Back on the Trail

Chapter 2. Open Wide, Charlie's Switch and the Final Word.

oOo

Barney woke the next morning, glad he didn't feel too sore. He was in a good mood considering he was over halfway through with this punishment and no one had been too hard on him. To top it all off, no one was mad at him anymore. He whistled as he washed the breakfast dishes.

Bill had said that they were safely out of hostile Indian country and that helped everyone relax. So, Barnaby's chore for today was to help the herd boys and fill the two wheeled cart with firewood as they walked along; making preparing meals easier for the ladies. He decided, as he walked later that he would go talk to Coop next. When he heard Bill shout circle up, Barney guided the cart into the center of the circle and went to the lead wagon where Coop stood already eating some of Charlie's stew. As no one else was around he decided to 'dive in' with what he needed to get off his chest.

"Coop, I owe you an apology. I know better than to use language like that and you were right; I should not be arguing. It's my job to do what I'm told. I'm sorry, Coop and I will accept whatever you think is fair as punishment," said Barney.

"Yes Barney, you were wrong and you do deserve a fitting punishment. Get yourself some stew and then we'll take care of that right after you eat; wouldn't want to spoil this delicious stew," ordered Coop in a mysterious tone.

As soon as everyone was finished eating, Coop looked at Barney. "Except for Bill all of these fellas were here when you decided it was okay to talk to me like that right?"

"Yes, sir," answered Barney, turning red knowing that they were going to see his punishment.

"Now, young fella, I am going to treat you to my grandmother's favorite remedy for what she called a dirty mouth." With that Coop grabbed Barney by the arm and walked him the five steps to the wash basin at the back of the wagon, planting one swat with each stride he took to get there. Coop released Barney's arm and picking up the soap bar, he used his knife to shave off a small piece.

"Open wide," said Coop.

Barney clamped his jaw tight and shook his head from side to side. Coop brought his right hand down on the seat of Barney britches with a hard smack.

"Ouch," yelled Barney.

And in went the soap from Coop's left hand. "Don't you spit till I tell you to, or we will start again from the bench with five more swats," warned Coop.

Barney began to shake his head first up and down then side to side, suddenly confused at how best to convey that he had received the message.

Everyone laughed when Barney was allowed to spit and rinse. He promised never to even say darn again declaring, "Coop, your grandmother's method could stop a person from speaking any ill thoughts."

"You said you wanted a fitting punishment, next time you'll have to hold it twice as long," threatened Coop.

"Not, me Coop; once is enough for me," promised a still gagging Barney.

"That's all it took for me too pal; apology accepted," laughed Coop clapping Barney on the back.

"Barney, how about you go and fetch us a fresh pail of water," said Wooster.

"Sure thing; I'll be back quicker than you can say jack rabbit," laughed Barney as he leaped over the cooking fire and grabbed the pail.

"Good to see him back to his antic's, feisty just like a fourteen-year-old orta be," said Mr. Chris.

"You always said he was a good kid," laughed Bill.

oOo

The next day was Friday. Barney had heard Bill and Mr. Chris talking about making camp down by Bear creek for the night and they would rest there until Monday morning; giving a chance for the folks to bathe and the ladies a chance to do laundry. That meant they might travel late or make camp early depending on how the trail went.

Barney was back with the other boys following the small herd. They hadn't been walking long when Tommy, jogged up beside him.

"Hey, Barney that was a hoot last night, what you do to get your tail swatted like a five-year old?"

"Just somethin I shouldn't have, that's all," answered Barney turning a little red faced.

"Musta said something bad, cause I seen you spitting and a sputtering after you spit the soap out," laughed Tommy.

"Tommy, leave him alone. It ain't like you got any room to brag; who was it fetching a switch for pa night before last for sassing ma," teased Tommy's brother, Brad. "And I bet you're at least two years older than Barney," he added to a now red faced Tommy.

All the boys got back to work and didn't say much for the rest of the morning. Barney had known some of the boy's were bound to have seen Coop's chastisement, but he was glad Brad was there to stop the teasing.

oOo

Barney had decided that it was time to apologize to Wooster next. But, this time he waited until he had helped with all the supper chores and the clean up. Then as Wooster headed down to the creek that night Barney followed.

"Charlie, a sir, could we talk?" asked Barney shyly.

"Why, Barney; what you so nervous bout? It's just me old Charlie. You don't need no sir, and of course we can talk. Grab yourself a seat there. What's on your mind boy?"

"Charlie, I've been just plain awful to you, and I caused you to go traipsing across the dessert looking for me. I must have worried you half to death. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want me hanging around your fire anymore. On top of all that, I've be rude and disrespectful to ya."

"Shucks Barney, I know you're just a young pup; you don't mean half what you do. You'll out grow it one day soon," rattled Charlie.

