The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 35: Helping Hosea Steal (Part Two)

"Lead the way. The place he mentioned is to the northwest of here."

"Ah? You want me to lead the way? Aren't you the one who's been having fun around here lately?" Arthur smiled.

Hosea, riding his horse, was in a good mood. Recently, he had been scouting for profitable opportunities for the gang around Emerald Ranch, focusing on safe ventures. The peaceful life of the past two weeks had relaxed everyone, including Hosea.

"That's just your perspective. I've been scouting targets here for a long time. Seamus, though not very reputable, is a suitable partner. He won't cause us any trouble, and most of the loot we get can be sold through him."

Hearing this Arthur thought, so he is a fencer. He had initially thought it was just a one-time theft, but it turned out to be a real business opportunity.

"So, did I play my part well just now?"

Hosea nodded with a smile.

"You did quite well. I was worried you might need to show Seamus your strength to get him to cooperate."

Arthur shook his head. While he was usually the one to show strength and was willing to do so, he didn't want to argue with fools. This time, his plan was to make Hosea happy. Arthur wanted to solve the problem in a way that pleased Hosea. After all, it was all for Hosea's sake.

Soon, they arrived at the small farmhouse, which actually looked quite large. Through the binoculars, Arthur observed a two-story house, several pens, and a large stable. It seemed like a much better life than Seamus had.

Hosea observed and asked. "What do you think? Do you want to act now or wait until everyone is asleep tonight?"

Wait until night? No, let's get it done quickly. "I have other things to do later, so let's go straight in."

Hosea didn't object and shrugged.

"Alright, it's just stealing a stagecoach. Daytime is fine too. If we can't manage this, I might as well retire. You stay behind; I'll handle the front. Go to the back of the house and wait for me to lure them outside. Then you can act, and we'll meet in the barn."

Hearing this, Arthur knew it was time to watch Hosea's performance.

Hosea adjusted his clothes and approached the house, speaking enthusiastically.

"Young man... young man... you're doing great. Is your father home?"

The young man sitting at the door looked Hosea up and down and said coldly, "He is."

"Can you call him?"

Hosea seemed like an ordinary old man, and the young man didn't want to know what he wanted, clearly indicating he didn't care. He said, "Just fuck off."

Watching from the side, Arthur saw Hosea didn't back down. Instead, he shouted passionately.

"I've disappeared for many years! Even my self has disappeared for many years! But not anymore."

The loud voice startled the young man and attracted Old Crawford from inside the house.

"You know? Oh, he's here. Are you the man of the house?"

Seeing Old Crawford appear, Arthur knew it was time to sneak in. He hid their horses at the back of the house and skillfully opened the back door, slipping inside. From inside, he could still hear Hosea talking loudly in the front.

"Nice to meet you. I was just chatting with junior here a bit."

Old Crawford stood next to his son.

"You selling something?"

Hosea exaggeratedly denied, "No! Sir, I'm not here to sell anything. I'm here to bring you warmth! Free. Spinal... alignment!"

"What?"

"Spinal alignment!"

Arthur, rummaging through the house, almost burst out laughing at Hosea's serious nonsense. It was too funny. He put a gold pocket watch in his pocket and listened to how Hosea continued to fool the two.

"The Lord God Almighty, or whomever built us, put our brains here but our souls on our backs."

"Sir... your back looks kinda tricky and complicated."

Crawford seemed interested. "Yes, my back has always been uncomfortable."

Good, you're biting. Hosea continued to fool him.

"I can fix that with just ten or fifteen sessions."

However, Crawford still thought this man might be after his money, not out of suspicion but out of reluctance.

"Whiskey suits me fine."

"Whiskey? Whiskey is causing the problems."

Clearly, Arthur could hear from inside that Hosea was trying to buy time. Before going upstairs, Arthur felt the chimney and found a hidden iron box with money. Indeed, there were only a few places to hide things. Arthur continued searching the second floor, not wanting to waste Hosea's excellent performance.

"Sir, have you ever seen a Scot who didn't hobble in old age? But the English, they stand tall."

"Gin. They drink gin, and what is gin made of? Junipers... and what does juniper do? creates movement in the spine"

Arthur admitted, it sounded bullshit, but coming from Hosea, it somehow made sense and made you want to listen more. By now, Arthur had finished searching the second floor and slipped out the back door, heading to the stable to wait for Hosea to finish.

"Whereas whiskey, made with grain, leaves the spine brittle, hence your hobbling Jock. Please... lay down here, it won't take long. I was worse than you, my spine was broken."

Arthur had gathered all the cash, jewelry, and gold items. He waited in the stable for Hosea to finish.

"Is it better? just a bit?"

Under Hosea's massage, Crawford felt much better. "Yeah... yeah, it's better!"

Hosea massaged him for a while longer before saying with a smile.

"This session is free, but perhaps I might call again."

Crawford, expecting this, thought seriously and said, "How much?"

Hosea, incredulous, said,

"I'm offering you virility, and you're asking about money?"

"Mister, I ain't made of money..."

Playing the part fully, Hosea said, "My prices are reasonable. Think it over. I'll be around next week."

Feeling it was time, Arthur was probably waiting, so Hosea said a few more words and bid farewell to the father and son. When Hosea arrived at the stable, Arthur was a bit impatient.

"Finally done? Took you long enough."

"Heh, let's go. I wasn't sure how long you'd need. Let's take this stagecoach to Seamus."

Arthur drove the stagecoach around the back of the farmhouse to avoid being seen and brought their horses along before leaving. Sitting in the stagecoach, Hosea happily asked Arthur what he had found.

"Ah, some cash, quite a bit of jewelry, and some gold items. Maybe you should consider giving him another massage next week. It seems like you could make a lot of money haha."

"I'll consider your suggestion."

"Either way, I'm happy to go out conning with you, Hosea. It reminds me of the old days."

Hearing this, Hosea was also happy.

"In a few days, I'll take you hunting. For now, let's finish our work and go home. I'm already looking forward to telling everyone the story tonight by the campfire."

Arthur nodded, indicating he felt the same. They brought the stagecoach back to Seamus's stable.

"Hi, Seamus. We've visited your cousin's house. He's quite nice..."

Hosea chatted with Seamus as they parked the stagecoach in his stable. Seamus quickly closed the door and discreetly handed Hosea a stack of money.

"Well done. Here you go. Now I'm your partner. If you have any good stuff, come to me."

Hosea gave Arthur a share of the money and put the rest away. He then asked Arthur.

"I'm heading back to the camp. Do you want to come with me?"

Arthur shook his head, leading his horse. "No, I told you, I have some other things to do."

Hosea nodded and reminded Arthur not to forget their hunting plans before leaving. Arthur mounted his horse and rode towards Valentine.

***

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