At noon, Smithfield and Calloway, two old gentlemen who had been frightened out of their wits, fled from the church. Each was escorted by a policeman to his shop in the town and explained to the person in charge of the shop.
After thinking about the matter for a while, he left in embarrassment in his own carriage.
Brandy came out of the church slowly, flexing her neck and adjusting her tie, looking like a standard social person in the 21st century.
Micah followed Brandy. He had long unkempt hair and a beard, and was holding a double-barreled shotgun. Even if he was wearing a neat white suit, he could not hide the excitement all over his body.
Banditry and murderous intent.
"I really didn't expect it, Brandi, I really didn't expect it." Micah said while patting Brandi's shoulder vigorously, looking very happy.
Brandy gently threw her shoulders away with some disgust and said, "What didn't you expect?"
"I didn't expect you to be so talented in speech and negotiation," Micah walked around to Brandi and said, "You remind me of our boss, and by the way, Hosea, you are really enviable.
Ah, Brandi, you are as eloquent as the boss, as smart as Hosea, and you may even be as good at fighting as Arthur in the future, ah ha, I'm starting to like you a little bit."
"Good guy, if I really couldn't do it, I would definitely change all the things you like about me." Brandy thought.
"However, I think you are still not decisive enough," Micah suddenly commented on Brandi's performance just now, "To be precise, this plan was not decisive enough from the beginning."
"Oh?" Brandi squinted at Micah and said, "Tell me, what would you do if it were you?"
"There are so many ways," Micah's eyes immediately burst out with dazzling light, "Since there is such a good opportunity to bring the three richest people in this town together, then we can directly kidnap them
, pretending that O'Drisco kidnapped them, demanded a huge ransom from their family, or killed them directly in the church and wiped out everything in their family, including their property and property."
Brandy twitched her lips: "This is really your style."
"That's the way outlaws do," Micah corrected. "Learn from it, kid."
"What I can be sure of is that Dutch or Hosea will never agree to your plan." Brandi choked Micah so much that he couldn't say a word.
Brandy saw Micah looking a little frustrated, and thinking that he had acted completely according to his own arrangements before, even if there was no credit, there was still hard work, so he said: "Let's go to Mr. Smithfield's pub to enjoy a free drink."
Whiskey, this can be regarded as something we fought for ourselves."
When they arrived at the Smithfield Tavern, after greeting the bartender, the two of them each took down a bottle of whiskey from the counter, just as naturally as they would open the wine cabinet and take out a bottle of wine at home.
As for the bartender, he didn't dare to look at them at all. He just kept his head down and smiled, without even a word of objection. He knew that these two were evil stars. Mr. Munny, who was wearing a black suit, was relatively easy to talk to.
But the guy in the white suit is different. He kills people without saying hello. If he is offended and someone is unhappy, how many bullets will his head take?
Carrying the bottle of wine and walking out of the tavern, Brandi noticed that the originally lively streets were empty even though many people had left the town. Looking from a distance, it seemed that a lot of people had gathered in front of the stables.
"What's going on?" Micah followed him out, took a sip of wine, and said.
"We'll find out when we get there." Brandi took a big gulp of wine, stuffed the bottle into Micah's arms, and ran towards where the crowd gathered.
"Hey, wait for me. How can a young man be so impatient?" Micah hurriedly picked up the bottle and ran over.
Valentine, place of execution.
It is said to be an execution ground, but it is actually a gallows with a platform. This is actually rare in small towns, because the way most American towns deal with hanging prisoners is actually very simple, with a load-bearing tree.
A tough rope and a horse that can run a long distance after being frightened are enough.
This kind of professional large-scale torture instrument is generally only found in big cities. Of course, this kind of large-scale torture instrument does not mean much for those big cities, but for small towns, it is undoubtedly important to highlight the economic level of the town.
logo.
In small towns, in addition to executing prisoners, such a gallows can also play other roles, such as organizing rallies, conducting propaganda activities to the people, etc.
Today, the remaining residents of Valentine gathered under the gallows. There were no prisoners about to be hanged on the gallows. There were only Sheriff Malloy, two policemen under him, and a man with a slicked back hair and a fashionable moustache.
middle-aged people, an old man with gray hair and an old but energetic face, and a tall, muscular man with a beard.
Sheriff Malloy held a loudspeaker made of iron sheet and shouted: "Townships of Valentine, I called you here today to explain some situations to you."
The audience was very quiet, and the townspeople were quietly listening to Chief Malloy's speech. Among these people, only a few people still had some hope in their eyes, while the vast majority of people only had numbness and despair in their eyes.
Like a campfire with only ashes left, no sparks to ignite.
Looking at the faces of these people, even Sheriff Malloy, the town sheriff who had read out the charges of hundreds of criminals in front of the gallows, felt that he had lost the passion for his speech, not to mention, for
Whether everyone can really survive this disaster, he is really drumming in his heart.
