WACO’S LUMMOX
Waddie
Greywolf
Chapter 18
Blake Tindell was up earlier than the boys. He dressed quietly and
went to the big ranch house where Hoot and Cotton lived. He was
pleasantly surprised to see lights on in the kitchen area and a
light on the back porch. He went up the stairs to the screen door
and knocked quietly. Blake heard Master Hoot holler at him,
"C’moan in, Son, it’s open.” Blake walked into the kitchen and
greeted his master. “Good morning, Son. Ever’ thing go all right
last night?” Hoot asked.
“I didn’t have no problems with ‘em, Master. They slept like
babies. They’s still asleep. I didn’t wanna’ wake ‘em. I thought
I’d let you do it,” Blake replied.
“Good idea. You ready to go? I would invite you to have breakfast
with us, but it’s gonna’ be a while. I know Master Charlie will
invite you to have breakfast with them. Best you be on yore’ way,”
Hoot said.
The men walked to the older barn and Hoot opened the portal for
Blake.
“Be back as soon as I can, sir. Damn! I don’t know if I’ll ever
git used to these gates,” Blake grinned.
“Yeah, you will, Son. As soon as they git chore’ DNA recorded in
the computer, the gates will open for you. You’ll be going through
'em all the time. Give our regards to Master Charlie and Captain
Long,” Hoot said.
“Will do, sir,” Blake said, and walked through the gate into the
Goodnight barn.
He was surprised to find Scraps waiting for him. “Good morning,
Mr. Blake. Good to see you again,” Scraps said.
"Good morning to you, Scraps,” Blake replied, and automatically
reached down to pat Scraps on his head. It seemed really strange
talking to a dog, but Blake remembered what Master Hoot told him
‘to go along with it.’
“I was sent to bring you to the big house, sir,” Scraps said.
“Thanks, Scraps. Lead the way, Buddy," Blake replied.
Scraps accompanied Blake to the back door. Blake opened it for
them, and Scraps scurried through first. Blake followed. He could
see Ida Mae Wallace and young Lucas working in the kitchen. Lucas
was moving like a man on a mission. Blake heard Scraps tell his
mistress, "Mr. Tindell’s here, Ms. Ida.”
“Good morning, Young Man. Have a seat over there at the table. The
other men will be along in a minute. Would you like a cup of
coffee?” Ida Mae asked with a bright smile.
“If I’m allowed, Ms. Wallace. Ain’t had me no coffee in a long
time,” Blake replied.
Lucas poured him a mug of steaming hot coffee, set a pitcher of
cream and sugar in front of him, and gave him a spoon.
“You’re allowed, Son,” she said, “you’re a trustee, now. You’re
allowed more privileges than the ordinary slave.”
“Thanks, Lucas,” Blake said.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Tindell,” Lucas smiled and winked at Blake.
“Call me ‘Blake,’ Son. We’s buddies, you and me,” he said.
“Respect, sir. You’re a trustee now. I call Hank Morgan, ‘Mr.
Morgan.’ Him and Mr. Knight's the only other trustees on the
ranch.”
“His master done told him to show you that respect, Son,” Ida Mae
jumped to Lucas’ defense.
“Okay, that’s fine. I don’t wanna’ go against yore’ master’s
wishes.”
“Don’t mind calling you ‘Mr. Tindell,’ sir. You earned it,” Lucas
said.
Blake didn’t know what to say, but about that time Hank Morgan
walked into the kitchen from the backdoor followed close behind by
JR. He walked over to Ida Mae and gave her a quick peck on the
cheek. She kissed him back. He came over to the kitchen table
where Blake was sitting. Blake stood up as Hank offered his
hand. “Good morning, Son, and congratulations on being
appointed a trustee. They couldn't a' chose a better man,” Hank
allowed.
“Thanks, Mr. Morgan. I appreciate it, but I don’t feel much
different.”
Blake and JR exchanged greetings.
“You’ll grow into it. Jes’ call me Hank, Son. We’re both trustees
now.”
“Thank you, sir, it will be an honor.”
Lucas quickly set a mug of coffee in front of Hank. JR didn’t
drink coffee yet.
“Mornin,’ Mr. Morgan,” Lucas said quickly then went off to do
another chore.
“Mornin’ to you, Young Man,” he acknowledged Lucas. He returned
his attention to Blake as his took a sip of his hot, black coffee.
“Hear tell you wanna’ know what the Long-shot is all about?” Hank
asked.
“I can’t help be curious, sir. Master Hoot said it would be
something wonderful,” Blake replied.
“It is,” spoke Ida Mae and Lucas in unison. They laughed with each
other, and Hank smiled at them.
“They’re right. The name Master Charlie give the shot says it all.
It’s jes’ what it says. It’s a long-shot, but not in the sense of
a bet. ‘Long’ stands for ‘longevity.’” Hank smiled and let his
words sink in. He could see the wheels turning in Blake’s brain,
but he wasn’t coming up with any answers.
“A longevity shot?” Blake mutter to himself.
“Exactly, Son. It’s jes’ what it says. It will alter your DNA to
allow you to live a long time, almost indefinitely,” Hank said
quietly.
“How long is ‘indefinitely,’ sir?” Blake asked.
“For centuries, Son. How old do you think Captain Long is?” Hank
asked.
“He’s a young looking mature man in his early forties,” Blake
replied. Lucas and Ida Mae giggled.
“He’s two thousand two hundred and nineteen years old, Son,” Hank
Morgan said.
“No!” Blake exclaimed.
“Yes,” Hank confirmed.
“And have you all received this shot?” Blake asked.
“Yes, Son, young Lucas received it while he was recovering on the
Bandersnatch. JR was one of the first to receive it along with
Master Charlie, Waco, and his slaves. Mistress Ida Mae done
decided to get the shot when the captain helped Scraps. He checked
out Ms. Ida and his medical staff made a correction what probably
saved her life,” Hank said.
“I got me one a’ them shots, too, Mr. Blake,” Scraps chimed in.
“If that’s true, it’s amazing. Does that mean you’ll still be a
slave forever, Hank?” Blake asked.
“I don’t think so, Blake. Master Charlie and Master Long told us
there would be adjustments in our sentences. Even if I have to be
a slave for another fifty to a hundred years, to know one day I’ll
be a free man would be worth it. As it is now, I don’t never have
me no hope of becoming a freeman. I was sentenced to life as a
prisoner-slave, but when they gimme’ that sentence the life
expectancy of a man was anywhere from sixty to ninety years. They
never counted on the possibility of a slave living several hundred
years.”
“That’s amazing. Ever’ one told me I’d be amazed. I’m looking
forward to it.”
“Good!” exclaimed Master Charlie as he walked into the kitchen
followed by Waco and his crew. Lucas got a mug of coffee for
Master Charlie. Waco and his boys got their own coffee.
“You had breakfast, Son?” Master Charlie asked.
“Naw, sir, Master Charlie. I got up early and Master Hoot sent me
through the gate straight-away,” Blake replied.
“Then you’ll have breakfast with us. I know Ms. Wallace already
counted on you,” Charlie said, winked at Hank, and the men
chuckled.
“Thank you, sir. I’d be honored.”
Lazarus came in the backdoor stomping his boots like he was trying
to get feeling back into them from the cold morning. He smiled to
see everyone as he took off his heavy coat and hung it on a peg
rack next to the door and put his big cowboy hat on top of it.
“Good morning, ever’body,” Lazarus said cheerfully. Everyone
greeted him. Lucas handed Lazarus a mug of coffee already fixed
the way he liked it.
“Thank you, Son,” he said to Lucas as he patted him on his back.
“You’re most welcome, Master,” Lucas said sincerely. Blake could
tell there was a love and trust which passed between Lucas and
Lazarus which was palpable. He knew, without a doubt, Lazarus
looked upon Lucas as his son. The fact, Lucas was also his slave,
struck Blake as highly erotic. He found the feeling almost
enviable. He couldn’t believe his penis was growing hard in his
Wranglers. Somehow, he got the feeling, Lucas’ role as Lazarus
slave was not a concern for either of them. They seemed as
comfortable with each other as a cowboy wearing a well worn pair
of old boots. The men sat, drank their coffee, chatted about the
coming day, and what needed to get done.
Hank was going with Blake on board the Bandersnatch so most of
Charlie’s comments about the ranch were directed to Lazarus. The
ramrod carried a small notebook he jotted down things Charlie
wanted done. It fit into the breast pocket of his brown leather
vest. Waco and his boys were helping Ida Mae and Lucas get
breakfast on the table. Ida Mae told the men breakfast was ready.
Lucas was still scurrying about getting last minute items, and Ida
Mae brought out hot, homemade biscuits. The men gathered around
the table. Blake stood next to Hank Morgan. Lucas returned to the
kitchen for a minute and Lazarus spoke softly to Blake so only the
men at the table could hear.
“Ever’ thing okay over to the other place, Son?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, sir. They’s still a bit raw about things, but they’s
settling in.”
Waco looked at his slave brothers and Lazarus saw a questioning
exchange going on between them. This was something they didn’t
know about. They weren’t quite sure why Blake Tindell was sent to
Hoot and Cotton’s ranch. They were told he was going to build some
things for them.
“Good, you need to get this medical out of the way for several
reasons you already know about,” he said.
Lazarus called to Lucas to come to breakfast. Ida took over what
he was doing, patted him on his cute little butt, and sent him in
to his master. Lucas took his place next to Lazarus and took his
hand. The men stood behind their respective seats, joined hands,
and Charlie asked Hank Morgan to say a blessing. Hank said a quick
word of thanks for friends, family, and good food. He asked for
good health for everyone and a good day. The men said 'amen' in
unison and sat down to eat. They began to pass bowls and platters
of food to one another. Blake was impressed. Everyone seemed in a
great mood and the boys were congratulating Blake on being
appointed a trustee. He graciously thanked them and noticed Travis
and Little Bear referred to him as Mr. Blake or Mr. Tindell. It
made Blake feel just a little more important in the scheme of
things.
“Please tell me, Mr. Tindell,” Lucas spoke to Blake directly
across the table from him, “do you think the late Caleb Stamper’s
brothers will give you much problems as slaves?” he asked without
nuance.
Waco almost choked on his eggs and dropped his fork into his
plate. Travis elbowed Little Bear so hard he groaned.
“Didn’t I tell you?” Travis whispered.
“Shhhh!” Little Bear scolded him softly.
There was a silence you could’ve cut with a dull knife. Everyone
looked at Lazarus for an answer. Lazarus took his napkin, slowly
wiped his mouth and mustache, looked at Lucas and smiled. “We
can’t put much over on you, can we, Son?” he asked.
