Meeting the others.

“All patched up!” Hosea stated finishing the stitch causing the man to move his arm without too much resistance or restriction, “Thank you sir!” “Hosea please!” “No I respect those who deserve it and those who don’t... well they usually end up dead one way or another!” he laughed before coughing walked off leaving James to explore the camp. First up was Pearson who quickly thanked him for getting the meat for the rest of the camp. Sadie was next but she wouldn’t speak much unless it was the bare generic comments. Javier admitted to being impressed by what Charles has said and Bill remained confused by it all. James began chopping the wood to help out the others in camp get the work done and earning more people’s trust before stopping watched the scene unfold in front of him near Abigail’s tent. “Hi Abigail!” Micah spoke, “Micah!” “How’s the boy?” “Like you care!” “True... but John is away just like Arthur!” “What you trying to say?” “Well you don’t work or contribute to camp anymore...” “Neither does Molly!” “She’s Dutch’s woman, so she can get away with it but you...” he grabbed her arm but feeling her pull away growled, “Everyone does their bit and we know what you’re good at!” “Let go of me Micah!” “What are you going to do? Get old man Hosea to stop me? Get Dutch who doesn’t care? Get an concussed Charles?” he went to speak again but seeing the Axe skim his face watched to see it lay imbedded in the nearest tree. “Who in the hell did that!” Abigail looked over smiling saw James walk up to him and standing in front of her spoke, “I did. What are you going to do about it, huh?” Micah looked at the larger man before patting his shoulder to walk away swung but being met by a dodge was met by James catching his hand and breaking his middle three knuckles and a kick backwards, “Stay away from Miss Roberts and Jack!” James barked and scampering away like a wounded animal Hosea walking up with Jack’s book nodded appreciating the gesture by the newest member of the gang.

“Thank you James!” “Maybe it’s just we got off on the wrong foot but I don’t trust the rat!” “He’s loyal to us but just a scumbag!” “And you wonder why I am on the other side...” he nodded before talking to Abigail spoke, “I’m sorry Abigail but Jack doesn’t want to learn today and as you know I won’t **** him!” Abigail snatched the book before leading Hosea to her son spoke, “He must Hosea, I won’t have him end up like me and John!” “I won’t **** him Abigail you know I won’t” “I will handle it!” “But...” “Maybe it needs another approach but someone different!” she sighed before handing him the book watched the officer walk over, “If I didn’t love John he would be the perfect father figure!” Hosea nodded before agreeing spoke, “Dutch may not be keen on having here but we need him here more than we think!” before walking over to question Micah saw James sit next to his “student.”

“Hey Jack!” the boy looked up from his prodding at the mud stick, “Hi sir!” “Please call me James!” “Okay James!” “Come and sit for moment!” before opening the book Jack whined, “I don’t want to learn!” “You won’t be a gunslinger you are going to be a lawyer and do the hanging not the one being hung!” James glared back at Abigail before dismissing her spoke, “Come on Jack let’s give it a go!” “It’s boring!” “I know but that’s learning for you. It’s important you learn!” “Why?” “Because it’s important to better yourself. Whatever you do in later life you have to learn. Being an Gunslinger is the same if anything much more important. Look at Bill... who can’t read or write and is an idiot, you’re a smart kid like Arthur and Dutch but you need to be willing to learn!” “Your a gunslinger aren’t you?” “No my boy. I’m on the other side. You see there is the law and those who don’t respect the law. I enforce the law but see the law as an interpretation. You must see the law and apply it when needed. When you educate yourself you earn the right to distinguish the difference and make these decisions!” “What do you mean?” “When you can read you aren’t restricted to just knights and dragons. You can read books on science, history, animals, read newspapers, letters among other things and with this intelligence join in conversations. People laugh at you because your young but with an informed and learned opinion your view will be respected” “Is that why the gang is constantly arguing?” he shook his head before stating pulling out the domino box, “What you have here is a problem with different ideas on what the solution should be.”

He lifted the first domino before saying, “You have Dutch with his plan thinking with some money it will all be alright. Arthur who is being realistic and is both question Dutch’s judgement but is unsure on what should be done. Then you have Hosea who likes me thinks all non-wanted people plus Charles and John should be allowed to leave. Each idea will have different amounts of support all based on their own “educated guess” you see why it’s important to learn?” he nodded before stating, “I can make better decisions?” “In theory yes. Start off small and work your way up! All this will seem confusing for now and the words I have said may come off confusing but it will grow clearer over time” “And momma?” “She can’t read or write and that’s why she is pressuring you so much, be better than her and if you get this book finished by the end of the week I will get you some candy!” he smiled before looking down started to read and Abigail sitting next to Hosea stopped her conversation to hear her son commence to read.

“Thank you James!” “I understand your thinking process miss Roberts. It’s only natural that you want better for your son!” she placed the next tile down before taking my next go heard, “Apart for Arthur and Hosea all the men here are meatheads, just look at the mess that we are in...” I nodded before sighing spoke, “You are in deep shit. Everywhere is on high alert... you can get away with it but it may mean letting John go. You have to think of you and the boy!” she looked down before nodding spoke, “I can’t. I love him and I can’t picture us surviving without him!” “Is he...” “What?” “I have heard about your previous occupation... I look at him and see Javier” “It’s John. Okay!?” “Okay! I was just saying...” “Yes! You aren’t the only who has said it ain’t his. Even John sometimes denies Jack is his. How must the boy think to know no man wants to accept the father role?” I thought about it before putting my final tile down spoke, “Well come to town with me then... I need to go to town to send some letters and receive a few parcels. Come to town and we can go to the local picture theatre or something!” she smiled before smirking spoke, “Are you asking me out?” “I asked Mary earlier but “Miss’ Grimshaw wouldn’t allow me” so why not? We can also get some provisions” and nodding she agreed, “Thank you, we accept.”