Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson 14

The Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson

Chapter Fourteen

"Soldier, rest! Thy warfare O'er,

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking,

Dream of battled fields no more,

Days of Danger, nights of waking.

(William Wordsworth)

"A power is passing from the earth"

(William Wordsworth)

Time for Joy and Time for Sadness

The four of them dried, dressed, and left for the bunkhouse. After they left, I noticed a towel was left behind and decided to take it out to them. When I entered the bunkhouse, all four of them were again naked only this time Caleb was on a pallet on the floor on all his hands and knees; Absalom was mounted, deeply embedded in his butt cheeks, arms wrapped under and over Caleb's shoulders, stomach resting on Caleb's naked back as he slowly pumped. Absalom looked my way, I smiled in greeting and approval, but he never lost his rhythm!

Malik and Isiah stood nearby, slowly stroking their own tumescence, waiting their turn in that very willing and fuckable ass! I was instantly erect and since I had no underwear on, it was quite observable by the others. It twitched and throbbed a couple of times when Isiah walked over to me, questioning my readiness on his face!

I'm about his size or perhaps a little bigger, so his eyes widened as I dropped my pants, letting my erection spring forth. He looked, said softly, "Nice size, Mr. Jeansonne," and almost as an afterthought, continued, "for a white boy."

Isiah, unable to resist any longer and not noticing any reluctance on my part, dropped to his knees and began sucking and slavering all over my erect prick! Once he thought it was wet enough, he assumed a doggy position, only with his hands resting on his knees, and encouraged me to mount him. I did and it wasn't long until we were both moaning our delight as I felt his sphincter tighten and he spewed out his semen in four or five long spurts as I flooded his gut with mine!

Resting on his back, still embedded in him, so I could catch my breath, I felt another pair of hands separate my butt cheeks and a tongue begin licking and twisting into my anus! Looking over my shoulder, I smiled when I saw Malik behind me, turgid and ready to breed. I nodded my approval as I stiffened once again. Malik mounted and slowly eased his stiffness into me, filling me, tantalizing my prostate, and raising my level of sexual release again! He slowly pumped away, bringing himself prolonged pleasure, unwilling to finish in haste, instead choosing to enjoy himself and bring me enjoyment as well!

I felt him begin shudder, push deeper as he tried to insert his cock and entire torso into me, and pulse; not once, not twice, but five or six strong, copious offerings of sperm, bringing me to orgasm inside Isiah again! Malik came in such quantity I could feel his cum leaking out around his stiff cock and trickling down to my ball sack. Once he was done ejaculating, he rested on my back as I rested on Isiah. It must have been quite a sight, the three of us locked together, enjoying post-coital bliss!

Finally disconnected, Malik walked to a wash basin on a small table, soaked a cloth in water, and returned to carefully and meticulously clean my male appendage and my rear portal. While he was doing me, I noticed Absalom doing the same to Caleb. Malik finished with me and concentrated his efforts on Caleb, ensuring his rear orifice and cock were equally as clean. Someone certainly had taken time to instruct them on good hygiene or they just naturally were fastidious individuals!

Caleb, clean and fresh, walked over, held my flaccid penis in his hand, fondling it as he said, "Next time, do me!"

Walking back to the big house, I reflected again on how open and free sex seemed to be among some of the residents of Chapman Corners. This would never be tolerated back in the century and times I came from! Hell, I'd be in jail for being a pedophile and everyone else arrested for prostitution or sodomy! This just had to be a dream!

I knew it wasn't a dream that evening in bed when I sunk my shaft in between those two sweet, soft, buns of Benjie's and woke in the morning with Henri on my chest, impaled on my cock and ready for my wake-up call! Hell of a situation; transported over a hundred years back in time and subjected to such an inconvenience!

Chapman, the men, and the two wagon loads of supplies arrived shortly after two in the afternoon. I had them unload the three metal tanks and piping in Hiram's shop. The seed and feed was unloaded in the barn and the flour, salt, and other staples, including those incidentals Celeste also requested were unloaded at the kitchen and carried into the pantry. The several cases of whiskey, wine, and brandy were carted up to Chapman's house and stored down in a basement wine cellar.

He also was good to his promise to buy me clothes, including a jacket, hat, razor and strop, along with shaving soap and a mug. Before I carried all of this to my room, he also gave me a small revolver and a box of cartridges.