However, what needs to be said still needs to be said.
"We already have countermeasures and reinforcements for the enemy that is about to attack in the near future," Sergeant Malloy said loudly. "The three people standing behind me that you don't know are our reinforcements."
Representatives, they will assist the police to protect everyone's life safety."
"However, if we want to protect our town and our home, it is not enough for us alone," Chief Malloy paused and said, "So, I hope that everyone who is still here can give
Our greatest assistance..."
"What kind of assistance?" At this time, someone in the audience interrupted the chief's speech.
"Well, assistance from all aspects is available," Sheriff Malloy said hesitantly. "For example, what we lack most now are gunners to fight the enemy head-on. If everyone can take action, pick up weapons and defend
My own home..."
"So, you found helpers, but you still want us to go up and die?"
"What do you policemen do for a living?"
"We paid our taxes and fulfilled our obligations as citizens, but in the end we got you to tell us to take up arms? Then why did we elect you to be the peace officer?"
…
The townspeople in the audience began to make a noise. Some of them were crying, some were decadent, and some even cursed loudly. They directly greeted the chief, the police, and the immediate family members of everyone they could think of who was related to this matter.
It's quite a lot.
Sheriff Malloy shouted "Quiet" several times, but it had no effect at all. Looking at the people in the audience who were becoming restless due to fear, he was helpless.
"Dear townspeople! Fellow American citizens! Listen to me! Listen to me!"
This is a voice that is full of energy, incitement and appeal.
Dutch Vanderlinde, the most notorious and wanted man in New Austin and West Elizabeth, took Sheriff Malloy's megaphone and used his unique voice to calm the crowd's commotion.
"Before I express my opinion, I want to ask you, especially the men," Dutch said, "Are your parents and ancestors all cowards and cowards?"
"What?" This insulting way of speaking made everyone stunned at first, and then ignited the anger of almost everyone.
"Hey, foreigner," a man dressed as a shepherd shouted from the audience, "Why do you come up here and insult our fathers and ancestors?"
"Because, right now, right here, in front of me, what I see, especially the men, are all a bunch of cowards!" Dutch shouted loudly, using the power of the loudspeaker to easily suppress the crowd below.
of anger.
Dutch then changed his tone of recalling the past and said: "We are all Americans. Our fathers and ancestors have all fought on this land. They once fought against the British colonists who oppressed them.
They have fought against the enemies who have prevented this country from becoming a paradise of equality, freedom and democracy. They have fought against the harsh environment, ferocious beasts, and vicious criminals. What are they fighting for with all their strength? Is it for?
Seeing that their descendants, that is, you, cannot hold on to the family fortune they have built for you, and cannot protect everything they once cherished and that you should also cherish with your lives?"
The crowd was completely silent. They were lost in thought, and some even began to blame themselves.
"Why, our fathers and ancestors once fought so bravely, but now that similar things have happened to us, we are so cowardly? Is it because we are not as good as them?" Dutch continued, he succeeded.
He took control of the situation and guided the people's emotions and thinking, "I don't think that's the case. On the contrary, according to the latest theory, we should be stronger than them. So, why, you who are standing in the audience now, lose
You have lost your fighting spirit and think you can’t protect your homeland?”
"I think it's because you believe that the government can protect you and bring you under their wings. This trust has eroded your self-confidence in yourself from a certain perspective, and at the same time, it has also amplified your confidence in yourself."
Regarding the government's expectations and your disappointment when you learned that the government was powerless," Dutch's voice was sonorous and powerful, "Now the government is no longer able to protect you. Even if we have us, we can only pray for protection in the next battle.
Self-protection, then, I would like to ask you, if you don’t take up arms now to defend our homeland, when will you wait?”
The crowd seemed to be aroused by Dutch, but it still seemed to lack some warmth.
"Well, sir, your speech was really shocking. To be honest, I was a little touched." At this time, a man with a beard, a fat figure and a somewhat naive look spoke up, "But, I
I want to ask, even if we plan to help you, what should we do with weapons, medical treatment, and logistical support?"
After listening to the fat man's words, Dutch glanced at the crowd and caught the person he was looking for.
Brandi saw Dutch looking over, smiled slightly, raised the bottle and made a clinking motion to show that everything was under control.
When Dutch saw it, he felt confident, and he continued to say in an inflammatory tone: "My partner has had friendly negotiations with the three most distinguished gentlemen in this town, and has reached a consensus. What's next?
On this day, the pubs and clinics in this town will provide all services to everyone unconditionally. As for the weapons in the gun shop, they will be distributed uniformly under the arrangement of Mr. Sheriff. We will ensure that every citizen who can fight with a gun can.
Now that I have obtained at least one gun, I think everyone will have nothing to worry about, right?"
