Thanks to the Indian Removal Act enacted by the federal government in 1830, thousands of Native Americans were forced to leave their ancestral homeland.
During this period, many tribes were naturally unwilling to cooperate and began to violently resist, thus giving birth to the infamous 'scalp policy'.
Any legal American citizen, whether ordinary people or military soldiers, can scalp Indians in exchange for bounties or military exploits.
No matter how fierce the fighting between the two sides was during the Civil War, they never forgot to collect the indigenous people.
In addition to the 'scalp policy', there is actually a 'bison policy' that is less well known.
At that time, there were a large number of American bison living in the Americas, which were the main source of food for the Indian tribes and the raw materials for making tents, clothes and other daily items. The Indians were ordered not to leave the reservation at will, but the bison were unlikely to listen to the federal government.
This resulted in the Indians having to migrate with the bison if they wanted to obtain food.
Therefore, in order to restrict their movement, the federal government began to hunt bison on a large scale, cutting off food sources and eliminating the economic source of tribal trade with tribes.
There used to be tens of millions of bison in North America alone, but after years of indiscriminate hunting and killing, the number has dropped sharply and is on the verge of extinction. As of 1889, the number of bison in the United States was less than 1,000.
Under nearly a century of planned genocide, the American bison have almost disappeared, and only a very small population of Native Americans remains.
The Wapiti tribe is one of the survivors.
They used to live in the heart of the earth with lush water and grass, but now they can only survive in the barren mountains in the north.
Even this result was earned by the tribal chief Luo Yu who worked hard.
Among the aborigines who lack medical treatment and often have short lives, Luo Yu is one of the rare longevity people. A life long enough brings rich enough life experiences. He knew very well that the Indians could not fight against the federal government, so when faced with persecution, he usually chose to be patient and avoid all possible conflicts.
It's a pity that God doesn't seem to favor him and his tribe.
A few months ago, several prospectors broke into the reserve privately, claiming to have discovered a large amount of oil beneath the territory, and then quickly reported it to Cornwall Mining and the local state government.
Oil is known to breed mold.
As luck would have it, an army was stationed at Fort Wallace near the reservation.
Because of oil, the state government has the idea of expelling the tribes, and the army agrees, making the already tense relationship between the two parties even more serious.
Luo Yu's son Fei Ying and other young people in the tribe have always been dissatisfied with Luo Yu's "weak" principles of doing things. They plan to use force to fight for the rights they deserve and to defend their homeland.
When Chief Luoyu Luoyu was at a loss what to do, the situation took an unexpected turn.
A company called Timitrescu Mining has taken over the work of Cornwall Mining and will jointly develop the oil fields in the reserve with the government of the town of Rhodes in Lemoyne state.
In addition to company representatives, the company also specially sent a mixed-race Indian to participate in the negotiations.
And offered extremely generous conditions to the Wapiti tribe.
The company will invest in purchasing land in the reservation and hire tribal members as consultants. In addition to paying salaries, there will also be stock dividends in the future. If they want to move, Rhodes Town will provide the tribe with a suitable resettlement site.
This approach is contrary to the consistent policy of the federal government, but money can't stand the temptation. Anyway, since the arrival of the Tishi Company, the state government has not expressed any opinions on the reservation. Even the commander of Fort Wallace went to Rhodes soon after and visited the town mayor Hanson.
The cautious Chief Luoyu didn't believe it at first.
Corporations and governments must be exploiting him and his people in a way he doesn't understand.
But when the contract was written in black and white and boxes of medicines and supplies urgently needed by the tribe were moved into the reservation, Luo Yu couldn't help but believe that he might have really met a rare capitalist with a conscience.
To show his sincerity, Luoyu sent his son Feiying directly to Rhodes. While serving as a hostage, he hoped that he could learn more about how to behave with Mayor Hansen. The child's wings have become stiff and he is no longer obedient. It is good to go out and toss others.
It turns out that Han Sen, who is tough-minded, has a strong appetite for Fei Ying, and it doesn't take long for the latter to follow the former.
Commissioner Charles has remained on the reservation and is responsible for communicating with both parties.