“H’it ain’t that, Pa. This one was easy. I done figured it out
when Master Waco, Travis, and Little Bear come in from school
yesterday and told me they thought it was odd none of Caleb’s
brothers were in school Thursday. I knew in my heart you were
gonna’ do it. It was just a matter of when. I never told Master
Waco, Travis, or Little Bear what we discussed, or what I thought
you was planning on doing. Caleb’s oldest brother, Burt, will be
eighteen next month, and I knew if’n you were gonna’ do some’um,
it had to be before his eighteenth birthday. When I hear'd Mr.
Tindell was chosen to be a trustee for a special project, I know'd
exactly where he was going and what he'd be doing. I done figured
he was chosen to ride herd on the Stamper boys. If I'd been asked
to recommend a fine man to wrangle Caleb's brothers, it would be
Mr. Tindell,” Lucas said.
Everyone continued to eat, but no one dared say a word. “How do
you feel about it, Son?” Lazarus asked in a concerned voice.
“Pleased. Happy. Relieved. Grateful. All that and a hay wagon load
a’ love for you. They couldn’t be in better hands than Master
Hoot’s, Master Cotton’s, and especially, Mr. Tindell’s. I couldn’t
be more pleased and happy Mr. Tindell’s seeing to them. 'Ere ain't
neither a tittle nor an iota of doubt in my mind, he's the perfect
buckaroo trustee for the job. You and Master Charlie couldn’t a’
picked no better man. He has my full confidence. Caleb’s brothers
jes’ might have a chance in life now. Them greater powers in the
universe and you gimme’ a wonderful new chance, a fine new life
where I’m happy and comfortable to belong. I couldn’t imagine
praying to any particular god for the life I got now. I didn’t
even know what to pray for. While they ain’t Lucas Long’s
brothers, I can’t help care about them for Caleb’s sake and wish
the best for them. I’m beginning to believe some prayers might be
heard and answered. I prayed you would save them from themselves
and Caleb’s dad. They just might have a chance in this world they
never would have before. For that, my heart is filled with love
for you, a big old bag of admiration for Mr. Tindell, and most of
all a contented, genuine happiness for Calab's brother without a
soupcon of vengefulness,” Lucas said.
Lazarus put his arm around Lucas and pulled him close. He stole a
kiss, and Lucas broke into tears. He cried into his napkin for a
few second then quickly got himself together. Everyone was
devastated. Blake almost shed a tear. He quickly wiped his eyes
with his napkin.
“Thank you, Dad,” Lucas said to Lazarus softly, “you couldn’t a'
given me no better present.”
Blake Tindell was stunned by their exchange. He was impressed the
way Lucas referred to his past life as ‘Caleb.’ He also thought
his heart would break to hear the boy call Lazarus his ‘dad’ and
thank him for enslaving his estranged brothers. It wasn’t because
the boy was vindictive and glad his brothers got theirs. He was
genuinely concerned about them. Blake knew it was a special
moment. Lucas was telling Lazarus he was his dad now, and
Lazarus's actions to enslave his former brothers didn’t bother
him. Lucas let his pa and his new family know he thoroughly
approved of his dad’s motivations.
Lazarus smiled at Blake. “I’d like to hear what you have to say in
answer to my son’s question, Crew Leader Tindell,” Lazarus spoke
softly.
“Gladly, sir. They were a bit shaken up yesterday, but we managed
to get ‘em settled down. It was a lot for them to accept. I think
they were emotionally exhausted by the time we hit our bedrolls.
They slept like babies. They were still asleep when I left this
morning. Master Hoot is gonna’ git ‘em up and take ‘em to the chow
hall. I feel a little guilty not being there with ‘em this
morning, but Master Hoot will take over for me. We’re bunk’n in
the barn right now, but last night we met in the slave’s common
room or recreation area. It’s a huge building and has complete
facilities. It was originally a slave quarter. Only one out of six
toilets is working, but it won’t take me long to get ‘em working
again. Master Hoot is gonna’ let us partition off a third of the
area for temporary quarters for me and the boys. When we git the
new slave quarters built we can either return it to it’s full size
or leave it like it is. I suggested to Master Hoot they might
wanna’ consider leaving it, because he might have other,
unexpected slaves before much longer.”
“Excellent! Good thinking, Son. You tell Master Hoot I’ll take
care of the cost for remodeling the rec center, too. You tell him
I said for you or him to submit all the bills to me directly.
Anything you need, you get. That includes any tools you might
need,” Lazarus said.
“I’ll tell him, sir,” Blake said, “I appreciate your confidence in
me.”
“You heard my boy, we all have faith in you,” Lazarus told him.
The talk changed to more lively topics of conversation, and the
subject was broached about playing football on Sundays. Blake
didn’t know if he’d be able to get away for Sundays.
“Oooh, yes, you will!” Charlie said emphatically, “I included that
in our agreement to loan you to Hoot and Cotton. You will be
allowed to come for Sunday dinner, have a good meal, get away from
them Stamper boys for a while, relax, let chore’ hair down and
play some football. It wouldn’t be the same without you. I realize
some Sundays you may not be able to make it because of other
obligations, but for the most part, I expect to see you here on
Sundays shortly before noon or earlier if'n you can get away.
You’re gonna’ need some time away from them boys to keep your head
on straight,” Charlie declared.
“I ain't considered that, Master Charlie, but I can see how you
might be right. I appreciate you thinking about me,” Blake
replied.
The men finished breakfast. Lucas gave Blake a hug and a kiss
before he left with Hank Morgan. He told him he meant everything
he said, and he was looking forward to playing football with him
Sunday.
“If’n I can get away, Buddy, I’ll be here. I can't thank you
enough for them kind words you done said about me, Little Brother.
It's nice to know you're appreciated by those you care about. Glad
you know about it. I had to do what my master wanted of me. I’d
never say no to Master Charlie, but it did make me feel kind a
funny when I thought about you. I didn’t wanna’ have to do some’um
behind yore’ back. It makes it so much easier for me this way,”
Blake said his ‘goodbyes’ and told Lazarus he planned on going
back to Master Hoot’s immediately after his medical exam.
“That’s fine, Son. Just take it easy and tell them singing
crystals we wish them well.”
“Singing crystals, sir?”
“C’moan, Son, you’ll find out soon enough,” Hank took him by the
arm, and they left for the barn.
“Can I go with ‘em to say ‘hello’ to Cable, David, and Jonathan,
Ms. Ida?” Scraps asked his Mistress.
“Okay, but I don’t want you staying out there all morning on that
ship. Them boys got work to do with Hank and Mr. Tindell. They
ain’t got time to be entertaining you, Sweet-baby. There’ll be
lots a’ time for that later.”
“I promise, I’ll come right back, Ms. Ida.”
“All right, then, go ahead-on. Say ‘hello’ to Cable and the boys
for me,” she hollered after him.
Scraps was already out the door and caught up with the men. "Ms.
Ida said I could go with you men to say ‘hello’ to Cable and his
men. Then I have to come right back.”
“Fine, Little Buddy. Glad to have you join us,” Hank laughed at
Scraps and petted him.
Hank activated the portal and Scraps rushed through. The men
stepped through to find Cable, David, and Jonathan making over
Scraps and giving him treats. Blake’s eyes almost popped out of
his head. These were not ordinary men. They looked almost angelic.
They were perfectly formed, muscular, well endowed, drop dead
handsome men, and they were totally naked. Nobody warned him about
Captain Long’s sons. Hank could see the look of shock on the young
man’s face.
“These gentlemen are Captain Long’s other sons, Blake,” Hank said,
“they’re part of his crew.” Hank proceeded to introduce the
bio-droids to him. The men shook his hand and seemed genuinely
happy to meet Blake. They told the new young cowboy slave-trustee
they heard good things about him.
“Don’t be afraid to ask us questions if you have any, Mr. Tindell.
I notice you’re a bit uneasy with us.”
“Not uneasy, Mr. Cable, just curious,” Blake replied.
“No ‘Misters’ here, Mr. Blake. Call us only by our name,” Cable
smiled.
“Then, please, call me ‘Blake,’ sir. I’m a slave. I’m jes’ used to
showing freemen respect.”
“Fine, we will be honored to call you ‘Blake.’ We are not like you
and Mr. Morgan, sir. Our father, Captain Long, had us made. We are
bio-mechanoids or as Captain Long calls us, bio-droids.”
“They ain’t robots, Son,” Hank said, “they’s highly sophisticated
and intelligent men. They are classified as sentient, because they
think, reason, have emotions like you and me, and can feel anger
and love. They are physically just like you and me, and ‘yes’ they
are capable of having sex and enjoying it as much as us. They’re
capable of a great range of emotions, but mostly they are fine men
dedicated to their father.”
“Well said, Mr. Morgan. We love our father very much. He is our
creator. We are his sons,” Cable added.
After a couple of treats, Scraps said his ‘goodbyes’ to the men
and left through the portal. He could swear he smelled the faint
scent of a female dog in sickbay even though there were lots of
other smells on top of it. It must have been some time ago. Maybe
Captain Long helped another dog like he helped him. He had to tell
his Mistress about it. Scraps ran as fast as he could to the
house, and the boys let him in on their way out to school.
“Have a good day, Men,” he called to them.
“You, too, Scraps. See ya’ this afternoon, Buddy,” Waco replied.
Scraps ran into the kitchen and found Ida Mae relaxing, having
another cup of coffee. Lucas was washing up the last of the pots
and pans. Together, they had the kitchen cleaned up in no time.
Lucas was a god-send to Ida. She never asked for him to help her.
He just started in to work for her and picked her brain how to
take care of his master. It was a mutually rewarding relationship.
“Oh, good, you’re back. I saved some goodies for you, Darlin,’”
Ida spoke to Scraps.
“Wonderful. Thanks, Ms. Ida,” Scraps said as she set the plate of
food in front of him. He gobbled it up and licked his lips.
"You think Captain Long’s had other dogs on the ship recently, Ms.
Ida?” Scraps asked.
“Why, did you smell something, Sweetheart?” she asked.
“Yes ‘um, just a faint odor of a bitch,” Scraps said seriously.
Ida and Lucas shared a laugh. Ida Mae looked at him, "He’s so darn
busy, he might a’ had some other rancher's dog out there helping
her.”
“I think the captain mentioned Masters Hoot and Cotton had a
female in sickbay they rescued a number of days ago, Scraps. They
took her away to another ranch,” said Lucas, winking at Ida Mae,
“I remember him saying something about it.”
