Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 06:46:08 EDT From: SWarri1349@aol.com Subject: No Greater Love Chapter 4 part 4 gay/historical Hello, Dear Readers. I am sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter posted. I hope it lives up to the rest of the story so far. As always, please E mail me your comments at Swarri1349@aol.com Thanks, Stephen A Great thanks to ED for his help on this chapter CHAPTER 4 Holloman Plantation, one of the largest in Yazoo County and one of the oldest, was founded by John C. Holloman, a Dutch immigrant in the 1820's before hardly anyone knew of Yazoo County and the wilderness surrounding it. Manchester was founded in 1815 by another immigrant from England and was named after his hometown in the old sod. Fifty miles to the north, in the northeastern part of the county was Benton, the county seat, well, the first county seat. Two years before, the county officials moved the courthouse to Manchester and renamed it Yazoo City. Within the two years, Yazoo City became a booming city of 1,000 souls, and a port was created for the steamers bound south for Vicksburg or north to Greenwood, lying in the heartland of the Yazoo delta, a vast land of swamps and hardwood forests that would not be tamed for many years to come. So the area boomed and so did Holloman House. Mr. Holloman sold the plantation two years after the main house was built and the death of his wife. There still is the haunting mystery surrounding the young woman's leap from the 2nd story balcony onto the driveway, but no one would discuss that. The local people always said 'leave quiet ghosts alone, let them sleep while you still can'. The sunlight broke the morning darkness as the golden rays shone through the high glass windows of Holloman House. The slaves and fieldhands were already out in the vast fields, hoeing cotton and planting corn and beans. Somewhere on the Big Black, loading cotton on the flatboats to be shoved down river to Grand Gulf to be picked up by the river packets bound for New Orleans, Memphis, and other cities along the Mighty Mississippi. Johnny awoke to the golden rays of the morning sun shining in the corner room, his room, the room where he spent the first 16 years of his life. Johnny's room was larger than some dining rooms of other houses, decorated in fine woods and well oiled hardwood floors. White plaster covered the high ceiling; wonderful woodland scenes were carved in the corners of the room. There were two full-length mirrors on the walls and oil paintings of famous battles and England. Two large cherry dressers lined the walls, enough room to store everything some people owned. The crown jewel of the room was the four poster bed in the center; when Johnny was just a boy, there had been a stool tucked under the bed so he could get in it. Satin sheets covered the goosedown mattresses and heavy covers kept him warm even on the coldest nights. Forgotten toys were now tucked away in the closets along with many other boyhood things - wooden ships, fishing rods, tin tops, chalk boards, and slates. Ah, the memories of this room and the fun that was had in it. Johnny stood up and walked to the high windows and looked out. He could see the Big Black river in the distance, just a glimmer of sparkle. He watched wagons loaded with goods traveling down the crushed rock drive heading to town or down to Satartia, a river landing on the Yazoo. Life here continued on, not yet touched by war. Union gunboats were traveling the Yazoo river but so far very little damage had been done by them, just several small steamers and a couple of burned homes. The main objective of the Union ships at this time was not private property but the unfinished ironclad Arkansas. Johnny did not even want to think about war. He had enough to last his lifetime and everyone else's. Johnny heard a soft moan and turned around; it was Adam, sleeping soundly but dreaming. Johnny opened the curtains covering the window and let the light fall onto Adam. Oh, what a wonderful sight to behold; those boyish features stood out still. Wonderful sweet Adam had grown since that spring day when they had first met. The boy now stood about 5 foot 8 inches and weighed a perfect 145 pounds, that flaming red hair still a little long for some people's standards, but for Johnny just perfect. The boy's body was still smoother than silk except for the area around his groin and Adam could not even grow a beard, to his own dismay, but Johnny told him he wanted his wonderful boy just the way he was, so Adam was happy