Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:26:53 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: 'Tom Browning's Schooldays'    Chapter  11

			 Tom Browning's Schooldays

				    By

				   Joel

			      Chapter Eleven


I was fast asleep and hadn't hear any cock crowing when I was gently awoken
by a breath of warm air into my right ear.  It was Benjy, of course,
grinning his head off.

     "Wake up, pretty angel," he whispered as he put his lips to my lobe
and licked it, "Your faithful servant is here."  He pulled the drapes along
one side of my bed and tied them back.  He was dressed in shirt and
trousers which were off in a trice.  His nether garment was cast aside and
a not very warm body joined me under the cover.  It wasn't the first time
he'd joined me like this so as his head was now near mine again I leaned up
and nibbled his ear lobe in return.  "I have much to tell you," he said as
he moved up against me.  I wasn't wearing my nightshirt again.  "Oooh, what
a warm boy you are.  Let me warm my hands on you."  With that I was
clutched and his chilly fingers ran up and down my back causing me to buck
against him.  "Hold still, I'm not some young filly ready for fucking."  He
fell silent.  "I should not say things like that.  That is all those boys
talk about."

     I was fond of Benjy.  We had shared many secrets.  "What boys? And
what have they been saying?" I asked and put my arm round him so he knew I
was not annoyed.

     "My father has employed two rather rough boys to help him with the
loading of the cart as Davy Cheal has a problem down there."  I assumed he
meant a hernia as Lancelot had explained that men carrying heavy loads
often suffered such things.  "They are older than us and have only been in
the village since harvest-time.  They live down the drift by the river with
a man they say is their uncle and he works as potman at the inn."  The
drift was the path on which those old hovels were standing and I knew there
was often trouble with itinerants who had no permission to stay.  "I was
with my father when he brought that new table and cabinets here for your
Mother and he went to your Father for payment.  I waited outside and the
boys said the maids here looked ripe for a good fuck and one had no buttons
on his britches and took his piece out and rubbed it.  He said he was ready
if any filly wanted it and his brother said it would fall off if he used it
so roughly again.  They sneered when I said I wanted to hear no more and
they said I probably let the grooms fuck me anyway."

     "Take no notice of what they say.  There are boys at school who boast
of what they could do," I said, having overheard several saying what they
would like to do to their kitchen or parlour maids.  But, then, Torquil
had!

     "But they said it again when I was at my father's on an errand.  They
laughed and asked had I warmed my prick yet as for sure those maids in the
house were ready and willing, or did I have to satisfy those two fellows at
the forge."

     "I think Isaac and Jacob would get some satisfaction in giving them a
clout or two round the head if they knew that."
     "Should I tell them?"

     "Better not.  Remember when Hollis bested those travellers his
henhouse got burned and they were away before Rogers could get his addled
wits together."

     We both giggled as the sight of Constable Rogers trying to mount his
horse when fuddled was a constant joy to us boys.

     "But you have things to tell me you said.  And now you are warmer I'm
ready to listen.  Is it about that boy Eamonn?"

     We put our arms round each other fully and he began.

     "I did as you said.  He was quite willing to share my room as I have a
small fire and that pantry-hole is draughty. We talked a little and I heard
his sad story but he said he was not sorry his father was gone as he got
beaten regularly when the man was drunk.  If his mother told him to stop he
would threaten her as well and the little ones would cry and he would get
angrier.  I don't think the father was worried when the three died of that
fever as he said he had disappeared after for some weeks and came home
again with a bruised face and broken hand as he been in a fight.  He took
the money the parish had given his mother for food and spent it in the
inn."  Benjy sniffed.  He had been touched by the boy's story.  "It makes
me sad.  My father would not beat me.  He shouts sometime and that is
enough."

     I said I had had the rod across my backside twice from Mr Clements
when I had deserved it.  Benjy did laugh then and said he was amazed I
hadn't had more the things we boys had done, especially feasting on Mother
Walker's ripe greengages and soiling ourselves with the trots, or running
off with Farmer Biddle's old bitch and harnessing it to an ancient dog cart
and giving the smaller children rides until some child had fallen out and
grazed herself.  I just said we had enjoyed ourselves and now he was older
and wiser he had important tasks to do.

