Chapter 61 A Man Upright and Unashamed
Johnny repeated the trick, silencing Little Edmond's voice.
There was no choice; the boy had seen far too much. This end had been decided for him.
The spectacle left John stunned. He knew how it was done, yet watching it he couldn't help but be glad he wasn't the one tied up.
Finally John slung Little Edmond across a horse and set off for camp. Johnny stuffed the blood-soaked flyer into his satchel, locked the door, and called John back—he had something to say.
They rode side by side at a walk, John eyeing the younger man in puzzlement.
Since leaving Colm's old mine they had barely spoken; to John this youngster was still a stranger.
'John, do you know whose face I despise most in the whole Gang? Yours.'
John flushed with anger. 'You haul me aside just to insult me?'
'To me, most of the others treat this place like family. A pretty metaphor, nothing more.
But you—you've a real family and don't even care. Jack was barely born when you bolted, refusing the burden. When you crawled back you acted as if Abigail and the boy were strangers.'
Before John could answer Johnny pressed on.
'Do you know how low Abigail had to bow, begging Arthur to save you in the snow? You knew what they once were to each other—did you ever think how hard that was for her?
And now you lie content in one of the Gang's few single tents to heal, leaving your woman and child outside to feed the mosquitoes.'
Cornered by the barrage, John snarled, 'Jack isn't mine! Both Abigail and I are dark-haired—Jack's blond. He's someone else's brat!'
Johnny looked as if he wanted to slap sense into him.
'Blond? The boy's been raised on Pearson's cooking—how much meat or egg do you think he's ever had?
Where was his father while he grew up?
Where were you while Micah harassed Abigail in camp every day, in front of the kid?'
'That's only what I've seen—I've barely ridden with you people.
The boy's lived under scorn since he could walk. After Dutch handed out dollars on that mountain, Abigail finally had enough to buy Jack a new shirt in Valentine.'
'John, don't wait until the one who loves you most walks away.'
Johnny's face was grave. 'Hand me your pistol.'
Puzzled, John drew the long-trusted revolver from his hip and passed it over.
He had no idea what the man intended.
Johnny pocketed the gun, then reached deep into his satchel and produced a brand-new side-arm—Laurie's revolver.
The weapon glinted coldly in the moonlight, as if power itself were coiled inside.
He held it out, solemn as an oath. 'Take it, friend. With this new iron, leave your past behind. Ride back to camp, stand tall, and be a man who can look the world in the eye.'
With that he spurred his horse and galloped away, dust swirling in his wake.
John sat motionless, staring at the beautiful stranger of a revolver in his hand.
It felt like a dream he couldn't quite shake.
Johnny's parting words hammered at his ribs, too heavy to swallow all at once.
He lifted his gaze toward the vanished rider, replaying everything in his mind.
A newcomer like Johnny, yet he'd been so generous to a man branded a deserter.
He'd even swapped two precious guns for John's worn-out iron.
A plain Navy revolver fetched twenty dollars and four bits—three times what his old piece was worth.
And what had he, John, ever given those closest to him? Not even a kind word. Tears blurred the night.
That night Johnny lay awake, unable to still his thoughts.
Revenge had come so swiftly he felt like a child with new clothes laid out for New Year's—too excited to sleep.
Hosea beside him was already snoring, so he couldn't pester Arthur. Instead he turned to his next plan—grind those perks hard.
His levels were pitiful: only a tier-two Dead Eye and tier-two Western Cowboy had seen any work.
The coming days would have to focus on that.
None of the others slept either. The bloody scene clung to their eyelids.
More startling still—Dutch had changed.
The old Dutch would never have confessed his mistake in private; he'd have buried it forever.
Yo Anyone reading ? Just wanna ask. I'm losing motivation to continue like this. Sigh
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