When Arthur arrived at the reservation, he saw a prosperous scene full of vitality and everything.
Tishi Company provides the tribe with housing, medical care and all other useful things, and the tribe assumes the responsibility of protecting the factory.
Arthur was severely interrogated as soon as he approached. Fortunately, Charles arrived in time, otherwise he would have been shot as a saboteur.
"It's not easy to meet you, Charles."
Charles smiled shyly and took Arthur to his office.
The two people, who had not seen each other for a long time, enjoyed a sumptuous dinner and chatted about the world.
During the dinner, Arthur asked Charles if he had taken away the bodies of Hosea and Lenny, but received a negative answer.
"As you can tell, I don't have time to leave the reservation."
From the attitude shown by his companions, Arthur seemed to understand something and said tentatively: "It seems that you don't plan to return to the gang."
Charles did not hide anything and nodded very simply: "Although I have Indian ancestry, I have never lived in a tribe. My impression of the tribe depends entirely on my mother's stories. After living in the reservation during this period, I found that I might have the ability. Do something for them.”
He hadn't been a member of the Fan Gang for too long, and he didn't have much sense of belonging. Although he liked the atmosphere within the gang, what Dutch did later made him feel very uncomfortable.
If you simply have this opportunity, it's better to get out as soon as possible.
Arthur understands Charles' choice, and he himself will not stay in Fan Bang for too long.
According to his plan, if he finally makes a lot of money for the gang and ensures the future of the members, he will leave the gang and concentrate on working for Li Ang.
After talking about these unhappy topics, Arthur invited Charles to accompany him to Rhodes tomorrow.
Charles readily agreed.
After a night of silence, the two got up early.
When passing near Annesburg, Arthur stopped by Charlotte to have a look, and taught her some hunting techniques with Charles.
Charlotte expressed her gratitude and wanted to stay for the two of them to have lunch, but Arthur refused.
After leaving the widow's house, Charles teased Arthur about his evil intentions, thus fulfilling his title of widow's friend.
But in fact, it is not that Arthur has a soft spot for widows, but that this world has caused too many people to lose their husbands, and Fan Bang has also made a lot of contributions.
For example, when the two of them passed by the mining area, Arthur met Downes' wife, who had become a prostitute.
Downs was the farmer who vomited blood in his face during debt collection. Not long after he collected the debt, Downs died of illness. In order to support her son who was not yet an adult, Mrs. Downs had no choice but to go to sea and find another job.
Arthur was not sure whether Downes died because of him, but it had something to do with him after all, so he thought of helping Mrs. Downs and giving her some money.
But Mrs. Downs avoided him like a snake.
When this happened, Charles completely lost his mood to tease Arthur, and the two came to Rhodes Town full of melancholy.
Nowadays, Lodz is full of busy construction sites. The once simple southern town is rushing towards a modern metropolis.
Arthur was shocked by the rapid development of the town. Charles said that this was all the result of the mayor.
Many residents recognized the former police chief and expressed a warm welcome to his return to his hometown.
Arthur was forced to reincarnate as the Greeting King of the West and keep greeting the townspeople who knew him.
Not long after, the men from the police station came to greet him and informed Han Sen of the news.
At the cost of treating everyone to a drink in the evening, the two managed to escape, and then rushed to the house rented by Abigail and her son.
Seeing that Arthur was still alive, Abigail, who was doing laundry, hugged him excitedly without even bothering to wipe her hands.
"Oh, Arthur, it's so good to have you back!"
"Where are Dutch and his friends? Didn't they come back with you?"
Arthur told the truth about his experience that day.
Abigail couldn't help but sigh when she heard that he didn't know the whereabouts of Dutch and others.
"You may not know, Arthur, Dutch and the others left John behind when they fled for their lives. If Sadie hadn't gone to Mr. Hanson for help, he would have been sent to the gallows by Pinkerton."
Arthur's first reaction after hearing this was impossible, and Charles also showed an expression of disbelief.
How could Dutch leave his companions behind, especially John, whom he regarded as his own son?
Abigail saw what the two were thinking: "It's true, John told me personally."
