WACO’S
LUMMOX
By
Waddie Greywolf
Chapter
17
One Saturday
afternoon, Charlie, Lazarus, and the boys decided to pay Cotton Daniels
and Hoot Austin a visit. They took Ox with them. The
Goodnight lummox, as he was beginning to be known in the community, was
welcome almost everywhere. He was getting the reputation of being
a good luck charm. None of the local ranch kids were afraid of
him and told each other it was ‘good luck’ to pet him and rub his
fur. Of course, Ox loved the attention. He had a soft spot
in his big heart for the little ones.
Hoot called
Lazarus and told him they had some things to tell him about a deal they
talked about earlier. Lazarus understood it was probably about
old man Stamper and his boys, but knew Hoot didn’t want to discuss it
over the phone. Lazarus agreed with him and made arrangements for
the men to visit their ranch the following Saturday. He knew Hoot
would have enough common sense not to discuss anything in front of
Lucas. Lazarus would make sure Lucas was away with Ox and the
boys.
Charlie and
Lazarus thought it was a chance to kill several birds with one
visit. Lazarus and Charlie wanted to hear what they found out
about old man Stamper. Lazarus wanted to place a portal in Cotton
and Hoot’s barn to make emergency travel between ranches easier, and
last but not least they knew Cotton and Hoot rescued a female Border
Collie several months earlier.
They knew Cotton
raised and sold cow dogs as well as roping ponies; however, most of his
dogs were Australian Cow Dogs or ‘Blue Heelers.’ They were a
little bigger breed of dog than the Border Collie and to some folk’s
minds almost as intelligent. Lazarus always suspected they had a
little more of the wild dingo in them than breeders claimed.
Cotton was one of the few who agreed with him. He accounted it
for their roughness and sometimes going renegade. Once in a while
a dog would get so carried away, he would kill the livestock he was
trying to herd and protect.
Cotton also
acted as a ‘Blue Heeler’ rescue for animals who were abandoned or their
owners couldn’t take care of them anymore for some reason. He and
Hoot would travel hundreds of miles to save a dog from being put down
because he or she was unwanted anymore. Consequently, they had a
steady flow of cow dogs in and out of the ranch. Most times they
would give away a rescued cow dog to someone who would give it a good
home. They sold enough of their breeding stock to be able to be
charitable to those less fortunate. Their main concern was for
the animal to have a good home.
Charlie and
Lazarus knew they recently rescued a female Boarder Collie. She
was a mess when they got her; although, Cotton thought she had
potential. She was owned by an old man and his wife who barely
had enough money to feed themselves. They weren’t trying to be
cruel to the dog, they just didn’t have the means to take care of
her. The sheriff of the next county rescued her from the folks
and contacted Sheriff Lassiter because he heard about Cotton and Hoot
rescuing cow dogs. Don Lassiter told the other sheriff they did
rescue cow dogs, but he wasn’t sure about Border Collies. He felt
if he asked them right nice they might take the dog and find a good
home for her. That was fine with the other sheriff.
Cotton and Hoot
saw any referral from the sheriff as a good sign and drove a hundred
and thirty miles to the next county to pick up the dog. The
sheriff of the county was pleased to find a home for her even if it was
temporary. He told Cotton her name was ‘Happy.’ She
certainly didn’t look happy. She looked like a bag of skin and
bones. Most of her hair was either matted or falling out from a
form of demodectic mange. Hoot said he couldn’t remember a dog
being in such bad shape. The men talked on the way back about
putting her out of her misery.
Cotton wouldn’t
hear of it and vowed he’d take her to Captain Long before he’d let Hoot
destroy her. He was very firm. Hoot was a wise enough man,
he knew when to back off when his mate was serious about an
animal. He joined Cotton’s vow and told him he’d support anything
his partner wanted do to try to save her. Cotton was happy with
that. Cotton worked his ass off to get her in some kind of decent
shape. They fed her well and Cotton bathed and dipped her several
times to get rid of the mange. She slowly came around and began
to look like a dog again.
Unfortunately,
they had to keep her separated from the other dogs for sometime,
because the form of mange she had was highly contagious. They
even had to sterilize her bedding and kennel area every other day to
keep her from becoming reinfested. Within the last month Cotton
was trying to integrate her with the rest of the dogs without much
success. Cow dogs are a rougher lot than Border Collies and would
bully and pick on Happy. Even the two females she tried to
befriend would be good to her until the males came around, and then
they would turn on her.
“How is your new
Border Collie coming along? How is she working out for
you?” Charlie asked Cotton.
“She’s a fine
dog, Mr. Goodnight. She tries hard and is probably more
intelligent than all my cow dogs put together, but when she tries to
follow her natural instincts to herd, she’s so much more subtle than
the cow dogs, they come along and run over her. She gets
frustrated because she wants to finesse the cows to get them to do what
she wants. Them cow dogs ain’t that patient. If a cow don’t
do what it wants, it jes’ comes along and nips it on its ankle.
I’ve seen ‘em jump up, grab their tails and hang on. You rarely
find a Border Collie doing that to a cow,— a sheep maybe.”
“How’s her
health?” Lazarus asked.
“Ah, hell, we
got her almost where she should be. I think she may have some
internal problems, but I don’t know fer shore.’ I ain’t got me no
way a’ tell’n without take’n ‘er to a vet. Her coat is almost
completely grown back in, and she ain’t got no more mange. I
wouldn’t let her be with the other dogs less’n I’s sure she was disease
free. She come into heat a couple of weeks ago, and we had to
keep her separated from the males. I know she ain’t been fixed,
but I got no way a’ know’n if’n she’s fertile.
Are you men
interested in her? Lord knows, if you want her, she’s yours for
the asking. I’d be right proud and pleased to have you men take
her off our hands. I hate to let her go ‘cause I gotta’ admit
I’ve grown fond of her. She’s sweet tempered and wants to love
people; however, from what she’s been through and what them dogs around
here put her through, she’s somewhat shy. Under the proper care
in a different setting, I think she’d be a fine addition to any
ranch. She’s so much more loving than my cow dogs, but that ain’t
what I keep cow dogs for. I keep ‘em to work cows and make my
life and other cowboy’s lives a little easier. I’d like to keep
her, but she jes’ don’t fit in here. You interested in a mate for
Scraps? She’d be a good’un for him. We heard us a rumor
he’s learned to talk,— is 'zat right?”
“Afeard so,
Son. He’s talk’n up a storm. Hell, we can’t shut him up.”
laughed Charlie. “He’s git’n better ever’ day with his
taking. Them boys think he’s about the neatest thing to come
along since chocolate chip cookies. Scraps expressed to his
mistress he might like to have a mate. He’s been such a fine dog
for Ida Mae and us for years, we thought it might be a good idea.
We knew about the female you rescued. Can we see her?”
“Shore,’ she’s
out in the pasture with Hoot and the boys. We can’t let her be
with them rough heelers by herself. They’ll run right over her
and mistreat her, but if’n Hoot or I’s with ‘em they mind their
manners. I’ll holler to ‘em.” Cotton went to the fence and
hollered at Hoot and the boys. “Hoot! Bring Happy and the
boys over here so Master Charlie and Master Lazarus can get a look at
her.”
Hoot turned and
whistled for Happy to come with him. She obeyed immediately and
left the cows to the big dogs. She followed along trying to herd
the boys to the gate. They knew what she was doing and had a good
time teasing her.
“Look at her
eyes, Dad!” Waco exclaimed, “She’s a beautiful dog.” he allowed.
Lazarus and
Charlie were stunned. She had the same blue eyes as Scraps.
When she looked at you, Happy looked like she was looking into your
soul. Lazarus stooped down and let her smell the back of his hand.
<< May I
pet you, pretty lady? >> he sent to her.
<< A man
speaking to me in my head,— calling me pretty? Of course you may
touch me, Sir. I thought it strange I could hear the boys, but to
hear you, too, is very different. Are you men similar to my
owners? >> she asked as Lazarus was petting her.
<< Jes’
like them, ‘cept’n they can’t send and receive thoughts. The fine
looking cowboy next to me,— he be my boss,— he can’t send or receive
either. His boy, Waco, can. Some humans can, some
can’t. Jes’ like some dogs know how to herd proper-like and
others don’t. >> Lazarus motioned toward the cow dogs and laughed.
<< They
mean well, Sir, but they just don’t know what I do. I ain’t
saying they’s bad,— they’s jes’ different. They get the job done.
>>
Charlie stooped
down, let her smell his hand and she immediately brushed against his
hand to be petted.
“Damn, she’s
friendly enough.” Charlie said to Lazarus.
“She likes you,
boss. Told me she thought you was a fine look’n, handsome
cowboy. I didn’t know dogs knew such big words, but she said you
was a fine example of a pulchritudinous human male.”
Charlie threw
back his head and laughed.
“You’re lying
through yore’ teeth, ramrod. I can smell bullshit when I hear
it. I know you too well by now.” Charlie grinned real big.
“Didn’t she say
that, Son?” Lazarus winked at Waco.
“She shore’
‘nuff did, Dad. Happy said you’s about the best looking buckaroo
she ever done seen.”
“Okay,
okay! I know when I’m licked. No pun intended, girl.”