"You might need this someday," he said, "it will reach out farther than your knife, but is noisier."

As I took it from him, he continued, "Stop down after you get things put away; I have some business to discuss with you."

He was seated behind his desk when I returned. Pouring me a glass of wine, inviting me to sit down, he opened a large leather pouch, similar to a brief case of modern times, and produced several documents.

"First, I did conclude that sale on the four hundred acres we talked about and here's the deed for that purchase," giving me the document.

"You'll want to make a record of it and then lock it up in the safe. Second, I had an opportunity to pick up another five hundred acres of high ground for three dollars and seventy-five cents an acre. It was so damned cheap because the man who owned it wanted to get the hell out of here. Claimed he was a city boy and couldn't take all of the hardships of living in this part of the state!"

Chapman gave me the deed to that property as well to record and put away for safe keeping. According to him, the land was pretty rough with very little crop ground; populated instead by a thick timber of oak, maple, walnut, hickory, and pecan trees with some elm scattered throughout.

"But," he concluded, "there's a nice vein of coal close to the surface and I think it might be worth something someday to the right person or company."

I couldn't agree more!

He then confessed he hadn't sold his railroad stock as yet. He decided to wait until the transcontinental line was finished, which he thought should be soon, and sell then.

"I picked up a couple of newspapers and brought back with me. There's a fellow by the name of Case up in Wisconsin building farm machinery and I'd like to think about investing in his company. Think it over and give me an opinion on it, please. Finally, there's a lot of talk about something called an `internal combustion engine' that burns oil or something. Think that over too."

I nodded, gathered up the materials since it was clear he was done, and as I stood to leave for my office, he said, almost as an afterthought, "I pulled twelve thousand dollars in gold and silver and a few greenbacks from one of my bank accounts," pointing at two heavy looking saddlebags in front of the door leading to the records and safe room. "With planting season starting we will need some cash around."

From looking at his books from the previous year, I knew he'd drawn about ten thousand dollars more than he needed. Evidently he was taking my advice and stashing cash –just in case! I nodded and let him know I'd put it away and record it as well. By now he'd trusted me with the combination to the safe and free access to it. I thought to myself, he'd need the cash in the next two weeks if what happens tonight at Ford's Theatre produces the grief and chaos I'd read about!

I had little appetite for breakfast, knowing as I drank my coffee and nibbled on a biscuit and some bacon, at this hour, around seven thirty, President Lincoln was already dead. I wasn't certain if people during this time period differentiated different times for different regions of the country, but I did know he died around seven thirty in the morning on April 15, 1865! My sleep was restless most of the night. I finally woke and, letting the boys sleep on, stepped out on the balcony of my room, and enjoyed the sunrise. When the boys woke, we went down to the kitchen for breakfast. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I thought breakfast was quieter than usual. The boys ate hastily, gathered up a tray holding Chapman's breakfast, and on their way out the door, announced they were going to spend the day with Mr. Chapman. It was good, I thought, for the boys to spend time with their father.

Excusing myself, I took my coffee to my office to complete the tasks Chapman gave me the afternoon before. I finished shortly before noon; by now the word of the President's death had been telegraphed to the nation and to every military post and fort having telegraph connections! The man hunt was well underway and we had a new President, Andrew Johnson!

After lunch, I continued to work in my office, hoping work would take my mind off of the sadness I felt and the frustrations of not being able to prevent what had happened! My thoughts of Lincoln continually surfaced as I worked. Late afternoon I finally called a halt to my office work and stepped outside to the front yard where I saw Chapman, Henri, and Benjie near the pump, chattering and laughing. It was so evident Chapman loved both boys equally and they him as I watched them interact!

Walking over to join them, I noticed a group of mounted soldiers riding up the lane toward the house. I stood with Chapman and the boys to watch them come closer. When the group reined to a halt in front of us led by Captain Randolph, who I'd encountered before on his way through with his orderly, saluted me as he usually did and I returned it.

"Mr. Jeansonne," he said to which I responded, "Captain Randolph!"

After he dismounted, I introduced him to Mr. Chapman, Benjie, and Henri.

"Mounted Infantry," commented Chapman as he looked over the eight soldiers accompanying Captain Randolph.

