Stephen remained noncommittal to Dutch's request.

  He simply used his injury as an excuse, saying he needed to rest at Camp for a couple of days before heading to Strawberry.

  Dutch didn't push it. He simply nodded and went back to rest.

  Stephen shook his head, a bit exasperated.

  He wasn't sure whether to fault Dutch for valuing his gang members too much or for placing too much importance on that Micah.

  Distracted by Dutch, he lost his appetite for enjoying the night scenery and ambled back to his bedroll, falling asleep.

  The next few days were uneventful. Sean, the camp's resident comedian, brought constant laughter to everyone.

  Having just returned from his ordeal, everyone spoiled him a bit.

  Even Hosea didn't give him a hard time, joining in the fun for several days.

  Arthur, meanwhile, was burdened with errands by the gang, constantly running around, never getting a moment's peace.

  He was like a tireless nanny, caring for everyone at the camp.

  Stephen stayed put at Camp for several days. Once the injury on his shoulder had healed enough, he decided to venture out.

  Staying at Camp was enjoyable, but it felt a bit too lazy.

  Stephen wasn't one to sit still. He preferred to roam free and easy.

  After packing his things, Stephen sat at the large table in Camp, idly looking at a map, wondering where to go next.

  Emerald Ranch? Rhodes? Or even Saint Denis?

  Stephen planned to go somewhere far this time. Since things seemed quiet at Camp, he wanted to see if there were any interesting jobs to be found in other area.

  "Hey, what's up?"

  Seeing Stephen sitting alone at the table, Charles walked over and plopped down opposite him.

  "Nothing much, just planning to head out and see if there are any opportunities."

  Stephen nonchalantly placed the map in front of Charles. "Got any good suggestions?"

  "I actually have a job in mind, not sure if you'd be interested."

  Charles closed the map and said to Stephen, "It's pretty boring, though. I don't think you'd like it."

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  "Tell me about it. Maybe I'm the kind of guy who likes to challenge himself!" Stephen said with a smile.

  Going somewhere is the same as other places, and having someone along would make it more interesting.

  Stephen quite liked going out with Charles. The black guy was reliable, and they got along well.

  "Alright."

  Charles shrugged and said, "It's a few ranchers from Valentine. They want to hire someone to cause some trouble for their rivals."

  Ranchers? Rivals?

  "So, our mission objective is...sheep?"

  Stephen said, amused. "Those ranchers' rivals are just other ranches' sheep?"

  "You could say that." Charles couldn't help but smile. "We go over there, wait until nightfall, and set a fire in the sheep pen."

  "That's why I said it's a boring job. Our biggest challenge will be not getting suffocated by the smell of sheep manure."

  "So, you still want to go?"

  Stephen paused for a moment, looking at the map in his hand, realizing he didn't really have much of a choice.

  "Yeah! Bored anyway."

  Stephen decided then and there, grabbing his gear and preparing to leave.

  The two of them packed their things and led their horses out of Camp.

  It was almost July, and the weather was gradually getting hotter. The blazing sun already made people feel a bit parched.

  Stephen took off his coat, wearing only a light shirt, and put on his new hat.

  Charles was still in his blue outfit, looking as simple as ever.

  Stretching lazily towards the sun, Stephen felt the world was so wonderful.

  "I feel like something's been up with you lately."

  Charles looked at the lazy Stephen, and asked curiously, "You seem to be avoiding Dutch."

  "I've seen it several times. Dutch seems to want to say something to you, but you walk away beforehand."

  "Of course, it could just be my imagination."

  This black guy is very observant!

  Stephen smiled, saying something meaningful to Charles, "When you want to reject someone's suggestion without hurting their feelings, the best way is to not let him speak."

  Charles said thoughtfully, "Dutch wants you to do something?"

  Stephen nodded, saying with some disdain, "He wants me to go to Strawberry to look for that Micah. I don't want to go."

  "Who knows where that guy ran off to or whether he died in some deserted wilderness? I'm not interested in looking for him."

  "Indeed, it's been so long."

  Charles also said helplessly, "It's been over a month since we arrived at Horseshoe Overlook, and that guy has vanished as if into thin air."

  "Hey, don't mention that guy."

  Stephen waved his hand, asking Charles, "Which ranch are we going to mess with this time?"

  "It's north of Emerald Ranch, a place called Guthrie Farm."

  Charles pointed to the endless prairie in front of him, saying, "As long as we cross this prairie, we'll be there soon."

  "No problem, I'm quite familiar with the area."

  Stephen said with a smile, "After we're done, we can go to the Tavern at Emerald Ranch for a drink. Their fried fish is delicious."

  "If you say so, then I definitely have to try it."

  Charles said with a smile, "Let's get going then. If we hurry, we can get there tonight and get the job done."

  "Should we have a race?"

  Stephen looked at his steed and suddenly got excited.

  He said to Charles, excitedly, "Let's have a horse race, how about it?"

  Charles looked at Stephen's Turkoman horse and then at his Thelma, and became interested too.

  A hint of excitement appeared on his usually calm face. "No problem, my Thelma won't lose to any horse."

  "Oh...man, don't be so sure. There's nothing absolute in this world."

  When it came to speed, Stephen had absolute confidence in his Turkoman horse.

  He shook his finger, saying arrogantly, "That's because you haven't met me."

  The two men stood side by side on their horses, ready to go.

  "See the Twin Stack Pass ahead? That's our destination!"

  "Get ready!"

  "Go!!" With Stephen's command, the two men and their horses shot out like arrows.