Charlie spoke to Happy and chuckled, “I like her, without all the
b.s. As long as you boys promise to take good care of her and
look out for her like you do Scraps, I’ll see what we can workout with
Mr. Daniels and Mr. Austin. What do you gentlemen want for her?”
“Not a thing,
Master Charlie. I done told you, she’s yores for the asking.”
replied Cotton sincerely, “We’ll jes’ be glad to know she’s gonna’ have
a good home, and I know she will at chore’ place.”
“We already done
told her about our ranch and our pal, Scraps. She said us boys
’ud be a lot easier to herd than them cows.” Waco said. The
men laughed.
“Okay, you men
stay up here and play with Happy for a while. Our ramrod and I
are gonna’ walk down to the barn to install a portal for Cotton and
Hoot. We got us some more business to talk about, so stay within
earshot in case we need you.”
“Right,
Dad. We’ll take good care of Happy. I know she’ll take good
care of us,— right girl?” Happy jumped up on Waco, and he petted
her. She went from one boy to the next. She seemed pleased
she might be going home with them.
The men slowly
walked down to the barn. Lazarus installed a portal where Hoot
and Cotton wanted it, and he showed them how to change the settings on
their remote to go to Charlie’s barn or directly into sickbay on the
ship. He also showed them how to go to Ranger Gibbon’s and Angus’
barn in case of emergency. Then he showed them a quick way of
changing settings. The wooden post he set the portal button by
could be used to change destinations by the number of times they hit it
with their fist. It was programed to respond only to their
bio-signatures. No other entity could activate it but them.
Lazarus told
them the story of Cable setting their portal to be activated by Scraps,
and he could visit them anytime he wanted. He paid them a visit
at least once a day to say ‘hello’ and practice his speech.
“Now, if you men
are sure you wanna' let go of Happy, after we get the boys home, I’ll
come through yore’ portal, get Happy and take her directly to sickbay
on the ship. I’ll have my boys check her out. I don’t want
Scraps to know until we’re ready to tell him. He goes on the ship
ever’ damn day so I know he’s gonna’ smell her, but my boys know how to
cover for us. I’ll have my cowboy androids take care of her until
we can check her out. We got a herd of sheep on one of the
ranches on the ship what should keep her busy and entertained for a
while.”
“The
Bandersnatch must be a huge ship to have so much room. How many
ranches you got on that thing, Captain?” asked Hoot.
“Right now,
about a hundred and forty.” Mused Lazarus
“It’s a big
ship.” allowed Charlie, “It’s massive, but inside is a technology we
have no concept of. You could store ten thousand ranches the size
of yours, mine, ma’ brother’s, and ma’ neighbor’s combined in that
ship. It compresses larger spaces into much smaller spaces by a
sophisticated system of time and space dilations. It’s like this
ranch would be shrunk down to the size of an eight by twelve picture,
but if you’re in the picture it would appear to you to go on
forever. You could git on yore’ pony and ride from sunup to
sundown and not come to the end; however, on the ship, yore’ ranch
would be so small, it would fit on a shelf.”
“That’s
fantastic!” exclaimed Cotton.
“How’d ju know
that?” Lazarus grinned at Charlie. “I didn’t tell nobody, because I
thought they’d be afraid of being shrunk down in size and having to
stay that way, but that ain’t the way it works.”
“Scraps ain’t
the only one what’s in tight with yore’ boys.” Charlie laughed. “I
wanted to know more about the mechanics of the ship, and you told them
to tell me anything I wanted to know. They did. I’ve spent
several afternoons with them boys. I have to say, I’m quite fond
of ‘em myself. They be damn fine look’n boys, ‘father.’” Charlie
laughed.
“I’ll say.”
allowed Hoot.
“One afternoon,
Ping and Pong showed me around and explained a lot of things to
me. Ping carried a translation device what put her thoughts
through an amplification system she wore on her belt what would speak
to me. They were very patient and helpful. I don’t know
what you’re worried about. The idea of changing size don’t bother
me a bit. To my perception, I’m always gonna’ be the size I am
now.”
“That’s right,
boss. Glad you got the grand tour.” Lazarus grinned. “Moving
right along, what news do you men have for us?”
“We gave old man
Stamper yore’ offer shortly after Thanksgiving. He listened, but
told us there ain’t no way he’s gonna’ sell his boys into
slavery. We done like you told us and didn’t try to talk him into
it. We just laid it out for him and let him think about it.
As time went on and Christmas was coming, we knew he didn’t have money
to buy presents for his boys so we loaned him several hundred
bucks. We know we’ll never git it back, but that weren’t the
point. We’s jes' priming the pump.
Well, Sir,—
about two weeks after the first of the year, we stopped by the bar, and
he wanted to know if’n the offer was still available. We told him
it was, and he mused about it for a while. Then he told us his
oldest was gonna’ be eighteen the second week in March and would the
interested party settle for four of the five boys? We told him we
didn’t think so. The offer was for all five,— take it or leave it.
The old man told
us he was really unhappy with his boys, and we asked him why? He
said after he went out and spent the money we loaned him for their
Christmas, they done a cruel and dirty thing to him. Somehow they
got some money together, bought a case of dog food and had it delivered
to him. There was a letter with it what claimed it was a quarter
of the lot of dog food that was made from his youngest son. The
sender thought he might like to have it to remember his boy by.”
Cotton and Hoot tried to stifle themselves from laughing. Lazarus
and Charlie didn’t laugh, but they couldn’t help but grin. They
had to agree it was a lousy thing to do to the old man, but they felt
he deserved it. Charlie raised an eyebrow and winked at Lazarus.
“Them boys
didn’t send that dog food to him, did they, Hoot?” Charlie slapped his
knee and fell out laughing.
“Naw, Sir, we
ain’t got us no proof, but we’re almost sure they didn’t. Of
course, we weren’t gonna’ tell him that. We don’t know who sent
him the dog food, but it was a rotten damn thing to do to the man.”
Hoot was laughing his ass off. Lazarus was about to have a stroke
from laughing so hard. Cotton just shook his head.
“May God forgive
the men what done such an awful thing.” he said quietly. That
only caused the other men to laugh harder.
“So the upshot
of all this is,— ?” Lazarus asked.
“He told us he’d
let us know before the end of February, and he’s only got one more
week. We’re gonna’ drop by the bar again this weekend and see
what he’s got to say. We give him our business card. H’it’s
got our phone number on it. He could call us any day. You
still wanna’ go through with the deal, Master Long?”
“Hail,
yes! You call Charlie or me the minute you know something, have
them papers ready, and I’ll bring you the money immediately.
Don’t give the son of a bitch time to think about it. Git his
signature on them papers and submit them and the money to
Slave-Escrow. They’ll do all the legal work. You deliver
ownership papers to me with a warrant for their enslavement, and you
get your twenty percent in cash. I’ll leave it up to you to have
them enslaved. If you need to pay the sheriff and a couple of his
deputies to go out with you, do it and you’ll have the money in hand to
pay them. Slip Don Lassiter five hundred bucks cash and a
hundred for each deputy. You can let Sheriff Lassiter know who’s
buying them and why, but ask him to keep it to himself.”
“He will,
Captain,” said Hoot, “He’s come around to trust us more’n more.
All them Stamper boys is still in school including the oldest,— he
don’t graduate until June. How do you want that handled?”
“Like I told
you, I want ‘em to remain in school. They’ll be
micro-chipped. They cain’t go no wheres no ways. They’ll be
found out as soon as they’s missing. If any of ‘em tries to run,
they’ll all be taken out of school until you think they can be
trusted. I might be wrong about this, Hoot. Don’t be afraid
to tell me what you think.”
“I think you’re
making a mistake by keeping ‘em in school this year, Captain.
Give us a year with them as slaves, and then put it to them, they can
go to school the next year if they cooperate, work hard and don’t give
us no trouble. If they do, then we’ll consider let’n ‘em go to
school. School should be a privilege for a slave and not a
right. Let ‘em earn the right to go to school, Master
Lazarus. It’ll make ‘em appreciate it more, it’ll be a lot more
important to them in the long run, and they’ll be more interested in
making good grades to please their masters. Less’n they keep
their grades above a ‘C’ average, they ain’t working hard enough and
won’t be allowed to go to school the next year.”
Lazarus stood
there musing for a minute and looked at Charlie.
“Hoot’s right,
ramrod.” spoke up Charlie, “Them kids is used to doing whatever the
hell they please. Give these men a year to get ‘em in shape and
let ‘em git’ used to the idea they’re no longer free men. He’s
also right about letting ‘em earn the right to go to school. Let
Hoot spell it out for them. If they wanna’ go to school and
learn, they gotta’ earn it.”
“Okay, you’re
both right. We may be git’n ahead of ourselves. The old man
jes’ might not agree to sell’n ‘em.”
“I think h’it’s
a pretty sure bet, Master Long.” Cotton spoke up, “One of his cronies
in the bar told him he was pert-damn sure it was his oldest boy what
sent him the dog food. ‘At really got to him.” Cotton laughed
again, “He’s think’n on the money he can git, since he thinks he’s got
hisself a pretty good excuse for selling ‘em.”