Arthur immediately asked: "Where are they?"
Abigail replied: "In the town jail, Mr. Hansen said that the robbery storm has not subsided yet, and it is best to let him stay in there for a few more days to avoid the limelight."
"I know." Arthur nodded, planning to visit the prison later.
Abigail continued: "Sadie and I found a way to get Hosea and Lenny's bodies back and bury them near Clemons Point. You can send flowers if you have time."
Arthur immediately beamed with joy: "Rare good news."
"I don't think this is good news." Abigail covered her face and cried bitterly: "I still can't believe they are dead."
After hearing this, Charles lowered his head and seemed to be in silence for the two of them.
Arthur patted Abigail's shoulder comfortingly.
Without Li Ang's permission, he would not dare to say anything about his resurrection from the dead, not to mention that no one would believe him.
After a few minutes, Abigail barely calmed down.
"Sadie and the others live not far from here. I'll take you there."
Arthur asked with some surprise: "Are they in town? I thought they would go back to Clemmons."
Abigail simply said: "Mr. Hansen's arrangement."
Arthur understood.
Han Sen's arrangement, Li Ang's face, and his undying kindness in this life.
The trio then planned to head to the residences of other members.
But as soon as he went out, Arthur began to cough violently, followed by difficulty breathing and general weakness. He fell to the ground in pain and fainted.
Abigail was startled, but luckily Charles was relatively calm and immediately sent Arthur to the clinic in the town.
Handing it to the doctor, Charles reassured:
"He was caught in the rain yesterday and must have contracted the cold. You go and inform Sadie, I will be here with him."
Abigail's hanging heart relaxed a little: "I hope he will be fine."
At the same time, Arthur, who was in a coma, had another strange dream.
He walked alone on the streets of Rhodes Town, as if he was the only one left in the world. From time to time, gray wolves and stags ran in front of him, but in general, wolves appeared more often.
Before Arthur could figure out what these two animals represented, he was awakened by the doctor.
Resisting the discomfort, he struggled to sit up from the hospital bed: "Ahem. I. Ahem. What's going on?"
Seeing this, Charles hurriedly asked him to lie down again.
There was no sadness or joy in the doctor's tone: "I'm afraid your situation is not very good, child."
Arthur still kept coughing: "I guess so."
Charles asked worriedly: "Isn't it a common cold?"
"Unfortunately, it's much more serious than a cold." The doctor's tone was like a judge passing down a death sentence: "It's tuberculosis, a very terrible disease."
"This disease worsens gradually. If you can stay in a warm and dry place to recuperate for a few years, you may gradually get better."
Arthur suddenly thought of Downs, that honest farmer.
During the debt collection, Downs kept coughing, which was exactly the same as his current symptoms.
Is this retribution?
Thinking of this, Arthur laughed at himself: "Maybe I should go to a country club in California to spend the winter."
The doctor said regretfully: "I'm so sorry, kid."
As he spoke, he found a syringe from the medicine cabinet: "I can't cure you, but I can make you feel better today."
After receiving medication, Arthur's face was no longer so pale, but the fatigue and weakness between his brows could not be concealed.
Both Charles and the doctor advised him to rest a little longer.
Arthur insisted on leaving: "We can't change what has happened, we can only move on. I still have a lot to do and I must not stop."
"You're going to die." Charles lamented his misfortune.
"Everyone dies, but I think I can hold on a little longer." Arthur got out of the hospital bed and put the black gambler's hat left to him by his father on his head again.
It is worth mentioning that in various art works with Western themes, the positive characters usually wear white hats, while black ones belong to the villains.
Among all the members of the Fan Gang, only Micah wears a white hat.
"Don't tell them I have this disease, it's just a simple cold."
Charles reluctantly agreed to Arthur's request and helped him leave the clinic.
But as soon as he walked out of the door, Arthur immediately pushed his companion away to show that he was okay.
Charles followed his eyes and looked into the distance before he found the reason.
It turned out that members such as Algere and Sadie were not far away. They heard that Arthur might be in some condition and came to visit one after another.
Everyone asked questions, but Arthur ignored them all.
(End of chapter)
