Chapter 82: Business License
At those words the two men stared, eyes wide, unable to believe the extravagance of the rich young master; their idea of what counted as 'generous' had just been reset to a whole new level.
After all, here in Valentine Town a common ranch hand, killing himself for thirty days straight, took home a measly fifteen dollars a month.
And days off were unpaid.
Yet this young gentleman had casually tossed out a staggering hundred dollars a day—per man!
On top of that he'd thrown in two extra promises too tempting to refuse.
Faced with terms like that, Arthur barely hesitated before agreeing on the spot.
Grinning, he turned to Oliver beside him and said excitedly:
'It's settled, then. And better yet, there's a big job coming up any day now.
While we wait you can ride with me—pick up a few tricks with a gun.
Once Mr. van der Linde has everything in place, I'll find you back here in Valentine.'
Oliver, delighted by the ready acceptance, could hardly contain himself.
He strode to the crate, bent down, and carefully lifted out a smaller, finely-made wooden box.
Carrying it back, he presented it to Arthur with a smile:
'There's a bottle of Sarsaparilla in here. I'd like your elders to have it—a small token of my thanks.'
When Arthur accepted, Oliver added:
'Is there anything I can do for you?'
Johnny thought for a moment, then answered:
'As a matter of fact, yes, partner. We're looking to start a company.
Out here in the sticks, registering a business is a real headache.'
Arthur, though he knew nothing of such matters, played along:
'Takes half a year round-trip—pain in the neck. Think you could handle the paperwork for us?'
Oliver nodded, understanding their plight,
and began explaining the registration process, the documents required, and every other important detail.
After mulling it over, Johnny resolved to set up a sole-proprietorship.
His own particulars could be pulled straight from federal records.
The outfit would breed and sell horses, provide professional security, and on the side retail coffee and desserts.
Johnny added one more condition: he wanted Oliver to send over a skilled hand who knew coffee brewing and pastry making, someone to train the new crew.
And if the man could point them toward reliable suppliers, so much the better.
Oliver listened, considered for a moment;
on the face of it the demands sounded steep, but in truth they would cost him almost nothing—
no more than asking his people to shoulder an extra task or two.
So he readily agreed and promised to set everything in motion.
With the deal done Oliver, eager to start his shooting lessons, urged Johnny to move fast.
Before leaving, Arthur handed Johnny the bottle and warned:
'Make sure Uncle, Pearson, and the Reverend—those three drunks—don't spot it. Get it safe into my father's hands.'
Johnny rolled his eyes. 'Who in the Gang could snatch anything from me except you?'
He answered aloud, 'Got it, Mr. Callahan. Just keep the young master happy!'
'Shut up, Johnny.'
Arthur fired back; Johnny ignored him, mounted up, and rode off.
The day is done, the time has come,
You battled hard, the war is won,
You did your worst,
You tried your best,
Now it's time to rest,
Now it's time to rest,
See the fire in your eyes,
See the fire in your eyes.
Humming the jaunty western tune, Johnny ambled back to camp.
John spotted him and hurried over. 'Johnny, when do we hit those bastards at Six Point Cabin? I'm itching to earn!'
Nearby, Kieran was brushing a horse.
Johnny called him over and said in a serious tone:
'Arthur and I found a rich man who'll pay us to play Robin Hood with him.
I need you two to scout Six Point Cabin inside two days—numbers, weapons, any reinforcements.'
Excitement flashed across both faces.
For John the coming job meant everything: a chance to show he was back and reclaim the place he'd lost.
He'd waited long and quietly for a proving ground, and now it had arrived.
Kieran's feelings ran deeper.
He knew no one in the Gang truly accepted him except Johnny, but he was ready to cut his past clean and throw in his lot with this new family.
This raid would let them see his change, his resolve—let them take him in.
Since Johnny didn't know the trail, they agreed to ride together, find the cabin first, then plan.
The three of them spurred their horses and galloped off.
Dust rose; they didn't spare the animals.
Time slipped away beneath the drumming hooves until, under a bright moon, they reined in near Six Point Cabin.
On the way Johnny asked after John's wounds. John thumped his chest and declared:
'Healed long ago! Abigail just wouldn't let me out of bed.
All I want now is to get busy, earn some real money, and show the lot of you what I can do.'
He cracked his whip, eyes blazing with purpose.