and so was Johnny. The covers of the bed were kicked back during the night and now wonderful Adam was lying there, his long nightshirt was pulled up, exposing those muscular legs and cute feet of this golden boy with red hair. Johnny knew it was time to get dressed but, instead of dressing, he walked slowly back to the bed but stopped. He looked at the heavy wooden door and walked toward it. He checked the doorknob and locked it so he would not be disturbed. Then, walking back to the bed, he removed his nightshirt, standing naked in the rays of the sun. He felt refreshed and his body, still handsome, smooth, and wonderful, felt full of power and most of it was charging his youthful manhood as his lifeblood enlarged him. He started to kiss Adam's toes. The boy moaned but continued to sleep as Johnny worked his way around the boy's feet, slowly kissing the smooth legs and running his hands over them. Adam continued to moan, still dreaming, but his cock was hardening with every lick and rub of Johnny's hand and mouth. Johnny could resist his urges no longer for the forbidden love of Adam. It had been so long since the last time they were alone. Johnny pulled Adam's nightshirt above the boy's head and still the boy did not awaken. 'All good,' thought Johnny; he was going to make this wake up call special. Johnny moved up the boy's body, skipping over Adam's hard cock and tight balls. He stuck his tongue into Adam's bellybutton and rimmed it, then running his tongue up his chest to perfect brown nipples, hard with excitement from both Johnny and the dreams. Johnny licked Adam's nipples, then sucking the right one slowly into his mouth, teasing the bud with his tongue. A moan escaped Adam's lips. Then over to the left nipple with the golden loop. Johnny sucked it into his mouth and teased it with his tongue, circling the gold, flipping it up and down, listening to Adam's breathing become heavier every second. Johnny then licked his way slowly back down Adam's smooth stomach, then to his groin, and licked the tip of Adam's pulsing cock, tasting the pre cum. Slowly he lowered his mouth, taking the member inside and curling his tongue around the head. Adam let out a low guttural moan and his eyelids fluttered. Never had Adam's dreams been so wild. Johnny felt Adam's cock jerk and knew he was getting close. Johnny pulled back and sucked harder. Adam's pulsing cock began to shoot loads of white creamy cum into Johnny's waiting mouth. He almost choked at the amounts the boy was producing. Cum flowed down his chin and down Adam's balls. Johnny slid up beside Adam and kissed him full on the lips until he began to awaken fully and Adam tasted his own juices and knew the last moment of that powerful dream was not a dream at all. Johnny whispered into his lover's ear, "I love you so." Adam whispered back, "And I love you even more." They kissed long and deep for it seemed like hours, until they heard the bloodless scream coming out of Billy's room. Johnny threw his nightshirt back on and quickly wiped the cum off his chin and lips. Adam did the same and ran down the hallway to Billy's bedside. Billy was covered in sweat. His eyes shone like diamonds but Billy was still caught in the dream and the nightmare of battle. Adam took a cloth and dipped it in cool water and washed Billy's face and neck. Soon Sarah and John Sr. came into the room with fear on their faces. "What is going on?" asked John Sr. Adam looked around. "It is Billy, sir. He is burning up with fever." Johnny had pulled the covers back and was feeling Billy's chest; it too was hot. The bandage covering the wound was still in place and was not showing any new blood seeping from the area. Sarah quickly left the room and was headed for the kitchen to find some healing salts. When mixed with water, the salts helped to bring down the fever of the patient. Adam continued to wash Billy's forehead and neck, trying to soothe him. John Sr. remembered the morphine the boys had brought in last night and fixed a dose. Sarah returned, bringing a glass of the salts and water, but Billy would not be able to drink it until they calmed him down some more. John decided it was time to give the dose of morphine and slowly eased the long needle into Billy's leg and pushed the plunger. Billy stiffened from the medicine but soon began to calm. Doctor Hancock was stopping by that afternoon to check in on Billy, but that was hours away. They all stood beside Billy, Sarah with the worried face of a dear mother, Adam with soft boyish tears flowing down his cheeks, Johnny the