Johnny sat steadily in the front seat of the carriage, his hands gripping the reins. As he drove the carriage forward, he silently calculated his remaining assets: $377.21, not including the $50 from Mr. and Mrs. Adler.
"This isn't enough money to go to Tahiti to grow mangoes."
At this moment, the bright moonlight spilled like silver gauze across the land, illuminating the winding road ahead. Johnny looked up at the sky and couldn't help but exclaim, "The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful!"
However, after days of rushing, the pack horse beneath him was already panting and exhausted. Its steps grew heavier and heavier, each one seeming to drain all its strength.
Johnny knew that if he forced it to continue, the poor horse would probably collapse, or even curse him, its black-hearted owner, in English.
More importantly, traveling alone at night was too dangerous. This area had always been active territory for outlaw Gangs like the Howling Wolves and the Skinners Gang.
Some of these people sought wealth, while others simply killed for pleasure.
Johnny, with his current low strength, did not want to become their next target.
After much deliberation, Johnny finally decided to return to Beechers Hope. Although simple, it could at least provide a relatively safe place to stay.
He planned to get a good night's rest, recuperate, and then return to Adler Ranch when day broke.
Just then, a deafening, thunderous burst of gunfire suddenly erupted from the direction of the previously silent Blackwater Town port!
Dense and fierce bullets, like streaks of lightning tearing through the night sky, whistled past with sharp, piercing sounds, instantly ripping apart the peaceful and serene night.
Johnny was frantic; how could he still consider whether the poor pack horse had enough stamina?
Without hesitation, he raised the whip in his hand and lashed it fiercely across the horse's hindquarters. With a crisp 'crack', the horse cried out in pain and galloped away at full speed.
At the same time, a thought flashed through Johnny's mind:
The Blackwater Town Robbery is happening today! According to the timeline, the notorious ODriscoll Gang will soon be driven into the snowy mountains by the Pinkerton Detective.
No, he had to get back to the ranch as quickly as possible. If he could find some reliable help along the way, that would be even better!
As Johnny hurried along, a bright yet somewhat disheveled figure suddenly appeared not far ahead.
A woman in a light pink dress was running desperately towards him in a panic.
By the faint moonlight, a shocking wound on one of her legs was clearly visible.
Blood flowed down her calf, leaving a trail of crimson stains on the ground.
Seeing this, Johnny's heart sank. He instinctively thought that this woman, appearing near Blackwater Town and fleeing in a hurry at this moment, was very likely Jenny Kirk, a Gang member who had already died in the game.
So, he quickly raised his voice and shouted:
(Author's note: The author knows that Jenny followed the Gang in their escape during this period and eventually died in the snow in front of Clemens Point. This is to make the subsequent plot less abrupt.)
"Hey! Poor lady up ahead, do you need a ride?"
With this shout, Jenny, who was struggling forward, suddenly turned her head, her gaze fixed on Johnny.
At this moment, her body trembled from the intense pain, and each step seemed to drain all her strength.
Even more terrifying, the shadow of death, close behind her, was closing in, leaving her no time to think about anything else.
Almost instinctively, Jenny used her last ounce of strength to turn around, and like grabbing a life raft, desperately pulled Johnny's outstretched hand and climbed into the carriage.
Johnny looked at the pale, frightened girl in front of him, and a surge of pity welled up in his heart. He quickly pulled out the powerful healing medicine he had just bought from his small satchel,
Then, without hesitation, he unbuttoned his coat and reached in to tear a long strip of cloth from his clean white shirt.
"Madam, please rest assured, I mean no harm. I truly cannot bear to see such a young and beautiful you perish in pain and danger like this."
Saying this, Johnny handed the reins to her, signaling her to continue driving the carriage.
Then, while gently comforting Jenny, he methodically began his actions.
He gently twisted open the cap of the healing medicine bottle and carefully offered it to Jenny, signaling her to take it.
Then, he used both hands to spread out the soft strip of cloth, gently approached Jenny's injured calf, and began to carefully wrap it around, circle after circle.
With each wrap, he would pause briefly, adjusting the position and tightness of the cloth, ensuring it provided the best protection and support for the wound.
Under Johnny's focused and gentle care, Jenny's previously tense nerves gradually relaxed. She looked gratefully at this stranger, yet kind man, her eyes shimmering with tears.
"My name is Jenny Kirk, just call me Little Jenny.
Thank you very much for your help, sir. I'm separated from my family now and I don't know what to do." Jenny said, tears of excitement spilling from the corners of her eyes.
Johnny thought, 'As expected.' If he saved Jenny at this moment, he would surely be able to smoothly invite Arthur to help him.
This way, the crisis at Adler Ranch could be easily resolved.
Johnny continued to drive the carriage carefully towards Beechers Hope, while saying to Jenny:
"Little Jenny, my name is Johnny Van der Linde. Don't call me Mr. Van der Linde, that's too formal. Just call me Johnny.
The place we're going now is my old home. The horse we're riding has been traveling at high intensity for several days, so it probably won't be able to go any further tonight.
You can stay at my place for one night. Tomorrow, I'm going to my new home. You can follow me for now, and we'll slowly look for your family later, okay?"
Accompanied by the horse's series of discontented neighs and complaining snorts, the two finally arrived at their destination—Beechers Hope—after much hardship.
Johnny looked at the dilapidated place before him with a helpless expression, secretly lamenting his misfortune.
He had originally thought that he could leave once he packed his bags, but who would have thought he'd have to stay another night!
Johnny grumbled about the sudden change of plans while quickly retrieving the bedding he hadn't yet taken from the storage room.
He skillfully shook out the quilt and carefully spread it on the bed, then, like a polite gentleman, smiled and gestured for Jenny to enter.
He gestured for her to rest there first. As for himself, he planned to make do for a night in his own simple room.