     "Yes, I know," he said, "I carried out your commands faithfully as you
will see."  I gave him a friendly squeeze and he ran his warmer fingers up
my back.  I knew what that was doing to me!  That could wait as he went on,
"I told him he could share my bed but he said he would be happy curled up
by the fire, but we did share.  I said I wanted to see if he knew what he
had to do with that ointment.  I told him he should undress and show me.
He was rather reluctant at first but I undressed and took up my nightshirt
but did not put it on.  As he hesitated I helped him take his shirt off and
after than he did take all off except his undergarment.  I said he could
hardly deal with the ointment if he still had that on and he could wear my
second nightshirt as he didn't have one.  He was hesitant and said I was
not to laugh at him.  I asked why?  He started to cry then and said he had
been fishing to get something for his mother when two boys had come up.  I
would say they were those I told you about just now.  They asked him what
he was doing and then asked how old he was.  He has that high voice and
they didn't believe he was fifteen and grabbed him and pulled his britches
down and laughed and told him he was no more than a boy of eight and did he
know what real boys had.  He would not say what they did as he was too
upset."

     "If those are the boys I think I will tell Isaac and Jacob," I said,
"But we'd better make certain they are the ones.  It might have been two of
the younger grooms as Mr Carter has taken on boys from other villages and
they do keep together."

     "We'll see as my father has an instruction to collect a new carpet and
some hangings for your parlour and they should arrive before Christmas
week."  Yes, I had heard Mother telling Aunt Matty she had seen a notice in
the newspaper and had enquired and was satisfied the articles were what she
wanted.  Aunt Matty had said wouldn't it have been safer to see the things
when she was in London.  My Mother said she had ordered them already and
would send them back if not suitable.

     Good, young Eamonn could tell Benjy if they were the same boys.  "What
happened next?" I asked.

     "I didn't laugh but he looks like we did before..."  He hesitated,
too.

     "I know, I saw him this morning.  My cousin said he has examined other
poor boys and they do not grow as well as us, they are usually thin and
scrawny and not very tall.  But the boy said he did take pleasure."

     "I will come to that," Benjy said and his fingers pressed into my
buttocks.  "You are certainly not scrawny.  He could do with some meat on
his bones as my mother says."  He giggled and squeezed again.  "He could do
with some meat elsewhere as well."

     "Benjy," I said, "You are laughing at him.  I shall get Mr Clements to
whip you for being unkind."

     "I'm sorry.  But it is so.  And I wish he could grow as he is a good
boy.  He can read as he said a priest in Ireland taught him before his
father said they should come to England."

     "I wondered about his name.  I hadn't heard it before.  So it is
Irish.  It's a nice name, but has he been here long?"

     "He said they came to England when he was nine and he had four younger
brothers and sisters then and three more were born here.  They only came to
the village four years ago as the farmer his father worked for found he was
a Catholic and turned them out.  A carter took pity on them and brought
them to Cobblers Farm as he knew the agent wanted someone to keep watch on
the house and he said they could live in the cottage.  Then the agent went
because of the dispute so no one has been at the farm for two years.
Eamonn said he was unwell when his two sisters and brother died but he
can't remember them being buried as he was sick in bed and his mother is
too upset to talk about them."

     I felt sorry for such a family.  I supposed I'd been kept away from
such things though I knew how my Mother and my Aunt, especially, cared for
those less well off or less able to fend for themselves.  I said we must
help Eamonn as much as we can.  For such a bad background he seemed such a
pleasant boy. Benjy said he hoped he and Eamonn would become friends as he
felt he was too old now to indulge in boyish escapades and pranks.  Well,
even Jabez had quietened down when he was fifteen or so but I knew that
some of the older lads would go to the inn and drink and were often noisy
and kicked on doors and pissed over walls or on doorsteps on their way home
after the inn closed.