Charlie told Ida Mae about Happy, she was thrilled, but he told
her to keep quiet about it. Lazarus wanted to keep Happy on the
ship for several days to make sure she was all right. Ida Mae
quickly changed the subject and began to ask Lucas about how his
visits with the Kryscells were coming along. Scraps lost interest
in discussing it further, went over to his bed, and curled up for
a snooze.
* * * * * * *
"If you gentlemen would be so kind as to remove your clothing we
will begin," Cable said. Blake looked over and saw Hank Morgan was
already sitting down removing his boots.
“May we assist you in removing you clothing, Mr. Tindell?” Cable
asked.
“No, thank you, I can manage,” he replied, sat down next to Hank
and began to remove his boots.
“They hate to wear clothes, Son, so us men got together and told
the captain h’it don’t bother us none for them to be naked. They
was even naked when Mistress Ida Mae come on board. She got a big
kick out of ‘em. They love her, too.”
“What kind of ship is this, Hank?” Blake asked, “Hi’t ain’t like
no ship I ever seen.”
“What kind of ship do you think it is, Son?” Hank asked with a
grin.
“C'ain’t rightly say, sir. Ain’t never seen technology like this
anywhere. Whoever built it was years ahead of us. I’d guess we’s
on some kind of space ship.”
“And you would be right, Son,” Hank grinned as he stood to shove
his Wranglers down and step out of them. Blake saw Hank Morgan
naked many times. Slaves get used to seeing each other naked, but
Hank never failed to make Blake’s penis get the happys. He hoped
Hank wouldn’t notice.
“I didn’t get a chance to shower last evening or this morning,
Gentlemen,” Blake apologized to Cable, David, and Jonathan.
“No problem, sir. We have facilities here. You and Mr. Morgan will
take a shower, and we will clean you inside. We need to perform an
exam of your lower colon. Your upper colon we can spot check with
another test, and if we see anything questionable we can schedule
you later for an upper G.I. In your lower intestines we will be
checking for polyps and will remove any we find. Secondly, after
your water shower and internal cleansing, we will give you a sonic
shower which will eliminate any surface bacteria, micro-organisms,
or parasites from the surface of your body," Cable explained.
Blake was a little surprised the bio-droids went with them into
the shower to helped bathe and scrub them down. They had no
hesitation about cleaning out both men and didn’t stop until their
were completely clean in their lower colon. Blake took his cue
from Hank Morgan who seemed thoroughly at ease with the droids.
Blake was glad Hank was with him. He didn’t know if he would’ve
been so relaxed without him. Hank was Blake’s crew leader on the
Goodnight ranch. It was like having his dad with him.
The men were on the ship most of the morning. They were put into a
twilight sleep for the colonoscopy exam and given a stimulant
afterward which made them feel great. It made them feel so good
they couldn’t help getting erections. It excited the bio-droids,
and they got sympathetic erections. The men laughed at each other,
but Blake was secretly pleased the bio-men responded that way. It
made him feel like they weren’t so much different from him.
Blake’s favorite part was getting to meet the Kryscellians and
learning to communicate with them. He never considered there could
be such a wonderful and beautiful life form in the universe. They
were truly amazing and told him they were going to make several
corrections to his body. They told him they would tell Mr. Morgan
they needed to see him again a couple more times to complete their
corrections.
By the time they were finished it was almost noon. Blake learned a
lot. The biodroids took his blood, it was instantly tested and
found to be good and sound. Other than minor corrections from the
Kryscells, he was in perfect condition. Last, but not least, Cable
gave Blake his longevity shot. Blake didn’t feel a thing. Cable
also instructed him how to give the Stamper boys a shot that would
put them in twilight sleep. Cable told him he needed to come
aboard the ship first to get the shot to give them and the
antigrav-gurney. He told Blake he would show him how to operate it
at that time.
“When will the information be in the computers to enable me to
activate the portals, sir?” Blake asked.
“It already is, Blake. You can activate them right now,” Cable
replied.
Hank was equally in great shape. Blake thought Hank was in
excellent shape. He couldn’t take his eyes off Hank’s body all
morning. Once Cable leaned over to him with his penis beginning to
get erect and whispered, “Is it just me or is there something
about Mr. Morgan that has an especially strong, animal, sexual
magnetism?”
Blake thought he was going to bust a gut trying to stifle his
laughter. "H’it ain’t jes’ you, Cable. I totally agree. He jes’
has to have some’um extra in his genes what makes me wanna’ commit
unspeakable crimes against nature on his body,” Blake said and
they shared a laugh.
Cable told Blake, the captain wanted three robo-cams assigned to
him and all the Stamper boys. Cable explained it wasn’t to spy on
him, but for his protection in case of danger. He showed Blake and
Hank what the robo-cams looked like when visible, then hit a key
on a computer and they vanished, but Hank and Blake’s images were
shown on three separate screens for them to see. It was like they
were on a three dimensional television broadcast. It was amazing.
Blake didn’t know if he was going to like that. What if he wanted
to masturbate? He asked Cable about it.
“We get to enjoy it with you, sir,” he joked with Blake. Cable
seriously explained they don’t look at everything recorded. They
run a day's worth of recordings through the computer in three
point two seconds and only look at anything the computer finds
unusual.
“H’it don’t bother me a bit,” spoke up Hank, “Being a slave, yore’
life ain’t chore’ own no ways. If’n it protects me from some’um,
all the better. What if some robber slave traders was to nab us?
They wouldn’t be able to git too far with them robo-cams on us. We
could jes’ tell the captain and Master Charlie where we is and
them and the Sheriff would come git us.”
“Never thought about it that way, Hank, but I see your point. I
jes’ won’t tell the boys they got surveillance cameras on them
twenty-four/seven. I can see it might be helpful in training them
boys. If some’um happens and they tell me lies about it, I can
find out for myself,” Blake said.
“That information would be made available to you as a trustee,
sir,” Cable assured him, “However, it might also prove the boy’s
innocence.”
Blake was beginning to see the benefits of such a system. “Does
everyone have cameras on them?” he asked.
“Everyone whose DNA we have. Even Scraps has three on him at all
times.” Cable hit another computer key and there were three
dimensional shots of Scraps getting a morsel of meat given to him
by his adoring mistress. He hit another couple of computer keys
and the men saw Waco, Travis, and Little Bear sitting at a table
in the cafeteria at school eating their lunches. They were talking
about the Sunday football game. Cable pressed another two computer
keys and they saw Masters Hoot and Cotton with the Stamper boys
taking them to the chow hall for lunch. Cable pressed a couple
more keys again and they saw Captain Long eating his lunch of
slave chow and a biscuit with his men under the shade of a giant
oak tree. Blake and Hank were impressed and suddenly realized they
were hungry.
Cable said they were through for today, they could get dressed,
and return to their ranches. Hank tried to talk Blake into
returning to the Goodnight ranch with him for lunch, but he
declined. He told Hank he promised Master Hoot he would return as
soon as he could. He would see him Sunday if he could get away.
Hank went through the gate to the Goodnight ranch. Cable showed
Blake how to set the portal for Master Hoot and Cotton's ranch.
They said their ‘goodbyes’ and Blake walked through to the old
barn. He headed down to the chow hall to join the boys and men for
lunch. Everyone seemed glad to see him. Hoot told him to get some
chow and a biscuit from the slave-cook. Blake got a cup of chow
and a biscuit from the cowboy, thanked him, and returned to the
picnic tables where the boys were eating.
“Ever’ thing okay, Son?” Cotton asked.
“Fit as a fiddle, sir. They want to see me again next Friday. They
want me to return a couple more times for some reason. They told
Mr. Morgan to tell Master Charlie, and he would tell you.”
“Yore’ word is enough for us, Son. If’n you gotta’ be back next
Friday, we’ll see to it you get there,” Hoot assured him.
“Thanks, Master Hoot. I appreciate it,” Blake said as he ate some
of his slave chow. He noticed Masters Hoot and Cotton were eating
slave chow and a biscuit.
“Maybe you can take one of the boys with you next week,” Cotton
said.
“The medical staff,” Blake smiled and blushed, “said they could
examine one of the boys next Friday.”
“Good, then let’s start with the oldest and work our way down; one
a week. They can do whatever they need for you while you’re
there,” Hoot said.
“Sounds good. In the meantime what’s on the agenda for the men for
the rest of the day?” Blake inquired.
“We had them stacking hay bales all morning, but we thought we’d
let you take ‘em this afternoon. We worked ‘em pretty hard, and
they deserve some time to get to know you.”
“I’ll take ‘em to the common room, we can start measuring, and
figuring out what we’re gonna’ need to make a section of it
livable for us. I wanna’ check out the plumbing. Do any of you men
know anything about plumbing, electrical, or carpentry?” Blake
asked the boys.
“Jeb does, he's smart. He knows ever’ thing,” said his brother Sam
like he was proud of his little brother.
“Shut up, Dork! I know a few things, but I’m a long ways from
knowing everything,” Jeb berated his older brother.
“Okay, let’s get one thing straight, Gentlemen. There will be no
more name calling; no more snide nasty-ass comments putting your
brother down. No man here is better than the other. One might have
talents the others don’t, but because they don’t have the same
talents, they ain’t worth any less than the rest of you. Got
that!” Blake barked at his wards. Hoot looked at Cotton and
grinned.
“Yes, sir, Boss!” they answered in unison.
“Now, what do you know, Jeb?” Blake asked him.
“I know how to wire up electricity. I know how to fix most
anything mechanical or electrical. I was all the time fixing my
brother's computers. They never let me use ‘em, but I was good
enough to fix ‘em,” Jeb said.
“Sam's right. Jeb's awful good at stuff like that. He has a
natural gift,” allowed Burt quietly, “I didn’t let you use my
computer, Little Brother, because I needed it most of the time for
school work. Besides, I didn’t want you seeing some of the more
private stuff I had on my machine. Knowing you, you’d a’ found
ever’ damn thing I didn’t want you to see and a man deserves his
privacy,” Burt told him.
“Well, you can give up that idea, Brother,” Jeb shot back, “we
ain’t got us no more privacy. We’re slaves now, and slaves don’t
have no rights to nothing.”
There was a pregnant silence. The younger boys were looking to
their handsome cowboy crew leader for an answer.