worried older brother, and John Sr. with that uncertain feeling of desperation. Billy began to mumble in his sleep, calling Davie over and over again, "Davie, where are you? Davie, my boy, stand fast," "Davie, no, oh God, not Davie," before lapsing back into silence again. They all looked at each other and asked 'Who is Davie?' Soon Billy was sleeping soundly again and the fever had lowered a bit. They all slowly walked out of the room and into the hallway where a cool breeze coming from the end windows cooled the great house, and the air smelled alive out here and not sickening and dying like in Billy's room. The thought made Johnny shiver like a ghost had just passed close by. Adam glanced over and saw Johnny as he shivered and placed his arm around him. Adam and Johnny walked slowly down the large hallway flanked on both sides by heavy oaken doors, each leading to a bedroom, and oil paintings of members of the Kingston family as far back as the 1400's. These stern men and women of days past seemed to watch the boys as they walked, the younger supporting the older with his young arms. 'What must we do to save him?' thought Johnny, 'Oh, Lord, what must we do?' I am starving, Johnny, when do we eat?" "Breakfast should soon be ready," Johnny said as he brushed his hair from his eyes, as he moved his hand further down Adam's back. The two boys returned to their room and quietly dressed, each in his own thoughts. Johnny and Adam both put on light gray pants and linen shirts with puffy sleeves to let the cool air blow up the sleeves to help keep the body cool. Then they grabbed the evil woolen socks that itched like the devil and finally their hard-soled shoes. The boys walked down the massive oak stairway; the well- oiled wood did not even make a sound except for the footfalls of the boys. They entered the dining room. John and Sarah were sitting at the head of the table, drinking strong coffee. Samson, one of the house servants, slowly pulled a rope connected to a velvet roof fan. The slow swish of the fan stirred the morning air. "Good morning, boys". "Good morning, Father and Mother," said Adam and Johnny. The two boys took their seats at the big table. Johnny sitting to his father's right and Adam beside him. A young black girl brought forth trays laden with hot fresh food - fried ham, grits, eggs, hominy, molasses, and hot buttermilk biscuits. Adam's mouth was watering. It had been a long time since he had actually sat down at a real table for a real breakfast. Johnny seated tall in his chair, back straight, arms below the table, white linen shirt spotless, and his hair neatly combed back. Johnny, like his father, a perfect Southern Gentleman. John Sr. offered grace for the meal and family. Then silently they began to eat, proper table manners a must even when it was just family. The sun slid behind a gray bank of clouds and in the distance thunder rumbled and Adam shivered. The spring storm moved in quickly; only moments before, the sun was shining brightly, now the clouds rolled in and blocked it. Soon lightning flashed across the sky and thunder rolled. The field hands raced to finish covering the freshly planted crops of corn and cotton and took the mules and horses to the stables for shelter. The overseer shouted commands at his army of slaves, "Move on, boys, move on." The house servants quickly raced around, closing windows and bringing the morning wash off the lines. Then the rain began to pour in buckets. The last of the slaves raced to their quarters and to their families. The clouds darkened even more as the storm blew in a chilly wind. Adam just sat there in his chair. He had turned pale at the first sound of the thunderclaps; to him it reminded him of cannon fire. Johnny saw Adam's pale face and quickly got out of his chair; he then grabbed Adam's arm and pulled him up and excused himself and Adam. Johnny's father nodded his approval and the two boys left the dining room. Johnny picked Adam up in his arms and carried him to their room and laid him on the big bed. "Adam, my boy, what is wrong? You're whiter than a ghost." "It is the storm. The thunder reminds me of cannon fire and memories are rushing back. I do not know why they want to haunt me now when they never have before." Johnny pulled the shaken boy into his arms and held him tightly to his chest. He rubbed the boy's red hair and comforted him in his arms. "It will be all right, you're safe with me and nothing will bother you as long as I hold you tight." Adam began to relax and soon drifted of to sleep. Johnny continued to