The trapper and a gang.

CH14: The house of fire

Tonight everyone is in panic, Jack has disappeared and I try to calm Abigail and told her we will find him and bring him back, but the instinct of a mother is uncontrollable, and I too am worried. Dutch tries to calm her, when Arthur comes towards us.

- Arthur, have you seen that boy, Jack? Asked Dutch.

- No.

- Where's my goddamn son? Where is he? Where's my son? They took him didn't they? They took my son! Said Abigail, worried.

- Who took him? Asked Arthur.

- We think the Braithwaite woman took him. That Kieran saw a couple of fellers sound like Braithwaite boys. Said Hosea.

- Where's my son? If anything... where is my son, Dutch Van Der Line?

- We will find him, we will bring him back to you and we will kill any fool that had the temerity to touch one hair on that boy's head. Abigail, you have my word.

- Just get me back my son.

- I will get that boy back, so help me God... Right now.

I turn to Abigail and put my hands on her shoulders:

- We'll bring him back, Abigail. I promise you.

- Please, Sarah ... bring him back ....

- I will.

I follow Dutch and Arthur when Bill and the others join us. We all ride our horses and quickly make our way to the Braithwaite property. Once arrived, we get off our horses and walk to the house.

-John, are you sure you're okay? I asked.

- Like I said, I'm fine.

- Come on, let's get this done.  Said Dutch.

I take out my rifle and walk next to Arthur. The closer we get to the house, the faster my heart beats. I have chills all over my body, and the adrenaline starts to go up.

- How do you feel, Sarah? Dutch asked me.

- Excited.

I answered firmly, I am extremely focused. But it's normal for Dutch to watch me, this is the first time I'm come with him, and he'll be surprised.

- Really? Excited how? Micah asks me with a dirty smile.

- You'll see.

We are in front of the house.

- Get down here now! You inbred trash! Said Dutch.

- What the hell do you want? Answered a man.

We stop at a good distance from them, but John continues to move forward.

- Easy, John. Said Hosea taking him by the arm.

- We've come for the boy. You must've known we would. Said Dutch.

- Shouldn't have messed with our business now, should you?

- Whatever complaint you have with us, alleged... or otherwise... That is a young boy. That is not the way you do things. Hand him over.

- Get the hell off our land.

Several men made their appearances on the balcony and the windows. I hold my rifle firmly in my hands, Arthur looks at me for a moment, and I nod my head to tell him that everything is fine.

- If you ain't gonna be civilized about this... Said Dutch.

We open fire on them, I protect myself behind a tree and kill four men who are at the windows. Once the area cleans, I take the time to reload my rifle.