Growing up McCullough
Chapter 4 Oh Boys Are We In Trouble
On a Pond Bank Laredo Texas…
flashback continues
"I have to admit, Spence, you did good; it wouldn't have tasted better if I had snatched them myself," said Jack tossing a second apple core into the weeds.
"Thanks, the apples are good and the ham and bread ain't bad either. Now that we're through eating, are we going to fish, or what?" asked Matt tossing his apple core over his head.
"We can fish any old time, let's get to the target practice; that's what I came for," suggested Herbert.
"You didn't forget to bring a gun did you, Spence? If you want to hang with us you gotta be good at three things shooting and snatching… we've seen you can do the snatching, let's see how you shoot," taunted Herbert.
"I brought my gun and plenty of extra shells, so just show me where to aim and I'll show you boys what real shooting looks like. Herbert, you said I needed to be good at three things, you only named two, what's the third?" asked Matt as he stood up and retrieved his gun and holster from the gunnysack he had been carrying.
"Let's see how good you are at shooting, then if you pass, I'll tell you the third. Jack go set up our cans, and while you're at it put that last apple on the top of the middle one. I got an idea. Let's see if Spence can shoot the can out from under the apple without touching the apple," said Herbert scrambling to his feet.
Matt stepped up squared his shoulders and waited for Jack to return before he carefully took aim and blasted all four cans one right after the other. "That was easy. I say we try something harder. See that Pine yonder; let's see who can pluck a pine cone from here. Hebert you go first."
Herbert stepped up and took aim first one shot, then two, and three then on the fourth shot a puny piece of a pine cone hit the ground, Herbert shouted, "I got it; beat that one, Jack."
Jack stepped up and took aim. The first shot missed the whole tree, while the second shot hit just above the target. Jack aimed once more and bit down on his tongue. He squeezed the trigger and chachinck the pine cone went flying. "Look at that, I did it in three, beat that, Spence."
Matt smiled, stepped up and took aim high in the needed a clean shot, after all he had boasted about showing them some real shooting. He squeezed the trigger and, chachinck the pine cone split in half before falling to the ground. "And that boys is how it's done," gloated Matt, blowing on the end of his gun.
The rest of the afternoon passed the same way; one competition after another. Until finally, after Herbert declared he had caught the largest fish, Jack reminded them that it was getting late and they had better get on home.
"You're right Jack, but first someone has to tell me what the third thing I have to be good at is; if I want to be in this outfit," said Matt as he began to remove his gun and put it back in the gunnysack.
"Following orders, and you can't ask a lot of questions. The boss doesn't like lots of questions," answered Jack, throwing Herbert a look.
"I can do that, when do I get to meet the boss?" asked Matt trying not to sound too excited.
"Slow down there, Spence. You got one more test on Saturday night. If you pass it, then you will get to meet the boss and the rest of the gang. But, that's enough for now. I'll bring you instructions on Friday; where to go and what you have to do. And remember, Spence don't tell anyone anything," threatened Herbert.
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch…
"Benjamin why were you not in school today? And just where have you been?" Asked Mary, trying to hold her temper; knowing that Benjamin was not used to being scolded by women. She waited a few minutes for him to answer, when he didn't she asked another question. "Why were you climbing in the window?"
Benjamin stared straight ahead without answering.
Mary lowered herself gently down onto the chair next to him and tried once more. "Young man, I am trying to be understanding, but you are making it hard. For the past month or better, you have been trying my patience. Now, you are playing hooky from school, and to make matters worse you refuse to answer even a simple question. I need some answers! Just what has come over you?" asked Mary trying to hold back her anger.
"I will talk to father," snapped Benjamin before returning to his blank stare.
"Your father is not here, and may not be for several days." Mary reached out and turned Benjamin face to hers. "I'm worried son, I need you to talk to me," said Mary. "Let's start once more. Why were you climbing in the window?"
Benjamin could see the worry in her eyes, he had not meant to worry her, and so he decided that he would answer her questions. "I was not climbing in the window," answered Benjamin.
"The window is open, the chair was turned over… If you were not climbing in, what where you doing?" asked Mary pleased that he had at least answered.
"I was trying to climb out," he replied.
"Climb out! Why on earth would you need to climb out? Wait a minute, I'm confused did you leave for school this morning?"
"Yes, I left, but I cannot go to school, so I go fishing. When Uncle Charlie came, I hid and I hear him and Gary talking saying; that I was treating you bad. He told Uncle Charlie that I was not finishing my chores. Uncle Charlie sounded angry; he said that Gary should tell me to apola… tell you I am sorry. He should tell me to do chores and do what mother say… he said It best I not let him catch me treating mother bad. I not know other see me act badly. I come home, need time to think, how to fix this mess I in. When I get here, I see you by tree with knife. I come to father's office, wait for good time to talk," answered Benjamin.
Mary was so confused, "What do you mean you can't go to school?"
"Teacher give note; says I no can come back to school until father sign. Father gone, father cannot sign. I not know what to do, so I go fishing, wait for school to be over then come home."