     Benjy had more to tell. "I asked him then if his itch was any better.
He said he thought it was but the best thing was his backside no longer
hurt.  I said he'd better put some more ointment on his front but when he
started I saw he had missed a patch of redness.  I took the ointment pot
away and told him to lie on my bed and I would do it for him."  Benjy
sniggered.  "Of course something got in the way so I had to lift it and I
must have squeezed it accidentally because he got hard.  I was still
holding it as I had to put ointment on the other side and it got squeezed
again.  It just happened, I was holding it, I rubbed it up and down and
then he did spurt.  Not very much and it is very thin and watery.  I felt
bad as he started to cry and said he was dirty.  I got into bed beside him
and said he wasn't and said I knew all boys did such things.  I confessed I
did and said my friends did.  He said what about the gentry and I knew he
meant you.  I had to tell him I was certain you did but that's all I said.
You're not angry I told him that?"

     "Of course not.  I'm a boy."  I laughed.  "And I can assure you that
boys of much higher station than lowly me also do it."

     Benjy laughed at this.  "And do boys of higher station have
bigger...."  He stopped.  "...Mustn't ask such things but Jabez was quite
lowly."

     It seemed all conversations between us village boys always returned to
Jabez.

     "I shall be seeing him when I go to London for New Year," I said.

     Benjy giggled, "His mother says he has been promoted to be a junior
footman now and has a smart livery.  I hope his britches aren't too tight."

     I turned him and slapped his bare backside.  Then we giggled together
and shed two portions of the highest station, worthy of the greatest duke,
I said as I used a kerchief to wipe our streaming bellies.

     "I must get back to the boy in case he wakes and wonders where I am. I
promise I will not tell.  I will bring your water when the bell strikes
seven."  He put on trousers and shirt and went out quietly waving his
nether garment at me.  Strike seven?  I heard it then strike six and the
noisy cock began to crow.

     I was half asleep when he returned, now dressed and in his role of
valet.  We had laughed over that as Aunt Wright always used the word when
we stayed with her in London and her youngest footmen had been given that
title when they looked after me or my brothers.  I suppose it was a better
word than 'fag' and I would ask George and Theo if we might change as it
sounded very French and la-di-da, especially as Aunt Wright said it.

     Still, my intention today was to spend time at the forge.  I wanted to
ask Mr Barker if the boys could show me how to make a latch for that door
to the walled garden. I would need to go first and measure and draw.  Benjy
put out my oldest clothes and they were so tight he said I looked as if I
might beat Jabez in ten years time.  He got another swipe to his backside
and giggled and said he would be bulging as well as that was a way to make
him hard.  I just sneered and put my finger and thumb about two inches
apart but knowing he was a good half inch bigger than me.

     "Eamonn is quite happy now," he said as I was lacing my old boots, "I
put the ointment on again for him but we didn't..."

     "...I would hope not," I mumbled as one lace was all ravelled, "Your
hands are too ready..."  The lace broke but as I looked up I grinned at
him, "...and now they can put a new lace in this boot."  I was still
grinning so my next words were not said as sternly as Mr Clements would
have delivered them though I tried to imitate him. "A good valet would have
checked for wear and changed them before the young master was
inconvenienced!"

     He gave me a baleful look.  "You have heard him?  I had to put all the
silver back on the table the other evening as I hadn't put the fish knives
and forks the correct distance from the edge and I hadn't put the water
glasses two inches from the claret glasses."

     "But you should know how to measure two inches, just put...."  I said
as we giggled again.  I handed him the boot and waited while he found a
lace in a drawer and threaded it through the holes.

     "I think I will ask Mrs Gray if young Eamonn might share my room as he
is likely to get a chill in that cold pantry.  She thinks he works well and
is learning all the tasks we are set.  The two young ones who come from the
village each day with the twins would rather live in their own homes, I
think, though there is an empty room next to mine."

     "You'll have to find if they need rubbing with ointment," I said, "Or
have you inspected them already?"

     I hadn't really seen these two who were newly employed as two of our
previous scullery lads were now grown sufficiently to go to the stables to
be apprenticed as grooms.  The twins were in two minds about what they
wanted to do but both hoped to be apprenticed to the village baker if they
couldn't be junior footmen here or in another household.

     Benjy shook his head.  "The pair were thirteen a month or so back and
your Aunt has them in the Dame School as well.  They will need a position
then and Mrs Gray is testing them.  One works well but the other has a bad
hand which he says hurts him but the twins help him."

     "Has my cousin Lancelot seen him?"

