Pete spoke animatedly for over ten minutes, especially after he noticed that Henry didn't dislike his approach, which made him speak with even more fervor.
In fact, such legendary events make listeners more curious, longing, enthusiastic, and impulsive.
By the time Pete finished, even 15-year-old Susan and the young couple, Henderson and Maria, were listening attentively. Susan even walked over to Pete's compartment to listen.
Maria sat on a long bench with Pete, offering her own chair to him.
At this point, Tom and Conrad began to seriously consider what Pete was saying.
After all, it involved a formal duel with the legendary marksman, "Blue Reaper" Barrett, so Pete couldn't possibly exaggerate wildly about something so easily exposed. At most, there might be some embellishment.
For example, they truly didn't believe that Henry could kill 20 heavily armed bandits ambushing him while dueling Barrett.
But even if Henry could win a fair duel against Barrett, it would still be incredible news.
So Tom continued to ask Pete about the other incidents involving Henry that he had just mentioned.
Henry watched all of this with a smile.
In the ten days since he had transmigrated, as his understanding of this world deepened, he had realized that Americans in this era idolized marksmen much like people in his previous world idolized superstars.
Therefore, he felt he should carefully manage his public image.
Having transmigrated, he understood that no matter the era, being capable was important, but being able to present oneself was even more crucial.
In the phrase "fame and fortune," "fame" comes first.
Since he was a nobody now, establishing an invincible hero image would add a tremendous halo to him.
This would greatly benefit him in the future, whether it was to deter enemies, recruit subordinates, attract investment, or rectify any mistakes.
Anyone who wanted to deal with Henry would first have to break through his golden aura.
Don't you see how many vicious and cruel bandits are regarded as Robin Hood these days?
Moreover, although Pete spoke with great enthusiasm, he truly wasn't bragging; in fact, what he recounted was less than half of Henry's actual recent achievements.
Others might worry about being over-praised or causing some backlash, but Henry had no such concerns.
He was a lone wolf now, capable of enduring; it was precisely the time for him to run wild.
And Henry knew about the famous New York Sun.
The New York Sun was America's first successful commercial newspaper founded on business principles, and also the first cheaply priced "penny press."
At the time, other newspapers sold for 6 cents, while the New York Sun sold for 1 cent. It quickly grew and expanded, distributing around 180,000 copies a day, making it one of the top newspapers in New York by circulation.
Most American media outlets were very small back then, primarily newspapers, with circulations usually only in the thousands, and they all served political parties.
Therefore, the New York Sun's circulation had a very significant influence, considering that New York only had over 2.2 million people at the time.
Moreover, the New York Sun not only had a daily newspaper but also an evening one.
The New York Sun primarily published social news such as suicides, crimes, trials, and fires, so Conrad and Tom found Henry's deeds particularly appealing.
As Pete narrated, the attention of all the passengers in the carriage was drawn in. The young girl Susan occasionally uttered exclamations like "Wow," "Oh," and "Really?" to add to the excitement, and she would also secretly glance at the dashing Henry from time to time.
Richard, Madeline, and Edith listened to Henry's legendary story again, feeling a mix of emotions, as if the past few days had been a dream.
At this very moment three days ago, they first heard of Henry's deeds from the mouths of bandits. The anxiety, despair, and faint hope they felt then still seemed as vivid as if they were experiencing it all over again!
Yet, just three days later, everyone had become friends with Henry, while the bandits had vanished into thin air.
Edith couldn't help but recall that day, how she had flown into Henry's tall and strong embrace amidst her suffering from fear and trepidation, feeling an overwhelming warmth and security, and a deep sense of tenderness and sweetness involuntarily welled up in her heart.
While Pete was speaking, Tom quickly took notes in his notebook, occasionally interjecting to guide the conversation.
By the time Pete finished, more than two hours had passed.
Tom re-read his notes, then looked at the handsome and upright Henry, who resembled a prince, and couldn't help but ask Henry, "Sheriff Henry, may I ask who taught you how to shoot? How did you become so powerful at such a young age?"
Henry smiled and said, "On one hand, it's talent, and on the other hand, my shooting instructor was a marksman. He was once a soldier, and I inherited perfect shooting skills from him."
Tom asked, "Can you tell me who he was?"
"He passed away fighting criminals, and I don't want to mention him much. He was a true hero, and I am very proud to have inherited his skills and will," Henry said slowly.
After a silence of two or three seconds, Henry said, word by word, "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. The light of life lives on!"
Linda immediately lowered her head and hugged Andre, fearing her tears would be seen.
Henry had already discussed with her that he would try not to mention Brian's name in the future, so as not to disturb Linda's family of three and add extra danger.
After all, Henry had caused too much slaughter, making it easy for enemies to retaliate against those close to him.
If Tom and Conrad had been half-believing and felt at least half of it was exaggerated after hearing Pete's description, now hearing Henry's deafening and insightful words, they were all moved.
Including the other people in the carriage, except for the young girl Susan and the two children, all were deeply touched.
Especially Editor-in-Chief Conrad, he now adored Henry—just this sentence alone could increase newspaper sales by at least 30,000 copies.
Just after 5 PM, in a small grove in the suburbs of Des Moines, Jesse and Frank awaited their reinforcements—the four Younger Brothers, their former comrades from the Southern Army's Jungle Pioneers unit, and their powerful bandit gang.
Jesse had good eyesight and spotted a pleasant surprise from afar—a ten-barreled Gatling Machine Gun on the carriage.
After the Younger Brothers arrived with a total of 46 men, they dismounted and enthusiastically embraced the Jesse Brothers.
Coleman, the leader of the Younger Brothers, said triumphantly, "How do you like this Gatling?"
"Excellent, well done, Coleman!" Jesse nodded.
"This Gatling and five thousand rounds of ammunition will greatly reduce our brothers' casualties. It was also very difficult for me to borrow it, so we want an extra 10%, how about a fifty-fifty split?" Coleman asked.
--------------------------
Hate waiting for new chapters? Same here 😅
Good news — you don't have to wait anymore!
All the next chapters are already on Patreon, so go binge them now~
👉 [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]