Mary reached over and place her hand on Benjamin knee, "You have a note from Mrs. Parker? Why haven't you given it to me?"
"Miss Parker, says father must sign, father not here," he replied.
"Where is the note son?" asked Mary raising her voice a little.
"Note for father, not for Mother," Benjamin insisted.
It was obvious, Benjamin was confused; he was trying to do what the teacher had said. Mary wished that Flint were home to help unravel this mess. He was so insistent that the note was for Flint, that Mary decided to go at things from a different angle.
"Okay, Benjamin, just this once you can save the note for your father. You said you came in here to wait for a good time to talk. What did you and I need to talk about?" said Mary trying hard not to sound angry.
"Uncle Charlie, said I not honor mother. He said father would not like the way I treating you. He said I need to make right," explained Benjamin.
"If you came home to talk to me, then why didn't you come to me?" asked Mary.
"When I came home you were cutting switch; I know you must be angry. I was … scared… I guess. I remember story, loong time ago, Brother flaming mad come to angry mother, mother whamp hard with mother's hairbrush. The rules here are many and different. I not want to make work for you. I do not mean to make you cry; I just want to be same like brothers. Want new mother to love me," answered Benjamin.
"I'm afraid, I don't understand. What do you mean you want to be the same like your brothers?" asked Mary.
"When Mark fight with Luke, you smack with spoon; say no more fight. When I fight with Luke; you frown and say it is not nice to fight. When Mark not do chores you wave spoon and say; "You best get out there and finish milking, or I'll make you think chores are boring. When I leave chores unfinished, you look sad and then do the work for me. Even Sammy and Brooke have to stand in corner, if they not talk nice to mother. I made you cry and you just turned your eyes and hurried away. Man a church says; Mother's and father's sometime have to punish their children, because they love them. I want you to love me same," explained Benjamin, hoping Mary could understand.
Mary fought back tears, as she reached out and pulled Benjamin to her. Hugging him as tightly as her oversized belly would allow. After several minutes Mary released him and allowed him to sit back before she spoke again. "Benjamin, I want you to know that I love you just as much as any of my children. I knew that our worlds were so different, so I was trying to give you time to adjust. Little Brooke is younger and the changes will happen faster for her. But, I guess that by ignoring your behavior, I was causing more hurt than any smack of my spoon. I'm sorry Benjamin, can you forgive me?"
"I forgive you, but I must tell you why I climb out window. When I am waiting, for time to talk, I hear Luke come home. I hear you use switch. I hear you say he lie to you. I hear you say, Miss Parker say we maybe chase cat. I hear fear in your voice. Then I hear you ask Luke how many days he not go to school. Then I hear switch again, hear Luke cry. Then Benjamin remember; hear Mark and Barney talk at woodpile this morning; say hide guns; say now is our chance to hunt cat. They say they get back before father or mother know. Try to climb out window, warn brothers," said Benjamin excitedly, forgetting to use the grammar he had been taught.
"Benjamin Dark Eagle McCullough! Are you telling me that you have known all day that Mark and Barney had gone to hunt that cat?" shouted Mary throwing her arms in the air. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to get them in trouble. I was just minding my own business," he said.
"Young man, knowing that your brother and Barney may be in danger and choosing not to tell someone is not minding your own business; it's covering for them. You knew that your father had forbidden them to go after that cat. You go upstairs and wait for me in your room!" growled Mary pointing to the door as she stood following him through the door.
"Charlie, Charlie!" she shouted near panic again, as she watched Benjamin take the stairs two at a time.
"What is it Miss Mary, did that whippersnapper, leave without permission? You just give me that switch there on the table, and I'll march him right back down here," said Charlie getting to his feet and heading for the table.
"No, No Charlie, I sent him to his room. It's not Ben that I'm concerned about right now. Oh Charlie, I just don't know what to do. Benjamin just told me that Mark and Barney, went out early this morning after that cat. It's getting late and they're still not back," said Mary as she hurried from the office into the front parlor where Charlie was watching Hunter stack blocks.
"Now Miss Mary, I was afraid of that. I have already sent several of the men out looking for them, and Kevin and Henry too. The best thing for us to do is try to stay calm until they get back."
"Oh Charlie, I'm so worried. Whatever would I do if you were not here?" said Mary near hysterical.
"Miss Mary, you've just got to calm down. Getting yourself all worked up can't be good for the baby. Why don't you just go upstairs and lay down for a spell, while I rustle up some grub for the young'uns, then you and I can set down and figure what to do next."
Suddenly Mary remembered Benjamin was upstairs waiting. She didn't know about resting, but she would go upstairs and finish her talk with him. "Thank you Charlie. If you're sure that you can manage, I'll just go up for a bit," said Mary as she walked toward the stairs.
Mary climbed the stairs; Charlie was right it was best that they wait for the men to bring the boys home. Topping the stairs, she stopped and breathed a quick prayer that the boys would be found safe; that the Lord might calm her worried spirit. With a new resolve she made her way to Benjamin's room.
