Snippet #1792916

The men of Hell on Wheels were a buzz with the talk of this stranger's timely arrival, the Indian he took down and the saving of the children. It didn't take long before word spread through camp that not only has this man saved the two children but he was joining the caravan.

Some of the women, both married and single whispered about him. Wondering if he was married, if he was friendly and the other typical female gossip. Nathan helped the Reverend bring the Indian into the camp. A new level of chatter arose as the painted man was mostly dragged into the camp and to the Reverend's wagon. Melanie stared holes into the man as they moved past the Porter's wagon.

Daiyu watched. She was sad for the man, that he had been hit and was now being taken with the caravan against his will. She knew what that was like. On the other hand, Daiyu's stomach knotted remembering that the man had intended to shoot them with his arrows. The other men all entered the camp, and headed towards their wagons. Daiyu looked at the stranger. Melanie approached the new man.

"You saved my children. Thank you." Daiyu watched Melanie and the man. When his head turned and it appear he might be looking in the direction where she was standing, Daiyu turned her eyes to the ground and finished preparing the food. Helen sat down as Daiyu handed her a piece of bread and apple. Patrick ran up to the stranger but Melanie turned the boy away and towards Daiyu before he could bother the new man.

Patrick sat grumpily to eat his lunch. Nathan returned from the Reverend's wagon. "The brave is secured in the wagon. He has become the Reverend's problem." He walked past Daiyu, taking his food from her as he moved. Standing next to his wife, Nathan took a bite of his bread. "We owe you, Mr Anderson. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you."

The Porter's turned towards their wagon and their meal. Daiyu chanced one last glance at Jesse before she took a bite of her bread.