richard beside her agreed: "That's absolutely true. Sheriff Henry, thank you very much."
Henry was still wearing that camouflage outfit, and no one asked when he had changed into it.
"I just happened to encounter it. I certainly had to help a gentleman who bravely protected his wife and friends," Henry nodded in acknowledgment.
Richard felt greatly encouraged upon hearing this. Recognition from the strong was a shot in the arm for anyone.
"Henry, thank you. I've never seen a warrior as powerful as you," Richard said admiringly.
"Indeed. We in the police station all call Henry 'Gun God'! Let me tell you..." Pete began describing Henry's various battle achievements.
Although Richard, Madeline, and Edith had already heard much of this content, it certainly didn't have the same atmospheric feeling as someone who had witnessed it firsthand, so they still listened with great interest.
The women all listened with fascination, especially since the male protagonist of these legendary stories was right beside them, and so tall and handsome.
You have to understand that in the West of this era, social customs greatly admired skillful use of firearms.
Quick drawing became the standard for measuring masculine courage, even used as a measure of whether one was righteous.
There was even a public perception that people who readily drew guns were completely upright people, and those who were killed generally deserved it.
This was an enhanced version of the Western world's logic that might makes right.
The main reason was that the laws in many states here were still incomplete, since they had only joined the Union a few years ago.
Colorado had only joined four years earlier.
Western people often had to rely on personal force to protect themselves.
So Henry's masculine courage was simply unique, extraordinary, and dominated the wilderness.
In fact, as Fresco Town's police station had recently claimed bounties for multiple major thieves and criminals, Henry was already becoming famous within the police system.
Charles and two other officers also came over to listen.
Henry maintained his smile, quietly drinking hot coffee.
After Pete finished his story, he immediately asked: "Henry, did you really eliminate over 100 Dodge Gang bandits today?"
"127, plus one who's currently driving our carriage," Henry said calmly.
"How did you do it? A whole mountain!" Pete asked while making an encircling gesture with both arms for emphasis.
"With throwing knives. Using guns would have alerted them. Oh, thank you, Charles. I went through the place you told me about," Henry raised his coffee cup to Charles in acknowledgment.
Charles quickly said: "I should be the one thanking you, Sheriff Henry!"
Both he and Owen already knew what Henry had done this afternoon.
If it had been the two of them, they might well have died, or found no clues leading to the entire team's annihilation.
Pete asked puzzledly: "But Henry, how come I didn't know you were proficient with throwing knives?"
Henry chuckled and said: "Pete, you'll gradually discover there's still much you don't know. Becky, come to Brother Henry, there's a gift."
Becky immediately broke free from Linda's embrace and ran over on her little short legs.
Henry put down his coffee cup, held her light body, and asked: "What snack do you want now?"
"Candy?" Becky said expectantly.
Henry's free right hand opened completely toward everyone and waved, then closed and quickly grabbed at the air, then turned over and opened in front of everyone - a Samuel candy appeared in his palm.
Becky clapped her hands happily.
Henry tore open the candy wrapper, fed the candy into Becky's mouth, and asked: "Is it sweet?"
"Sweet! Thank you, Brother Henry!" Becky stood on tiptoe and gave Henry's cheek a little kiss.
Everyone else was amazed.
Pete asked in surprise: "Henry, this isn't real, is it?"
"Miss Edith, you showed great courage today. This flower represents my respect," Henry's right hand reached out empty again, then suddenly closed and turned over - a beautiful blue-purple wildflower was held in Henry's right hand, even with crystal dewdrops on it.
"Wow!" everyone exclaimed, confirming this was magic.
One candy could be said to be prepared and hidden beforehand, but this flower with dewdrops was definitely impossible.
"Becky, help me send this flower to Sister Edith," Henry rubbed Becky's soft hair.
"But Mommy said that's Aunt Edith!" doll-like Becky opened her bright eyes wide and asked innocently.
"Huh? Did I make a mistake? When you deliver this flower, help me ask clearly whether she's an aunt or sister, okay?" Henry looked surprised.
"Okay!"
Becky took the wildflower and ran over to Edith, handed over the flower with both hands, then asked clearly: "Aunt Edith, Brother Henry said you're a sister. Was he wrong?"
Edith happily took the wildflower, smiled sweetly, glanced at Henry charmingly, then kissed Becky's tender cheek.
"Either is fine. Does Becky want to call me aunt or sister?"
Becky tilted her little head and thought seriously, then said earnestly: "Sister, I guess. Brother Henry is so tall but he's only a brother."
After speaking, Becky ran back into her mother Linda's arms.
Linda asked: "George?"
She had seen George Bruce several times.
Any woman who saw George would remember him.
Henry smiled and nodded in confirmation.
Pete also said as if suddenly understanding: "So it was him."
Mary urged: "Who is he? Tell us quickly!"
"His name is George Bruce, Henry's uncle. According to him, he's a great magician," Pete answered.
Richard asked: "Bruce? Henry, are you from the Bruce family?"
Henry nodded: "I suppose so, but I haven't met other family members."
Madeline and Edith both looked suddenly enlightened.
(End of Chapter)
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