     "I don't know.  Perhaps Mrs Gray would send him.  His family is poor
but honest but would not have money for a doctor."

     "You know my cousin never turns away anyone who is ill," I said, "He
often helps without taking any money.  I told you before, if it is someone
in the household then Lancelot would treat them anyway.  Eamonn has been
dealt with.  What is the boy's name?"

     "I think it is Paul but that's all I know."

     "Talk to Mrs Gray and explain about his hand.  He probably hides his
pain so he isn't turned away.  Mrs Gray is kind so she will understand.  Do
you want me to stand and listen while you tell her?"
     He shook his head.  "I know Mrs Gray.  You are right, she wouldn't
turn him away if he can be cured."

     By this time I had finished lacing my boot and stomped round the room
to ease my feet as I needed bigger boots!  Growing, growing, growing!
Perhaps that other half an inch soon!

     I was ready for breakfast and made a good start to the day.  There
were kidneys as well as bacon and egg with fresh hot bread.  That would set
me up for a morning at the forge.  First I had to make a sketch of the
broken latch on the walled garden door.  No one was around as I tried my
best with a cold wind whistling and rustling the paper as I drew.  I
hurried over to the nearby stable where Blaze was ready as Bobby had combed
him down and saddled him for me.  Silver was missing so Robin had been
already to go off with his father.  Tarquin looked on as I rode out and
whinnied.  He needed Timmy and I thought if Robin was not busy helping his
father on Thursday afternoon we three might ride down to old Miss Barnes
and if Robin brought his fiddle as well we could entertain her.  She would
be fascinated by Timmy and she had a fine garden to be discussed.  I also
wanted to have another look at those carvings and if both Robin and Timmy
were there I might find a chair to stand on while they were all in her
parlour.

     Isaac and Jacob were already busy at the forge as there were four
horses waiting for shoes.  I tied Blaze to the hitching-post near the hay
manger and went in where Mr Barker was measuring pieces of iron outside his
office room.  I showed him my rough drawing and he said I could have time
later in the morning but important things first as he had to take two
hunters already shod to Squire Matthews and I had to keep an eye on his
lazy sons.  I knew him of old so I just grinned and went into the forge to
help with the bellows.  I had shivered on my way even with a heavy riding
coat on but the forge was very warm so to be like the brothers I stripped
down to my nether garment and put on a leather apron.  I was soon keeping
the furnace at the heat the pair needed as they made shoes and fitted them
to the two horses already standing patiently.  I had to put up with remarks
such as 'The boy likes pumping', 'I wonder where he practises?', 'He has a
powerful stroke', 'Up, down, up, down.  Keep it going'.  Jacob had taken
out the horse he had just finished shoeing and as he came back in Isaac
bent over the anvil to pick up some tongs.  I leant over and slapped his
almost bare buttocks. "Oooh!" he said in a high-pitched voice, "I am
chastised for my sinful laziness.  Beat me, my Lord, and I will sin no
more!"

     His brother was laughing.  "You must not mock poor Zebediah."  He
looked at me and grinned.  "But that fool has read somewhere that to be
holy you have to whip yourself.  I think it was in some Romish book about
martyrs he found when he was in Cambridge last.  He had Mr Jeffs the
saddler add a lash to a riding crop and uses it on himself.  This ninny
here went with his friend Joby Cox and listened under his window and said
he accused himself of all sorts of sins they'd never heard of.  What was it
he said?"

     Isaac hit the red hot piece of iron he was holding with the tongs with
a mighty hammer blow.  "I have sinned," he warbled in the self-same voice,
"I have been unclean by night.  That uncleanness which chanceth me by
night.  I must cleanse myself with water.  May I be forgiven!"

     His brother shook his head.  "You are stupid sometimes, Isaac, that is
not what you told me yesterday.  You know as well as I do what he was
saying then."

     Isaac just laughed.  "It was Joby who heard wrong the night before.
He thought he was making moan because his seat was unclean.  He thought Zeb
had had the shits and that made him unclean in the sight of the Lord.  I
didn't tell Joby that he had said seed, not seat and it was just me that
listened last night. We all know what was happening to him, eh lad?"

