gnovel Chapter 45 The Reactions of the Crowd
Chapter 45 The Reactions of the Crowd
James and Margaret exchanged a quick glance, their eyes sweeping over Zach and Simone before finally settling on Cooper, who was clearly the most "robust" and also the most suspicious.
"But now," Tom changed the subject, his tone light, "they're all my good buddies! Fifty dollars a month, room and board included. Zack and Cooper are in charge of herding the cattle, and Simone takes care of our meals!"
Tom was proudly introducing himself when he suddenly felt a probing gaze fall on his face.
Turning his head, he met his mother Margaret's meaningful gaze as she held the sleeping little John.
He understood immediately, walked a few steps to his mother's side, and magically pulled a bulging wallet full of green US dollars from his pocket, stuffing it into Margaret's hand without saying a word.
Margaret glanced quickly at the thickness and her heart skipped a beat!
She remained expressionless, and with a flick of her wrist, the wallet full of "hope" vanished like lightning into the pocket of her wide skirt.
When she looked up again, she was already the demeanor of a gentle hostess, giving Zack and the others a polite smile:
"I am Tom's mother, Margaret. If you need anything in the future, please come to me."
Zack and the other two instinctively looked at Tom, seeking confirmation.
Tom shrugged, grinning innocently, "Looking at me is useless. I even have to beg her for mercy to get me food!"
The three of them suddenly realized what was happening and nodded hurriedly like chicks pecking at rice.
Just then—
Da da da da!
Another rapid sound of hooves came like the beating of drums, and accompanied by flying dust, several familiar figures suddenly came into everyone's view!
Elsa rode the brown "Lightning," with Ennis close behind.
"Tom!" Elsa exclaimed in surprise, her voice cutting through the air.
She nimbly dismounted, rushed to Tom, and her face lit up with an excited smile: "Tom! It really is you! God, my brother is back!"
Before she finished speaking, she hugged Tom tightly, so tightly that his ribs ached.
"I thought I'd never see you again in this lifetime!" she mumbled, burying her head in his shoulder.
Tom's hand, which he had just raised, froze in mid-air.
But the next second, he gently patted Elsa's back and said with a smile, "Hey, you know, the Dutton family has magical protection. See, I'm back now, aren't I?"
This teasing remark amused Elsa, who finally relaxed her embrace, took a step back, and said earnestly, "Tom, welcome back!"
Tom's gaze swept over Elsa, then landed on Ennis, and he smiled as well: "Yes, I'm back in the team."
As the group was exchanging pleasantries, they saw Captain Shay and Thomas approaching side by side.
"Tom, good to see you back!" Shay's voice was steady and strong.
Tom's face broke into a genuine smile: "I'm so happy to see you again, Captain!"
Their eyes met, and their silent smiles conveyed the unspoken understanding of old friends reuniting.
Thomas simply nodded slightly to Tom in acknowledgment.
Shay's sharp eyes quickly noticed the herd of restless bison behind Tom, along with the two cowboys and a woman following behind.
He cut to the chase: "Tom, these people?"
Tom immediately gave a brief explanation of where he came from.
"You want to mix the bison into the herd?" Shay asked.
"No need, Captain," Tom shook his head. "They're more than enough; I hired them specifically to herd these cattle."
Shay didn't object, but he had to say it upfront: "Okay, keep an eye on them!"
"Understood." Tom nodded, fully aware of the situation. If the men he brought caused trouble in the group, the responsibility would inevitably fall on him.
He turned to the three men, his tone suddenly becoming stern: "Did you all hear that? You'd better behave!"
"Yes!" the three answered in unison, their voices so loud that they startled everyone around them.
Shay's gaze swept over the three men like a hawk's, finally lingering on Tom's face for a moment with a meaningful look.
Tom maintained that calm smile throughout.
The team set off again without further delay.
Tom drove the carriage, trailing behind Margaret's.
His original car has now been taken over by his aunt Claire.
When Claire saw Tom, she excitedly gave him a big hug: "May the Dutton ancestors bless you, Tom!"
Tom immediately replied, "You're right, Auntie!"
Mary, standing to the side, also had a big smile on her face, with the corners of her mouth turned up high.
Tom nodded to her.
Soon, news of Tom's return to the group spread like wildfire throughout the entire migrating caravan.
People smiled, and many remembered the former glory of "sharpshooter" Tom.
With him in the team, I felt more upright, and my anxiety about the wilderness was greatly dispelled.
As the setting sun cast its golden glow, the group finally stopped at dusk to prepare for setting up camp.
However, there was really no choice in where to set up camp. The further northwest they went, the more endless the desert became, and there was not a trace of water on the barren yellow horizon.
The team could only follow the narrow paths trodden by carts left by their predecessors, winding their way through the desolate wilderness. Their stop was merely a temporary respite from the lingering warmth of the scorching earth.
The group began unloading the trucks and setting up tents, and the camp gradually came to life.
After settling his family in, Tom headed straight for the three-man team.
"Simone," he instructed crisply, "from now on, you will be in charge of your squad's food and water." Simone immediately nodded in agreement; she understood that Tom's focus would shift to his family from now on.
"Call me if you need anything!" Tom said, then turned and left.
Cooper stared at Tom's tall, straight back, momentarily stunned.
"Cooper," Zach's icy voice slithered into his ear like a venomous snake, "I'll be watching you."
Cooper could only shake his head helplessly.
After settling the three of them in, Tom returned to the carriage where his family was.
Margaret was preparing dinner when Tom brought out some salted meat and whiskey that he had brought from Fort Worth!
The long-lost aroma of salted meat filled the campsite for dinner, and the family ate to their heart's content, their fatigue seemingly dispelled.
suddenly!
Tom, who was resting against the carriage shaft, suddenly sprang to his feet, his sharp eyes piercing the twilight, and roared, "Loach!"
A familiar, agile figure was seen rushing towards the camp from the depths of the desert!
Without the slightest hesitation, Tom nimbly leaped onto the horse's back, simultaneously using his arm to guide the galloping figure.
This sudden action instantly attracted everyone's attention.
James reacted the fastest, grabbing the Winchester rifle beside him and almost simultaneously mounting his horse, letting out a low growl of "Giddy up!" before chasing after Tom.
In the three-man squad not far away, Zach's eyes sharpened. He grabbed the reins, leaped onto his horse, and roared at Cooper, "Follow me!" He then left Simone with the words, "Keep watch!" The two sturdy horses shot off like arrows, following closely behind two plumes of dust as they disappeared into the deepening twilight.
boom! boom! boom!
The rapid, muffled gunshots, like thunderclaps, abruptly shattered the brief tranquility of the camp!