activa-t Chapter 134 A Different Morning at Dutton Ranch
Chapter 134 A Different Morning at Dutton Ranch
Chapter 134 A Different Morning at Dutton Ranch
Margaret sighed helplessly, and in the end Elsa stepped forward and deftly helped her father distribute the rewards that carried the warmth of the family.
That night in Paradise Valley, the bonfire blazed, the aroma of meat filled the air, and laughter resounded throughout!
The name of the Dutton family, along with the crisp sound of money falling into a purse, is deeply imprinted in everyone's mind.
The new cowboys were overjoyed!
Getting paid the moment you set foot on this land is like hitting the jackpot!
Little did they know that James's move was to send them away from the valley with their bulging pockets and the Dutton family's good reputation, making them living ghosts scattered in all directions.
Paradise Valley is already owned!
The Dutton family has taken root here!
As the morning light swept across the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, the millennia-old snow and ice on their summits refracted a cold, silvery glow in the rising sun.
The wind rising from the valley floor already carried warmth, sweeping across the grassland with the scent of dry mugwort.
The withered yellow Miscanthus sinensis rustled against the blooming blue-purple lupins, and dewdrops rolled like shattered mercury among the grass blades.
Entering the valley from the north, the turbid and swift Yellowstone River is the lifeblood of this wild land, but now it is being brutally choked by the newly built earthen and stone embankment.
On the west bank of the river floodplain, the rough-hewn frame of a watchtower is growing.
On the east bank, jagged basalt cliffs pierce the sky, with several clumps of drought-resistant short-leaved pines twisting in the wind atop the cliffs. A nascent bunker, like a fang embedded in the mountain, has its dark gun ports overlooking the valley.
Beneath their feet was the hard, compacted dirt road on the east bank, wide enough for two fully loaded covered wagons to race side by side.
The road surface, paved with gravel and slag, gleamed coldly in the morning light, and the ruts were filled with reddish-brown mud left by last night's torrential rain.
Not far to the south, a beacon tower with a base built of rough stone blocks is rising, with charred resin barrels scattered around it.
Ten miles further in, the grassland was suddenly violently torn apart, with pine stakes, still covered in bark, driven deep into the ground.
Wrapped in barbed wire, a lush meadow that once belonged to a herd of bison was brutally enclosed.
At the bend in the river, the frame of a huge wooden windmill stands, its canvas blades rustling in the dry wind as it pumps turbid river water into a brick reservoir below.
A culvert covered with heavy oak planks led the pool water to the eastern highlands.
The water flow carved out a man-made pool of water on the wasteland, reflecting the silhouette of the craggy cliffs.
At this moment, the cafeteria is filled with the aroma of food.
At the long dining table, dozens of cowboys were engrossed in their meal, with beef stew with beans and cornbread accompanied by piping hot coffee—their source of energy for the day.
Right next to the cowboys was a group of children.
They were dressed in brand-new, clean clothes. The oldest was no more than ten years old, the girl who was the last to be found, and the youngest was just over three years old, a boy. The rest were mostly between four and nine years old.
Surprisingly, the children showed no fear in the face of a room full of strangers; they were only completely focused on the food in front of them.
Everyone ate carefully, for fear of wasting a single grain of food.
Even if food accidentally falls on the table, it will be quickly picked up and stuffed into the mouth in the next second, while the cook will not forget to steal a glance at the fat chef, Jonah, standing by the big pot.
Jonah pretended not to see these subtle actions.
He slumped heavily onto the bench next to Tom, his fat face etched with anxiety: "We need to hire more people, Tom! I'm exhausted! Nearly a hundred mouths to feed, and I only have two hands!"
"There were far more people on the pioneering road than this."
Zach swallowed the last piece of beef and replied casually.
"How can that be the same? This is a ranch! I have to make sure these cowboys are well-fed so they have the energy to work for the ranch!" Jonah's voice rose, and he almost spat on Tom's plate.
Tom put down his fork and said to Zack, "After we finish eating, go to Livingston and find Jonah someone to help him out—"
"Two!" Jonah immediately retorted, holding up two short, thick fingers.
Tom was interrupted. He glanced at him and added to Zack, "If you find a few suitable ones, hire more; if not, then forget it."
"
"We have to bring him back! Otherwise, I'm really quitting!" Jonah's roar was like a thunderclap, instantly attracting everyone's attention in the cafeteria.
He shrank back, lowering his voice to try and salvage the situation: "Anyone who can do the work will do! Male or female!"
Tom shook his head, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Tell us if you have one, otherwise there's nothing we can do. While we're at it, see if there's any woman who can take care of the children."
He then pulled a small leather bag from his pocket and handed it to Zack, saying, "Send these out, but don't let anyone know what they are."
Then he took out a roll of banknotes, "Send this money and send a telegram."
He leaned close to Zach's ear and whispered a few words, to which Zach nodded repeatedly.
"Bring Cooper along," Tom ordered.
"Understood." Zack took the things, got up and left.
"Listen! If I can't find anyone, I'm really leaving!" Jonah's unwilling roar rang out again, drawing everyone's attention.
Tom's gaze shot at him like a cold arrow.
Jonah's eyes flickered, and he instinctively grabbed the wine glass on the table and took a big gulp.
Tom ignored him, finished the food on his plate, and got up to leave.
"Tom, wait! Stay and listen for a few minutes?" Wade's voice rang out just in time.
Tom stopped and nodded.
Wade breathed a sigh of relief, strode to the center of the cafeteria, and clapped his hands: "Everyone! Today is the first day, so let's give you a break. But starting tomorrow!"
His voice boomed, "Those on patrol before dawn, get up and go on patrol!"
No one said anything; that's the rule.
We're not new cowboys anymore; we know the rules.
Wade continued, "You've come, but whether you can hold onto your jobs depends on your abilities! Anyone who tries to slack off or cheat will be fired at Dutton Ranch!"
This is a wake-up call!
The cowboys exchanged glances, knowing exactly what was going on.
That's how ranch work is: busy in autumn and slow in winter. They can lay off people whenever they want, making it like doing odd jobs.
The Kelton family's treatment was indeed quite good; who wouldn't be happy to work there long-term? Many people were secretly determined to make the most of it.
"You are all elderly people; you deserve the gold coins you hold!"
Wade's words startled the cowboys. What do good ranches rely on to find cowboys?
Reputation!
Old cowboys have a bad reputation, can't find work, and many of them become bandits!
"Now, let's hear what the boss has to say!" Wade looked at Tom.
Tom frowned, but still stepped forward.
"I am Tom Dutton. James Dutton is my father, and this valley, this ranch, all belong to my father's Dutton family." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight. "The Dutton family has only one rule for cowboys: Obedience!"
Everyone fell silent. It was indeed simple, but was it easy to do?
He paused, then his tone suddenly changed, taking on a sharp edge typical of young people: "Well, anyone who wants to practice their marksmanship or test their accuracy can come to me. I'm pretty good with a gun."
This brief and somewhat abrupt statement left the group of cowboys looking at each other, completely bewildered.
Tom returned to his seat and found the group of children staring at him with wide eyes.
He smiled almost imperceptibly, and the children immediately turned their gazes away like startled birds.
Looking at these tiny figures, Tom had a thought: what should I teach them?
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