Chapter 4:
"Here's ya beer, sugar." Daisy said sitting Luke and Cooter's drinks in front of them. "How's that ornery little cousin of ours doin'?"
"Oh he's doin' just great… at gettin' Lukas here in hot water with Uncle Jesse."
"Huh?"
"Bo was dreamin' again and said that he'd get a few drinks once Luke here was flirtin'. Jesse like ta hit the roof." Cooter laughed.
"It's true ya know. Bo does help himself to a couple of beers while ya not watchin'." Daisy smiled.
"So that's why my tab is always so high. That little…"
"Now Luke, ya can't blame the kid." Cooter stated taking a drink.
"Why didn't ya tell me Daisy? I coulda stopped him."
"I figured ya catch 'em sooner or later and besides, he wasn't gettin' drunk or in trouble."
"Well, I will catch 'em the next time and when I do, I think I'll swat his backside right here in the bar." Luke fumed causing Cooter and Daisy to laugh.
'Ain't it amazin' how much trouble those Duke boys can get into in their sleep… or when they're supposed to be asleep?'
"Be quiet Bo. The last thing we wanna do is to wake up Pa." Joe whispered as they made their way down the tree just outside of Joe's room.
"I sure wish I had the General here. We'd be there in about ten minutes." Bo said as they saddled their horses.
"Sure ya ain't talkin' bout a bird? Sounds like ya'd havta fly to get there that fast."
Now it didn't take those two good ole boys long til they done hitched up the horses in front of the saloon. Bo couldn't believe his eyes as he walked inside with Joe. The saloon looked just like it did on TV, and now with the clothes Ben had got him, he looked like he fit right in. "Joe, why did ya Pa get me these things?" he asked pulling at the black scarf around his neck.
"So ya would look normal. Where did ya get those things ya was wearin'?"
"Store back home… why, what was wrong with them. Everyone in Hazzard dresses like that."
"Don't matter none, we're here so let's have that beer." Joe smiled as they walked up to the bar. "Two beers Sam."
"Little Joe, does ya Pa know ya here?"
"Would I be here if'n he didn't?" Joe asked innocently.
"Probably, but here's ya drinks. Who's ya friend?"
"Oh, this is Bo Duke, he's from Georgia." Joe stated, taking a sip.
"Nice to meet ya Sam." Bo smiled taking his drink.
"You too kid. Now I don't want ya'll causing no trouble in here, ya hear me?"
"Who us?" Joe asked.
"Yes you, I mean it Joe."
"We'll be good, Sam. Don't worry."
'Now if any of ya out there believe that, I got some swampland in Tennessee I'll sell ya.'
At first Ben Cartwright didn't know what it was that woke him from a sound sleep. Lying there, he heard it again. Someone was knocking at the door. Pulling on his robe, he glanced at his pocket watch and frowned. "Who in the world would be here at two in the morning?" he asked him self as he started out his door. Meeting up with Adam and Hoss, they exchanged looks before going downstairs. Ben was shocked when he opened the door to see Roy Coffee standing there flanked on the right by Bo and the left by his youngest, both boys worse for drink and sporting the obvious signs of being in a fight.
"Ben, I'm sure enough sorry to havta bother ya at this time of night, but I ain't got a choice." Roy stated leading the boys inside.
"What did they do?" he asked looking at the young men that stood with their heads down.
"Drinkin' ore the saloon and done got in a fight and busted the place up. I was gonna lock 'em up and come get ya, but Sam said he knowd ya take care of 'em and pay him, so I brought 'em to ya."
Sighing and nodding his head, Ben knew there was no need to deal with it tonight. Both boys were far too drunk to comprehend. Taking Joe by the arm he turned him toward Adam. "Adam, take him up to bed. Joseph, we'll discuss this in the morning." He added, giving the boy a hard swat as he released him to his brother. "Hoss, take Bo up to bed. Bo we'll also discuss this in the morning." Once again adding a hard swat to the boy's backside.
'Kinda makes ya wonder what that fight was all about, don't it. I betcha those boys ain't got a clue either, but I bet they think twice about it come mornin' when it ain't just their heads ahurtin. Well while the boys are sleepin' it off let's check in back home in Hazzard.'
"Come on Lukas." Cooter said strainin' to pull his friend inside the ranch house. "Ya know ya could help me here just a little."
"I-I gotta go b-back to the hos… hospital." Luke stammered, leaning heavily against Cooter.
"I don't think that'd be a good idey, buddyro. Uncle Jesse'd take a switch to ya if'n he saw ya this drunk."
"But I gotta be with… with Bo. He needs me."
"Yeah he does, but he needs ya sober, Luke. Now come on let's get ya to bed so ya can sleep it off."
