The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 43: Hosea's Inner Thoughts

In a private room on the second floor of the hotel.

"Alright, stop smoking. Say what you have to say."

Arthur sat down opposite Hosea. Although he knew Hosea had something to say, Arthur didn't rush him after asking once. He sat quietly, waiting for Hosea to speak. Hosea waited until he had finished an entire cigarette before slowly talking.

"I understand why you didn't tell us about the casino. I'm glad you can see the future and plan for it. We all know this path is coming to an end. I understand that I can't see another way out, and Dutch... Dutch, I think he knows too, but he still doesn't want to open his eyes and look for another way."

Hosea's words were brief but clearly expressed his views on the gang, Dutch, and the future. It must be said that Hosea saw things very clearly. In his view, Arthur had already chosen a new path for himself.

Arthur was surprised. He didn't expect Hosea to say these things so bluntly. After listening to Hosea, he took a deep breath. Since the conversation had reached this point, Arthur felt it was time to share some of his thoughts with Hosea.

"Hosea, since you understand, I'll be straightforward with you. If we continue down the path of robbing banks and being outlaws, I'm afraid we'll only end up dead. You and I both know that the times have changed."

"Yes, the times have changed, Arthur. Dutch and I are old. We can't keep up with the way you young people think." Hosea lit another cigarette and looked at Arthur. He didn't blame Arthur for choosing to leave; leaving was the only way to find a path to survival.

"So, you came here because Dutch also knows about this."

"I've advised Dutch, but he hasn't come to terms with it yet. After all, he has to worry about the livelihood of everyone. We're all old and can't keep up with your young ideas. I'll talk to him again."

From Hosea's words, it was clear that Dutch wasn't happy. Arthur understood but felt that since he had already solved Dutch's biggest concern—money—there was no need to rely on robberies anymore. Although Arthur wasn't sure, he knew Dutch well enough to try.

"So, you're not here to persuade me?"

"What parent wouldn't want their child to succeed? I'm happy that you can find your own path."

Looking at Hosea, Arthur felt deeply moved.

"Who said I was leaving you? I'm finding a way out for all of us. Don't worry, I'll go and convince Dutch. I only waited to tell him until I had some achievements to show." This was the truth. Although Arthur thought some of Dutch's actions were wrong, he didn't want Dutch to go down a path without hope.

Hosea nodded happily. He had thought Arthur was planning to leave, but now he realized he was mistaken. He was glad.

"That's good. If anyone can convince Dutch, it's you."

"So, did Dutch come with you?"

Hosea shook his head. He had left Dutch at the camp and didn't know that Dutch was also in Valentine now.

***

Behind the clinic, at the casino.

Under the operation of Old Frank's daughter, there were no surprises. Cornwall lost everything but took it in stride, leaving with his guards after saying with a smile, "Mr. Milton? We'll meet again."

Dutch didn't care about the threat in Cornwall's words. He smiled, returned the chips he had won, took back his bonds, and asked Kieran where Arthur was. After finding out, he didn't stay long and left. Having won a lot of money, Kieran took Dutch out the front door of the clinic to avoid any complications.

***

Successfully making the wealthy man lose made Dutch feel good. When he found Arthur, he saw Hosea and Arthur chatting.

"Am I here at a good time?"

Arthur stood up and led Dutch to sit in his place.

"Dutch, I was just about to go back to camp to find you. I didn't expect you to come here yourself."

Dutch smoked his pipe and sat down, saying, "If I hadn't come, I wouldn't have known how well your casino business is doing. Arthur, you and Davey are my best shooters. Davey is still bedridden, and now you're thinking of leaving me?"

Dutch's words were direct, like Hosea's, without any beating around the bush. But why did both of them think he was leaving?

Arthur knew Davey's situation well. Although he had survived, he was still bedridden, which was sad. The Callander brothers were now down to just Davey, with Mac dead.

Arthur shook his head. "Dutch, I'm not leaving the gang."

Arthur always liked to call the gang 'family.' Although it was different from a real family, the emotions were something Arthur couldn't let go of. He had never thought of abandoning them and leaving.

Not in the past, not now, and not in the future.

Dutch nodded, acknowledging Arthur's statement. He paused for a moment before continuing. "My father died on the battlefield in Pennsylvania, fighting many battles. Have I told you that?"

Arthur didn't know why Dutch brought this up again. He had heard Dutch talk about it many times. "Yes, many times."

Dutch knew he had told these old stories many times. Revisiting them was just a way to start a conversation. Dutch looked at the pipe in his hand, which Arthur had gotten for him. He liked it.

"I know, Arthur, I make you feel tired."

Hosea, sitting nearby, smoking, felt it wasn't the right time to speak. Arthur, listening to Dutch, actually thought for a moment about whether he was tired of Dutch.

Arthur didn't think so. He said seriously, "I'm more worried... We've already lost a lot."

Dutch looked at Arthur, sensing his distrust since Blackwater and all the way to Horseshoe Overlook. He couldn't pinpoint it, but he felt it. He thought, Arthur was different from him, more like Hosea.

"Don't forget, Arthur, we have grand ambitions. When you were younger, I told you we were trying to change society! Make it more tolerant, more genuine, and better. Since it's a change, the casualties at this stage are inevitable. I'm also heartbroken about the ones we've lost, but we have to look forward."

Arthur repeated to Dutch what he had said to Hosea, "Right now, we're just a group of thieves, without direction, wandering in a world that no longer needs us."

Arthur's words were hard for Dutch to refute. He nodded and said, "I admit, the world we live in is full of these dull realities. I have always been a dreamer, or rather, we are all dreamers."

"I agree with you, but let's not talk about that now. Micah is in trouble in Strawberry. He's been captured and is about to be hanged..."

Before Dutch could finish his plan to have Arthur rescue Micah, Arthur interrupted.

"Charles just came back. Hosea and I were about to tell you. We have news about Sean. Simply put, if we want to save him, it has to be now before he's transferred to prison."

Arthur, thinking Sean was more worth saving, interrupted Dutch.

Now, Dutch had to decide whether to save Micah or Sean.

***

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