“There’s a lot of truth to that, but like ever’ thing else in
life, you learn to live with it. You accept it as part of your new
life, and you git used to it. I never think on it no more. All you
have to worry about is working hard, pleasing me, your masters,
and the rest will fall into place. One of the benefits of being a
slave, if there is any, is you don’t have to learn to be a slave,
it’s done for you. Every day you’re told what to do and what is
expected of you. If you accept it and get chore’ work done, your
masters will be happy, I’ll be happy, and you’ll be happy. If you
buck the system, I promise you, no one will be happy. Gentlemen, I
choose to be happy, and I urge you not to make me unhappy, ‘cause
when I’m unhappy, I promise, you will be more unhappy.”
Hoot knew, at that moment, if he ever had the least doubt they got
the right man for the job, he was now fully convinced Blake
Tindell was that man. There never was any doubt in Cotton’s mind.
Blake talked to Hoot and Cotton about a free standing blackboard
his slave mentor, master-builder, used to teach him and his
slave-brother, Ed Bach, about building.
“H’it ain’t been used for several years, Master Hoot. It’s mostly
in the way. Would you ask Master Charlie for me if’n he’d mind if
we borrow it so’s I could use it to teach the boys?”
“I remember that old blackboard. It had slate on both sides, and
it rotated on an axis. It’s a big old thing. You could flip it
over and use either side as I recall. That’s a good idea. I don’t
think Master Charlie would mind. How soon you need it, Son?” Hoot
looked at Blake. Blake was slow to answer, “Like yesterday,
right?” Hoot asked and smiled.
“As soon as possible, sir, or whenever it’s convenient for us to
get it. I don’t know’s we could git it here by any other means
unless it could be broken down.”
“Can it wait till Sunday? We’re invited over for dinner, and the
three of us could take the big truck and bring it back with us,”
Hoot suggested.
“Sounds good. I can make-do 'til then,” Blake said.
The boys were with Blake the rest of the day. Hoot and Cotton had
other things to attend to. He took them to the common room, and
they laid out the floor plan for their temporary quarters. Blake
even figured out a way to put in a washer/dryer unit so he and the
boys could wash their clothes. When they finished for the day,
Blake had it pretty much in his mind the plans he was going to
draw up. He asked Hoot for the drafting pad and started drawing up
plans that evening. The boys were just sitting around not doing
much of anything when Hoot came out with a football in his hand.
The boys perked up real fast. He gave it to Burt and told him to
pass it around for a while.
The boys spent a couple of hours tossing and receiving the ball.
Hoot watched and saw another natural athlete in Jeb. He moved with
the same natural grace and strength his younger brother did. Of
course, Jeb had no idea his younger brother was still alive. At
the end of the day, Hoot took the football back. He told the boys
when they were good, they got extra privileges. They could just as
easily be taken away from them. It was a sobering thought, but one
they knew they must learn to live with. The only brother who
didn’t seem phased by any of it was Sam. Burt swore Sam could be
happy up to his neck in a shit-pit, as he crudely put it.
Not even that description phased Sam. “No sense in worrying about
some’um you can’t do nothing about, Bubba. Best you can do is find
the good in any situation you find yore’self in. You wanna’ sit
around and worry yore’self into an early grave, go for it. Jes’
don’t ask me to sit by and hold yore’ hand. Life ain’t about
feel’n sorry for yourself and wait’n for the end to come, it’s
about the journey. I’m too damn interested in what’s around the
next bend in the road to sit around on my ass and cry with you
about how bad you got it today when tomorrow might bring a
wonderful change,” Sam told Burt. His other brothers hooted and
laughed at Burt.
“Sam, with an attitude like yours, you’re gonna’ go far in life,”
said his boss, Blake Tindell, laughing with the boys.
The plans were drawn up and materials for building and plumbing
repairs were figured. Blake took his drawing with him on Sunday to
be looked over by his master-builder and building partners. They
thought Blake did a fine job and complimented him. They made a
couple of good suggestions Blake incorporated into his plans.
Blake was going to see if he could get either one or both men to
help when they got going on the main slave quarters, but he
figured he’d be able to complete the temporary quarters with only
the boy’s help. Blake showed his plans for the temp-quarters to
Captain Long and Master Charlie. They were wowed by his expertise
as was Hoot and Cotton. Lazarus told them once again, he would
pick up the tab for the remodeling and repairs. Also, he would
provide a brand new washer and dryer for the boys.
Charlie suggested Lazarus might want to consider opening an
account at the local hardware store and lumber yard. Lazarus
thought it would be a great idea then all Blake had to do was sign
his name for whatever he needed and the bills would come directly
to Lazarus. Hoot and Cotton left two older slave cowboy trustees
in charge of the boys while they went to Sunday dinner at the
Goodnight ranch with Blake. There wasn’t any work to be done on
Sunday. Hoot gave his slaves a day of rest every Sunday. The two
cowboys were mostly to watch after the boys and make sure they
didn’t get into trouble. Hoot left a football with them to let the
boys play a bit if they wanted. Naturally they wanted to, and with
several of the younger cowboy slaves, they had a pretty good game.
Charlie invited Sheriff Lassiter and his family for Sunday dinner.
He and Lazarus felt they should keep him updated as to what was
going on. When he learned Hoot and Cotton were looking to buy
tools he called them over. “Listen, Men, old man Murray is closing
his plumbing business in the next county over. He’s been in
business over fifty years, but he can’t git one of his boys to
take over the company. He’s got all sorts of plumbing shit for
sale at rock bottom prices. It might be worth a drive over to see
what he’s got. Take Blake or one his teachers Trotter Helms or Ed
Bach with you. They’ll know what you need.”
“Good idea, Sheriff, thanks for the tip. We’ll check it out come
Monday,” Cotton replied.
“Damn glad to hear you got them boys, Captain Long. Hoot and
Cotton done told me about old Elam think'n on selling his boys,
but he jes' could never make a decision. I'm satisfied I done my
part to make sure that old sum'bitch made up his mind pert-damn
quick. I think it done pushed him over the edge,” the Sheriff
grinned at Lazarus.
“How’s that, Sheriff?” Charlie asked.
“Who do you think sent him that damn case a’ dog food?” the
Sheriff asked, slapped his knee, and fell out laughing.
You could’ve heard the men all the way to the next county
laughing. It was about the funniest damn thing they’d heard in
weeks. Even though they swore they didn’t do it, Lazarus and
Charlie were sure Hoot and Cotton were the culprits. No one
remotely suspected the Sheriff would do such a dastardly deed, but
after they got to thinking about it, all the pieces fit. Lucas
saved Don Lassiter’s life and the Sheriff developed a strong bond
of affection for him and Lazarus. He knew Lazarus was out to buy
the Stamper boys to protect them.
The Sheriff had more than a passing interested in seeing the plan
come to fruition. It would also save him considerable time and
hassle not having to run after the boys and round them up when
they got into mischief. He could see it was only a matter of time
before one or all of them did something for which he would have to
come down hard on them. Hoot and Cotton were in tears. Lazarus was
about to choke to death trying to get his breath from laughing so
hard. Charlie kept wiping the tears from his eyes, he couldn’t
stop laughing.
* * * * * * *
The boys and men played another wonderful game that afternoon.
Waco’s team won by one field goal. Lucas, Blake, Little Bear, and
JR got in line to congratulate them. There was much laughter and
threats to stomp their butts next Sunday. It was all in good fun
and everyone enjoyed themselves. Ranger, the pony, was standing by
the sidelines enjoying the show. Scraps was beside himself with
joy for Waco and his men. He was running from one to the other
congratulating them. Scraps jumping about reminded Lazarus of
something.
“You think this afternoon would be a good time, Boss?” Lazarus
asked, out of the blue. Charlie could read Lazarus’ mind most of
the time without the gift.
“I’d say our little girl's been in quarantine long enough. How’s
she doing?” Charlie inquired.
“Lucas and I visit her every evening to let her know we ain't
forgot about her, and she’s in heaven chasing them damn sheep.
That girl done loves herself some sheep. She takes care of ‘em all
day long. She don’t wanna’ go to sleep at night. My cowboys have
to make her come to the house to feed her and get her settled down
for the evening. My boys tell me they can’t find nothing wrong
with her. I think she’s ready. Shall I send Lucas for her?” he
asked Charlie.
“Yeah. Send Hoot and Cotton along. I’m sure she’d love to see them
again.”
“Good idea, Boss. Son?” Lazarus hailed Lucas. He came over still
breathing heavy from the final play. Hoot and Cotton were in the
area. Lazarus took him over to them. “You men go on board the
Bandersnatch and have Cable take you to get Happy. Bring her back
with you. The Bossman and I decided she’s been in quarantine long
enough. Time she meets her new family,” Lazarus said.
The men slowly walked down to the old barn. Everyone knew where
they were going. Lazarus winked at Waco, and made a motion for him
and his posse to keep Scraps busy. Waco nodded his head he
understood. He looked at Travis and made a Frisbee throwing
motion. Travis nodded his head, and ran to the porch to get the
Frisbee. He no sooner got to the bottom of the steps when he
sailed it out across the compound. Little Bear was closest and ran
to catch it in mid-air. Everyone applauded. Scraps was going
nuts."Me! Little Bear! Throw for me!” Scraps hollered. Little Bear
purposely threw it to Waco. Scraps dug out trying to get to it
before Waco could catch it, but he wasn’t quite fast enough. Waco
caught it easily and everyone applauded.
“Me, Waco! Throw for me!” yelled Scraps again.
“Okay, you better catch it or your out of the game,” Waco chided
him, knowing full well Scraps could catch anything he tossed.
Waco sailed it up and away in the opposite direction from Scraps.
He saw it, judged its trajectory and ran as fast as he could,
leaping six feet into the air to catch it. Scraps seemed to hang
motionless in the air for a few seconds like Nureyev in his prime
on a good night. Everyone went crazy. The boys kept him so busy he
didn’t miss Lucas, Hoot, or Cotton. Finally, Travis threw one for
him toward the old barn. He ran to catch it, when out of nowhere
another beautiful boarder collie beat him to it, leaped up into
the air, and caught it. Scraps was stopped dead in his tracks. Was
this the female he’d smelled on the ship? He turned and looked
questioningly at the men. He knew something was up. They had big
smiles on their faces. Happy brought the Frisbee to Scraps and
dropped it at his feet. They put their noses together, and it was
love at first sniff.
“Helloooo, Gorgeous!” Scraps said to Happy.
Hoot, Cotton, and Lucas came up to them. The men surrounded them.
JR went to get Ida Mae and Hank, and they just walked up.
“Scraps we’d like for you to meet Happy. Happy this is Scraps,”
Charlie said.
“Where did you come from?” Scraps asked her.
“She can’t talk like you can, Scraps,” Lucas said.