"Bo ain't gonna make it is he, Cooter." Luke whispered as he lay back on the bed.
"Now ya listen here Luke Duke. I don't wanna here that kinda talk outta ya again. Of course that boys gonna make it. He's as hard headed as his cousin." Cooter smiled.
"Don't let Daisy here ya talkin' like that 'bout her." Luke giggled as he passed out.
Cooter looked down at his friend and shook his head. "Bo ya gotta wake up for he goes crazy. Come on kid we miss ya."
'Kinda strange how life works ain't it. Both the Duke boys have done gone out drinkin' in a bar, been dragged home and passed out. Ain't it funny that no matter how far apart those boys are they just seem to always find the same trouble.'
Now no matter how long ya sleep after a drunk, mornin' still seems to come way too soon. Especially when ya facin' an angry man like Ben Cartwright. Joe eased open his bedroom door and silently went into Bo's. "Hey Bo, ya awake?"
Grabbin' his head, Bo squinted his eyes open. "Well I am now. Whacha want, Joe?"
"We better get on down for breakfast. Pa's already mad enough at us."
"Yeah, I kinda got that idey last night. Where did he get off swattin' me for anyway?" Bo asked, sitting up.
"While ya here, he's responsible for ya. I doubt that was the only one we're gonna get either." Joe replied.
"Oh no. Shoot, I'd rather face a pack of hungry
ky-otes than face ya Pa."
"Yeah, me too. But we better get to movin'. Get dressed and meet me in the hall. We'll head on down together."
"You got it buddy."
'While the boys are gettin' ready to go face Ben, let's check back in at the farm and see just what kinda shape ole Luke's in this mornin'.
"LUKE! Get up outta that there bed right this minute." Jesse yelled.
"Ohhh." Was the only reply, as Luke rolled over on his stomach coverin' his head with his pillow, "Please don't yell."
Now, this was a mistake on Luke's part. He had learned a long time ago never to turn over and leave his backside exposed to an angry Uncle Jesse. But the hangover he had kept him from openin' his eyes so he didn't see the switch the man was totin'. Luke felt the bed move as his uncle sat down beside him, but thought nothin' of it. That is until he felt the first stingin' swat.
"Uncle Jesse!"
"Don't ya even think of movin' boy." He said bringin' the switch down a second time. "What in the name of all that's good was ya thinkin'?"
"Please, Uncle Jesse, don't."
"Don't what?" Jesse asked, swattin' him again. "Don't tell ya how disappointed I am in ya right now?" SWAT. "Or how I have enough to worry 'bout right now, with Bo?" SWAT "That I sat there half the night wonderin' where ya were?" SWAT. "That I called Cooter this mornin' to make sure ya was alright, just to find out that ya was here sleepin' it off?" SWAT.
"I-I'm sorry, Uncle Jesse." Luke whispered the tears from his fear over his baby cousin finally comin'.
Hearing the sobs from his oldest nephew, Jesse knew there was more behind what had happened than just a little too much fun. Rubbing Luke's back he asked. "What is it son. I know that switchin' didn't hurt that much, and I know that somethin's been a eatin' at ya for awhile now."
With his head still turned to the wall, Luke softly spoke. "I'm scared Uncle Jesse."
"Of what?"
"What… what if Bo don't wake up? I-I don't wanna lose him."
"Come here son." Jesse said, rollin' Luke over toward him. Pullin' him into a tight embrace, Jesse continued. "We can't even think like that. Bo's gonna come around. You mark my word. That little cousin of yours is as stubborn as a mule with a migraine. He ain't gonna give up and he don't need you givin' up on him."
"I ain't Uncle Jesse. I just wish he'd hurry up and wake up. I miss him pesterin' me all the time. Besides…" Luke paused. Lookin' up at his uncle, he smiled. "When Bo's up and around I don't get my tail switched."
"You deserved that one young man, and don't think I won't do it again if'n ya need it."
Rubbin' his backside, Luke nodded. "I know ya will."
'Ain't it amazin' how Uncle Jesse always knows the right things to do or say. It's no wonder those three are proud to be Dukes.'
"Ya ready Bo?" Joe asked as they met in the hallway.
"Yeah, I reckon, but danged if I don't feel like the fox that's done got caught in the hen house."
"Wish I was that fox." Joe stated.
"Huh?"
"Well the fox is lucky, he'd just get shot… Let's go."
'Now seein' those ole boys walkin' down the stairs, you'd a thought they's on their way to face the firing squad. So they was shocked when Ben wasn't there.'
"Mornin'." Joe said.
"Yeah, mornin'." Bo added.
"Good morning, boys. How are you feeling?" Adam smirked.
"Yeah, you two young'uns don't looks so good." Hoss stated.
