Chapter 341: Chapter 23 Chase_2
“The Big Horn River stretches over seventy kilometers within Wolfton territory, with vast uninhabited wastelands all along its banks. How could Lieutenant Montagne alone possibly manage such a lengthy riverway?” Latest content published on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
“Although the river is long, there are only three fording places.”
“But even those three crossings are at least twenty kilometers apart from each other, with the northernmost one being over forty kilometers away from here. A round trip would take an entire day, though it is closer to Blackwater Town.” The old monk spoke with veiled sharpness, “If you believe that Lieutenant Montagne alone can handle this band of smugglers, why then, have you brought your elite subordinates here with you?”
Colonel Castor was at a loss for words.
At this moment, a large number of people rushed from the estate. The farmers harvesting tobacco leaves also noticed something unusual at the estate’s entrance.
Having heard that a group of unidentified individuals had detained Mayor Mitchell and Lieutenant Montagne, the villagers and laborers clamored, carrying their farm tools to help.
For these disorganised farmers, their numbers were their confidence, and it was now the busiest time of the year on Mitchell’s estate.
Because of herd mentality, men and women gathered in increasing numbers, all moving towards the estate, and those Dusacks who couldn’t make it at first also rode over on horses.
In an instant, there was a sea of people, creating quite an intimidating presence.
Not only were Colonel Castor and his cavalry taken aback, but so were Gerard and the Dusacks; the situation was getting increasingly difficult to control.
Brother Reed looked toward Gerard, “Mr. Mitchell, please take a few people and persuade everyone to go back. Time is precious. Don’t delay the tobacco harvest.”
Gerard was first stunned, then nodded and hurried off with a dozen or so older Dusacks.
“Colonel, by your account, the smugglers have already crossed the border. Hence, dwelling on who’s at fault is now utterly meaningless. What’s most important is how to solve the problem, isn’t it? Please, feel free to say what you need from Wolfton,” the old monk looked at Castor again, speaking in a relaxed manner, “Bear in mind that we Wolfton folk loathe smugglers intensely. We’d love to eat their flesh and wear their skins.”
Colonel Castor was silent for a while, then spoke with a cold face, “Please provide accommodations for me and my men; we’ll handle our own food. Our horses need a covered area to rest, do not feed them haphazardly, give them quality feed.”
The demands of the Colonel were not complicated, and the old monk readily agreed.
Castor gathered his cavalrymen together: “Those guys won’t get far. Tonight, we’ll rest up here and rejuvenate, then catch up to them all at once tomorrow!”
After dispersing the farmers who wanted to help, Gerard returned to the main entrance, where Brother Reed meticulously explained the situation to him.
Gerard listened and nodded, then led Colonel Castor and the cavalry to another estate that had spare rooms to offer them lodging.
“What’s your name?” Just before leaving Mitchell’s estate, Colonel Castor asked the lieutenant.
Winters had regained most of his composure, but the anger had yet to subside: “Winters Montagne.”
“I’ll remember you, Lieutenant Montagne,” the Colonel pointed his riding crop at Winters’ nose, “You’re not satisfied, are you? Tomorrow, bring all the manpower you can find and join me in the chase. I want to see how capable you really are.”
Having said that, Colonel Castor strode off without looking back.
The Colonel’s guard gave Winters a deep look and then rode off as well.
“According to the officer’s intentions, we’ll be heading out before dawn.” Sergei discussed the matter among himself and the other older Dusacks, “We’ve got to notify the Dusacks house by house tonight. Let’s split up to find them, we must inform everyone, and have the young and old masters get the horses ready tonight.”
Aleksei shook his head a few times, “Should we notify the Bumpkins? Call up the militia from the other villages as well, to have more people.”
“Call them my ass!” Sergei didn’t spare his old brother any face, “The officer’s men all have four legs, do the Bumpkins have horses? Can they chase on two legs?”
Aleksei meekly shut his mouth.
Sergei smacked his lips and continued, “The round trip might take more than a day. When you tell the young and old masters, also mention to have their wives prepare some dry food and water to bring along, plan for three days.”
As Sergei was pondering, he suddenly remembered that Lieutenant Montagne was still with them, and it wasn’t his place to make decisions.
He quickly looked at Winters, “Lieutenant, I mean no disrespect. Whether or not to call the militia is up to you. If you say we need them, I’ll go and inform them. We’ll follow your orders. But honestly, having the Dusacks is enough. We’ll make sure we do you proud and not hinder the operation…”
“No need to notify anyone.” Having said that, Winters also left.
Aleksei looked at the bean field in front of him and sighed, “That officer’s subordinates are really good riders, easily jumping fences over a meter high… It’s just too bad for these beans, they’re almost ripe…”
The next morning, at dawn.
The sky turned from black to gray, gradually beginning to blue.
“Damn it! What? Escaped?” Colonel Castor cursed furiously, “[Expletives in Paratu]!”
“You can’t exactly say he has escaped.” Old Sergei’s expression was awkward, “It’s just that he can’t be found.”
“Isn’t that the same as having run away?” Castor slammed his fist on a wooden post, seething with rage, “That little… cocky kid… Is he not all guts? And now he’s run away? Run away? Damn it!”