“Well, jes’ keep
us informed, and let us know the minute you hear anything. Do you
men need any cash up-front for anything?”
“Naw, Sir, we’re
pert-damn flush right now. If’n we do, all we gotta’ do is step
through the portal.” Hoot laughed.
“Anytime,
men.” Lazarus shook their hands.
Charlie and
Lazarus rounded up the boys and Ox and got everyone into the
truck. Happy wanted to go with them. Waco explained to her
Captain Long would return for her in a while, and they would see her
again soon.
<< I’ll be
back to git you in about in hour or so, girl. You sure you wanna’
come live with us? We’d love to have you, and there’s a handsome
male Border Collie who would really like to make your acquaintance.
>>
<< Mr.
Hoot and Mr. Cotton have been good to me, but I would like to get away
from these cow dogs, Mr. Lazarus. >>
“Good, then I’ll
see you in a little while, pretty lady.” Lazarus spoke out loud
for all to hear.
Lazarus and
Charlie were in great spirits as they drove home. It had been a
good morning, and they got several things accomplished. The boys
were admonished not to say a word around Scraps or Ida Mae about
Happy. They might have to do some explaining because he would
smell the other dogs and especially Happy on them. Scraps was
outside, waiting to greet them when they came home. He seemed to
know when they were due to arrive and told his Mistress.
“Master Charlie,
Captain Lazy-us, Ox and the boys is on their way back. Can I go
out to greet them, Ms. Ida?”
“Sure you can,
sweet heart, how do you know they’re on the way.”
“Can’t describe
it, Ms. Ida. It’s just a feel’n I git.”
Ida Mae let him
out the back door and told him to tell them lunch would be ready in
about fifteen minutes.
As Charlie
pulled his big truck into the compound the two men looked at each other
and smiled. Hoot Austin was waiting for them along side of Scraps.
“Betcha’ a
dollar old man Stamper called him.” Lazarus said to Charlie.
“I wouldn’t take
that bet, ramrod. I can tell by the look on his face. He
looks like the cat what swallowed the canary.”
The men jumped
down from the truck and hailed Hoot Austin.
“You got damn
good legs to run so far so fast, cowboy.” Charlie teased him. “Ju’ miss
us that much?” they shared a laugh.
“Yes, Sir, jes’
got me the hongries to see you men’s handsome faces again.”
“Better roll up
yore’ pants, boss. The bullshit’s start’n to rise.” Lazarus
laughed. “You already done heard something,— ain’t chu, Son?” he
smiled at Hoot.
“Yes, Sir.
Can you and Master Charlie walk down to the barn with me so’s we can
talk?”
“Shore.’
Happy to.” said Charlie.
The boys were
making over Scraps. He was glad they were back and asking all
sorts of questions about the dogs he smelled on them. Especially
about the female he smelled. The boys played dumb and acted like
they were just a bunch of uninteresting cow dogs; not nearly as
handsome as he was.
The men got to
the barn and Hoot began to speak.
“Stamper called
right after you men left. You weren’t even to the blacktop when
my cell phone rang. He asked me if I was sure the deal was still
good. I told him I jes’ talked with the buyer less than five
minutes ago. He didn’t have a lot to say, ‘cept’n he wanted to do
it as soon as possible, but he wanted ten thousand up-front. I
told him I probably could get it for him, but he’d have to understand
it would be deducted from the overall agreed to price. He said he
understood, and it was all right with him.”
“‘At’s no
problem. We can go to the ship and I can get you the money right
now, if’n you have time.”
“I got time,
Captain.”
“I don’t think
you can get all this done today. It’s going on noon and I’m sure
the Escrow office don’t stay open but half a day on Saturday.
Tell you what, call Don Lassiter. Make sure he’s gonna’ be at the
station this afternoon. Then, call Stamper to arrange for him to
meet you there. Tell him you’ll let him have a thousand this
afternoon, but he has to sign a receipt for it and sign all the papers
to sell his boys. Tell him he can git the rest of the ten
thousand on Monday morning when he meets you at the Slave-Escrow
office.
I’ll give you
five hundred extra to tip Don two hundred and the three deputies a
hundred each. Have Don and three of his deputies sign the receipt
that they witnessed you give Stamper the thousand dollars and get their
signatures on the slave papers as witnesses. Be sure and tell
him, in front of the sheriff and his men, once he signs them documents
and accepts the cash advance, there ain’t no turning back; he’s
entering into a legally binding contract with the buyer. He git’s
all his money, minus the ten thou and his half of the escrow fees when
Escrow closes.”
“Sounds good to
me.” Hoot took out his cell phone and dialed the Sheriff’s
station. He talked with Sheriff Lassiter and confirmed he would
be there that afternoon. Hoot called Mr. Stamper and told him
what he could do. The old man was satisfied with what Hoot told
him. Hoot told Lazarus and Charlie, Stamper probably just needed
money to drink on for the weekend. He was right.
Charlie told
Hoot to call his partner to come through the portal so the two of them
could join the men for lunch. Hoot and Cotton enjoyed the men’s
company. Everything worked like clockwork. After lunch,
Lazarus got the money Hoot needed to satisfy Mr. Stamper and told him
he would bring him the rest of the money for escrow early Monday
morning. He and Charlie returned to Hoot and Cotton’s ranch with
the men to get Happy. She seemed happy to go with Lazarus and
Charlie, but she kept running back and forth to Cotton and Hoot.
Finally she gave Cotton a big sloppy kiss. She realized he saved
her life, and she was grateful.
“She told me to
tell you she loves you, Cotton, and she will always be grateful to you
for what you done for her. She also love you, Hoot. She’s
sad about leaving, but thinks she’ll have a better life with us.”
“She will,
Captain. You be a good girl, Happy, and make us proud of
you.” Cotton said with a couple of tears in his eyes. Hoot
put his arm around his mate to comfort him.
Charlie and
Lazarus said their ‘goodbyes’ and took Happy back through the portal
with them to sickbay on the Bandersnatch. Happy couldn’t believe
how the scenery changed so quickly. Naked men who didn’t smell
like the cowboys she was used to were there to greet her. They
didn’t smell right, but they were good and kind to her, and they had
several nice treats for her. She thought she might like
them. They explained why they didn’t smell right, and told her
she was welcome to sniff them all she wanted until she got used to them.
Lazarus and
Charlie said ‘goodbye’ to Happy and told her they would leave her with
his staff. The Captain’s staff would check her out and feed her
that evening. They would put her on a farm on board the ship
temporarily where she could herd sheep for some of Captain Long’s
ranchers. She liked the sound of that. Lazarus promised he
would be back before sunset to visit with her and make sure she was
comfortable. She thanked him and became curious and interested in
Cable, David and Jonathan. She didn’t seem the least concerned
Captain Long was leaving her for a while.
* * * * * * *
Hoot and Cotton
took care of every small detail for Captain Long. Charlie told
Lazarus, Cotton was the brains behind their operation and Hoot was the
brawn. While Cotton could be as big a hell raiser as Hoot, he had
a more organized brain. He developed skills over the years Hoot
didn’t have; however, together, they made a perfect team. By the
time Lazarus came though the portal Monday morning with a briefcase
full of money, Cotton had all the papers in order ready to be
filed. Lazarus signed them and handed Cotton a manilla envelop
containing their twenty percent commission plus an extra five thousand
for any out of pocket money they might have spent. He also
reminded them it was to insure their service the next time he needed
them.
The Escrow
company did their jobs well, a court order was issued, and a warrant
for the enslavement of the five boys was issued. The greedy old
man got his money, and the Stamper boys were enslaved the following
Thursday morning early before they had a chance to get up and put their
clothes on. Hoot paid Sheriff Lassiter and two of his handpicked
deputies to meet him at the Stamper farm so there would be no question
in the boy’s minds what their fate would be. There was much
weeping and accusations on both parts. Their dad accused them of
sending him the case of dog food, but they all vehemently denied
it. They begged their dad not to enslave them, but the old man
was more greedy than compassionate and turned a deaf ear to them.
“H’it’s already
a done deal. There ain’t no back’n out now. You boys think
about the way you treated your old man and yore’ little brother.
You’s just as guilty as Caleb was. To let another man suck yore’
dick makes you jes’ as queer as he is. Says so in the good book,
and there ain’t no arguing agin the word of God.”
The oldest boy
asked if he could take his computer. The two older boys had
computers.
“Son, y’ain’t
gonna’ need a computer where you’re going. Hell, you wouldn’t
have no time for a computer no ways.” Hoot told him.
The boys were
allowed to put their clothes on. The deputies handcuffed and
hobbled them, and they were taken directly to Sheriff’s station for
chip implanting, slave number assignment, and identification photos
which included full frontal and rear nude shots as well as facial and
profile pics.
Hoot and Cotton
brought both trucks and once the deputies got the boys loaded in their
van and locked in tight, Hoot told Cotton to give him a hand
dismantling the boy’s computers. He wanted to take them.
Hoot wanted to see what was on them. He thought it might give
them a head start on how the boys think. Besides, it would save
them having to buy new computers later on when they went back to
school. Hoot and Cotton brought along two slaves they trusted to
box up the boy’s extra clothing and a few odds and ends They were
loading the boxes into the Cotton’s truck as fast as they could.