"We're alright for now… where's Pa?" Joe asked.
"Well, he said to tell the two of you to finish your breakfast… then join him in the barn." Adam said, looking from one boy to the other.
"T-the barn?" they both asked.
"Yep, and he ain't too happy boys. Why'd ya'll havta go an' mess up like that last night?" Hoss asked.
"Adam, Hoss, it was my fault. Dang it, I talked Joe inta comin' with me last night. I go to the bar back home all the time with my cousin Luke. And my cousin Daisy works at the Boars Nest. Just didn't see no harm in it." Bo declared.
"That's very commendable of you to take all the
blame Bo, but Joseph has a mind of his own. He knows how I feel about this and he knows the consequences of his actions. Don't you Joseph?" Ben said as he stood just inside the kitchen doorway.
"Yes sir." Joe said softly.
"Would you care to tell Bo just what the consequences are for a fifteen-year old boy that sneaks out of this house and gets drunk at a saloon that he is not allowed to be in, in the first place?"
Swallowing hard, Joe mumbled, "A tannin'."
"What was that Joseph?" Ben asked.
"A tannin' sir." He answered looking at Bo.
"That's right, and since you are my responsibility for the moment, Bo. You will be treated the same as Joseph. Is that understood, young man?" Ben asked.
"Ah… yes sir. I guess so."
"Let me ask you this son. How would your uncle handle this?"
Glancing over at Little Joe, Bo cleared his throat. "Um… well sir, he'd take a switch to me."
"Then you do understand why I'm doing this?" Ben questioned.
"Yes sir." Bo sighed.
Ben looked at the faces of the two young men that sat with their heads down and almost gave into his desire not to punish them. He glanced at Adam and knew his oldest son could see his distress over the problem. Steeling himself for what had to be done, he spoke. "If the two of you are through with breakfast we need to take a walk to the barn."
"Yes sir." Both boys said, standing to follow Ben out the door.
'Now if that ain't enough to make ya loose ya appetite, nothin' is.'
Entering the barn, Bo and Little Joe waited for Ben to join them. They watched as he closed the door behind him and walked over to where they stood. "Boys, I'm not going to say anything else about last night, other than you both knew what you were doing was wrong. You deliberately disobeyed me. I will not tolerate this. You both will be restricted to the ranch yard for the next two weeks and after we're finished here, you will spend the day in your rooms." Ben said, pulling his belt from his trousers.
"Yes Pa."
"Yes sir."
"Joseph, you have been in here more than enough to know what to do, son."
"Yes sir." Joe said, as he bent slightly placing his hands on the saddle stand.
Ben doubled he belt in his right hand and raised it up before bringing it down across Joe's bottom.
Joe winced and gritted his teeth, trying to keep from crying out over the pain and embarrassment. After about the tenth lash, he couldn't keep from it. "I'm sorry Pa… please stop."
"I have to make sure you understand this is not to happen again, son." Ben said, bringing down the belt again. He hated this more than anything but new he had no choice.
"Pa… please." Joe sobbed.
Lashing the belt three more times, Ben stopped. Rubbing his baby boy's back he pulled him into a tight hug. "I love you son, and I only want to keep you safe. Do you understand that?"
"Yes sir. I'm sorry Pa." Joe whispered into his father's chest.
"All is forgiven, son. The slate is clean. Now I want you to go to your room."
"Yes sir." Joe said. Walking past Bo he saw the fear in the boys eyes.
Joe wasn't the only one that saw the uncertainty in the dark blue eyes. "Bo, son?"
"Y-yes sir?"
"Let's get this over with. Lean against the saddle stand."
Bo did as Ben instructed and braced his self for the tannin' to begin. Like Joe, he tried his hardest not to cry. It wasn't long until he was unable to hold it back. "I'm so sorry. Please, don't."
Ben held firm and finished out the tannin' as he had with his son. Done he rubbed the young man's back telling him all was forgiven. Seeing the tears that fell, Ben opened his arms, offering comfort.
Bo wanted nothing more than to feel safe and loved and fell into Ben's embrace. "I'm sorry sir. I shouldn't have talked Joe into going."
"Bo, it was Joe's choice to go. He knew what would happen if he was caught. I don't blame you anymore than I do Joe. You were both wrong."
"Yes sir." Bo smiled up at Ben.
"Now young man, I want you in your room until dinner."
"Don't reckon you'll let me skip it huh?"
"No son, you will be at the table as will Joe."
"Yes sir."
"If'n I was them boys, I'd be hopin' ole Hop Sing didn't forget to re-stuff those pillows. Sounds to me like them boys is gonna need 'em. Ya'll stick around to see what happens next. Will life ever return to what passes as normal in Hazzard… or on the Ponderosa for that matter.'