Benjamin sat nervously on the end of his bed. He had seen Mark sit waiting for Flint to come and so when he heard the knock he knew to say, "Come in and stand.
Mary opened the door and smiled a little as she noticed Benjamin standing nervously clad in his red nightshirt. "Sit down son, I have something I want to say," she said coming to sit next to him on the bed. "If I understand right you were showing off and not finishing your chores to get my attention. You thought that because I was not fussing at you, I did not love you like the others," clarified Mary, turning to look into Benjamin eyes. "You know how to do your chores, Right?" said Mary reaching out and touching Benjamin's chin to make him look at her.
"Yes Ma'am, I can do chores real good," said Benjamin proudly.
"Ben, I thought you liked to go to school," said Mary in a stern tone.
"I do, I didn't want to miss school," answered Benjamin.
"Then why did you leave without permission?" asked Mary.
"I was worried…" Benjamin stopped; he did not want to get Luke in trouble.
"Worried about what, Ben. Did you leave school with Luke? You can tell me you are not going to get Luke in anymore trouble," said Mary putting things together.
"No ma'am, I did not leave with Luke. Luke leave many days. I left after Luke; to see where he is going. He hide in dark room watch men argue. When I see that he is safe, I go back to school. That's when Miss Parker get mad; send note say I cannot come back to school until father sign note. Father not here; I in big trouble," said Benjamin feeling better some, just having explained to someone.
"Ben I am glad that you wanted to keep your brother safe, but you should have stayed at school and came and told you father, or me that Luke was not staying in school."
"But Luke not want me to tell; if I tell Brothers and friends will be in much trouble."
"By not telling someone when they are doing something dangerous, you don't keep them out of trouble, you just get yourself in trouble for helping them to do wrong. You knew what they were doing was wrong, that why you tried to crawl out the window, which by the way is not allowed in this house except in case of a fire. Ben, I know that I told you that just this once you could save the note for your father, but I have changed my mind I need you to give me the note," said Mary sternly.
"But you said..."
"No buts son. I understand that you were confused about the note, but you knew that it was wrong to let me think you were at school, or you would not have hidden it. You said you wanted to be treated like the other boys, in this family and when Flint is away you children answer to me. Now let me see the note," she said, holding out her hand.
Benjamin slipped off the bed and knelt to retrieve his wooden box from under the bed. Sitting back on the floor, he crossed his legs and opened the box. Lifting the crumpled note, he passed it to his mother and sat waiting for her to read it.
"It says here that you have had the note for two days. Your father was here the first night; why didn't you give it to him?" she asked irritation in her voice.
"I was ready to show father, but Mark get mad; he yelled and ran out. I waited until after we finished eating and went to speak to father, but father talking to Mark. I bring note to breakfast, but father gone. I am sorry, mother," said Benjamin.
Ben understand that to be fair, I have to punish you?" asked Mary looking deep into is eyes again.
"I do much wrong; I worry mother. I hide truth, Mother must punish." Looking into Mary's eyes, he opened his box and took out an old leather pouch and passed it to her. Mary open the pouch reached inside and pulled out and old and worn but familiar wooden hairbrush.
She stood and walked to the end of the bed," Ben come here and bend over" she said, knowing that he knew what to expect.
Ben did as he was told. Then without a word, Mary smacked the brush down on the back of the nightshirt, first on the left cheek and then on the right, then back to the left.
At first Benjamin tried to take it quietly, but after eight smacks his behind was on fire, he started to yelp. "Ouch, please mom it hurts, please. That's enough," he pleaded as the smacks continued to cover his backside.
"You just remember that the next time you decide to sneak around or run out on your chores," scolded Mary as she made sure to give him a paddling he would not soon forget.
"I will, mom. I promise. I will remember," promised Benjamin as tears spilled down his face.
Mary threw the brush onto the bed and then pulled Benjamin to her, hugging him as she whispered, "And don't you ever doubt that I love you. Now, I think it's time for you to go to bed," said Mary kissing his cheek before stepping back to look once more at his face.
"I Love you mom," he said as he turn back the quilt on the bed.
Meanwhile Back at Fox canyon…
"Do you see anything," whispered Mark.
"Not a thing how about you," asked Barney.
"The only tracks I see are horses," said Kevin.
"Shush, do you hear that there's something coming up behind us," said Henry as the hairs on the back of his neck bristled.
All four boys turned to see two gunmen appear from the bushes. None of the boys recognised the men; certain they were not from around here.
"That's right; all four of you boys drop your rifles and reach for the sky!" The tallest of the two, and the meanest looking one as well, snarled as he waved his gun.
The boys did as they were told, trying not to shake with fear.
"Wayne, get their guns. The four of you just keep walking," said the gunman.
"What are we gonna do with a bunch of Youngsters with a posse on our tail, they won't be nothing but trouble. And, while you're at it stop shouting my name for all to hear," complained Wayne.
TBC