Chapter 55: Strawberry Roan Arden Warhorse
To guard against wolf packs that might leap from the woods at any time and the elusive Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes.
After some discussion, the two resolutely chose to double back the way they came to Strawberry, and then ride back to Valentine along the wide, flat main road.
Just as they were about to arrive beneath Bard's Crossing, they saw from a distance a swaying drunkard standing in the middle of the road, muttering something to himself.
"Who put this damn big rock in the... middle of the road!"
Then, he suddenly raised his head, glaring with blurred yet fierce eyes at the two approaching people, and shouted a question:
"Hey! Was it you two who did this?"
Originally, Valerie didn't want to pay any attention to this strangely behaving, alcohol-reeking drunkard; she just wanted to quickly bypass him and continue on her way.
However, Johnny, beside her, seemed to have developed a strong interest in the drunkard and actually signaled Valerie to stop her horse.
Johnny flipped off his horse and walked quickly to the front of the wagon. He saw the draft horse slumped powerlessly on the ground, gasping for breath in large gulps. It was clearly hanging by a thread, with more air going out than coming in.
Seeing this, Johnny didn't hesitate for a moment. He quickly took out the Horse Reviver he carried in his satchel and carefully poured it into the horse's mouth.
Before long, a miracle happened! The horse, which had been at death's door, began to slowly regain its vitality, and its breathing gradually steadied.
Seeing the horse's condition improve, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. He then set about unfastening the reins tightly wrapped around the horse and gently laid them aside.
After handling everything, Johnny turned and walked toward the drunkard, who was still rambling in place.
The drunkard was still muttering to the empty air around him. When he caught sight of Johnny walking toward him, a look of joy as if meeting a savior instantly appeared on his face.
He hurriedly stumbled forward to meet him, grabbed Johnny's arm, and pleaded incoherently:
"Kind sir, please, you must help me. Help me watch over my goods! I'll be back with another wagon right away."
Without waiting for an answer, he walked away while muttering to himself about how his boss would surely blame him.
Valerie had always felt that Johnny was a mysterious fellow; she could never completely see through him.
Based on Johnny's usual behavior, he was definitely not the type to be a busybody or meddle in other people's affairs.
However, at this moment, as she witnessed Johnny unscrupulously rummaging through the locked chest, Valerie's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with disbelief and speechlessness.
"I knew it!" Valerie muttered to herself. "This guy really isn't that kind of person."
What kind of joke was this? She had transmigrated to become a fierce bandit; where would she get such high moral standards?
Johnny was seen rummaging through the lockbox, tossing various items all over the ground.
After a while, he finally stopped, holding three things in his hands—a glittering gold pocket watch, a bottle of Valerian Root, and two bottles of rather exquisite-looking moonshine.
(A small house rule here: Valerian Root does not increase Dead Eye experience; it only improves physical constitution.)
Without hesitation, Johnny raised the bottle of Valerian Root to his lips and tilted his head back, gulping it down. A bitter yet slightly sweet taste instantly spread through him.
He smacked his lips and casually tossed another bottle of scavenged moonshine to Valerie, who was not far away, like throwing a football.
Valerie was quick-eyed and steady-handed, catching the flying object firmly. Without a word, she unscrewed the cap and heroically poured the transparent liquid into her mouth.
However, as she swallowed the first gulp, she frowned slightly, as if not particularly satisfied with the quality of this moonshine.
But this didn't affect her interest in continuing to drink heartily. In the blink of an eye, the entire bottle had been drained to the last drop.
Johnny nimbly stuffed the remaining items into his wolf king satchel, then turned and strode toward the Ardennes horse lying quietly to the side.
As he approached, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh:
"Such a fine horse, with a coat as brilliant as the sunset. It's so brave, yet it was used just to pull a wagon. It's simply a waste of a godsend!"
When he reached it, Johnny extended his broad palm and gently patted the horse's smooth mane, as if soothing a frightened child.
Then, as if performing a magic trick, he pulled several fresh, succulent carrots and a few fragrant oat cakes from his satchel.
This food was undoubtedly a great attraction for the hungry and exhausted horse.
Sure enough, before long, the originally weak Ardennes horse began to chew with great relish.
As it swallowed the treats bite by bite, its strength gradually returned. Finally, after eating the last oat cake, it shook its head, pushed off with its four limbs, and successfully stood up.
Johnny didn't dare ride it, fearing he would directly exhaust its few remaining bits of vitality. He just led the horse slowly on the road toward Riggs Station.
After a long journey, they finally arrived at the station at dawn, when the first faint glimmer of light appeared.
At this time, a thin layer of mist still lingered around the station, making everything seem somewhat hazy and mysterious.
Johnny's gaze quickly scanned the surroundings and soon found a child standing not far away who looked quite experienced and was anxiously seeking a job opportunity.
The child wore old but fairly clean clothes, and his large eyes darted around cleverly, revealing a sense of longing and expectation.
Johnny then walked up and, after a brief exchange with the child, pulled four dollars from his pocket and handed them to him.
This included one dollar to buy a horse ticket, one dollar for the return train fare, and another two dollars as wages for the reward.
The child took the money, and his eyes lit up instantly. When he saw the fine horses the two were riding, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
This horse was tall and powerful, its coat as shiny as silk; one could tell at a glance that it was worth a fortune.
Looking at the two people before him, though they were travel-worn, the extraordinary aura they exuded in their every move made the child realize immediately that these were not people he could easily provoke.
Thus, the child hurriedly bowed deeply to express his heartfelt thanks.
Then, without any delay, he quickly tucked the bills into his bosom and walked briskly to the horse, ready to begin his task.
He gently patted the horse's head, as if soothing the slightly weary animal.
After doing this, the child turned back and nodded to Johnny, signaling that everything was ready and they could depart.
Then, he led the horse to the waiting area to rent a temporary saddle, purchased a ticket, and waited in place for the train's arrival.
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