There was no
windows in the sheriff’s van and the boys couldn’t see Hoot and Cotton
carrying the computers to Cotton’s truck. Hoot thought the old
man might object, but he didn’t. He thought Stamper might want
more money; however, Hoot was ready to remind him of the money they
already lent him.
They drove the
boys to the sheriff’s station where they were officially processed as
slaves and got i.d. chips implanted deep within their left shoulder
muscles. It had all their identifying information; who they
belonged to, their slave registration number, and all pertinent medical
information including blood types. Lazarus didn’t want them
branded or slave numbers tattooed on the boys. There really
wasn’t any need. The chips told all the information
necessary. Only hardened criminals were tattooed and branded
anymore. It was more for a warning to others than for
identification.
* * * * * * *
The boys were
made to strip at the sheriff’s station and were examined by Hoot and
Cotton. Hoot ran his slaves like a marine boot camp. He
wasn’t cruel, but he was firm and demanding. A slave didn’t dare
speak out of turn or talk back to him or any freeman, especially during
their first three months of training. He wasn’t afraid to use
corporal punishment when necessary. Lazarus had given him ‘carte
blanche’ when it came to training the Stamper boys. He wanted
them turned into obedient, respectful, courteous, and attentive slaves.
Lazarus assigned
three robo-cams to each boy, and they were monitored day and
night. The robo-cams were invisible to everyone, but their every
actions were recorded. Each twenty-four hour recording for each
boy was reviewed by one of the Captain’s androids each day for anything
unusual. Of course, they could scan through a recording of
twenty-four hours in three minutes.
Lazarus hoped
the oldest boy, Burton, would take on the role of responsibility for
his younger brothers, but it didn’t work out that way. There was
a great deal of hostility, anger and sibling rivalry the boy just
couldn’t get on top of. After seeing how Burton related to his
younger brothers it was obvious to everyone he was torn between his
love for them and his anger against his dad. Charlie said he
thought the boy needed a mentor. Someone strong enough to show
him the way. Lazarus agreed. Hoot and Cotton thought it was
a fine idea; however, they didn’t have the time to ride herd on five
rambunctious young cowboys twenty-four hours a day.
Charlie came up
with an idea. What they needed was a slave-trustee who knew what
was expected of a slave in training and would see they performed to
expectations or punishment would be administered. The trustee
wouldn’t punish them, but his word would be God with the
trainers. If he felt one of the boys needed to be punished, there
was no question. He would be punished. Charlie told them he
had just the man, Blake Tindell.
He would assign
Blake Tindell, his youngest cowpoke to ride herd on them for the three
months. Blake was ten years older than Burton, the oldest Stamper
boy. He was just old enough to become an authority figure, and
yet be able to communicate with them on their level. Charlie
thought it would be good for Blake to have a new assignment for a
while. Lazarus couldn’t agree with him more, except it would
leave him short one of his best cowboys. Charlie told him they
could talk about that later. Blake Tindell was
called up from the slave quarters to talk with the men. As he was
with everything, Blake was enthusiastic. He jumped at the
chance. He knew the Stamper boys.
None of the
slaves were told very much about Captain Long’s ship. One of the
crew leaders, Curley Jones didn’t know much about it. He heard
some fantastic stories, but that’s all they were as far as he was
concerned. When the slaves asked Hank, he neither denied nor
confirmed what they heard. Hank didn’t lie, he just didn’t say
much. He could get away with it, because Hank never talked about
his business.
There were many
things discussed with Blake. He was told about the invisible
robo-cams that would be assigned to the boys, but he thought the men
were pulling his leg. Charlie assured him, as his Master, he
wouldn’t lie to him about it. Besides, the boys were going to
have to have a medical examination, and when they did, he would be the
one to take them on board Captain Long’s ship.
Hoot and Cotton
brought up the subject of sex. They wanted to know how they were
to treat the boys, especially the two youngest.
“They’re slaves
now. They don’t fall under the same rules and laws of
freemen. There is no age of consent where a male slave is
concerned. They are to be treated the same as any other
slaves. Hoot, you, Cotton and Blake may used them any way you see
fit; however, I expect you to use discretion and your best judgement
with the two younger boys. They definitely should be broken in;
however, be gentle and compassionate with them. We don’t wanna’
traumatize the boys. We know the joys of male bonding, and they
should be introduced to it in such a manner it won’t scar them for
life. It would be too easy to be vindictive towards them
boys. They never had much compassion for their youngest
brother. Fortunately, he’s coming along nicely, and I couldn’t be
prouder of him if’n he was ma’ own flesh and blood.” Lazarus
said. Charlie faked a cough, like he was calling Lazarus'
attention to something. Lazarus forgot, the slaves, other than
Hank, didn’t know Lucas used to be Caleb Stamper.
“I thought the
youngest boy was sold for dog food, Master Lazarus.”
“Ooops!”
laughed Charlie.
“He needs to
know any how, Charlie.” Lazarus said, “If’n he’s gonna’ be a
slave-trustee we gotta’ trust him with some things. Blake,— my
boy Lucas, was Caleb Stamper.”
“Lucas?
That handsome slave-boy of your’n? The kid I play football with
ever’ damn Sunday? You’re tell’n me that boy was Caleb
Stamper? He weren’t sold for dog food?”
“That’s exactly
what he’s tell’n you, Son.” confirmed Charlie, “Master Lazarus has some
pretty remarkable surgeons on board his ship. With the sheriff’s
help, we spread the rumor Caleb Stamper was ground up for dog food, but
he weren’t. He’s very much alive and happy living as my ramrod’s
slave-son.”
“Does he know
about his brothers?”
“No, Son, he
don’t, and that’s part of the trust we’re put’n in you as a
slave-trustee. We don’t want him to know right away. He’ll
eventually find out, but I’d like to be the one to tell him. He’s
already surmised I might be planning on buy’n his brothers. He
jes’ don’t know it’s been done yet. So keep it to yourself for
right now and under no circumstances tell his brothers who Lucas
is. That would be wrong. The day may come, but I want it to
be Lucas’ choice whether to tell his brothers or not. We owe the
kid that.
After he saved
the sheriff’s life I offered him his freedom. I told him I’d
adopt him and raise him as my own son. I didn’t figure it would
scare the kid. Because of his fear of his dad and brothers, he
opted to remain my slave-son until his eighteenth birthday. Then,
if’n he’s comfortable, I’ll emancipate him or if’n he wants, he can
remain my slave for a while longer until he is ready. It’s gonna’
be up to him; however, as for his brothers, he’s dog food to them boys.”
“I understand,
Sir. Humm, that fine looking slave-boy,— Caleb Stamper.”
“No, Son,—
remember,— Caleb Stamper is dead. That fine looking slave-boy you
admire so much is my slave-son, Lucas Long.”
“Of course,
Master Long. Caleb Stamper is dead to the world. Wait a
minute! I’m beginning to git a pitchure here. You didn’t
buy them boys to be slaves all their lives. You bought ‘em to
protect ‘em from their old man and theyselves. You’re planning on
doing for them what Master Charlie done for me. Teaching five
young ruffians to become gentlemen and grow up to be decent citizens,—
and you want me to make damn sure they do. It’s all come’n
together. I can see it clearly now. Makes a lot a’ sense to
me! It also clarifies what my role will be with them boys.
I’ll be help’n mold ‘em into the men we’d all like ‘em to become.”
“See! I
done told ju’ the kid was smart.” Charlie grinned at Lazarus as he put
his arm around Blake and pulled him close. “That’s exactly what we want
from you, Son.” Charlie added. Blake smiled then hung his head.
“I’m humbled and
honored you men think enough of me to put such trust in me. I’m
yore’ man, Captain Long. I’ll ride herd on them boys twenty-four
hours a day. You can count on me, Master Charlie. I’ll make
you proud, Sir, I promise.”
“I’m already
proud of you, Blake. You wouldn’t be standing here talking with
us if’n I weren’t. They’ll be more things to discuss, but in the
meantime, pack up what you need to take. You can take your
favorite pony if’n you like and your tack. Just git everything
ready and your pony saddled up. You’ll still be my slave, but
you’ll be working under Master Hoot and Cotton. If I remember
correctly, they’s the ones what trained you.”
“Yes, Sir,
Master Charlie. I ain’t got me no problems working under Master
Hoot and Master Cotton. They’s good men, and I’d be right proud
to have them for my Masters.”
“Good,— you got
any more questions? This is gonna’ be a seat of the pants type
thing so we expect you to have a bunch a’ question. Don’t never
be afraid to ask.”
“I won’t, Master
Charlie. You done taught me that. Did Master Hoot and
Cotton bring along a horse trailer?” Blake asked.
The men laughed.
“You won’t need
no horse trailer, Son. We’ll explain when you git chore’ gear
together and saddle your pony. You’re gonna’ be learning about
some new, strange and wonderful things you never could’ve imagined
before. Just go with it, but keep it to yourself. Them boys
will have to have medical exams, and you’ll be the one responsible for
taking the boys to Master Long’s ship and back. You’ll learn a
lot of knew things you have to keep to yourself. You can’t share
it with nobody other than your masters.”
“I
promise. I won’t let you down, Master Charlie.”