     This last was directed at me.  I knew exactly what was happening as
I'd experienced those outflows at night when I was barely thirteen and a
bit.  Now here was Zebediah at nineteen or so, having foresworn the usual
boyish way of preventing unwanted issues, having to pray for forgiveness
for something Lancelot had explained to me would happen to growing boys
anyway.  I decided to play innocent.

     "What do you mean Isaac?  He doesn't drink strong ale so he can't be
wetting his bed.  Perhaps Joby did hear him rightly.  Perhaps he did have
the runs and couldn't get to the privy in time."

     Isaac put down his hammer and tongs and I was over his shoulder in a
trice.  My underdrawers were down and I received three sharp slaps.  They
didn't hurt as I was laughing too much and as he put me back on the ground
my apron was all awry and I was erect.

     The two lads looked at me and both laughed even louder than before.
Isaac pointed and warbled "Unclean, unclean!  Thou shalt not uncover thy
nakedness! Not in the sight of the pure for it is an abomination."

     Having pored over those chapters and not understanding much of what I
had read I was not sure.  I knew there were all manner of prohibitions
about uncovering but was this one of them?

     "Well you've uncovered yourself in my presence many times," I said,
"And I am very pure!"

     Both grabbed me then and I got hugs and more slaps and got more than a
few smudges of black over me.  There was a voice outside.  It was their
father returning and talking to someone.

     "Hunnh, those lazy wretches have only finished three.  I can't take my
eyes off them for a moment..."

     "Father, dear father," sang out Isaac, "The boy in here has been
distracting us from our tasks...."  I was scrabbling to get my drawers up
again and safely knotted and I was pumping the bellows as hard as I could
when Mr Barker came into the forge followed by my Father.

     He took one look and shook his head.  "I am not surprised," he said,
"That boy's tongue hasn't stopped wagging since he returned."

     I thought I had better take partial blame.  "Father, we have been
discussing biblical texts, or at least they have been instructing me in the
ways of certain dissenters."  Oh, I'd better be careful!  "I do not mean
the Methodists but..."  Luckily my Father realised I may be in a fix.

     "Is it Zebediah?  I heard him on Sunday and he has been putting the
fear of God into some of the young grooms as well.  He has had instructions
to keep his preaching to the Holy Day.  Anyway, Mr Barker, I am pleased to
hear your sons are good biblical scholars.  Blessed are the meek is a text
I have not really understood.  My brother-in-law Dodd says it is because I
have no ear for language but why they should inherit the earth?  I do not
know?"

     "Father, you have heard Uncle Alfred preach on the Beatitudes many
times," I said, knowing this would get me out of any trouble, "The Greek
word 'praeis' can be translated better as humble in the sight of the Lord."

     "Boy!" Father just laughed, "You are exasperating.  Why do you show
your poor father up so.  I think you are much better employed as a bellows
pumper.  Will you take him off my hands, Mr Barker?  He looks unkempt
enough!"

     "No, Mr Browning, sir, I have enough trouble with these two.  He is
welcome to pump the bellows betimes and I have promised to show him how to
do some iron work but that is my limit."  He looked at his sons.  "You two,
start working and earn your keep!"  He laughed as well. The lads just shook
themselves and took up their hammers and tongs again.

     Father and Mr Barker left the forge and work recommenced with a
vengeance.  I would get another swipe or two but we grinned at each other.
My comeuppance was not long in arriving.  The fourth horse was shod and
outside and I was bundled into a corner and tickled and slapped and Jacob's
hands were not idle in other ways.  I spurted for the second time that day
and the boys joined in by showing off their own talents side by side.

     Isaac was breathing heavily with his efforts.  "Poor Zeb!!"

     His brother just laughed as he tucked himself away.  "Let him be.  I
want to hear no more about him.  We might let young Tom loose on him,
though, to confuse the poor dunderhead with proper learning."  He slapped
me on the back and I recoiled as he was one who did not know his own
strength.  "I wager your father will have his riding crop across your arse
before the day is out!"

     "I doubt it," I said, "He will use that knowledge to get a point
across my cousin Rass when he starts preaching again at the dinner table."

     Both laughed as they knew my dear cousin and his most boring sermons.