“Don’t matter none, I can hear her in my head. She’s ‘bout the
prettiest dang thing I ever laid eyes on,” Scraps said quietly
like he was in awe of Happy. He turned and looked at Ida Mae,
“‘Cept for you, Ms. Ida,” he added.
Ida threw back her head and laughed.
"Where does she live?” Scraps asked.
“She lives here, now, Scraps,” Charlie replied, “she done come to
live with us. She’s part of the ranch, just like you are. That is,
if’n you want her to stay. If not, I’m sure we can find another
good home for her. She was living with Masters Hoot and Cotton,
but she was git’n beat up by their big cow dogs. We saw her and
thought you might be a better friend for her.”
“I won’t beat her up. She’s too dang pretty,” Scraps said.
All of a sudden, Scraps lunged at her, jumped out of her way, and
turned to stand as close to her as he could. He raised himself
over her with his tail at a salute, leaned over, and playfully
nipped at her ear, then ran away as fast as he could. Happy didn’t
need any translation. She spoke dog fluently and knew it was an
invitation to play. Off they went around the compound playing with
each other. It was a joy to see two dogs so happy. Ida got tears
in her eyes. Hank put his big, cowboy arm around her, and pulled
her close. A pang stabbed thought Blake’s heart at the sight of
Hank and Ida Mae in a moment of tenderness, but he was happy for
them. He laughed at himself for having such a silly schoolboy
crush on Hank Morgan.
He respected Hank more than he wanted him, although he knew, if
offered, he wouldn’t turn down an invitation to lie down with the
big man and spend an hour or two in his arms. Little did he know
the boys and half the men standing there had thoughts of lust for
Hank Morgan at one time or another. Even Hank’s own son lay in his
bed at night and masturbated imagining the big cowboy slave
sharing his bed for an evening. Blake was in good company.
Everyone seemed to relax and have a good time. The boys helped Ida
Mae serve homemade ice cream to the men, and it was the perfect
end to a wonderful day. Even Scraps and Happy got a dish of ice
cream. It was a great day for everyone, but most of all, it was a
day Scraps and Happy would never forget.
* * * * * * *
Blake returned with Hoot and Cotton to their ranch. In the back of
Hoot’s truck was the large four by eight, stand alone blackboard.
It was still early evening when the men returned. The boys came
out to greet them and helped Blake unload the blackboard. They
carefully carried it to the common room. The boys were eager to
hear where he was and what he did. "We drove over to Mr.
Goodnight’s ranch to have Sunday dinner, and I played football all
afternoon with Master Waco, his slaves, and some of my
slave-brothers.”
The boys were impressed, and a couple said they wish they could’ve
been there and played football with him, but Master Hoot left his
football with one of the slaves looking after them, and they had a
pretty good game themselves. Blake gave the boys the option of
staying in the loft until they finished the temporary quarters, or
they could move their bedrolls to the common room. Burt said he
thought it would be a hassle living around an area under
construction, and Blake agreed with him. Therefore, they voted to
remain in the loft until they were done.
* * * * * * *
Monday morning started early, and Blake was anxious to get going
with remodeling the common room. He had his list of supplies and
tools he needed. Master Charlie said he could take his tools from
the ranch over with him to begin with, but he was going to need
more. First he wanted to get the area cleaned up to see what they
were up against and just how much he’d have to repair or replace.
He could use the boys to help clean up. Things got too busy for
Hoot or Blake to get away to the other county, so rather than lose
out on bargains available from the plumbing company shutting down,
Cotton climbed into his old truck and headed for the town.
When he got there, he thought there would be throngs of people,
pushing and shoving, to get the best bargains. To his amazement
there was no one there. He walked into the yard and noticed table
after table of tools lined up with all sorts of plumbing stuff on
them. To the side was eight large lockup bins with a big question
mark painted on the front of each. The bins were huge. They
measured six feet long by four feet wide by four feet deep. The
lids lifted open from the top, but all were locked with a huge
padlock. He looked up to see a handsome young cowboy of about
twenty-five walking toward him.
“Good morning,” Cotton said, and stuck out his hand to shake the
young man’s.
“Good morning, Mr. Daniels,” the young man smiled real big.
“You know me, Son?” Cotton was amazed.
“Of course I know'd ju! Know'd ju' and your partner, Mr. Hoot
Austin for a long time. You’re legends around these parts. I come
to see you men rodeo ever’ damn chance I git. I’m Robby Murray,
sir. Me and my partner’s roped against you and Mr. Austin several
times. We always lost, but we had a good time. We learned a
lot. My daddy bought me one a’ yore’ rope’n ponies several
years ago. Best damn pony I ever had. I still got ‘em, and we
compete regularly.”
“Then you must be Les Murray’s boy,” Cotton remembered, “But,
Robby, you’re all grow’d up now. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you,
Son,” Cotton apologized.
“‘At’s understandable, Mr. Daniels. I was sent to the Middle-East
for three years. Since I got back I been away at college for a
couple of years. I'll finish up next year and graduate. What
brings you to Murray plumbing, sir?” he asked.
“Sheriff Lassiter told us about yore’ granddaddy going out of
business. ‘H’it’s a damn shame. Sorry to hear it, but he said we
might be able to pick us up some bargains on plumbing tools.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty tough on my granddad, Mr. Daniels, but ma’ dad
and all three of my uncles become ranchers. None of 'em were
interested in the plumbing business. Me and several of ma’ cousins
have worked for granddad now for the last five years or so help'n
him keep the business going, but none of us are interested in
taking over. I took a semester off from college at A&M to help
him liquidate ever’ thing. If’n you need some plumbing tools, you
come to the right place, Mr. Daniels.”
“Yeah, we’re expanding our operations. We’re gonna’ be doing some
major building and remodeling on our ranch. We got the building
talent to do it and the resources, but we need some tools. I
couldn’t bring ma’ slave what’s gonna’ be doing most of the work.
Could you help me pick out some stuff he might need?”
“Be glad to, Mr. Daniels. It would be an honor and a pleasure,
sir,” Robby added. Cotton wondered about Robby's fine comment. “We
got all them tables with tools on it, but I tell you what – we got
them eight roll-off lockup bins with the big question marks on ‘em
as sort of mystery ‘grab bag’ sort of deals. They’s chocked full
of pluming tools and supplies, but mostly tools. Anything and
ever’ damn thing you can imagine for plumbing is in each one of
them bins. In each bin, there’s so many tools you could start your
own small plumbing business, I guaran-damn-tee-ya,’ Mr. Daniels,”
Robby Murray said boldly and winked at him, “We’s gonna’ auction
‘em off by silent bid. In other words, a man writes down an amount
he’s willing to pay for one of ‘em bins and puts his bid in the
box for that bin. If he’s got the highest bid, he wins. When do
you need your tools, sir?”
“As soon as possible, Son.”
“Tell you what, Mr. Daniels. I’ll be honest with you. Things ain’t
going so good on the auction front. I think we got us only one bid
for fifty dollars on that end bin. Now, if’n we don’t git another
bid on it, I’m gonna’ let it go to the man for fifty bucks, but
that leaves us with seven other bins with no bids, and we been
trying to sell this shit for a month or more. I was the man what
loaded and supervised the packing of all them bins, and I know
what’s in ‘em. See that white bin over there, third from the
right?” he asked.
“Yes, Son, I see it," Cotton replied.
“It's the jackpot bin. I ain't shit'n ya' none! Swear to God, I
ain't give'n you no used car dealer bum's rush, neither. It’s got
three times more than the rest of them bins put together. How do I
know? Because I packed it myself. I’ll make you a deal you can’t
refuse, Mr. Daniels. For a hun'nert bucks and a favor from you,
it’s yorn. Is yore’ truck a three quarter ton, sir?” he asked.
“Yes, it is, Son,” Cotton replied.
“It should be able to handle it. You’re ass-end will be awful low,
but jes’ take it slow and be careful going across low places or
cattle guards. You can back your truck up over there, I can load
it on with the fork lift, and you’re in business.”
“What’s the favor, Son?” Cotton asked.
“It’s sort of personal, Mr. Daniels,” the young Aggie replied.
“Ain’t nothing personal to an ex-slave, Son. You should know that;
yore’ daddy’s got slaves.”
“I know, I's sort a’ hope’n you might feel that way, sir, and not
take what I’m about to say as no disrespect. Ever since I first
laid eyes on you and Mr. Austin as a kid, I’ve always had me a
fantasy of suck’n either one or both of yore’ dicks, sir. I can’t
tell you how many times I laid in bed at night by myself, beat’n
off think’n on it. If you’d take a few minutes, step into my
office in the back where we won’t be disturbed, you can make one
young cowboy awful happy, and I’ll make damn sure you got
chore’self a big-ole smile on yore’ face as you drive home with
yore' new plumbing tools.”
Cotton stuck out his hand to shake Robby’s. “You got chore’self a
deal, Son,” Cotton said and grinned with his cowboy cock growing
in his Wranglers.
Robby took Cotton to the rear of the business to a small but neat
office. It was obviously Robby’s personal office while working for
his granddad. He lost no time hitting his knees and getting
Cotton’s fine cowboy penis out of his Wranglers. He didn’t lie to
Cotton. Robby gave him a stellar blow-job that kept a smile on his
face all the way back to the ranch, and when he got there he was
still grinning and giggling to himself. Hoot knew without asking,
his mate got lucky. He just grinned real big and shook his head.
When Cotton told him the story, he thought Hoot would have a
stroke from laughing so hard.
“Damnation! I cain’t never let chu’ out a’ my sight, Cowboy.
Serves me right! Shit! I knew I should a’ gone with ya.’ Hail, I’d
gladly take sloppy seconds from that Murray boy. He’s one handsome
Aggie. Fuck, that turns me on! You may have to pay for your
indiscretion by being more indiscreet with me 'afore the sun goes
down,” Hoot declared, slapped his knee, and hugged Cotton.
Cotton had to slow down to five miles an hour to get his heavily
laden truck over the cattle guard at the entrance to the ranch.
The rear bumper was almost dragging the ground, and every time he
hit a bump on the way, the bumper would bang on the blacktop.
Blake came out to see what Cotton returned with and whistled low
when he saw the lockup bin. He knew it was probably filled with
goodies. When he opened the top, he couldn’t believe what he saw.
There was every imaginable plumbing tool in the bin and not just
one but several of each tool. When they got most of it unloaded,
to make the lockup bin lighter to get it off the truck, they found
thousands of dollars worth of tools including three electric pipe
cutter/threaders.
“Well, the kid told me there was enough tools in this one bin to
start our own small plumbing business,” Cotton claimed.
