Chapter 235: Dutch’s Tahiti
For Hosea, the Van der Linde Gang was more than just Dutch, his longtime friend.
In his heart, the Van der Linde Gang was just as much his own.
He treated everyone in the gang like his own children.
Of course, the so-called rat was not included.
Because of that, Hosea could never truly let go of the gang’s fate.
To him, it had long since become an irreplaceable spiritual anchor.
“Arthur, once we’re back at camp, don’t mention anything about Davey to Dutch. You know it’ll put the old man in a bad mood.”
After thinking it over, Hosea gave Arthur a quiet reminder.
He knew perfectly well that Dutch was still filled with resentment over Davey’s departure and his current success.
In Dutch’s eyes, the Callander brothers—especially Davey—had already been labeled traitors to the gang.
It was only because they were well-liked and had good relationships with everyone that Dutch hadn’t lashed out openly.
After so many years together, Hosea understood Dutch’s temperament better than anyone.
“Alright, Hosea. Even if you hadn’t said it, I already knew,” Arthur replied.
“Every time Dutch hears anything about Davey, no matter how good his mood is, it always turns sour.”
“It’s like Davey’s success feels like a kind of mockery to him.”
“All these years of sticking to his ideals, sticking to the gang—Davey’s situation has shaken him.”
“But honestly, I think that might not be such a bad thing. I’ve thought more than once about telling Dutch that maybe we could make money the way Davey does, without robbing anyone.”
“Even if we didn’t make as much as Davey, it probably wouldn’t be any less than what we get from robberies.”
“It’s just that none of us have Davey’s kind of brain for it, and Dutch has a real grudge against him.”
Arthur sounded a little helpless.
Davey’s success proved that his path had been the right one.
Deep down, Arthur had never truly liked robbing people either, even when he once believed it was justified.
During this time in Saint Denis, he had heard far too much about Davey, and it had gradually begun to change how he saw things.
Maybe the Van der Linde Gang could do business the way Davey did.
“If we went and asked Davey for advice, I think he’d be more than willing to point us in the right direction,” Arthur added.
“You’re not wrong,” Hosea said, “but Dutch would never agree.”
“To him, that would mean bowing his head to Davey. That stubborn old fool would rather die than do that.”
“Let go of those thoughts, Arthur. There’s no point. We’re not cut out for business anyway.”
“I don’t know how Davey suddenly learned to do it, but if we were capable of it, we’d have done it long ago, wouldn’t we?”
“And more importantly, we’re all wanted men now. No one does business with outlaws.”
Hosea’s words completely extinguished Arthur’s hopes.
That’s right—they were all wanted criminals.
The Pinkertons were hunting them, on top of all the crimes they’d committed in the past.
They were like rats in the gutter, forced to hide and skulk around.
How could they ever show themselves in the open and do business?
As they talked, Hosea and Arthur rode back to the Shady Belle camp.
“Oh, Arthur, that suit looks great on you. You look like a proper gentleman.”
“Hey, Arthur, I never thought you’d look this handsome once you cleaned yourself up.”
“Hosea, you were right. Arthur really did need to take better care of himself.”
“Arthur, listen—when you’re not busy, you should bathe more often. Wouldn’t that be better?”
Seeing Hosea and Arthur return, everyone in camp greeted them warmly.
Miss Grimshaw, in particular, spoke to Arthur in a distinctly motherly, lecturing tone.
In the Van der Linde Gang, if Hosea and Dutch were the father figures, then Miss Grimshaw was the mother.
Even though she was usually fierce, in her heart, they were all like her children—especially Arthur.
If Arthur went too long without bathing, Miss Grimshaw would force him to clean himself up, sometimes even handing out a bit of punishment.
Arthur responded to everyone’s greetings.
Meanwhile, the rat, Micah Bell, walked over with a grin, clearly wanting to say something.
Arthur ignored him outright.
Left with no choice, Micah could only walk back and continue sharpening his dagger.
At Shady Belle, this had practically become his daily routine.
Up on the second floor of the manor, Dutch greeted Hosea and Arthur with a cigar clenched between his teeth.
Arthur followed Hosea upstairs.
“Oh, looks like Susan was right. Arthur, you really should dress up more often.”
“Well done, Hosea.”
“Looks like there’ll be plenty of fine ladies falling for you tomorrow night, Arthur.”
When he was clear-headed, Dutch still radiated undeniable charisma.
His lighthearted jokes quickly lifted Arthur’s mood and deepened his trust.
In Arthur’s mind, Dutch had always been like this—confident to the core.
And with Hosea at his side, when the two of them worked together, it felt like nothing in the world could stop them.
“Alright, Hosea,” Dutch said. “We should talk about tomorrow night’s banquet.”
“The mayor’s banquet. Every important figure and wealthy person in Saint Denis will be there—and they’re our targets.”
“Maybe through this banquet, we can make a few new friends and seize the opportunity to make a big score.”
“Enough money for us to leave and live freely.”
As he spoke, Dutch turned his gaze to Arthur.
“Oh, Arthur, I heard Mary wrote to you. You must’ve seen her when you went to Saint Denis.”
Arthur nodded.
“Yes, Dutch. I saw her. She ran into a bit of trouble, nothing serious. I’ve already taken care of it.”
Dutch patted Arthur on the shoulder.
“I know what you’re thinking, Arthur.”
“Believe me—once we finish this last job, we’ll all be free.”
“A fortune big enough for us to retire on.”
“When that happens, Mary will come back to you, and we’ll all go to Tahiti together.”
“We’ll buy some land there, maybe grow mangoes or something. You know how much I love mangoes—those things would sell great.”
“After this job, freedom and happiness will be waiting for you, Arthur. Trust me.”
Listening to Dutch paint such a future, and thinking of Mary who had left,
Arthur finally found himself lost in dreams of what might come next.
“I believe you, Dutch.”
Author's Note
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