hold the boy in his arms. The winds howled through the trees and the rain poured. This was no spring shower. Johnny knew that the state needed this rain but the army did not. The heavy cannons would become stuck in the mud and the horses and mules would be almost useless. As Johnny's mind wandered, he drifted off to an uneasy sleep while still cradling Adam in his arms. Adam held tightly onto Johnny as he slept, feeling the comfort of the powerful arms that never would let go of him. The thunder rumbled as the rain poured, battering against the thick windowpanes. Adam's head rested on Johnny's chest and Johnny brushed his fingers through the red hair of his boy. Soon Johnny was fast asleep; both slept with no dreams to haunt them. John Sr. paced the floor in the library, every now and then pausing to look out the windows at the blowing rain. He was a very worried man. He knew with the fall of New Orleans, the mouth of the Mississippi was closed to all trade except the blockade-runners and now the Union gunboats patrolled the lower Mississippi. So shipping cotton to Grand Gulf 30 miles below Vicksburg was out of the question. So why did we waste time planting cotton? Now it is flooding. The corn, on the other hand, was needed everywhere in the South but worth very little cash. Finally he sat down behind the great desk, lit a cigar, and blew the smoke into the air. It was time to make a tough choice. He opened the desk drawer and removed the letter that was delivered the day before Johnny and Adam had returned. He opened it and once again read the plea from the Confederate Navy yard in Yazoo City. Honorable Mr. Kingston, Once again I beg of your help. I know you need your men in the fields at this time but we have a great need of some of your finest woodsmen and craftsmen. The construction of the C.S.S. ARKANSAS is lagging behind and, with the river rising and then falling, we do not know how much time we have before the Union gunboats make it past Haynes Bluff and the log raft barrier. I beg of you, sir, please send help as quickly as possible. I have sent this plea to all planters in the area. We have the guns but no carriages, we have the iron plate but no blacksmiths. Above all, sir. I ask of you to consider asking your son Johnny to accept a commission in the Confederate navy. He would be most helpful in training the gun crews. Sincerely, Captain Issac Brown, CSN John refolded the letter and placed it back in the drawer. To be damned with the cotton. As soon as the storm lets up, I am going to send 50 men to Yazoo City and I will speak with Johnny and Adam as soon as I feel the time is right. He took out a large leather-bound ledger and began to write. He had to keep track of all the costs of the plantation war, or no war. He decided then he would speak to Johnny that night at dinner about the Commission in the navy. One of the house servants could take care of Billy while the boys traveled to Yazoo City to look at the unfinished ironclad. John thumped the ashes from his cigar and leaned back in the big chair. So much for now and, with nothing better to do, he picked up a book and began to read, but before he had the book opened good, his mind began to wander to the C.S.S. Arkansas again. Wasn't Charles Savvy Read in command of a battery? Yes, he is. John smiled; Johnny would be in good hands. By God, he was going to do it. As John was thinking of the C.S.S Arkansas, still just a hull with no engines or anything else in place, the two boys were beginning to stir awake. Johnny kissed Adam. "My boy, what would I do without you? I love you so much." Adam smiled, "Johnny, you're the one I am grateful to, for without you I would be nothing more than a street rat." They slipped their shoes back on and Johnny draped his arm over Adam's shoulders as they walked to Billy's room. Through the open door they saw Billy was awake. His eyes were dim but alert; when he heard the door being opened wider he looked over at Johnny and Adam and smiled. Adam walked over to Billy's bedside and kissed him on the cheek. "How are you feeling this morning, sweetheart?" In a harsh whisper, "Better, Adam, thank you and Johnny". Just those few words brought forth a coughing fit; a thin line of saliva trickled down the side of Billy's mouth, tainted pink with blood. Adam picked up a wash cloth and wiped Billy's mouth and forehead, as Johnny carefully checked the bandages covering the wound. Some blood Had soaked through the gauze. He carefully peeled the bloody covering away. The skin was a healthy pink, showing the healing