“He weren’t lying, Master Cotton. I know how to cut and thread
pipe manually, but this is wonderful. They even threw in all sorts
of manual cutters and threaders. They’re interchangeable with the
electric cutters. The only thing is, they’re for galvanized pipe
and my building-master taught me to use mostly copper, but I know
all about galvanized pipe, how to cut and thread it.”
“Okay, what did you have to give him for all this beside the visit
to his office, Pardner?” Hoot grinned.
“I’m almost ashamed to tell you. Y’ain’t gonna’ believe me if’n I
do,” Cotton said like a little boy caught in a lie.
“Try me?” demanded Hoot.
“A hun'nert bucks.”
“Naw! Yore’ shit’n me! Ain’t no way!” Hoot challenged.
Cotton handed him the receipt. Hoot looked at it and his eyes
bugged out of his head. He smiled and called Cotton’s attention to
what the kid wrote across the receipt. “And thanks for the extra
special favor. This receipt is good for one more favor for your
partner -- or two if you don't mine sloppy seconds,” it read.
“I’ll be damned! Only you, Cotton,” Hoot said as he hugged his
mate again. Blake took the receipt from Hoot and just shook his
head.
“Do you have any idea what one electric pipe threader cost, sir?”
Blake asked Cotton.
“I would imagine around a thousand bucks,” he replied.
“You might be able to git a used one for that. A new one would
cost you around three thou. You robbed that man blind in broad
daylight,” Blake allowed, “Well done, Master Cotton.”
* * * * * * *
Blake got the boys busy designing and building some work benches
in one of the larger stalls in the old barn. It was good practice
for them. He had each boy design and build his own bench. The old
barn wasn’t used for much but storage and Hoot thought it would
make a great base of operations for the building projects. They
only had a couple of hammers and one Cotton loaned them from the
front house, but Blake planned to get each boy a set of their own
tools. Blake never let them get by with shoddy work. If it wasn’t
right, he made them tear it down and do it again. Every morning he
had an hour and a half lesson in some aspect of building. First he
wanted to tackle the basics of measuring, cutting, and nailing
boards into place. He had them practice by the hour until he
thought they could do it right.
With the new plumbing tools he managed to get two of the shower
stalls going pretty quick and discovered someone took out the old
water heater and never bothered to replace it. Lazarus bought them
two brand new hundred gallon water heaters so they wouldn’t run
out of hot water. Blake hooked them up in series so one would feed
hot water into the other. Blake got two more of the six toilets
functioning within a day or so. By that time, the lumber for the
remodeling was delivered and stored in the old barn. It was
everything Blake ordered. The next day they started remodeling the
common room. He made the boys do most of the work. He was a firm
believer in hands on learning. That was the way his slave-master
taught him. Blake's master's motto was: You learn by doing. Blake
learned.
By the time they got their temporary quarters framed in, the boys
were gaining confidence in themselves. He taught them how to run
romex wiring and how to put outlet boxes in each area. They made
it better than it was before. Some of the tiles in the shower were
missing and there were several that were cracked. The grout was a
dingy gray color. He had the boys use some commercial tile and
grout cleaner which restored it almost to new, but Blake new they
would have to re-grout the entire shower area. He taught them how
to clean an area you were going to fix, apply mastic, new tile,
and grout the area. The two younger boys got really good at it.
Blake was astounded by the boy’s interest. It was like no one ever
took the time to teach them anything, and they were soaking up
knowledge as fast as Blake could teach them. Everyone kept a
pretty good attitude. Burt was a little slow coming around, but
after seeing what they were accomplishing, even old Burt had to
admit to a little pride in what he and his brothers accomplished
as a team. And 'team' was the most important word. They were
beginning to learn to work as a unit.
* * * * * * *
It was a busy week, but the men got a lot done. Blake didn’t care
about speed. He told Hoot and Cotton he was more interested in the
boys taking their time and learning to do it right. He’d rather
them take the time to do it right the first time and not have to
go back and do it again. It made sense to Hoot and Cotton, and
they gave him free rein with the boys. The boys were beginning to
admire and trust Blake more every day. It seemed easiest for the
youngest two, but then there was good old Sam. Sam seemed to be
the heart and major soul of the boys. The two youngest boys
confided something about Sam to Blake. Sam was the only brother
who didn't want to treat his youngest brother, Caleb, like a
slave. He tried to be good to him and brought him bits of food he
knew he liked. Blake later confirmed it with Lucas. Lucas told
Blake, Sam would try, but he would be run-over by his two older
brothers who would chastise him for spoiling Caleb.
Blake was increasingly more impressed with Sam. He also watched as
Sam began to outgrow the influence and peer pressure of his older
brothers. He began to stand up for himself and his two younger
brothers. He refused to let his two older brothers bully or
intimidate him any more. Burt and Phil were used to having their
way with their younger brothers and when they mentioned the
youngest brother Zeke would have to take their baby brother’s
place after Caleb was enslaved by their dad, Zeke was scared to
death. He appealed to his next older brothers to stand up for him.
Jeb was guilty of using Caleb like his other brothers, but he
suffered major guilt about it. He was smart enough to know about
mob mentality, but too uneducated and inexperienced to stand
against it. Sam wasn’t. He said he wouldn’t allow another one of
his brothers to suffer the fate of his baby brother. He told his
brothers what they did to Caleb was wrong, and he thought God was
punishing them now because of it. Sam told them he had terrible
thoughts and dreams about it.
Burt and Phil called him a wuss, a baby, a pansy, and a pussy;
nevertheless, Sam stood up to them and Jeb backed him up. Zeke
wasn’t afraid to join with them. Three against two seemed like
pretty good odds to them. Sam told them, as long as he was one of
their bothers and was living with them, no brother would be forced
to do anything against his will again, and if they tried, he would
find an equalizer and use it on them when they least suspected it.
Sam never made an empty threat in his life, and Burt and Phil knew
it. While Sam could be good-natured and fun, he could also be one
of the strongest willed of the five brothers. They decided they
better take Sam seriously unless they wanted a two by four applied
to the base of their skull some dark evening.
They decided it might be healthier to let Zeke be. Sam felt some
protection from the relationship he was forming with Blake and
even more so from Hoot and Cotton. They couldn’t help fall in love
with the kid. He didn’t have the brains Jeb had, but what he had
in his heart more than made up for it. That’s not to say Sam was a
dummy. Far from it. He was bright and picked up concepts and
application faster than his two older brothers, and he slowly
began to learn from Jeb and Blake. Jeb was damn near a genius with
mechanical things. He could put his hand on a malfunctioning
machine and tell what was wrong with it. Blake couldn’t get his
Skil saw to work properly one day. Jeb took it and simply turned
it on a couple of times and smiled at him.
“The brushes are shot, Boss. Get me a new set of brushes, and I’ll
fix it for you.” Not only did he replace the brushes. Jeb rebuilt
the saw until it ran like new. His boss was wowed. Blake didn’t
know anything about the mechanics of his saw, but Jeb taught him.
He began to learn a lot from Jeb. He just let Jeb take over
teaching about electricity. Jeb had among his personal possessions
a small electrician’s handbook. He ask Blake to get several for
them. They weren’t expensive. He could find them at any hardware
store. Blake got one for each boy and himself. He was amazed by
the amount of information available in the small book. Jeb used it
for a textbook in his teaching. Every morning for an hour and a
half, Jeb would go over every aspect of electrical wiring until
each man, including his boss, could wire anything correctly.
Friday came that week, and it was Burton’s time to go for a
medical exam. Charlie and Lazarus discussed it with Hoot, Cotton,
and Blake the Sunday before that eventually the boys would be
brought on board about what was going on, but Lazarus wanted the
boys to bond with their new boss and master’s before they were
exposed to something they might have a difficult time
comprehending. Blake agreed. Blake got up early, had his breakfast
with his masters in the big house, and went to the ship. Cable
gave him the hypo he needed, and showed him how to use the
anti-grave gurney. Blake was fascinated by the gurney. He already
set up some hay bales on which to place the gurney for Burt to lie
on and get his shot. After Blake took the boys to chow and got
them started on what he wanted them to get done for the day,
Cotton came out to watch over them. Blake took Burton to the old
barn and told him to sit on the gurney. Burt did as he was told
but got wide-eyed at the small hypo. “What’s that for, Boss?” Burt
asked.
“It’s a shot the medics gave me to relax you, Burt. It won’t hurt
chu' none.”
“Why do I have to be relaxed?” he asked.
“‘Cause, it’s just the way they want you. I’m a slave. I do what
I’m told. They knocked me out, too. Trust me, Burt, no harm will
come to you. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
Blake had some cotton ready with alcohol and swabbed Burt’s
shoulder. He gave him the shot right in the muscle of his arm like
he was shown. Blake put the hypo aside and was about to tell him
to lie on the gurney when Burt passed out. Blake caught him and
gently lowered the boy to the gurney. He activated the mechanism,
opened the portal and glided Burt through. Cable and his men were
ready to receive him. They gave Burt a mild stimulant to clean him
thoroughly, but they only gave him enough to leave him groggy and
cooperative. He would barely remember anything afterward. They got
Blake set up with the Kryscellians and he was already singing away
to them when they left him to return to Burt. When Burt woke up on
the gurney shortly before lunch he was still a bit groggy. He went
with Blake to have lunch, but he wasn’t hungry. He couldn’t eat
anything. His brothers were concerned and asked him if he was all
right.
“Yeah! I think so. Jes’ a little groggy. They gave me a sedative
to relax me. I can’t believe how beautiful they were,” he said as
if in a daze.
“Who, the nurses, Burt,” Phil asked him.
“I don’t know if they were nurses or doctors, but they were kind
and good to me. They were men, but they didn’t seem like men. They
were perfect in every way. I never seen men like them before, and
they were naked. Didn’t have a stitch of clothes on. Hell, they
didn’t need no clothes, they were perfect the way they was.
Clothes would a’ made ‘em look silly. They were unbelievably good
looking. Beautiful. Almost like they were angels,” Burt said. The
boys laughed at him nervously.
“Is that true, Boss? Do they look like angels?” Jeb asked.
“You’ll find out for yourselves quick enough. Tell your brothers
if there was anything to be afraid of, Burt,” Blake gently urged
him.