The fat man who asked the question said: "In that case, what is there to say? I joined. My father was a fighting hero during the Civil War. I don't want you to think that I am a coward."
"Very good!" Dutch praised loudly, "I am very pleased with your courage. Sir, your father will definitely be proud of you!"
Under the double attack of Dutch's highly inflammatory speech and extremely inspiring words, the fear in the hearts of the masses was defeated, replaced by the courage and determination to protect their homeland.
"And remember, citizens," Dutch added loudly, "this battle is your battle to protect your homeland, not your battle to help us or the Sheriff. Believe me, we will fight those cultists together."
If we fight tenaciously against the gangs, we will definitely win the final victory!"
The crowd cheered, and the flame called fighting will burned in their eyes. Compared with before, this look was the look of a living person.
"Okay, now, I return the right to speak to Sheriff Malloy. Everyone must follow the arrangements of Mr. Sheriff, collect weapons, build fortifications, etc. in an orderly manner. Remember, there must be order and convenience for others.
, just to make it convenient for myself." After Dutch made his final statement, he handed the loudspeaker back to Sheriff Malloy and said, "Okay, Sheriff, you can give orders now, brothers, let's go."
In the afternoon, Keane's pub.
Dutch opened the door and entered, seeing many people already sitting in the pub, including Brandy, Micah, Charles and Javier whom he had seen in the crowd before.
As soon as Brandi saw Dutch, she raised her right hand and said hello: "Hey, boss, how does it feel to stand on the gallows and give a speech?"
"As for the feeling, it is naturally much better than saying your last words with a rope around your head," Dutch smiled humorously, "Speaking of which, I haven't asked you yet, how was your discussion with those three rich men?
?”
"It can be said that it went smoothly," Brandi said, "It's just that the arms seller refused to cooperate, so Micah shot him to death. However, when things here are over, if we can all survive
, we can get a reward of 10,000 US dollars from the remaining two families. Of course, we can also take control of the dead guy's property and his gun shop business at any time."
"Great, you are really a blessing, Brandi," Dutch was very happy. Javier, who was standing behind the bar and acted as the bartender, pushed a glass full of clear wine into Dutch's palm in time.
After drinking it all in one gulp, he smacked his lips and said with some surprise, "Is this Spice Island moonshine?"
Javier smiled and pointed with his thumb to the neatly arranged moonshine bottles behind him, and said: "The owner of this store packed up the wine and left in a hurry, but he left all the good wine here."
"This town is really a treasure. It's completely different from those barren towns in the west," Dutch sighed, and then asked, "By the way, Javier, and Charles, how are you two going out for reconnaissance?"
?”
"I haven't found anything unusual there yet," Charles said. "Downs Ranch is now empty. You can hardly even smell the bloody smell left over from last night's battle."
"It's similar over there," Javier said, pouring himself a glass of wine. "You can hardly find a tourist with a gun on the east side of town, let alone suspected gang members and cultists."
"You still can't be careless. I don't know the leader of the cult, but I'm very familiar with O'Drisco. Never underestimate his methods and brains, never, even though he has nothing but losers," Dutch said,
He looked at Micah and said, "By the way, Micah, go check out the north side of the town later. Remember to check the time. You must return in three hours, otherwise we will mistakenly think that something happened to you."
"Don't worry, boss." Micah didn't say much. He stood up from his seat, picked up a glass of wine that had been poured on the bar, drank it down, and then turned around and left the tavern. In front of Dutch, he always said "
The four words "obey your words and obey your advice" are implemented very well.
As soon as Micah left, Arthur and Hosea walked in. They greeted each other, and the two new people joined the drinking party.
"Arthur, what have you been doing this afternoon?" Brandy leaned over and asked.
"There's nothing special that I need to do for now, so I'm just going to teach those rookies who have barely even touched a gun how to use a gun." Arthur smiled bitterly, picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Brandy also laughed when she heard this and said, "In comparison, it's easier to teach me, right?"
"That's so easy," Arthur complained. "For those guys, even if there is a living person standing less than a yard away from them and letting them hit, they will most likely miss. I can't
I’m really impressed.”
Dutch also smiled: "I think back then, when you couldn't even hold a gun steady, you were almost as virtuous as those people."
"I'm much better than those rookies, Dutch," Arthur retorted, "I don't dare to entrust my back to these people anyway."
"Don't worry, when the fire in people's hearts is ignited, they will go crazy for that fire, no matter what the fire is burning." Dutch seemed to be saying this to Arthur, but also to Arthur.
everyone said.
At this time, a policeman who was sweating profusely broke into the pub and said: "Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Munny, Mr. Sheriff and Mr. Matthews asked me to come to you because I have something important to do."
Discuss."
"Well, leisure time is always short," Dutch stood up from the chair and said to Brandy, "Let's go, Brandy, let's see what Mr. Sheriff and Hosea need.