had began deep inside Billy's chest. Adam continued to wash Billy's face and neck. Johnny left the room. Johnny walked down the hallway to the stairs. Then down, he passed his father's office. The door stood open and his father was seated behind his desk, eyes closed. Johnny continued down the lower hall; he passed the music room, his mother's private place, and he heard the soft music drifting out. He passed the empty dining hall, passing the servants' room and out the back door. A covered breezeway separated the kitchen from the main house. He ran across the breezeway slick with rain and entered the kitchen, where the servants were busy cleaning the morning dishes. "Morning, Mr. Johnny" said Lois, the large black cook. "Morning, Lois" "What can I get you, sir?" "I need some mineral salts fixed for Billy. We need to clean the wound." "Yes, Mr. Johnny, right away." Lois rushed over to the large wood stove and stirred the embers and added some more light wood and placed a boiler of water on top while she measured the crystals of the mineral salts in a bowl. Once the water boiled, she would mix the two together. The rain continued to drum on the wood shingles, then running down gutters into the cisterns to resupply the fresh drinking water. "Some storm, ain't it, Mr. Johnny?" "Yes, it is a gully washer, but we sorely need the rain. The ground was parched before this morning." "It shore is going to do the garden some good. The beans, tomatoes, and squash really needed a good drink. I was telling Samson this very morning, we was going to have to tote water from the river to water it." Lois was a woman who could talk anyone's ears off, given the chance, and her young master was no different than anyone else. She had helped to birth him, along with Mamma Sallie, when the midwife could not be found that spring day. While Johnny and Lois sat in the great kitchen, talking about the spring storm, Adam stayed with Billy. Adam had pulled back the covers from Billy's naked body and was using a wash cloth to wash him completely except for the wound area. Adam was waiting on Johnny's return before that area was cleaned. As Adam washed Billy's body, he remembered the first time those many years before, back in Natchez, Mississippi. He remembered the day he met Johnny and Billy at King's Tavern where he worked. For him it was just another day starting off, waiting tables for the inn-keeper, old man Davis, who did not give a damn one way or the other. He stood by the heavy scratched bar and watched the room - the old men, drunk river rats, street merchants, the whores plying their trade. Then the blonde haired boy in the blue cadet's uniform walked through the door and sat down at a corner table. When the blonde haired boy had seated himself at the corner table, Adam raced across the room, ignoring the other hairy old men who tried to pinch his ass every chance they got, wanting him for their pleasure. He wanted nothing to do with them, but the blonde haired he wanted and his boyhood grew hard in his worn trousers. Maybe the blonde haired boy would notice it and him. As Adam dodged the old men, he stopped short of the corner table; another boy had walked over and joined the blonde haired boy. He was almost as cute, with his long black hair. The blonde haired boy invited the other to join him at the table. Adam quickly walked over and offered his services. They both ordered drinks and then meals and Adam was most happy to serve their every wish. He quickly raced back behind the bar without the old man looking and poured the best brandy in the place and not the watered down slop that was served most of the time as the best, then he gave the cook the meal orders. He made his way back to the corner table. "Your drinks, sirs." "Thank you, laddie," replied the blonde haired boy and handed him a gold dollar. 'Wow', thought Adam, 'that is more than most men paid him for all night of pleasure'. As he looked back, he saw the two boys talking and looking at him. They winked at him. Adam cursed the slow cook for taking so long with the food, but soon heard the harsh voice, "Slop's up". Adam grabbed the hot plates of food and placed them on a serving tray, then hurried back to the corner table. "Do you need anything else, sirs?" That is when the blonde boy spoke. "Yes, why don't you join us while we enjoy our meal?" 