"Yes," he responded, "this is just a squad from the company I command. The rest of the troop is waiting on the main road for my return."

Before Chapman or any of us could respond in any manner, Captain Randolph removed his hat, and speaking directly to me, announced, "In case you've not heard the news, our President, Abraham Lincoln was shot last evening and died early this morning!"

There were immediate gasps of shock, then sadness from Chapman and the boys!

Reaching into his saddlebags, he produced a couple of newspapers.

"I took the liberty of procuring some newspapers, Mr. Jeansonne, with accounts of the foul, despicable deed! We now have a new President, Andrew Johnson, the former Vice-president. The papers probably say it better than I can. I've been ordered to patrol the Iowa/Missouri border from Farmington to Keokuk. There are still some secessionists in Missouri and we are here to keep the peace during this difficult time!"

Captain Randolph observed, on his previous visits to Chapman's Corners and to Chapman's farm, the farm was populated almost entirely of "colored people" and, although there were many other colored living in the area of southeast Iowa, Chapman's seemed to be the largest and most visible concentration.

"I noticed," he continued, "you have landing with a small pier on the Des Moines River. I would very much like to bivouac my company there, with your permission, since it provides us with a way to re-supply by steam packet boat and has enough area and woods to serve our needs."

Chapman made no response, so I answered for him giving Captain Randolph permission to stay as long as he was needed or wished. I thought it'd be more than prudent to have an active troop in our area and just might serve as a deterrent to future mischief by those persons who still felt (and there were many) people of color were less than they!

"Would I be able to purchase oats or some grain for our horses?"

Again I nodded and he said he'd send someone up after camp was established, with a wagon to haul back what he needed. With that, he mounted, tossed me a salute and led his men back down the road.

Chapman stood, tears streaming down his cheeks; Benjie and Henri, fully understanding of the event taking place, left Chapman's side and came to me, wrapping their arms around my waist!

"Who would do such a thing?" sobbed Benjie, truly saddened someone would kill the President of the United States.

Henri was a little more base in his reaction. "I hope they catch fucker and gut him like a shot rabbit!"

Giving the boys a hug and a kiss for reassertion of my presence there, holding and protecting them from what I could, I turned to Mr. Chapman saying,

"I think you'd better assemble everyone and break the news to them!"

He nodded his approval and Benjie asked, "Should we ring the fire bell?

Again, he nodded his approval and the boys raced toward the machine shed. I had no idea where the "fire bell" was located until it began its loud "bong, bong, bong!" Lo and behold off about twenty feet from the shed, tethered on a cross-piece mounted on two very tall poles, was a large church bell swinging back and forth as the boy pulled the rope. How I missed that contraption in my short stay at Chapman's I'll never know!

The raucous bonging of the big bell brought forth a cacophony of noises and events; the chickens and ducks scattered; the geese began loud honking preparing for a fight, the cows mooed, the horses, mules, and donkeys began their braying and whinnying, and people came running! Gabriel's wife Sarah and Jacques' wife Leticia were already in the house, so we didn't need to send anyone for them. As the people gathered, I waved them toward the big house where Chapmen was standing on the big front porch. We all stood on the lawn in front of the house and waited for Chapman to speak!

"We have just been informed by Captain Randolph of the United States Army, our President, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated and died early this morning!"

There were loud cries of anguish and equally as loud keening, as the feelings of grief, despair, and uncertainty swept through our assembled family! Celeste and I seemed to be the most visibly unmoved; my feelings, although saddened, were suppressed since I knew in advance what would happen and Celeste, I assumed, reacted in her own way because of her experience treating the injured and the dying!

"Lordy, Lordy," cried Hannibal. "What's goin' happen to all of us now? Will they try to sell back into slavery again?"

It was at that moment in time, I witnessed why the assembled body loved, tolerated his sexual predilections, peccadillos, were so intensely loyal, and trusted Edwin Chapman! He held up his hands to silence the people.

"All of us; you, me, Mr. Jeansonne, and all who have worked for me, must remember, we are all free people; people free to live where we want, work for whoever we desire to work for, travel wherever we want to travel, and raise our children as free people as well. I will pledge to you again, as I did so many years ago to most of you, as long as there is a breath in my old body, I will offer it up to protect your freedom, your health, welfare, and more importantly, your friendship! You will be safe here; the army has a platoon of mounted infantry setting up camp at the landing down on the Des Moines River! Celeste will continue to care for our health; we have each other to rely on, and we have Mr. Jeansonne who knows the way of the world and of government and he can help us all, as he is helping me, get on with our lives and live here, safe and secure!"