“No – naw – there weren’t nothing to be afraid of. The only thing
that hurt was a shot they gimme’ in ma’ butt, and it really didn’t
hurt me none. It was like a honey bee sting. They told me it would
make me live a long time, much longer than the average human life
span. I knew in my heart they weren’t lying to me, but I didn’t
understand how that could be – still don’t. I felt safer with them
and the crystals what sang to me than I have in a long time. It
was like I was welcome. Like they made me a part of them. Like I
was family. I even sang back to them crystal folks, which was
strange, because you know me, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
I’m tone deaf, but I weren’t with them. I actually sang to them,
and I was okay, not great, but okay. It was so beautiful they made
me cry. They told me they loved me, and it was all right if I
loved them. They fixed something inside me, but I don’t know what.
They explained it to me, but I can’t tell you what they said.
Maybe they weren’t real. Maybe I dreamed it all.”
The brothers sat listening in awe. They were stunned by their big
brother’s story. Blake sat eating his chow, smiling to himself.
“Is he making this up, Boss? Or, did he jes’ hallucinate under
them drugs?” Phil asked.
“Do you think your brother would lie to you, Phil?” Blake asked
him.
“No, but what he’s tell’n us don’t make no sense.”
“You’ll find out if he's tell’n the truth next Friday,” Blake said
and winked at him. That didn’t seem to satisfy Phil.
“Tell us more about them crystals, Burt? I heard crystals can heal
folks,” Sam encouraged his brother.
“Yeah, but these weren’t just any crystals. They were beautiful
crystals of all colors, and they were alive, Sam. Each crystal was
a person. They lit up like light bulbs and bathed me – yes, that’s
the word – they bathed me in their light. They can heal folks. I’m
sure of it. They told me so. I could feel their light penetrate
every part of my body, but it didn’t hurt me none. It felt
wonderful. It felt right. They even probed my brain. They felt
around to every corner of my mind and tested everything. It was
like they were looking for something wrong. They found a couple of
minor things they said they corrected. They sang to me so
beautifully. They taught me to sing to them so I could tell them
about myself and my brothers. I cried when I told them about our
baby brother. They told me what I done to Caleb was wrong, how I
treated him and made you treat him, but they said they weren’t
gonna’ condemn me. They said I deserved another chance. I don’t
know, it’s all so weird. It’s probably jes’ the medication they
gimme.’”
Tears were running down Burt’s cheek. That was unusual for Burt.
He never cried. He was the oldest brother. He had to set a
standard for his younger siblings. His brothers finished their
chow and biscuit. No one said anything else. Burt quickly shook
off the sedative and returned to his former self; still, there was
something that touched Burt deeply he never felt before. He
wondered if the experience really did change him. He knew he was
thinking more clearly than ever before. He no longer had any fear
about being a slave. He seemed to relax, and he began to feel like
it was the right place for him to be at the moment. He was
thinking he might adopt some of Sam’s philosophy, he was ready to
start living again.
* * * * * * *
The last thing was the drywall. Blake went with Cotton to the
hardware store and bought more tools and things they needed to
complete the drywall. He taught the boys how to measure, cut, and
put up the drywall. He made three teams and gave each team a
section to complete. The drywall went up in no time and they were
ready to tape and mud. Blake bought five drywall knives of varying
sizes. He taught the boys how to mud divisions or cracks and patch
nail holes. He taught them how to apply the tape and mud over
seams. It was frustrating for them at first. Blake had to show
them several times how to use their knives. He told them they
could only get good the more they did it, and by the time they
finished the new slave-quarters, they would be experts.
The restroom facilities were repaired and worked perfectly. The
boys cleaned it until it was spotless. The tile was re-grouted,
repaired, and looked brand new. The showers worked perfectly. Some
of Hoot and Cotton’s slaves complained two of their showers didn’t
work and one would burn you one minute with the hot water and
freeze you the next. The boys were so confident, they volunteered
to take a look at it for them. Hoot and Cotton were pleased with
their attitude. Lazarus bought six institutional beds for them.
They were much better than the usual beds slaves get to sleep on,
but they weren’t fancy.
It took the boys almost a month to finish their temporary
quarters, but it was really nice when they got through. It was
actually better and more comfortable than their old home with
their dad. Two Fridays passed and two more of the boys went with
Blake to the ship for their medicals. Phil came back and told the
same story Burt did. Phil was even more sure the men were angels.
He was impressed as Burt with them and went on about how handsome
and beautiful they were; how good and kind they were to him. He
even told of getting a shot in the butt with some kind of shot
they said would make him live a long time.
Sam didn’t have a lot to say when he came back. Blake didn’t think
they would ever get the silly smile off his face. The effects of
his visit to the ship lasted far longer than it did with Burt or
Phil. Blake thought he knew why. He felt Sam was more sensitive
and idealistic than either of his brothers and probably had a
hidden romantic streak that tempered his actions. The boys asked
if he experienced the same things they did. He just told them
‘yes’ and said it was wonderful. He didn't want to leave. Blake
noticed an immediate jump in Sam’s intellect. Concepts which were
hard for him to grasp before were coming more easily to him. He
could follow Jeb's thoughts anywhere he went and began to absorb
his knowledge like a sponge. He was learning at an accelerated
rate.
The boys were taught by Blake the proper protocol to show their
masters when they first meet them for the day. One would be chosen
among them to represent the group to pay homage to his boots and
complete the master/slave ritual with him. They each had a chance
to do it, and were made to understand it was just part of their
new lives as slaves. Of course, the one who hated it the worst was
Burt, but even he was getting used to the idea.
The boys moved their stuff into their new temporary quarters and
put it away. They asked Blake to ask Hoot if they could have an
open house and invite the other slaves to see their temporary
quarters. Cotton and Hoot thought it was a good idea and decided
to made an evening of it with hot dogs and hamburgers for
everyone. Everyone agreed the boys did a good job. Hoot and Cotton
invited several folks from the Goodnight ranch to attend. They
didn’t know if Lazarus or Lucas would attend, but they invited
them anyway.
Lazarus talked with Lucas and told him about the party. "I plan to
go, Son," Lazarus told Lucas, "you may go with me if you wish, you
may stay here with Ms. Ida, or you could stay on the ship if you
feel lonely.”
“I’m gonna’ have ta’ face ‘um sooner or later, Dad. May as well
get it over with. The longer I put it off, the bigger the bear
grows in the forest. This sounds like a perfect time. We won’t be
over there for long I don’t imagine. Please count on me stick’n
close to your side,” Lucas smiled at him.
“You couldn’t stick close enough to me, Boy. I doubt we’ll be over
there long. It’s jes’ gonna’ be a drop by, have a burger, take a
look, meet the boys, and leave. Nothing fancy.”
“I’ll go if’n you want me to,” Lucas replied.
“Let’s put it this way, I want you to do what feels right for you.
As far as I’m concerned, I’m proud to have you walk by my side and
be my slave-son. I love you, Lucas, and I would be proud and
pleased for you to go with me.”
“I love you, too, Dad. I would be honored to walk by your side. I
would hold my head high and be proud to tell the world I'm your
personal slave," Lucas said with all sincerity.
It was settled, and the men traveled over in Charlie’s truck. Hank
Morgan wanted to go and so did JR. Waco, Ox, Travis, and Little
Bear went with Charlie, Lazarus, and Lucas. Blake asked Hoot if
his teacher and building partners, Trotter Helms and Ed Bach might
be allowed to come with them. Charlie had no problem with it, and
the men were with them. When they arrived they were pleasantly
surprised to find the Sheriff’s patrol car there. The boys watched
the three older slaves, Hank Morgan, Trotter Helms, and Ed Bach,
go through the master/slave ritual with Master Hoot, Master Cotton
and Sheriff Lassiter.
They watched Waco Goodnight, his little brother JR, and Waco’s
slaves, Travis and Little Bear get out of the camper shell on the
back of Charlie Goodnight’s truck. They thought that was all until
a huge hairy creature crawled out of the back, aided by Waco on
one side and Little Bear on the other. The boys heard rumors about
Waco’s Lummox but had no idea the size of the creature. The two
youngest gasped at the sight of him. Of course Ox was wearing his
favorite outfit the boys gave him.
Travis and Little Bear saddle soaped and polished his big boots
and the handsome harness he was wearing until it shown brightly in
the late afternoon sun. Ox was in full fur for the winter and
every time he moved it flowed in unison with his body. Ox got in
line with the slaves to pay homage to Master Hoot, Cotton, and
Sheriff Lassiter. It was hard for the boys to imagine such a large
creature was a slave to such a young boy.
The masters in line took turns embracing him and talking with him.
They complimented him on his fur and how well he looked. The big
creature seemed more than just Waco’s slave. He acted like he was
the boy’s guardian or protector. He had his arm around one or
sometime two of them at all times. He was mostly attentive to
Master Waco, his owner, and a handsome boy they didn’t recognize.
Travis, Little Bear, and the handsome boy performed the slave
ritual with Master Hoot, Master Cotton, and Sheriff Lassiter. The
handsome boy was the last and the Sheriff was last in his line.
When the Sheriff told the boy to rise and show his love for him,
they kissed a kiss that was more than just a master and slave
kiss. It was the kiss of two men who were obviously fond of each
other. The boys were impressed.
"You okay with this, my Sweet-buckaroo?” the Sheriff whispered to
Lucas.
“My master gave me a choice, and I chose to come, sir. It’s gonna’
happen sooner or later,” Lucas replied.
“Just remember, you got a shit-load of men here what love you, and
a couple who would kill for you in a minute. Walk tall and be
proud of how far you’ve come, Son.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. I appreciate your encouragement. It means a lot,
sir,” Lucas replied quietly.
The boys were most impressed by the size of the monster who
emerged from the back of Charlie Goodnight's truck. The men and
the big creature walked over to be introduced to the boys. Blake
did the honors and told them the middle boy, Sam, would be doing
the Master/slave ritual with them for the group that evening. One
of the other slaves was chosen to represent the rest of Hoot and
Cotton’s slaves. Blake introduced each man. The boys shook hands
with the slaves, but didn’t with the other men unless he offered
his hand. Lucas thought it was amusing and somehow right, Sam, his
favorite brother, was showing obeisance to the freemen. Good old
Sam. The irony was, Sam was the least likely to be bothered by
such an act. Sam just took it in stride. Lazarus and Lucas
approached the line of men.
“Gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to the ramrod of the
Goodnight ranch, Mr. Lazarus Long and his son, Lucas Long,” Blake
said.
Lazarus took Burton’s hand and talked with him for a minute. Burt
was impressed by the big cowboy. Lazarus moved on to Phil and
shook his hand. Lucas stepped up to Burt and offered his hand.
“It’s good to meet you, Burt,” Lucas said without nuance.
Burt just stared at Lucas. A memory flashed in his mind. He only
saw such beauty in one other place. It was the medical men who
examined him.
