Every day at Emerald Ranch seems to be the same. I wake up in the morning at the same time, with the same morning dew, the same birdsong, and the same smell of horse manure day after day...
The difference is that in the past few days, Schupper's Chrysostom finally opened up to John. He spoke with a unique local accent. He neither negotiated with John like an old friend nor greeted him politely, but reminded John rudely. ——He could hardly tolerate them staying here any longer. In addition, Shupel has to check the healing status of Grimes' calf injury every day. He does not hide it, does not use tact, and almost pulls off the bandage of the wound, and every time Grimes will turn around. She secretly wiped her tears. Seeing the gang members being so wronged, if the gang hadn't relied on Schupper's manor for recuperation for a period of time, John would have punched Schupper no matter what.
Although Schupper was unwilling to openly reconcile with John and the others, he acquiesced in the subtle relationship that developed with the other party - a group of travelers and a farmer jointly built a "homeland". On this basis, John needed a place that could accommodate the gang. Shupel needs compensation, so whenever Shupel starts complaining endlessly, John will try his best to work harder in front of the old couple to show that he always remembers to repay the charity of the couple and their family, so that Shupel can Pell realized whether he had gone too far.
This morning, John learned from the brief conversation between the Schupels and his wife in the kitchen that Schupel was going to the heart of the earth to move back the scheduled wood, but the supplier did not provide manpower because it was a long way away, so Schupel The gentleman must prepare the man himself. John thought that this kind of thing would most likely happen to him. Sure enough, Shupel expressed his views to his wife in a very subtle way. He hoped that she would urge John and others to do their part, and otherwise avoid All possible exchanges.
When the men boarded the carriage in the afternoon, John greeted Schupper as usual. The latter straightened his back and looked at the sky. The thick white beard on his lips moved, showing a superior attitude. When John looked directly at him With his eyes wide open, Shupel anxiously lowered his head to look at the pen on his chest pocket.
The convoy, an empty wagon and a two-man carriage, traveled along the path beside the railroad between Emerald Ranch and the Heart of the Earth oil field. The long whistle of the train was heard here and there, but there was rarely a train. Whistling past, it is strange to say that this non-main road train railway is not far from the main railway line at the junction of the two states to the north, but this steel railway, which is almost dominated by the neighboring railway, is heading east A few miles pass through the hard rock Camassa Mountains before joining the railroad from Annesburg at Blue Water Swamp to St. Denis. A small and inconspicuous railway can actually connect the capital of New Hanover and the largest city in the southeast. It is difficult not to imagine the significance of building it.
At one o'clock in the afternoon, after a bumpy journey, the two carriages finally arrived at the lumber warehouse in the Heart of the Earth. To be precise, this is a retail station where lumber from Beecher's Wish is packaged and sold to New Hanover every year. of buyers from all over the world.
John looked around and saw that this was a small town with few pedestrians on the street. The only thing in front of the wood shop was that there were often carriages loading and unloading goods, as if the whole town was created for the lumber yard.
Shupel jumped out of the carriage very skillfully and confidently walked towards a man who was leaning over and writing down a small book that looked like a bill.
"Hey, Albert!"
The bookkeeper was stunned and looked up to see Shupel walking towards him.
"Hi, Mr. Schupper, long time no see."
Schupper and Albert hugged each other like old friends.
"These days are really busy. I underestimated the enthusiasm of customers in Blackwater Town before... Oh, you must be here to pick up the goods too, let me see." Albert flipped through the account book and stopped with his index finger. He read one of the pages, "No. 86, cut house building materials. This will be a heavy job. Do you have enough manpower? Sir."
Schupper tilted his lips at John and the others: "They're all here."
"Great, gentlemen, before you can get started, we have to load the truck, but my crew will do the work and you can walk around."
"Mr. Schupper, is that you?"
Two people suddenly walked out from behind the carriage. They had ammunition slings on their shoulders and rifles on their waists.
Albert was a little flustered when he saw this scene. He leaned towards Shupel: "What's going on?"
Schupper smiled sympathetically: "Don't be scared, sir. There was a guy passing by the forest farm and was attacked on the road. He said that people from the Skinned Brothers gang were wandering around there. Just to be safe, these two were hired by me. gunmen, their marksmanship is among the best in the state of New Hanover."
Albert breathed a sigh of relief: "If you ask me, sir, to deal with those guys, your guys are enough."
Schupper smiled contemptuously: "They are just ordinary gentlemen. I am worried about whether they have the ability to defend themselves, let alone protect the wood."
Ten minutes later, all the wood used as building materials for the house was loaded onto the truck. John looked at the half-story-high wood on the car and thought that the car might be crushed on the road at any time.
The two gentlemen were so skillful that they climbed to the top of the lumber pile in one leap. One of them saw John standing below and asked his name.
"John Milton." John thought for a moment and thought that the two might be bounty hunters, so he didn't intend to tell his real name.
"I'm McBeal Wayne and he's Creed Bidget."
According to the order of the carriages when they arrived, Miller, Thomas, and Beebo drove the car in front. John, Schupper and the two gentlemen drove the truck behind, and the two vehicles pushed forward like a fortress.
