Stephen felt a bit awkward as the atmosphere suddenly went silent. He thought of saying something to ease the tension.

  “Where is everyone else? What are they up to?”

  Mrs. Sadie rubbed her somewhat moist eyes and pointed towards the camp.

  “Dutch brought back a man in a black suit. I don't know what they were talking about, but everyone got all worked up.”

  “It seems to be about the Blackwater situation. Sounds like they are planning to rescue someone.”

  Blackwater? Rescuing someone in Blackwater at this time?

  Stephen felt like something wasn't right. He waved to Mrs. Sadie and turned to head towards the camp.

  “I'll go take a look first. We'll talk later.”

  He tied his horse to a nearby post and went straight in.

  Just as Mrs. Sadie said, almost everyone was gathered in front of Dutch's tent, even some of the women.

  Dutch, Arthur, and Hosea were in the center, along with the man in the suit.

  Stephen walked right up. When Dutch saw him, Stephen felt his eyes light up.

  “Son, your timing couldn't be better.”

  Dutch walked straight to Stephen, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, "Boy, we have a big thing to do, and we need your help."

  *He's* already joined the gang, why is Dutch still being so polite?

  Stephen asked, puzzled, "What's going on? I’ll help if I can."

  Dutch didn't waste any time and pointed to the man in the black suit, saying, "This is an old friend of ours, Josiah Trelawny, a damn fine magician."

  Then he pointed to Stephen and introduced him, "And this is our new friend, Stephen Johnson, one hell of a bounty hunter."

  As soon as Dutch finished speaking, the man called Trelawny bowed dramatically to Stephen.

  This guy was a bit too much for Stephen to handle. He could only extend his hand, and the man instantly grabbed it.

  "A pleasure to meet you, sir. Since I came to the camp, I’ve heard many a tale of your heroic deeds."

  "Thanks for the compliment." Stephen looked at the man called Trelawny with curiosity.

  Stolen story; please report.

  This guy's actions were exaggerated, and his demeanor reeked of affectation.

  He gesticulated wildly while talking, just like a damn comedian.

  And a magician? What does a gang need a magician for?

  "Trelawny brought us some good news. It's important."

  Seeing that the two had greeted each other, Dutch got right to the point. "One of our partners, Sean MacGuire. He's been caught by bounty hunters."

  “According to Trelawny's information, he's being held in a camp outside Blackwater, not in the Sheriff's office. So, we have to find a way to save him.”

  So that's it. No wonder they need *his* help with this.

  Stephen understood at once. Now, he's probably the only one who can freely enter Blackwater to investigate.

  Oh, that Trelawny guy could do it too, but Stephen didn't think this man was any kind of a fighter.

  Dutch looked at Stephen with a serious expression. "I need you to find a way to Blackwater, see if you can rescue this boy!"

  After hearing Dutch's words, Stephen didn't answer immediately but thought for a while.

  "It's not going to be easy. There are too many cops and Pinkertons in Blackwater right now."

  After a while, Stephen cautiously said, "Even if I can get in, it’s still hard to do much alone."

  "I know, but that’s not a reason for us to abandon one of our brothers."

  Dutch looked at Stephen, put his hand on his shoulder, and said, "Since you've decided to join us, then Sean is your family too. We can't leave any of our family behind."

  Dutch was right. Having decided to join the Van der Linde gang, he naturally had to favor the gang to some extent.

  Stephen nodded seriously. "I understand. I'll think of something."

  "Excellent."

  Seeing Stephen agree, Dutch was very happy. "I'll have Arthur, Javier, and Charles go with you. If you have any trouble, they'll help you solve it."

  Stephen looked up. The three of them were obviously ready, armed with long guns and short cannons.

  With these three around, Stephen felt that the matter wasn't so difficult anymore.

  He smiled and nodded. "Okay, as long as that Sean guy isn't dead yet, I'll find a way to bring him out."

  Dutch chatted with everyone for a while, instructing them on what to pay attention to, and everyone nodded seriously.

  When it was Stephen's turn, Dutch didn't say anything, just offered him a cigarette.

  Stephen didn't stand on ceremony, pulled out a match, and lit it for Dutch.

  “Stephen, you’re our greatest hope now.”

  Dutch exhaled a puff of smoke and said slowly, "You’re the only one among us with a legitimate identity, and most importantly, they don't know you exist yet."

  “I understand. I’ll try to investigate.”

  Stephen nodded, "But you must understand, if Sean is really in the hands of bounty hunters, that's easy enough."

  "If – and I stress, if – this information was deliberately released by the police..."

  Setting a trap works great at all times.

  It's especially effective for gangs known for sticking together, like the Van der Linde gang.

  Don't trust the integrity of American cops. After all, you can’t believe in something that doesn't exist.

  If necessary, they wouldn’t hesitate to parade Sean through the streets tied to a wagon.

  As long as it draws out the rest of the Van der Linde gang, they don’t care about the means.

  Stephen cautiously said, "You know the cops’ methods. None of us can guarantee that this isn't a trap to lure us in."

  "I know. So, if needed, I'll take the whole gang back there."

  Dutch said seriously, "Trust me, I'm not kidding about this."

  Stephen looked at Dutch's face and could see that he really wasn't joking.

  At least at this moment, this guy called Dutch Van der Linde was really willing to risk everything to save someone.

  This is why these people were willing to follow Dutch and be loyal to him.

  Stephen nodded and said with great earnestness, "Don't worry, I'll do everything I can."