“I know you
won’t, Blake. I trust you to do the right thing.”
“We ain’t done
medicals on any of yore’ slaves, boss. I think it’s time we
started. What about Hank and Blake? Hank can show Blake the
ship.”
“Good
idea. The slaves should be given medical check ups. They
need to get their long-shots.” Charlie winked at the three men
and chuckled, “I can’t remember when I last took a slave to the
vet. I should take ever’ damn one of ‘em ever’ three years.
None of ‘em never complain about nothing. I jes’ assume they’s
all right.” Charlie thought out loud.
“Okay, tomorrow
is Friday. We ain’t got nobody scheduled for tomorrow so you come
on back here tomorrow morning, and Hank will take you on board the
ship. I gotta’ be with the slaves, but you’ll be taken good care
of." said Lazarus
“I’ll say.”
added Hoot in deference to the Captain’s naked androids.
“What’s a
‘long-shot,’ Master Charlie?” asked Blake.
“Hank Morgan
will explain it to you, Son. H’it ain’t nothing bad.”
responded Lazarus.
“We all got the
shot.” added Cotton. Hoot nodded in agreement, grimaced and
rubbed his butt. The men laughed at his exaggeration.
“You go on and
git chore’ stuff together and report back here a soon as you got ever’
thing, Son. We’ll see you then.” Charlie told him.
“Thanks, Master
Charlie,— Captain Long.” Blake turned and ran off to the slave
quarters.
“Now, gentlemen,
along with being a fine cowboy, a good man, and one fine fuck, Blake
Tindell has other talents. Lazarus already knows about
them. Blake was one of the craftsmen what done some work for me
and Captain Long. He’s a journeyman carpenter, knows all about
plumbing, electrical and building. He’s your man to get your new
slave-quarters built. He can draw up plans and tell you down to
the penny what it will cost you to build it.” Charlie bragged
about his slave.
“And, you got
five strong boys to build it for you. Let him teach them as he
goes. If things work out the way I think they might, let Blake be
their slave-trustee crew leader and become the big brother or daddy
they never had. It’s the way Blake looks on you men today.
You trained him to be a slave, and he looks up to you as his
parents. I know it sounds crazy, but it happens. You set
him on the same road we’re gonna’ try to set them boys on. Let
him teach them how to do plumbing. Let him teach them how to be
carpenters. It may take longer to get it built, but they’ll be
proud of if when they move into it, and they'll take care of it like it
was their home.”
“In the
meantime, we’re a little worried about where we’re gonna’ put ‘em
all. We got us a full complement of slaves right now.”
Cotton complained.
“It’s the dead
of winter right now. Put ‘em in the loft in the barn.
Blake’s a cowboy. He ain’t no stranger to bunk’n it in a
loft. It’ll be warm enough for ‘em, and let ‘em eat slave chow
like all the other slaves.”
“Oh, yes, and I
want my slave back over here every Sunday afternoon for dinner.
He eats biscuits and slave chow most of the time; however, the slaves
supplement their chow with fresh vegetables, and I let ‘em begin to
raise rabbits for meat last year. So far it’s worked out
great. I want him having one good home cooked meal a week.
I want him to report to me and our ramrod how he’s doing and what’s
going on with them boys. You men are welcome to join him for
Sunday dinner if you like.”
Hoot and Cotton
laughed at Charlie’s concern for his slave but agreed to his terms.
“As soon as
Blake comes up with a price for your new slave-quarters let me know,
and I’ll git chu’ the money to buy materials. Have him build it
with enough room for you men to expand yore’ business. Hell, make
it two stories with four wings; baths with showers, multiple sinks and
toilets on each end for each wing and a common room in the middle for
each floor. If’n you wanna’ build small single private rooms for
each man, do it.
If’n you’re
gonna’ need a new chow hall for your slaves, let me know, and it can be
their next project. By the time them boys git through building
their own slave-quarter, they’re gonna’ be pert-damn good junior
craftsmen. It’s up to you. Them’s jes’ suggestions, but if
I tell you to build it big, take advantage of it. I ain’t jes’
blow’n smoke up yore’ butts. Cain’t say’s I’d mind doing it to
either one a’ you cowboys, but chu’ git what I mean.”
“Yes, Sir, and
we certainly appreciate it. How you plan on git’n ‘em boys
checked out on yore’ ship without them put’n two and two together,
Master Lazarus?” Hoot asked.
“Simple.
I’ll have Cable show Blake how to give the boys a shot. We’ll
check ‘em one by one. Probably one a week if’n we don’t
have someone else scheduled. Blake can check with Cable each
evening. He gives ‘em a shot, they go to sleep on an
antigrav-Gurney sitting on a bale of hay, he activates the antigrav
mechanism, activates the portal, and takes them through to
sickbay. They remain in twilight sleep for several hours.
They’ll be just awake enough to answer questions if asked, and if they
recall the experience at all, it’ll be like a weird dream. Guess
who we stole the drug from? Them nasty little grey
critters. I want each boy to lay in front of the Kryscellians for
an hour to have them correct any minor flaws they might find.
That ought a’ be weird enough for any man let alone them boys. I
never know what them critters is gonna’ come up with next. Glad
to have ‘em aboard, though. They saved our butts several
times.” The men shared a laugh.
The men talked
until Blake Tindell returned with a duffle bag of his cloths and extra
pair of boots, a bedroll behind his saddle on his pony. All his
stuff was neatly arranged on this pony so he wouldn’t have to be
lugging it around. He didn’t know how long he’d have to be
carrying it.
“You ready to
go, Son?” Charlie asked him.
“I’m ready,
Master Charlie. I’m looking forward to a new adventure, Sir.”
“Gimme’ a hug,
boy.” Charlie held his arms open for Blake. The handsome young
man went to him and Charlie enfolded him in his arms. Blake
hugged him back. “Damn, I feel like you’s one of my boys going
out into the world. Ah, hell, you is one a ma’ boys, Blake.
I know you’re the man for this job,
Son. Do me proud.”
“I will, Master
Charlie,— you’ll see.”
The men walked
down to the barn and Blake walked between Charlie and Lazarus. He
didn’t know why they were going into the barn, but he wasn’t going to
ask. When they went behind the bales of hay stacked to the
ceiling he began to get a little suspicious. There was nothing
there but several horse stalls. Hoot walked over to a post
one of the stall gates hung on and hit it gently with his fist three
times. Suddenly, a door sprang up from nowhere. It wasn’t
like any door Blake ever remembered seeing. It was obviously
a door to someplace, but there was a blueish electrical charge
that looked like water rippling on top of a lake. You couldn’t
see through to the other side.
“Through this
portal you’ll step into our barn on our ranch, Son.” Hoot calmly
said to Blake.
“No way!” smiled
Blake.
“Yes, way!”
grinned Hoot. “We were just as skeptical as you when we first
went through one. Ain’t nothing to it. It tingles a little
like static electricity, but it’s only for a second. We’ll, go
through and wait for you. Ready, pardner?” Hoot asked Cotton.
“Ready.”
answered Cotton. The two men disappeared through the gate.
Blake’s mouth was hanging open.
“Go on,
Son. Lead yore’ pony through. They’re waiting on you.” said
Charlie.
“Yes, Sir,
Master Charlie. I guess I’ll git used it.”
“You will, Son,
you’ll be going through ‘em ever’ day. Now git!” Charlie
slapped his pony on the ass, and they walked through the portal
together. Hoot shut it down on his end, and the men walked away.
* * * * * * *
“Dayamn!” said
Blake, “That’s awesome. I cain’t wait to see Captain Long’s
ship. I got me a feel’n it’s a little more advanced than our
technology on this planet right now.”
“A lot more
advanced, Son.” laughed Cotton, “These gates or portals is tame
compared to some of the shit we’ve seen. Just do like we do and
keep it amongst ourselves.”
“I won’t say
nothing to nobody, Master Cotton.”
Cotton took him
and showed Blake where to unsaddle his pony and where to put his
tack. He put his duffle bag aside. Cotton told him he and
the boys would probably be bunking it in this barn temporarily until
they could get something built. They were counting on his
abilities to help plan and build a new slave-quarters.
“Like I done
told Master Charlie, I’m yore’ man, Master Cotton.”
“We want you to
take over them boys and teach them how to build, plumb and become
craftsmen. Every one of ‘em. We want them to become your
crew.”
“I can do that,
Sir. I got a feeling this is gonna’ be a fine job, but it ain’t
gonna’ be easy. Them boys is probably gonna’ fight me ever’ step
of the way.”
“You may be
right, Blake, but we’re here to back you up. Hoot won’t put up
with any nonsense from them boys. He’ll whip ‘em into shape
pert-damn quick. Let’s go down and you can meet ‘em.
You say you already know ‘em?”
“Yes, Sir.
I don’t know if’n they remember me, but I used to rodeo with their
uncle. He’d dead now. Got run over by his own
cultivator. He was in five pieces when they found him.”
“Damn, what a
way to go.” mused Cotton.
The men got to
the recreation room where the slaves could gather to read or play games
on their time off. There was no T.V. Sometimes Hoot would
take out a portable T.V. if there was a good game on, and the men had
worked hard and been good. The boys were inside and there were
several other slaves sitting around talking with them.