'Wow,' thought Adam, 'this is really happening to me.' "Well, sir, the barkeep would want to be paid for my time sitting with you gentlemen." The blonde boy stood and walked over to the bar and gave the old man some money and said something, then returned to the table with an extra glass and a full bottle of the inn's best Kentucky Brandy. The blonde boy leaned over and said, "You're ours for the rest of the day if you wish to join us." Then the blonde boy introduced himself as Johnny and the black haired boy as Billy. Then they asked him for his name. The rest of the day was heaven, from Johnny buying him new clothes to his first train trip and the firing of the cannon. Then the supper and sleeping for the first time ever in safety in the arms of another boy. The great friendship was born. All these happy memories flooded Adam's mind as tears began to flow down his cheeks. The Big Black River was flooding her banks. Adam looked down on the pale face of Billy. There was a pained smile on his pink lips. Adam, while lost in his memories, had washed Billy's arms, underarms, hands, and feet. Now he began to slowly wash and scrub Billy's lightly covered hairy legs. Those wonderful youthful legs were all muscle, toned from the long marches and drills of camp. He worked up to Billy's knees, scrubbing and cleaning the calves, but stopped right below Billy's groin. Adam was nervous about continuing. 'But why,' he thought, 'he had done everything with Billy and Johnny sexually.' As Adam pondered this question, Johnny walked through the door, carrying clean clothes and bandages, plus the basin of mineral water. Adam let out a sigh of relief. Johnny smiled at Adam. "Don't cause Billy too much pleasure or you might kill him." Adam looked at Johnny with pleading eyes. "That is what I am afraid of." "Come now, my love." Johnny saw the pink pale flesh all over Billy except for the wound area and groin. Adam was scared for some reason. Guilt? Too much pain for Billy if he did to clean his cock and balls? Johnny moved to the bedside and placed the basin of water down and the clean linen. Then he grabbed Adam and pulled him close. Johnny kissed Adam on the forehead, "Adam, be gentle to Billy and he will be fine. I am here, remember." Johnny picked up a wash cloth and dipped into the mineral water. Then carefully he washed the wound area, removing the dried blood and sweat from the skin. Then he picked up a second cloth and dipped the corner into the mineral water and dripped some into the wound itself. Billy winced at the pain. Johnny took his free hand and placed it on the opposite side of the wound on Billy's chest and nodded to Adam to begin the cleaning. Adam picked up his wash cloth and dipped into the soapy water and began to wash Billy's upper thighs, slowly gently scrubbing. Then, skipping Billy's cock, he washed the black crotch hairs. Then Adam moved to the six and half inch uncut cock. Adam sucked in his breath and began. Johnny watched, his hand still on Billy's chest. Johnny felt Billy's nipple begin to grow erect; even in the great pain and discomfort, he was still getting a little pleasure from the washing of his manhood. Adam scrubbed Billy's heavy balls and below them. Adam then picked up Billy's limp cock and washed it, slowly pulling back the foreskin to reveal the purple head. Adam soon found Billy's cock growing hard in his hands. Adam finished his work and leaned over and kissed the perfect head, then pulled the sheets up to Billy's stomach. Johnny redressed the wound after letting it stay exposed to the cool air during the rest of the washing. Johnny then pulled the coverlet over Billy and kissed him on the cheek. Adam kissed the other cheek. They both told Billy they would be back in a while to check once more on him and for him to sleep, then they walked out of the room. "I believe our boy is getting better, Adam." "Yeah, me too, he was smiling. I have not seen that in a while from Billy. He is in so much pain. I wish I could do more." "What you did in there, Adam, you eased some of the pain. Even though it hurt Billy in ways, what you did was special. True friends taking care of someone we love." The rain continued to fall as the boys walked to Johnny's room. There was nothing else to do as the storm pelted the ground and the house. Johnny was thankful of his parents. They were loving and understanding. The great house had plenty of spare rooms but they had always let Adam sleep with him since the first night he brought Adam home. They understood the bond of friendship and closeness the boys had for each other, for they had adopted each other as a brother. If only his parents could understand their love for each other was stronger than anything in the world, for nothing could defeat true love.