     It was time for a mid-morning break for victuals.  Mrs Barker had
parcelled up two great portions of good bread and cheese and they willingly
shared some with me, together with a draught of her best ale. The rest they
would have for their luncheon.  But more work was at hand as Bobby our lame
groom came along riding Tarquin.

     As he came into the forge he looked at me, now sweaty with a smudged
face, and laughed.  "Your father said I would find you here as usual.  He
said I must not stay or my head would be filled with more useless learning
than was good for a young lad like me.  My orders are that this fine beast
is to be shod and so is that Blaze of yours and I am to take myself off to
Mr Hine's to buy my mother a present for Christmas with this crown he gave
me.  Your father is very generous today so you must have pleased him, Tom."

     Both Isaac and Jacob held empty hands out to me.  "Alms for the poor,"
Isaac trilled.  They both laughed.  They both knew they would be rewarded
by a good Christmas Box.  I just sneered at them and went back to the
bellows handle.

     "Get to work, vassals," I said, "You have to earn your keep!"  Another
slap or two would come my way before long.  I pumped even harder as they
heated the iron and made shoes for Isaac to nail onto Tarquin's hooves.  I
was amazed how the horse just stood as they talked to it and didn't make
any movement as the old shoes were removed one by one and the new ones
fitted.  I was more and more convinced that horses knew who were kind and
those who were not.  I knew Father had that gift and so did my brothers.
Timmy was another and I had watched Jack the farrier's lad and he was able
to control the fieriest of steeds as Maitland's Perseus could be awkward on
the rein.  I wondered if the horse would respond to me.  I went up as Isaac
was measuring the last shoe.  I stroked his muzzle and he responded by
nodding against my hand.  "You are a fine beast," I said quietly against
his ear, "And you know it."  The horse nuzzled my hand and breathed out
quietly.  Perhaps I could be a better horseman?

     "Back to the handle, serf!" shouted Jacob and as I passed prodded my
arsecheek with a piece of very cold iron, "I'll have you shot for deserting
your post and you'll be tied to the cannon's wheel and flogged before."
They had heard of all the military punishments from my brother Terence when
he had managed to ride his horse and then hobble into the forge to watch
and tell them tales.

     I made a long nose at him and got another prod.  I said he wouldn't
know which end of a rifle to point and the only shots he managed to fire
anyway with his little pistol were too weak and watery to harm even the
most cowardly Frenchman!  His brother laughed and said I had hit him
straight in the cods.  I was then entertained by the banter between the two
about habits, nightly or otherwise, as Tarquin received his last shoe and
was led out to the manger stuffed with hay and Blaze was brought in and was
shod, too.

     When they had finished their raillery I said I needed to ask their
advice before either had time to uncover themselves before the pure again.
I found my piece of paper and Isaac looked at it first.

     "What is this?" he asked, "That bit that hangs down.  You been looking
at yourself in a bit of mirror?" He held up his hand and bent his first
finger.  "Yes, less than four inches but enough for a boy of his age."

     "Let me see," Jacob said and snatched the page away from him, "More
likely he's been peering through that gap in the privy at you.  Less than a
hand's breadth and that's generous."

     "It's a new latch for my mother's garden gate," I said, "Your minds
are so mired with filth..."

     I was lifted up again and underwent more tickling.  I screeched as my
ribs were getting sore and my face was streaming with sweat and blackness
from their hands.  I was put down and two industrious lads showed me how to
hammer and shape not only the latch but the plate it would fit through.
This was decorated with a fine curl of iron and holes were punched so it
could be fixed.  They grinned as Isaac quenched the last piece of hot metal
and held it up.

     "For you, young Tom, with our compliments," he said, "We knew exactly
how to do it as we have made two others for your mother as well for other
gates on the estate."  He laughed.  "We've missed you and that other imp.
You haven't changed.  We said we worried you would not know your old
friends."  He shook his head.  "My father says change will come and he says
the portents are there with these railways.  People will move around and
old habits will be replaced by new.  You must tell us what you learn at
that school of yours.  You and Robin."  He smiled.  "He is worthy of all
that will come to him.  His was no accident of birth.  I foretell great
things for him..," He laughed. "...And for you, of course."