Hoot hadn’t had
his introductory talk with the boys. He was waiting to talk with
Captain Long and Master Charlie to find out exactly how they wanted him
to approach the boy’s training. He stood up and motioned for
Cotton and Blake to have a seat.
“Okay, boys,
it’s time you meet your new Masters and hear what’s gonna’ be expected
of you. You all know who I am,— right? You will call me
Master Hoot, Master Austin, or Sir. You will begin and end every
sentence or question with ‘Sir.’ Got that?”
“Yes,
Sir.” was the weak reply. A couple didn’t respond at all.
“I didn’t hear
you!” Hoot shouted.
“Yes, Sir!” they
all shouted together.
You all know my
partner,— Master Cotton Daniels. You will refer to him as Master
Cotton, Master Daniels or ‘Sir,’— got that!”
“Yes Sir!” they
all shouted in unison.
“Better.
Needs work, but it’s better. This gentleman sitting here is a
cowboy-slave from another ranch. His name is Blake Tindell.
How many of you know him?”
The three oldest
boys raised their hands. The younger two drew a blank.
“Okay,
good. He’s a slave jes’ like you, but one who has earned his
Master’s trust and has been loaned to us to be you men’s crew
leader. You will refer to him as Mr. Tindell, or Sir. You
may also call him ‘crew leader’ or ‘boss,’ because he will be your
boss. He will be more than that during your three months of
training. He will also be your teacher. Do you understand?”
Hoot shouted at them.
“Sir! Yes,
Sir.” they shouted in reply.
“Now, do you
have any questions? This will be the only time I’ll answer your
questions.”
The oldest
boy held up his hand.
“Yes, Burton?”
“How long we
gonna’ be enslaved?”
There was no
answer. The boys began to get nervous. They looked from one
to the other and then at Burton. The next oldest spoke.
“The man jes’
done got through tell’n you how to address him, you dork. He
ain’t gonna’ answer your question until you obey him!”
Burton hung his
head.
“I’m sorry,
Sir. I ain’t used to it yet. Please, let me try again, Sir.”
“All right, try
again, big’un.” Hoot allowed.
“Master Hoot,
Sir, how long are we gonna’ have ta’ be slaves. Nobody’s told us
nothing. This is all a shock to us. We been ripped up out
of our home and sold into slavery by our dad. It’s hard to
accept, Sir.” Hoot thought for a minute the big boy was going to
shed a tear, but he held it back.
“You and your
brothers have been sold by your father into a lifetime of
slavery. You will be slaves for the rest of your lives.”
“Sir! No,
Sir.” Burton said shaking his head, “Our daddy wouldn’t do that to all
of us. Maybe me, ‘cause I’ll admit, I ain’t been the best son to
him I could a been, but then he ain’t been the best of dads neither,
Sir. He wouldn’t sell my brother’s into a lifetime of
slavery. My youngest brother is only thirteen, Sir.”
“Didn’t chore’
daddy sell yore’ youngest brother, Caleb, for dog food? You boys
ever hear how they do it? The boy was still alive when he was
thrown, screaming into a huge grinder? Can you imagine the horror
of his last few moments of life. A few seconds later his body was
ripped apart, ground into a meat mush and packed tightly into small
cans, cooked to sterilize it and sent off to supermarkets. Wasn’t
that yore’ daddy what done that to him?”
There was a
stunned silence in the room. Hoot’s graphic description of
Caleb’s last few moments of life stunned them. It was obvious
they never stopped long enough to think about it. The two
youngest started weeping.
“Yes, Sir, it
was him.” Burton paused for a minute, “Then, I guess it’s true,
our daddy did sell us into a lifetime of slavery.”
The two younger
boys began to sob. Burton went over to them and put his arms
around them.
“Hey, hey!
We’re still together. Maybe our owner will keep us together as a
family. A lot of slaves never see their family again. May I
ask another question, Sir?”
“Good ahead on,
Son.”
“What about
school, Sir? We ain’t real good students, but I was due to
graduate this year.”
“School is no
longer a right for you men. You may attend school only by the
graciousness and generosity of your owner. He done told me those
of you who show a willingness to work hard, conform to being a good
salve, and keep a healthy attitude may git to go to school next year;
however, you must understand one important thing,— school will now be a
privilege for you and not a right. If you work hard this year and
have no major bad marks against you, you may git to go to school next
year. If not, you’ll remain just a dumb slave cowboy doing manual
labor the rest of your lives. It’s up to you, gentlemen. As
for you, Burton, you’ll have to repeat your senior year in
highschool. I know you may think that’s a bad thing, but think
about it another way,— you git to play football one more year.”
Burton’s face
brightened a little at that. His other three younger brothers
liked the sound of that because they were on the team.
“Any more
question?”
“Naw, Sir,
Master Hoot,— I guess we’re ready to hear what you have to say, Sir.”
“Okay! As
a slave you have no rights. You’ll be trained and treated as any
other slaves. You will be used at your master’s and yore’ boss’
discretion. You will be taught to pleasure a man.”
Burton held up
his hand.
“Master Hoot,
does that mean what I think it means, Sir.” the cowboys in the
room chuckled and nodded their heads. Burton got his answer
before Hoot could answer.
“I hoped I
wouldn’t have to spell it out for you, but it’s okay. I don’t
want there being any misunderstanding what I mean. It means you
will learn to take a man’s penis up yore’ butt and be fucked by him
until he shoots his load up yore' ass. You will learn to suck
your Master’s and yore’ boss’ penis until you satisfy them and they
ejaculate. You will never, ever spit out a free man’s
sperm. You will swallow it, and afterward, complement him on how
good it tasted. You will also thank him for allowing you the
honor of pleasuring him. It’s part of being a slave and being
broken as a slave.”
“Sir, that’s
disgusting!” said Burton.
“You didn’t
think so the last few times you buggered your youngest brother sitting
there. You been fucking him for several months now.”
“How’d ju’ know
that, Sir?” Burton shouted and looked accusingly at his youngest
brother. Burton’s other brothers looked accusingly at him.
“I didn’t.
It was a lucky guess, but now I know. What did all of you do to
yore’ youngest brother what got him ground up for dog food? You
made him suck you off until yore’ daddy caught you. Then you lied
and told him he begged you to let him suck you off. You’re
as much to blame for his death as yore’ daddy.”
“Naw, Sir,
Master Hoot. He did beg us, Sir.” all the boys agreed with
Burton.
“Of course he
did. It was the only way he could get any affection from you;
that is, when he wasn’t busy waiting on you hand and foot. You
made a slave out a’ that boy. You kept him locked up in a four by
five foot cage. You made him piss and shit in a bucket. You
wouldn’t even allow him to go to the bathroom. Some brothers you
were!” Hoot spat his words at them condemningly.
“He was a queer,
Master Hoot. He loved to suck our dicks.” insisted Burton.
“Did you ever
show him any affection? Did you love him in return? Did you
ever tell him ‘thank you’ after he sucked you off?”
“Naw, Sir.
We ain’t queers. We’s taught you don’t never love no queer.
He wasn’t like us no ways, Master Hoot. He was a freak.”
“And you think
that gave you the right to mistreat and abuse him? He was your
brother, Burton! He was your brother as much as any one of them
four boys sit’n next to you. Caleb had a clef palate what could
a’ been corrected by surgery. Other than that, he was jes’ like
you. You made him a queer. Now you’re gonna’ git chore turn
at being queers. You will be used for sex by anyone I decided to
give you to and you will do your best to please the man. If not,
you will suffer the consequences.”
“Sir, meaning no
disrespect, but we’ll never do nothing like that.”
All the slaves
broke up laughing. Burton saw Blake smile at him and shake his
head.
“Yes, you will,
boy!” one of the biggest, roughest looking slaves spoke up. “You boys
better git used to the idea. Master Hoot done told ju’ the
truth. H’it’s jes’ part of being a slave. All us slaves had
to learn to do it. Why should you be any different? None of
us wanted to do it, neither. You either go along with the
program, or they’ll strap you to a table and do it anyway. Take
it from a slave what resisted it all the way. H’it’s a hell of a
lot easier cooperating with yore’ Master than it is being raped by
him.”
“May I say
something, Master Hoot.” Blake asked.
“Shore’ son, say
anything you like.”
“As yore’
teacher and slave-wrangler I promise I won’t never ask you to do
nothing I wouldn’t do or ain’t done myself.”
“I don’t believe
a cowboy like you would suck a man’s dick or let him fuck you.
You used to be a professional rodeo rider. You rode with ma’
uncle Joe. He used to tell me you was one hell of a man and
cowboy. Said you always had his back and could kick any man’s
butt. You’re jes’ tell’n us that so’s you can pass us around
among you as sex toys.”
Blake fell to
his knees in front of Hoot.
“May I
Master?” he asked. Hoot knew immediately what Blake had in
mind.
“Of course you
got my permission, Son. Go for it!”
The boys watch
in awe as the handsome, masculine cowboy unzipped Hoot’s Wranglers,
removed his big dick and started making love to it. Hoot gave him
permission to take him, and Blake deep throated him. Burton and a
couple of the boys gasped. The three younger boys were blushing
and lowered their heads so they wouldn’t have to watch.
