September 4, 1900, Horseshoe Lookout, New Hanover:
"Brothers, come around! I think I've found a way out of this predicament." Dutch shouted to the men with a stack of orders in his hand.
Dutch looked excitedly at the men approaching with curiosity and cleared his throat to prepare for his speech.
"Well... I know, the past two months have not been satisfactory. We have been hiding here and there. You have also seen that the government will never let us go when it comes to gold in the mines. But now we have got a chance to stand up. Opportunity - Prohibition orders from Saint Denis. Although they are old antiques from 1870, thanks to the fact that they were misprinted at that time, someone used some artist's tricks - blurred the date of the signature and then used mimeograph. The accurate date is written on the pen. We have enough reason to believe that the wine sellers will tremble with fear and pee when they see it. - Hahahahaha!" Dutch shook off the prohibition order on his hand and said with a proud face, "Didn't Fantasy and I go into the city a few days ago? Thanks to the slanderous thief Guevara, he accepted our gold bricks and gave us these things regardless of past grudges."
"Oh, no! That's our property, what do we do with these expired waste papers?" Boss shouted in the crowd, and he also spoke out the thoughts of other members.
"Well... Brother Bos, you may still be able to snuggle in the arms of your beautiful wife, but the world has changed, and the government has become the biggest master in this land. We need to be flexible, and we need to be flexible to make money. We urgently These documents are needed because government writing on them has the force of law. We should respect the law...at least...how to make money within the boundaries of the law."
As soon as Dutch finished speaking, Fantasy took the lead in applauding. It was especially necessary to mobilize the enthusiasm of the gang and respond to the boss's resolution. Coupled with Dutch's personal prestige, the members would vote in favor and reluctantly agreed to this matter. thing. In fact, there is no need to go to such trouble. The current gang is at the end of its rope. Even if the leader's proposal is risky, the members will make every effort to complete it. After all, this is the last chance. After the failure of robbing the Annesburg mine, Vanderlin It can be said that the German gang was frightened. They did not live a peaceful life for a day, and their previous savings were gradually exhausted.
Seeing such a positive response from the gang, Dutch was happy from the bottom of his heart. Then he told the men in an emotional voice the steps to use prohibition to threaten private wine dealers and collect bribes from them. He emphasized many times that this was a doorstep. Rigorous knowledge, no mistakes should be made in any link for the wine merchants to grasp. Finally, he called John, Fantasy, Miller, Antoine Noir and others out for a short meeting.
"Brothers, there are old men and women here who need your protection. In the past few months, we have lost Robert Jr., Jelosi and Tarn. You are the last main force. The gang I led once reached the top. , so you have to believe me. This time we took the Prohibition Order and went to Annesburg to get the official seal. At the same time, we had to hide our identities. Then we went to Saint-Denis and wandered its streets and alleys to find people who brewed moonshine. Fool, then show your most ferocious look and try your best to squeeze out everything that can be pledged from him." Dutch plucked his square goatee, looked at the men with his small eyes and continued, " Remember! We can't make too much noise - we alerted the Annesburg police before. This time we divided into four groups: Fantasy and I, Miller and Bibo, John and Catherine, Antoine and Baoliqi.”
John reluctantly curled his lips towards Dutch: "Dutch..."
Dutch noticed John's movements but he didn't pay much attention: "Some of you doubted me, but I tell you, my ideas are all carefully thought out, and there is no room for doubt."
One day later, a horse team led by Dutch galloped all the way to the Roanoke Valley before dividing into four teams and heading towards Annesburg from different directions. During this period, John and Catherine rode on a horse, and Catherine sat behind the horse and kept sipping. The smile made John feel uncomfortable holding the reins.
After arriving in Annesburg, John tied his horse to a horse post outside the city. Miss Catherine volunteered to hang out at the hotel, leaving John some personal time.
John stepped on the wooden board on the street and walked forward. After a while, he heard familiar and unfamiliar voices shouting for sale. Oh! The gentleman was not wearing the white clothes for the first time, but was wearing a full black suit. In John's mind, it seemed like a limited-edition model for a senior dance.
"Dr. McIntosh!"
"Huh? You actually know my name... Oh well, I've met you, John Milton, right? You're one of my few listeners."
"Oh, damn it! I don't want anyone else to hear this name here." John stepped forward and covered the doctor's mouth. Then he realized that his behavior might be more conspicuous, and he relaxed again.
"No! I make no secret of my statement. My statement is science, and science is God..."
"Here we go again, here we go again! Don't repeat that damn thing again, okay?"
"Sorry... have you read the book, sir?"
"It seems like very noble science..."
"Well, that's true. Flattery may be somewhat hypocritical, but even so, people are reluctant to say these words. Now, sir, I also want to say something flattering. Maybe this is reciprocity."
"Haha, forget it then. You and I both have things to do. I think you haven't sent out a few of your brochures yet."
After leaving Dr. McIntosh, John wanted to visit Mr. Fowler, but considering the crowd in the mine and the fact that Mr. Fowler and the others might have left long ago, he gave up the idea. After finding Catherine, John went back to lead the horse and prepare to set off.
The Van der Linde gang assembled at the Van Horn Trading Port. Dutch sent some people to the black market to buy some guns, ammunition and suits, and the group headed south on the moonlit forest path...