     He put down the plate and latch on the anvil and I put out my hands
and grasped a calloused hand each.  "How could I forget you," I said trying
to squeeze as hard as I could, "I vow we are friends always.  I have made
new friends as well.  I expect one would say they are of much higher
station but I have found they are no different underneath.  Others I would
not want as friends and whether they look down on me I could not care and
nor should you."

     I was hugged by both and was told I could bring my dirty face into
their lair at any time.  They then set to and made some other pieces of
ironwork which had been ordered by Squire Matthews's factor.  One was the
beginnings of a new weather-vane as the other had been blown down when that
storm had occurred.  I was pumping the bellows again when two others poked
their noses into the forge.  These were two boys I hadn't seen before.
Were these the two who had tormented Eamonn and upset Benjy with their
remarks?

     "Hey, ho?" sang out one, "Got a copper or two for the poor?"  They
certainly looked rough.  Their clothes were not clean and they both looked
if their boots hadn't been soled for years.  "We've been up to that house
again with the cart and the old biddy told us to fuck off!  Old bitch
wouldn't even hand out a crumb of bread and that fat little bastard shut
the door on us."  I grasped the handle even harder.  These two were going
the right way to be dumped in the village pond!  Unfortunately it was
covered with a sheet of ice!

     "You look a fine pair of fellows, got some good muscle there," the
other one said and the way he was looking around I knew he was seeing if
there was anything worth stealing.  "And who's that you've got tucked in
the corner?  That blackface?  He learning the trade?  Haven't seen him
before."

     Before I could open my mouth Isaac held up his tongs.  "Oh, that's
little Jock McTavish.  He got left behind after that last lot of travellers
we chased out.  He's got the palsy so we took pity on him and chained him
to the bellows and only have to whip him once a day.  And who are you?"

     "I don't say, nor does he!"  He pointed to the other one who was also
squinting around.  "We live here now and we're staying. Old Mutton-chops
gives us a job or two and we keeps to ourselves."  'Old Mutton-chops' was
Benjy's father who was very proud of his 'facial ornaments' as Mr Venables,
who was also the village barber, described them.

     "I suggest you keeps yourselves out of here, then," Isaac said
levelly, "You might get yourselves a bit overheated and we can't guarantee
you won't get damaged."

     The other one kicked at a pile of discarded pieces of iron.  "Fuck
it!" he said, "That's torn my boot.  Leaving stuff like that lying around.
I'll have a half sovereign off you for a new pair or I'll tell my uncle."

     So these were the pair.  I put on my best Scotch accent having heard
Gordon many times.  "So thee'rt the twa who downed the breeks o'that puir
wee laddie by the river."

     "What the fuck is that idiot saying?" asked the taller of the two, "Is
he kin to that other blackamoor they were feeding and denying us good
Christians?"

     "What's that, Jock?" Isaac asked.  He was getting redder in the face
with anger and swinging the hammer he was holding.

     "That puir wee bairn at the Hall," I said, "They had his wee breeks
down and made him do things I canna say."  I was getting well into my
acting!

     Both the Barkers dropped the tools they were holding and the two lads
were seized in vice-like grips.

     "And what did you make him do?"  Isaac said and there was real menace
in his voice.

     "Leave go, you bastard!" the one held by Isaac said and tried to
struggle to no avail, "My uncle'll slice your cods off if I'm hurt!"

     The other was even more plucky. "If that's the kid with a tiny prick
he sucks off well.  You ought to try it with Jocky here or that other
darkie.  I wager they've got tender mouths for the pair of you!"

     Two sets of britches came down in a moment.  Two riding crops were
snatched up and two screaming rogues got half a dozen or so cuts apiece
before being lifted above heads and thrown bodily into the snowdrifts piled
up outside the gates to the forge yard.

     "And tell your uncle to kiss your arses better and don't come back
unless you want more!" shouted Jacob as he used his apron to gather up more
snow and chucked it over their heads.  Two bare, very red arses looked very
picturesque against the virgin snow!  That would be something to describe
in detail to Benjy, but I would just tell Eamonn his tormentors had been
chastised firmly.

     The boys were chuckling as they lifted me up and carried me back into
the forge from where I had been watching.  "Poor palsied Jocky," said
Isaac, "Do you want your whipping now or later?  And don't stand there with
your mouth open!"


To be continued: