New Friends, Old Problems

After a brush with death, John learns a little bit about the MacFarlane Ranch which will be his new home and family for a little bit. Take the 10 cent tour and give Bonnie a hand during the night getting rid of some vermin.

Wakey, Wakey!

Tour by Day

Once in control of Marston, leave the shack as you're instructed to "Join Bonnie" who is on the porch of the main house along the street, marked with a blue blip on the radar.

Bonnie will ask you to follow her around the ranch, using your new horse to get you acquainted with where things are.

Firstly walk over to the horse at the other side of the street as you're told to "Mount your new horse", marked with a blue blip on the radar. If you're playing on one of the re-released versions of the game you'll be given the War Horse by default, otherwise you'll get the Cleveland Bay. Press Triangle to climb on.

You're then told to "Accompany Bonnie" who is marked with a blue blip as she walks you around the ranch, pointing out the amenities.

Throughout the tour, you'll be able to hold Circle to focus on the important points of interest, starting with the Foreman's Office as you first walk over to the horses, followed by their Corral.

The game will remind you that you can hold down the X button to match the speed of a companion you're riding with, saving your stamina. It's worth holding down X throughout the entirety of the tour.

Bonnie then points out the general store, which impresses Marston who says it's "very convenient. I don't think I've ever seen a ranch with its own store before".

She then points out the train station at the Western end of the ranch.

The two pick up some speed and loop around the cattle pens as she points out their barn, which her father built with his own two hands.

Finally you'll "Ride your horse to the hitching post", marked with a yellow blip, where you originally collected your horse.

This time you'll be tasked with pressing Square to "Hitch your horse". The game explains you can "Press Square when near a hitching post to save your horse. You can only save one horse at a time". Aside from using a horse deed, taking a horse to a hitching post is the main way to ensure its saved and will come running when you whistle for it.

Follow Bonnie back across the road to her house where a cutscene will kick in.

Shoot by Night

After leaving the house, you'll notice you've acquired a new weapon - the Repeater Carbine. It's fairly weak, but it has better range than a pistol.

Head back across the road to "Mount your horse" which is once again marked with a blue blip on the radar.

When you're in control of your horse, follow Bonnie around again. Remember you can hold X to match her speed.

You'll follow her to the back of her house where a bunch of rabbits will appear and attempt to eat her crops, so you'll be told to "Get rid of the rabbits" which are marked with red blips on the radar.

Climb off your horse and hold L2 to aim your rifle, pressing R2 to fire. One hit should be more than enough to kill each of the 5 rabbits.

Continue to "Accompany Bonnie" around the ranch as she makes her way towards the corral.

Coyotes have been spotted heading towards the chicken coops, so you'll need to move fast and "Exterminate the coyotes" which are marked with red blips on the radar.

During the excitement, you may miss an important message from the game which explains that while aiming your weapon, you can press the R3 button to activate "Dead Eye". "This will slow down time, making it easier to hit targets". It's certainly not necessary right now, but it may help you take down the coyotes before they can get near the chickens.

Continue across the road to the chicken coops to kill all the coyotes attacking the chickens.

The game explains that "Using Dead Eye drains your Dead Eye meter (the red bar to the right of your radar). It regenerates automatically, but kills and hedshots will fill the meter more quickly".

Keep firing away until all of the coyotes are dead.

Bonnie will then take you back to your shack to get some rest.

You'll be told to "Hitch your horse at the hitching post", marked with a yellow blip, so press Square when you reach it.

Once the mission is done, you'll see your rewards at the bottom of the screen. Often, your rewards will depend on how you did on the mission. Earning a Gold Medal will usually provide the maximum bonuses.

You'll also be informed that you've completed the Gentleman's Attire Menu Entry. There are various outfits to acquire throughout the game, most of which have multiple small tasks which must be completed, however the Gentleman's Attire outfit is unlocked immediately after completion of this mission. You can approach the bed and press Square to bring up the outfit changing menu which will also show your progress towards unlocking your other discovered outfits and any benefits they provide.

Help text also explains you'll find "General Stores, Doctors and Gunsmiths around the territory allow you to buy new weapons, restock on ammunition or purchase potent potables".

From this point on, you're now in "free roam" and can explore New Austin and take part in a variety of ambient challenges. Head back to Bonnie to accept her next mission.

Gold Medal Tips

• Sprint to Bonnie once the mission starts. You can jump the fence to save a couple seconds and don't need to be on the porch. You can run to the horses after, but you'll need to wait for her anyway.
• Follow her around the ranch then hitch your horse when it says to. Sprint to the marker at her house.
• After the cutscene, run to your horse and keep in front of her when coming around the house. The rabbits won't appear until she gets there.
• Take your time aiming at the rabbits. Only kill a few until they run away and make sure you don't miss. You don't need to kill all of them.
• Once the rabbits are done, sprint down the road towards the horse corral to trigger the coyotes.
• Sprint towards the chicken huts and kill all of the Coyotes. Again, make sure you don't miss. This time you can use Dead Eye to help you aim.
• Go to your shack and hitch your horse when it tells you after Bonnie comes over.

Mission Rewards

• +150 Fame (+250 for Gold Medal)
• +50 Honor
• Safehouse Acquired: MacFarlane's Ranch
• Weapon Acquired: Repeater Carbine
• Outfit Unlocked: Gentleman's Attire
• Mount Acquired: Cleveland Bay or War Horse (depending on game version)
• Dead Eye Targeting: Level 1 (slow motion)
• Mission Unlocked: Obstacles in Our Path
  

  Obstacles in Our Path

  Bonnie and John take part in a friendly horse race around MacFarlane's Ranch.
• Stranger Side-Mission Unlocked: Flowers For A Lady
  

  Flowers for a Lady

  A nice old man is gathering flowers to bring to his housebound wife for their anniversary.