pappabearbooks Chapter 133 Declaration by the Campfire
Chapter 133 Declaration by the Campfire
Chapter 133 Declaration by the Campfire
The recent rainy season gave Tom a firsthand experience of the Yellowstone River's ferocious power. As the old cowboy engineer remarked, "This isn't even the flood! If there were a real flood, that newly built stone wall at the mouth of the valley would be washed away into mud in the blink of an eye!"
The sturdy stone walls were expensive to build, and the valley entrance was a full 0.12 miles (about 200 meters) wide.
After weighing the options, the family ultimately chose a strategic location on the eastern bank, a place more than ten meters above the river.
A solid fortress was built.
The fortress has a square base, measuring 66 meters in length, and a total height of 4.5 meters. It has two levels and a shooting platform on top, large enough to accommodate eight guards.
Moreover, two watchtowers stand tall on the east and west banks.
Three people were on duty at each tower, and the beacon tower was their eye.
The agreed-upon signals were simple yet deadly: three plumes of smoke rising during the day signified an armed invasion; two clusters of flames lit at night warned of cattle thieves and summoned the manor's armed forces to assemble; if the smoke and flames flickered alternately, it foreshadowed a wildfire or other natural disaster.
The core of the entire valley defense system was the fortress guarding the southern entrance of the valley and the accompanying lookout tower.
Looking around, there are eight similar watchtowers scattered throughout the valley!
They rise eight meters from the ground, with a two-meter-high stone foundation, making them appear exceptionally majestic. Their framework is constructed of rough wood and solid stone.
"That's the fortress guarding the valley entrance!" Tom explained to Zack, pointing to the fortress.
"And those people are building...that's a watchtower!"
Before Tom could finish speaking, a brilliant idea struck him, and he suddenly raised his voice: "Peter!"
The shout cut through the noise of the construction site and called Peter over, who was busy taking pictures and recording things.
"How's it going?" Tom asked. His task for Peter was to record the construction process as much as possible and to map the entire valley. Peter looked disheveled and was clearly very busy.
"I'm recording it now!" Peter wiped his brow.
"You don't need to photograph every single nail!" Tom cautioned. "Just photograph the key points, the representative ones! For example, a shot or two of the fortress as a whole is enough. What if all the details are leaked and fall into the wrong hands?"
Peter nodded repeatedly. "I understand, Tom. But seriously, this valley is really well-built!"
"Okay," Tom got down to business, "Have you finished taking those panoramic photos of the valley and the pictures of everyone living in the valley that I asked you to take?"
"Filming is complete!"
"Okay, give it to me by tomorrow morning!" Tom finished giving instructions and then turned to go back to his room to rest.
He was awakened by a series of rapid pats after an unknown amount of time.
"Tom! Dinner's ready!" Zack's voice had barely faded when he dashed off like an arrow.
This unusual speed aroused Tom's suspicion.
As he stepped outside, a rich aroma of roasted meat wafted over him, and the entire camp was filled with laughter and joy, the atmosphere as lively as a festival.
"What happened?" Tom felt as if he had just taken a nap and the world had changed.
"Jonah slaughtered a bison!" Zack was so excited he almost jumped for joy, his face beaming with pure happiness.
Tom was even more confused: "Haven't we eaten bison before?"
"I've eaten!" Zack chuckled, leaning closer to whisper, "The key thing is that Old Man James said he's going to give us money!"
"Didn't we just get paid?" Tom was even more confused, his gaze instinctively drifting towards his father, James, in the center of the crowd.
Just then, Zack's words exploded in his ears like a thunderbolt: "Because the land deeds for the valley have been issued! From this day forward, this valley belongs to the Dutton family!"
This short sentence from the father was the most powerful declaration of the Dutton family to the entire valley.
They did not seize it by force, but rightfully and legitimately acquired this land!
Although the "legal" area defined on the land deed was only 480 acres, that was enough. The Dutton family's mark was thus deeply imprinted on this valley!
The father is building an invisible wall around this valley in his own way!
It was not just a stone fortress and a beacon tower, but also the aspiration of the people.
Tom patted Zack on the shoulder, a playful smile on his lips: "You're so happy, kid. Is it because of the gold coins that's about to be yours, or because—this valley now belongs to Dutton?"
This unexpected question caused Zach's smile to falter, and he fell into a brief moment of contemplation.
A moment later, his eyes lit up, and he scratched his head with a chuckle: "Just now it was for money, but now—hehe, it's for the Dutton family's valley!"
That smile was brighter than the bonfire.
Tom's eyes lit up with amusement. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled a thick wad of banknotes from his pocket and stuffed it into Zack's bulging pocket: "Here! Have a blast tonight!"
"Hahaha! Thanks, Tom!" A louder burst of laughter and cheers erupted behind Zack.
Tom looked at the lively scene and understood that this was the effect his father wanted!
With a genuine sense of belonging, we can firmly root people's hearts in this land!
"Tom, I want more—" Little John in his arms stared longingly at the sizzling barbecue grill in the distance, his little mouth slightly open, drool almost forming a thin thread.
Anyone who didn't know better would think this little guy was hungry tonight, but heaven knows his round little belly was already stuffed with meat.
Tom chuckled and patted the bulging little belly: "No, little John, you've eaten enough tonight!"
We'll talk about it tomorrow.
"It won't taste good tomorrow!" Little John sighed heavily, his little face scrunched up as if the sky had fallen.
Tom was amused by his appearance, but a thought flashed through his mind: Who does little John take after in the Dutton family's gluttony and shrewdness?
"They're all meat, what's the difference?"
"That's not true! Freshly grilled meat is the best! Tom, you're so stupid!" Little John mocked mercilessly.
Tom raised an eyebrow at the little guy's disdain: "Alright, now that we're full, we need to move around! Come on, let's go for a couple more laps."
"I'm tired—" Little John immediately squinted, looking like he was about to fall asleep at any moment. "I want to sleep."
"I'll take you horseback riding tomorrow," Tom offered as bait.
"Really?!" The sleepiness vanished instantly, and the little guy's eyes widened in surprise.
"real."
"I want to ride the Snow Woman!" Little John screamed excitedly.
Tom asked curiously, "Why didn't you choose the loach?"
Little John wrinkled his nose in disgust: "It's too dirty!"
Tom was speechless for a moment. Ever since they arrived in this valley nestled between mountains and water, "Loach" had been running wild, spending all his time either in the river or rolling around on the bank, as if he had just been pulled out of a mud pit.
Then look at "Snow Woman," always with her spotless black fur, noble and aloof, other horses wouldn't even dare to approach and play.
In the end, they all fled in a sorry state, screaming in pain—this "lady's" hooves were no joke.
"Ah—!"
"Wow--!"
Suddenly, deafening cheers and screams erupted in the center of the camp!
They've given out money!
Father James stood in the center of the crowd, his voice loud and clear, his words filled with strength and hope.
Tom, watching from a distance, was somewhat surprised to find that his father was incredibly eloquent, igniting everyone's enthusiasm with just a few words!
Just as James was about to hand out the money himself, his mother, Margaret, waved to Tom from afar, signaling him to come and help.
Tom smiled and shook his head firmly.