“I want every
eye on my slave here. The first man to drop his eyes or turn his
head away, will git five stripes with the cane. Now, watch, damn
you!”
Blake was just
about through. He had Hoot roaring hard.
“I’m ready,
Son.” Hoot spoked gently to him. Blake stood, turned his back to
Hoot, undid his cowboy belt buckle and dropped his Wranglers to his
boot tops.
“Take me,
Master, I’m clean.”
Blake bent over
a little, more for effect than anything else. Hoot spat on his
hand and helped lube his roaring hard cock with it. He placed the
big head at Blake’s rose bud. He put both hands on Blake’s
shoulders and with one swift but sure motion, he sunk his ample penis
all the way to the balls. The boys watched in horror as Hoot’s
big bull-like balls slapped against Blake’s butt. Blake stood up
straight and Hoot wrapped his arms around the cowboy’s front.
“Watch them,
Cotton!” Hoot ordered his partner, “If one of ‘em dares turn his
eyes away, he gets four lashes with the cane.” instructed Hoot to
his partner.
Hoot took one
gentle stroke into Blake’s ass. The other cowboys in the room
couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was one of the hottest
things they’d experienced. One ran out the door to tell the
others, and soon the rest of the slaves came into the common
room. Some were gathered around the windows watching their Master
fuck the new slave.
“Damn, you feel
good, Master Hoot. You’re welcome in my ass anytime, Sir.”
“Lord, don’t
tell me that, Son.” Hoot said quietly and chuckled.
He began to fuck
Blake in earnest. Blake responded to him like it was the best
thing to ever happen to him. He made it every bit as sensual and
provocative as the night of the slave ceremony with Master
Charlie. He was working his ass making it the best fuck for
Master Hoot he could. Hoot worked himself to the point he was
ready to shoot. He hollered to Blake to come with him, and the
men climaxed together. Blake’s come shot six feet into the air as
Hoot Austin filled his ass with hot, cowboy cream.
The boys were
mesmerized. They couldn’t believe what they just saw. The
oldest boy, Burton, had a look of disgust on his face and shook his
head from side to side like he didn’t want any part of it; however, he
knew down deep in his gut, he had no choice. He and his brothers
were now slaves and subject to the whims of their owner and
Masters. Burton vowed to himself he would fight them all the
way. He wondered how a big, handsome, masculine cowboy like Blake
Tindell could actually seem to be enjoying something like that?
How could he like being fucked in his butt? There was no doubt he
was erotically aroused from the amount of come he shot halfway across
the room. All the cowboys in
the room and at the window yelled and applauded for the show they just
saw. Blake turned and fell to his knees in front of Hoot.
He carefully cleaned his Master’s cock with his mouth and returned it
to his Wranglers.
“Thanks for the
fine fucking, Master Hoot. It was an honor and privilege to serve
you, Sir.”
“My pleasure,
Son.” replied Hoot.
“I only hope
these boys learned something from what they just witnessed, Master
Hoot. They can make it hard on themselves or they can learn to
enjoy it. It’s up to them. Believe me, gentlemen, I fought
it more than you ever considered, but I finally came around to the
idea, if I wanted to git through life as a slave, I’d better start
adjusting my thinking. Once I broke, I never had me another
problem. I learned to accept my fate and make the best of
it. I’m a happy slave, and I plan to see you become like
me. There ain’t no sense going though life being miserable, but I
guarantee you, you will be miserable if’n you don’t cooperate and learn
what you’re taught. Take it day by day, and I’ll be here to help
you. I ain’t gonna’ be yore’ mother or your daddy; not even a big
brother. I ain’t here to wipe your noses or your butts. I’m
yore’ boss and you will do what I tell you, when I tell you, because
if’n you don’t, I have to explain to my boss why you didn’t, and
gentlemen, you don’t wanna’ put me in that position. Do I make
myself clear?”
“Sir, yes, Sir!”
they answered in unison.
“Now, gather
your stuff. You’re staying in the loft of the barn with me
tonight.”
Several of Hoot
and Cotton’s slaves came around to shake hands with Blake, introduce
themselves and welcome him to the ranch. They told him how much
they admired what he did for the boys that evening, but they also
slapped him on his back and told him it was one of the hottest things
they ever experienced.
“You gonna’ be
all right with them until morning, Son?” Hoot asked Blake.
“Yes, Sir.
I think so. They gotta’ be emotionally exhausted. I’ll give
‘em a pep talk before going to sleep. What shall I do about them
eating supper, Sir?”
“Wait until me
or Cotton comes and gets you. We’ll take ‘em to the chow hall
after the other men eat. I don’t think they’ll be room for
everyone, and I don’t want them overexposed to some of them hardcore
cowboys, if’n you git my drift.”
“I understand,
Sir. I’ll help ‘em git settled in.”
The boys
followed Blake to the barn with what little they were allowed to bring
along. Hoot and Cotton had taken over a couple of trusted slaves
to help with the boy’s belongings. The old man didn’t have any
use for things like their clothes, and it would save time and money if
they didn’t have to go out an buy new clothes for them right
away. They knew it wouldn’t be a problem with Lazarus. They
knew he would give them the money; however, being ex-slaves they
learned how to be frugal and squeeze a nickle until the buffalo shit.
The slaves were
instructed to box up each boy’s clothes, boots and shoes, if any and
put them in the back of Cotton’s truck along with the two older boy’s
computers. They weren’t interested in personal items. The
boys didn’t have all that much. Mr. Stamper had been living on a
shoestring for a couple of years and didn’t have the money to go out
and buy them new clothes. What money he got from odd jobs or the
sale of stock was usually spent in the bar.
The family
washer and dryer were broken. If the boys wanted clean clothes,
they had to wash them by hand in the bathtub or sometimes the old man
would take them to the Laundromat down the street from the bar he drank
in. Burton was the only boy allowed to come into the bar to tell
his dad when they were through. He would take them home only when
he finished drinking. Sometimes the boys would have to wait in
the cold truck for hours until their old man had his fill and staggered
out of the bar. The ride home could be perilous. Burton
would ride by his dad’s side and wake him when he started to fall
asleep. A couple of times he pulled the truck over to the side of
the road, handed Burton the keys, told him to drive and passed
out. Burton would always get them home safely.
The boys were
almost exactly one year apart in their ages. The next youngest
boy was Philip. Everyone called him Phil. He was going to
be a carbon copy of his older brother. Burton was seventeen, soon
to be eighteen. Phil was sixteen and wouldn’t be seventeen until
the summer.
Next was the fifteen
year old Samuel. He was called Sam. He could have been a
Xerox copy of his two older brothers, except he probably had the best
personality of the five boys. Sam was one of those kids who was
good natured, loved life and had a genuine interest and trust in
people. Sometimes it hurt him when he found out people weren’t as
good natured as he was; however, he rebounded quickly and moved
on. Nothing seemed to bother Sam; not even being enslaved.
He just accepted it, and was the first to realize if that’s the way it
was going to be, by God, he was going to make the best of it.
As sometimes
happens in the wonderful world of genetics, the fourteen year old,
Jebadiah, looked like he could’ve been the mailman’s son or the product
of a number of other men in the community. Everyone knew that
couldn’t be the case. Elvira Stamper was a church woman of great
inner strength and religious convictions. Whatever she suffered,
she suffered in silence. She silently suffered too much pain in
her lower abdomen while praying for a miracle to make it go away.
Her laconic stoicism cost her her life. When she was finally
taken to the hospital, it was too late. A simple colonoscopy a
year earlier would have saved her.
Jeb didn’t look
anything like his four brothers; however, he did look a lot like
Elvira’s older brother, whom Elam Stamper hated. Jeb was the best
looking of the five and had a natural body that made him stand out like
a sore thumb from the rest of the boys. The other four were built
on the big boned, brutish side. They had sandy blond hair, but
Jeb’s hair was jet-black. It was also noticeably apparent to Hoot
and Cotton when they examined the boys nude, Jeb was the best
endowed. He was also considerably brighter than the other four
boys. He was more like his younger brother Caleb than his other
brothers. He was a natural born athlete and excelled in any sport
he decided to participate in. His brothers were plodders,
mentally and physically. Jeb’s mind and body moved with the grace
of a panther.
The last brother
was Ezekiel. He was thirteen and another copy of his three oldest
brother; however, they all had brown eyes and Zeke had blue-green
eyes. The last three boys, including Caleb, had blue eyes, only
Zeke’s tended to the green side. He was also a handsome young
man. He got more of his mother’s good looks than his older three
brothers, Jeb notwithstanding. He was also more than adequately
endowed.
None of the boys
could account for the size of their appendages. They were all
considerably larger than their sire. It was mentioned Elam
Stamper may have suffered from penis envy of his sons, and it could
have been the deciding factor for him to get rid of them.
* * * * * * *
Before he took
the boys to the barn, Blake asked Hoot to show him the common
room. It was a huge room and to Blake’s surprise it had toilets,
lavatories, and shower facilities at one end.
“This ain’t been
used as a common room all the time, has it, Master Hoot?” asked
Blake knowing the answer before Hoot told him.