“Are you Master Long’s son?” Burt asked as he shook Lucas’ hand.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And you’re a slave?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Your dad sold you into slavery.”
“Yes, he did, Burt.”
“How do you feel about it?”
“I didn’t agree with him when he done it, but I come to understand
why. It was the best thing he could’ve done for me. For a while,
my life wasn’t worth living. It’s a story not worth the telling. I
was a slave to some bad people who mistreated me, but my dad
rescued me by buying me from them as his slave. It taught me a
lesson I’ll never forget. I’ve been his slave ever since. I’m
happy being my dad’s slave and serving him as best I can. I’m
first and foremost his slave, I just also happen to be his son.
“Why ain’t we never seen you at school?" Burt asked.
“We didn’t get here in time for me to begin this school year, but
dad’s home school’n me. If I do well, and he’s pleased with my
progress, with his permission, I may start school next fall. I’m
looking forward to it and playing football with Master Waco,
Travis, and Little Bear.”
It was time for Lucas to move along. Waco and his men were waiting
to say ‘hello’ to Burt. Waco offered his hand to Burt. They talked
for a while about football and school. Waco introduced Ox to Burt
and he took his huge paw in his hand and shook it. Burt’s eyes
were open wide. Ox just smiled, nodded to him, and bowed slightly.
“He don’t speak none, Burt, but he understands English.”
“It’s good to meet you, Mr. Ox,” Burt said quietly. Ox smiled,
nodded, and bowed again.
Travis was next and called Burt ‘brother.’ It kinda got to Burt,
Travis was recognizing him as his slave brother, but he
appreciated the sentiment. He figured Travis meant it as a
compliment and not as a put down. Little Bear just hugged him and
told him he was looking good.
Phil didn’t have much to say to Lucas, but he looked at him like
he was one of the beautiful men who examined him.
When Lucas got to Sam, Sam got confused and was going to drop to
his knees for the ritual when Lucas stopped him. “I ain't no
freeman, I’m a slave jes’ like you. You must be Sam,” Lucas
said.
“Yeah, 'at’s me, and you’re Master Long’s son, Lucas? You look
jes’ like him.”
“That’s right, and thank you.”
“You seem to be doing all right as a slave,” Sam said looking into
Lucas’ eyes and something inside him broke. Tears were forming in
his eyes. Lucas took Sam into his arms. He didn’t think Sam
recognized him. Maybe he was wrong. "I’m sorry. You look so much
like some men what examined me last Friday for a medical exam, and
yore’ eyes, it’s like I’ve looked into yore’ eyes before.”
Burt and Phil heard Sam and said they agreed with him. They felt
the same.
“I’m sure we’ve never met in this life, Sam. I’m told I look a lot
like a number of people. Maybe you have me mixed up with someone
else.”
“Maybe, but I could swear...” Sam cut off his sentence. He seemed
uncomfortable and Lucas moved on.
Lucas made it through Jeb and Zeke with little problem. He felt
genuine affection for them and Sam. He wouldn’t go so far as to
call it ‘love,’ but he was concerned about them. He reserved his
opinion for Burt and Phil for later. Lucas was glad his brothers
were under the care and guidance of men he knew to have their best
interest at heart. He trusted them to do the right thing by them.
Lazarus and Charlie were impressed with what Blake accomplished
with the boys and the accommodations they managed to create. It
looked professionally done. The restrooms were perfect and
spotless. Blake’s teacher Trotter Helms was all compliments. So
was his partner Ed Bach. They couldn’t believe what he
accomplished in such a short period of time. Blake assured them
the boys were intelligent, learned quickly, and were highly
motivated. He was pleased the way they were coming along. Lazarus
told Blake he was happy to see his money was being put to good
use. He was impressed.
Hoot, Cotton, Charlie, Hank, and Don Lassiter were talking in a
group. Hoot looked at Lazarus and spoke, “So much for us training
young Lucas, huh, Ramrod?” Hoot grinned.
“Yeah, I been doing me a lot of think’n on it, and it might be
best described as a conflict of interest, but not quite the same
way,” he chuckled.
“I’ll be dead honest with you, Master, I don’t think the boy needs
much training. He’s completely devoted to you. He’s attentive and
polite to other masters. He never fails to perform the ritual. If
anything he’s overly vigilant in his duties and responsibilities
as your slave. If we can teach them other boys to be half as good
a slave as he’s become, we’ll be doing some’um. C'ain’t says we
wouldn’t welcome him to our bed for a weekend or two.”
“I’ve talked with him about it. I decided to let him choose the
man he wants to break him in. Now, I may be wrong about that. Any
suggestions will be gratefully considered, Gentlemen. You got more
experience with this sort to thing than me. So far, he’s got it
narrowed down to three men. That’s count’n you and Cotton as a
package deal, Hoot,” the men laughed.
“Hell, we’ll take him any way we can get him,” they laughed again.
“The other two is Bobby Jessup and Hank Morgan,” Lazarus winked at
Hank.
“Me?” Hank exclaimed, “Why me?” he asked and looked shocked.
“Why not you? He done told me he knows you’d be gentle but firm
with him. On top a’ that, he thinks you’re jes’ about the hottest
damn cowpoke he’s ever met.”
“Who don’t?” exclaimed Charlie and elbowed Hank in his ribs. The
men broke up at Hank’s embarrassment.
“I’m flattered, Master Long, but I don’t think I’m the man for the
job,” Hank said.
“Is that what you plan to tell yore’ boy when he comes to you and
asks you to teach him about sex?” Lazarus asked with a big grin.
“I pray to God that day won’t never come, Ramrod,” Hank said.
“I guarantee ya’ it’s gonna’ happen. That's what happens when
you's a man what looks and acts like the ultimate daddy figure,”
Charlie said, “We see the way JR looks at you. It ain’t slipped by
his momma none neither. She knows. I’m surprised she ain’t never
said nothing to you.”
"She has!” Hank exclaimed quietly, blushing beet red. The men
laughed at him again, “Oh, shit,” Hank said softly, “why can’t
life be simple?”
“H’it ain’t as hard as you make it out to be, Cowboy,” Charlie
admonished him, “Ain’t a man standing here what has more know-how
or a bigger heart than you, Hank Morgan,” Charlie assured his
slave and smiled at him.
“Amen to that, Brother!” Lazarus allowed, and the other men agreed
with him. Lazarus continued, “Then, the other night, we’s laying
in bed, and Lucas asks me what I think about him asking Blake
Tindell to break him in?”
“He git’s my vote!” Don Lassiter laughed.
“Mine, too, if’n that’s what the boy wants,” Charlie added.
“Wait a minute!” Hoot interrupted, “Who says the kid has to choose
just one man to break him in?”
“You jes’ might have some’um there, Hoot,” Lazarus said.
“I may not be the daddy figure Hank Morgan is, but I’d shore’
‘nuff like to throw my hat in the ring,” Don Lassiter said.
Lazarus was only a little surprised, but why not? Don loved
Lucas as much as any man there, with good reason.
“It would be easier for me, if’n I knew I would only be one of
several,” Hank said, “To be honest, I think so much of Lucas, I
don’t know if’n I could turn him down if he was to come to me and
ask. Ida’s done made me promise I won’t leave some’um that
important to some other man if JR should come to me.”
“E pluribus unum,” Lazarus laughed, “Glad we had this talk,
Gentlemen. I like yore’ idea, Hoot. At least it gives me an option
to offer the boy.”
“Why don’t you do it, Ramrod?” Hank asked.
“No, they’s too close, Hank. If their situation was different, it
would be Master Long’s responsibility, even his duty to take his
slave for the first time, but Lucas is a unique situation,” Hoot
explained, "It's a bit more complicated," he added.
“Mean’n no disrespect, Master Hoot, but I’m just as close to JR as
Master Long is to Lucas. Aside from the fact I’m a slave, why is
it all right for me and not for him?”
“Hank’s got a point, Ramrod, and a damn good one,” Charlie backed
up Hank.
“I jes’ ain’t let ma’self think on it. I let him jack me off in
the shower once in a while, and I’ve taken him a couple of times
when he’s jacked off, but nothing more. Because he’s my slave, I
make him come to me and ask permission before he masturbates. Most
times I jes’ tell him to go ahead-on, enjoy himself, but he’s so
damn good looking, ever’ now and then I jes’ wanna’ be a
dirty-old-man, stand, and watch. Maybe I should give him the
option.”
“I think that would be wise, Ramrod,” Charlie confirmed. Hank
backed him up. Hoot, Cotton, and Don agreed.
* * * * * * *
Lucas stuck to Lazarus’ side like glue most of the evening and
waited on him hand and foot. Things Lazarus would ordinarily do
for himself, Lucas insisted on doing for him. He laughed a couple
of times at him. The only time he ventured away from Lazarus was
to use the restroom, or when he hugged, and gave Blake a kiss to
congratulate him on his success. “I’m so proud of you, Mr.
Tindell. You’re doing a great job. I can see a change in them
already. When I guessed you's the one what was gonna' see after
them, I knew you were the right man for the job. Master Charlie
and ma’ dad couldn’t be more pleased with your work.”
“Thanks, Buddy. I know this must be hard on you, but you’re
handling yourself admirably. I thought for a minute Sam recognized
something, but he didn’t, or maybe he did and jes’ don’t realize
it.”
“I agree, but I ain’t ready to let them know nothing yet. I may
never tell them. I don’t really have any need. I don’t think on
them as my brothers no more. I think of Master Waco, Travis,
Little Bear, JR, Bryce, Cable, David, Jonathan, Ox, and you as ma’
brothers. I’ll take you men over them any day of the week.”
“Trust me when I tell you we feel the same way, Little Brother,”
Blake told him.
The five brothers seemed to gravitate to Lucas all evening.
Everyone noticed and wondered how he felt. Lucas stayed close by
Lazarus side and sometimes held his hand. It was not missed by his
brothers. They could feel the love and trust which passed between
Lazarus and Lucas. They were almost envious. Lazarus would gently
squeeze Lucas’ hand from time to time to remind him whose boy he
was and to whom he belonged. Lucas couldn’t have loved Lazarus
more than he did that evening. He knew in his heart who he
fantasized to take him for his first time, and if age was a factor
in his master’s mind, Lucas was willing to wait for the best.
Despite his sincerity of thought, and his love for his master, the
Ancients had other plans for young Lucas. It included an
incredibly handsome alien they called the Mad Dragon.
End Of Chapter 18 ~ Waco’s Lummox
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09/05/2006
02/06/2017