With that, he turned to me and stepped aside. Walking slowly from my place in amongst the others, to take a stance beside Chapman, I thought, "what the hell do I know about defense and stuff?" but realized once I stood and looked over the assemblage, these people were my friends and now, another leader for them! One hell of a responsibility, I thought, but what do I have to offer? A great deal; my knowledge of history and knowing in advance what is to happen, I could use that to benefit us all!

"As some of you well know," I began, "a few years back, there were some men who thought to venture into Iowa from Missouri to take back people, such as you, they thought were escaped property. They were unsuccessful because a few strong Iowans stuck to their belief that no man should own another and banded together to stop it."

I paused, letting the words register with those who were around during that time.

"We will have some difficult times until everything calms down, but if we stick together, take certain precautions, watch out for each other, and work together, we will be just fine! While the army can protect us while they're nearby, we must also protect ourselves, our homes, and our children! This means we do not travel alone, we must be vigilant and be alert when something does not seem right, and we must actively patrol our farms. We will be fine!"

I closed by asking the men to meet with me in Mr. Chapman's library and the women to meet with me once the men and I have finished.

Mr. Chapman had a number of guns in storage cabinets located inside the "safe" room. There were a half-dozen shotguns used for hunting, several rifles and pistols for hunting and protection. In addition, I had the new pistol Chapman had given me and I knew very well Chapman carried a pistol as well as having one in his desk drawer and one in the nightstand in his bedroom. The men seemed most comfortable with handling the shotguns since they used them for hunting. We decided to place at least two of the men on guard every day and night, working in eight hour shifts, and when field work was being done, at least one of the workers was to be armed. Jubal would take the boys to school each day, stay there while they studied, and bring them home after dismissal. If any of the neighbor children felt unsafe, he would load them up in the donkey cart along with Benjie, Henri, and Antoine and take them home first before coming to the home place. I appointed Hannibal to work out the schedules and who would be doing what since planting season was upon us and the men left.

The women, I discovered, already had their heads together and presented me with their ideas concerning protecting all of us. Celeste would be in charge of medical care as well as all things domestic (as she presently is doing) and they would make certain there were filled barrels of water and buckets of sand around the buildings to use in case of fire; they'd bake bread and other items in advance to use as needed; part of the food stores kept in the Doucet house would be moved to one of the storm cellars so we'd have something in case the big house was fired; and, strange as it may seem, requested the use of a shotgun to keep in the kitchen. They also requested help for Sarah and Leticia in the form of a guard on their house at night. The same guard could patrol Hiram's house a half mile to the west. It seemed to me they had everything well-ordered, so I just said, "You are way ahead of me, so do what you think is best for all of us" and let Celeste lead them back to the kitchen for further discussion.

As they left, I suggested to Chapman the first opportunity we had to purchase some more weapons and ammunition we should do so and he agreed. When I finished, I noticed the three little boys, Benjie, Henri, and Antoine standing off to the side with disappointed, sad looks on their faces.

"What are we to do?" asked Benjie, lower lip quivering.

"Why," I responded, "I've saved the most important tasks for last! You three will perform the most important tasks of all; you will be our messengers, moving quickly and quietly to keep the lines of communication open, slipping through enemy lines to get help from the army if we are set upon by ruffians intent on doing us harm; keeping watch with ears and eyes wide open as only young men such as yourselves can do! Without you, if there was a problem, we couldn't survive long!"

They were satisfied and so was I!

The lieutenant and two enlisted men arrived with a wagon about a half –hour later to pick up the oats. I asked Isiah to help them load the ten gunny bags of oats they needed and accepted a written voucher to be drawn on the quartermaster at the post in Fort Madison.

I went to bed that night, cuddled with two boys, tired, apprehensive, but satisfied! I was awakened around four in the morning, when Jefferson, on guard duty with Absalom, came to my room, gently shook my shoulder, and whispered, "Mr. Jeansonne, you better come quick!"

To be continued.

***

Thank you for reading "The Incredible Journey of Thomas Johnson" – Chapter Fourteen.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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