The Course of True Love - Book l

Beaver Hollow - The Fine Art of Conversation

Distraught and hungry, Arthur returned to the dreary camp of Beaver Hollow just before dusk. Seeing that Minnie and Abigail had finished tending to clothing and currently and subtly packing up major belongings to be grabbed in a rush. Nodding to his wife, Arthur walked past her and to Trelawny, seeing that he had been preparing for another trip that would put more months between him and the rugged outlaws. Arthur knew that if he were to wait, he would never get the chance to ask for Trelawny's help, let alone have a conversation with him.

"Josiah?"

"I, I'm, I was, ah-"

"Leaving again?" Arthur questioned as he sat down in front of him at the table.

"Yes, just leaving. I'll see you soon."

"Perhaps." Arthur coughed.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if I was you, I'd disappear too. This is all pretty much over."

"Well, I'll be back." Josiah forced a smile.

"No you won't, let's not pretend no more. Get outta here."

"I'll miss you, Arthur. You've been a fine friend to me."

"No, let's not get over sentimental," Arthur chuckled. "The place is quiet. Get outta here. You go with my blessing."

"Thank you, Arthur," Josiah nodded. "Oh, um, I've decided I think I'm going to return to England. I don't remember much of it, but I believe it's time I take a break from all of this scurrying and what-not. If you ever need my assistance, write to me in Cornwall, England,"

"How could I forget that?" Arthur chuckled at the reference.

"I was hoping not. There are many fine jobs over there, a majority of them to do with luxury ship building. Who knows, maybe I will be an architect."

"Maybe. And make decent money."

"Let's hope so, Arthur."

"And if you do and end up being some millionaire on a luxury ship, let me know so I know where to go when in need to put some ocean between here and there." He chuckled.

Josiah nodded, "You and your jokes."

"Maybe I was bein' serious," Arthur shrugged. "Anyway, if I were you, I'd go to the train station in Annesburg and take it to Saint Denis. We're planning on getting out of here too."

"I-I'll write to you, Arthur."

"Write to Hosea in Emerald Ranch. The alias is Matthew White."

"I got it. Take care of yourself, Arthur."

"As do you, Josiah." Arthur nodded as he and the well-spoken man embraced a handshake before he watched him walk away towards his horse with only a briefcase in hand.

"Is he leaving too?" Minnie asked as Arthur met up with her in their tent.

"Yeah," He sighed. "He said he was going home to England and was going to try to get up with those tycoons in the shipbuilding yards. Maybe he could be an asset to us in the future."

"No, because in the future we won't be no good-for-nothing outlaws. We'll be earning our money honestly and be living like honest people do. We'll have a nice farm with our own fence and-"

"That all sounds very pretty, darlin', but don't get too far ahead of yourself right now," Arthur frowned, putting his hands on her shoulders before cupping her face. "We're not out of the woods yet. We still got a lot of ground to cover before we can sleep without worry."