“Charlie’s
right, you are a smart lad. No, it was once a slave-quarter, but
when we took over the ranch we built a newer, more comfortable
slave-quarter. We just turned this building into a common or
recreation room for the slaves. Hardly any of the plumbing
works. One toilet over there works. The men use if they
don’t want to go outside or walk back to the slave-quarters. You
got some’um on your mind, Son?”
“This is your
temporary slave-quarters for the boys. I can fix the plumbing and
bring it up to livable condition. Our first project could be to
build a partition to separate this area from the rest of the room for
the boys and me. We would only need about a quarter of the total
space in this room. I could add a door for some privacy and the
men could still have most of the space for their common room.
Once we get the new slave-quarters built, we can return it to its
original size, or you could leave it for emergencies. From the
sounds of it, you never know when Master Long is gonna’ surprise you
with more slaves.”
“You know,—
you’re right, Son. That’s a great idea. Don’t know why my
partner and I didn’t think of it. Of course we don’t have your
knowledge of building and repairs. Tomorrow,— after you git back
from the Bandersnatch,— .”
“The
WHAT?” interrupted Blake. Hoot laughed.
“Guess you ain’t
never heard the name of the Captain’s ship. He calls it the
Bandersnatch.” Hoot winked at him, “Crazy name, but you gotta’ know the
Captain to appreciate the humor of it.”
“I’ll take you
word for it, Sir.” Blake laughed.
“Anyway, when
you get back from the ship, I’d like you to draw up some plans of what
you wanna’ do. I got some large drafting tablets in the house. I
tried my hand at designing a few things. Finally gave up when I
realized I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. We’ll git busy
and git you the supplies you need. It’ll be more comfortable for
you and the boys. It won’t make their lives seem quite so
bleak. How long would you guestimate before you and the boys
could move in, Son?”
“We can have the
room partitioned off by the end of the week. Depending on how
much help I git out of the boys we can take care of the rest of the
repairs the following week. I don’t see more’n two weeks total
from the time we git the materials. I’ll need a skill saw and
some power tools.”
“You write down
what chu’ need. If you need other power tools you think would be
helpful list ‘em. We’ll git ‘em for you. If you need
several so the boys can have access to them, order them. Whatever
you think you need. If’n you need plumbing tool, list ‘em.”
“I’ll get busy
on it right after I get back from the ship. I won’t be groggy or
nothing will I, Master Hoot?”
“No, not at
all. You won’t even know you had the long-shot. You better
brace yore’self, Son. When Hank Morgan tells you about the
long-shot you’re gonna’ lose control of yore’ asshole. Cotton and
me,— well, we still can’t believe it. H’it ain’t nothing bad,—
it’s probably the most wonderful thing that will ever happen to you.”
“Damn,
Sir. You make it sound so mysterious.”
“We done told
you to open yore’ mind and jes’ accept what comes. It ain’t so
mysterious as it is wonderful. You’ll see.”
* * * * * * *
Blake took the
boys to the barn to get them settled in. They were surprised to
find some of their stuff in five separate boxes. It was mostly
more clothes but there were a few articles the slaves figured the boys
might like to have with them. They hoisted the boxes up to the
loft to get them out of the way.
When Hoot came
to get them for chow, he brought in a couple of empty five gallon
plastic buckets laundry soap comes in for them to use for urinals or
sit on if they had to shit. He also had a roll of toilet
paper. He put them in a dark corner of one of the far stalls so
there would be no unpleasant odors. They would be responsible for
emptying them in the morning. He explained what they were
for. The boys didn’t say anything or have any question.
They figured they could ask Blake. Hoot went on to tell
them their boss would be busy for the better part of the morning and
unavailable for them. He was leaving early in the morning.
He and Cotton would come out to get them and take them to morning chow.
The boys had
their first experience with slave chow. Blake was a bit surprised
they ate it without much complaint. From the looks of them, they
probably needed the nutrition slave chow could provide they weren’t
getting at home. Only the two youngest didn’t finish their chow.
After supper,
everyone settled down for the night. There were no evening
showers or bushing of teeth. The slaves reported they only found
one old toothbrush in the boys bathroom, but it wasn’t worth
taking. Toothpaste was a luxury Elam Stamper couldn’t afford for
his boys; however, there was always enough money for him to drink and
buy for his booze hound buddies. Hoot made a mental note to
correct that as soon as possible.
Blake saw to it
every boy had a bedroll. Hoot and Cotton went out and bought five
new bedrolls,— the best the store had. Cotton figured if the boys
had to sleep in bedrolls for a while they should be warm and
comfortable. They would have beds for them soon enough.
Both men believed you got more work out of a slave if he’s had a good
night’s sleep.
The boys were
not shy about being nude around each other and obviously slept in the
raw at home. They all shucked off their clothes and sat in their
bedrolls waiting for Blake to talk with them. Blake took off his
clothes and a couple of the boys stared at the power and beauty of his
body. Blake Tindell looked like a young God to them. Even
laconic Burton was impressed by the man’s masculine beauty. He
just couldn’t understand what went on earlier and how willingly Blake
participated, even to the point of initiating sex between him and
Hoot. Blake settled into his bedroll.
“I guess you
guys have a lot of worries. I know I did when I was first
enslaved, but fortunately I had a wonderful Master who trained me
properly and made me the slave I am today. I admire him and love
him very much.”
“Who was yore’
slave trainer, boss?” Sam asked.
“Your new
Master, Hoot Austin. One of the finest slave trainers in the
state of Texas, bar none. He’s probably on a par with
Master Birdsall.” The boys heard of Bill Birdsall. He was a
legend in the state of Texas.
“Sir, didn’t you
stay with him and Master Cotton?”
“No, Son, I was
sold to a fine young Master. One of the famous Goodnight
brothers; Master Charlie Goodnight; another man I love very much.”
“We go to school
with his boy, Waco, Sir.” said Zeke motioning to Jeb.
“You mean we
went to school with him, brother.” Jeb corrected him.
“Yes, Sir.
That’s what I meant.” Zeke said quietly.
“Look,
gentlemen, you’re gonna’ be okay. You’re gonna’ be looked after
every day. You’re gonna’ be fed well and get a lot of fresh air
and exercise. You’re gonna’ be helping me build us a temporary
place to live where we can have regular beds and a bathroom with all
the facilities we need. Then you’ll help me build a brand new
slave-quarter for us. From what I hear it’s gonna’ be huge, and I
get to design it. You can give me ideas if you have any.
I’m gonna’ teach you how to use tools and do carpentry, dry-walling,
plumbing and electrical work. You’re gonna’ learn things that
will be useful to you all your life.”
“Don’t chu’ mean
we’re gonna’ be trained to be workhorses, boss?” Burton asked
sarcastically.
“Depends on the
way you wanna’ look at it, Burt. You could look at it that way or
you could look at it as an opportunity to better yourself. I
didn’t know nothing about building or fix’n stuff when I was first
enslaved; however, I had an older slave I still work with ever’ day on
Master Goodnight’s ranch take me under his wing and patiently teach me
how to do things. Why do you think he done it, Burt?”
“Because he was
ordered to?” shot back Burton.
“No,— he had his
pick of any cowboy there. He picked two men. Me and
another, middle aged cowboy, but he picked us ‘cause we told him we was
willing to try. No one else was willing. He taught us
everything we know about the building trades and there weren’t much the
old man didn’t know. If fact, after we git them plans drawn up
I’m gonna’ take ‘em to him for his final approval. He’s always
got some good suggestions what makes things better and easier.”
“Do you know who
bought us, Mr. Tindell?” Sam asked Blake.
“Yes, Sam, I
do. All I can tell you is he’s a fine man and a good
Master. If you have to be slaves, you don’t know how lucky your
are to be owned by him.”
“If’n he’s so
good, Sir, what would he want with five boys?” asked Burton.
“He has his
reasons, and even though you might not think so, they’re good
reasons. Beyond that, I can’t tell you more. You don’t need
to know the reasons for everything when you’re a slave. You jes’
accepted your situation and trust your Master will take good care of
you. For right now, all you have to remember is Master Hoot and
Master Cotton are your Masters. I’m your crew leader and
boss. I’ll expect you to do as you’re told without backtalk and
do your best. I will only accept your best. Every man has
in him the potential to be the very best he can. I plan to bring
out the best in you men. I promise you, after three months of
training you won’t recognize yourselves. Right now, we need to
get some sleep. Morning comes early around here. Does
anyone need to use the buckets down in the end stall?”
No one
responded. Blake reached up and pulled the string attached to the
one bare bulb in the loft and all was dark, except there was some
ambient light from a light in the front of the barn over the door that
was left on all night.
The boys were
soon asleep and Blake lay there listening to their soft breathing
thinking to himself how lucky he was to have a good Master like Charlie
Goodnight. This was his opportunity to show him how much he had
learned and changed over the years under his influence and
ownership. He was hoping the boys would come to look upon him
with some affection. He didn’t know why he needed it, but they
seemed so lost and frightened,— just like he was,— once upon a time,—
not so long ago.
End Chapter 17 ~
Waco’s Lummox
Copyright 2006 ~
Waddie Greywolf
All Rights
Reserved ~
Mail to:
waddiebear@yahoo.com