"Just the same I owe you an apology, and as part of that apology, I'm supposed to accept what you think is a fair punishment. Charlie, I'm really sorry, I should have done what Mr. Chris said and then I wouldn't be in this fix," said Barney throwing a rock into the creek.

"Barney, thank you for saying you was sorry. I gotta admit I was feared you'd been killed by them two outlaws, and yer lucky yer weren't. Guess I ain't the only one seen the good in ya. So, as for a fair punishment for worryin' folks and causing all the extra work; you're just gonna have to let me sleep on that one," said Charlie rubbing his calloused hand over his beard.

Barney nodded, holding onto his emotions that old Wooster's sincere words had left him with. He stayed there at the creek, skimming rocks and contemplating the pooled rings that just one little rock created.

"Sorta like my actions," thought Barney quietly.

oOo

The next morning the flap jacks where sizzling and the coffee was boiling. There were two hunting parties organized, for the train could always use fresh meat. All of the hands were eating and enjoying the slow pace of the break in their long journey. Bill was teasing Wooster as usual. Before long it was time to clean up the dishes. As Barney washed the dishes, Charlie rummaged around in the wagon. Barney wondered if Charlie had forgotten about deciding on a punishment. Just as he emptied the dish pan and put things in order for later, Charlie came climbing out of the wagon carrying a big duffle bag.

"Barney, I want you to take your knife over there and cut me a good switch, and bring it over there behind the wagon," said Charlie in gravelly tone, as he pointed to the patch where the switch was to be cut.

Barney gulped and shoved his hand into his pocket fingering the knife he had in there. He had expected the last two apologizes to be the hardest, and considering that he had caused Charlie so much work and worry, he guessed he should have expected the punishment to be harsher as well. As he walked up to the bush he wondered, big or small thick or thin long or short; after all he'd never been sent to fetch a switch before. Well, he'd get one in the middle not two big, maybe just a thin green one. He thought to himself. After cutting the limb, he used his knife to cut off all the leaves and small branches; remembering the one that the bully's pa had wanted to use last year when Bill had taken it off the man and giving the man a good flick or two. He walked slowly back to Charlie, thinking that he was not going to like this.

"Here, Charlie," said Barney handing him the switch while folding his knife and putting it back into his pocket.

"Sit down Barney. I have decided that I am going to tell you a story, and I want you to listen real good; you here?" said Charlie flicking the switch on his leg as he sat down on the large duffle bag.

Barney's eyes watched the switch as it snapped against old Wooster's thigh.

"Barney, I remember back when I was a boy about eleven or twelve. We were living on a small farm down around Kentucky. I was the middle youngn' of three two boys and a big sister; she was a little bossy sometimes. Well; I remember this one time it seemed like everything I wanted to do, someone was a telling me; no. Well, it wasn't long before I got bored with that answer and I wandered down by the field where my pappy was. I was using my sling-shot to fling rocks at trees and things. Suddenly I see me a real funny target. My Pappy he was bent over with his seat in the air. I took aim and let the rock fly. Well wouldn't you know my aim would be perfect? I took off outa there like the wind. I ran all the way back up to the house. Trouble was Sally had been taking my pappy his lunch and seen me fire the shot, then run, Then the next day things got worse when Pappy caught me into his tobacco and tanned my hide right good.

Well now Barney, I had myself convinced that nobody loved me anyway, so I took off. I ran all of about a mile from the house, but it still took my Pappy three days to find me. My ma was sick with worry. I remember I had found an old row boat. I was asleep in the middle of the Setter's pond when he found me. I remember, hearing someone shouting on the bank; 'Charles, Charles Wooster is that you?' Then there was splashing. Pappy climbed into that boat and wrapped me in his wet arms. I remember till this day it was the only time I ever seen my Pappy cry. When he turned me loose, he didn't say a word he just started rowing. I sat staring at his eyes.

When he got me to the bank, he sat down and pulled me down over his knee and told me how worried my ma was and how scared he'd been. He kept swatting my backside like there was no tomorrow; tellin' me how much he hated having to punish me, but how he wanted me to grow up to be responsible and honest. And, how I should never run from my troubles, cause that only makes them worse. He wanted me to remember that I was never to take off like that again. I reckon he'd laid at least fifty swats afore he'd finished. Then he stood up and cut a switch pretty much like this one. He tucked me real tight under his arm and brought that switch down again and again, until he done lit a fire on my behind; felt like a swarm of bees had attacked me all at once.

Pappy looked right at me and said; 'Charlie boy, you done a good bit of walking to get yourself out of a whipn' and I think you got a bit of a walk to get back to where all this started. Then he said; 'I want you to remember the walk back, and how much your runin' hurt your ma. Now get moving' he said with another swish of that switch. Every now and again, he's switch would get me again. He wasn't switchn' hard, just a little sting ta keep me on the right path home. But, let me tell you; by the time we hit the front porch, I was sure glad to see my ma's open arms. When she turned me loose, he turned me around and said, Charlie Boy, never ever run from your troubles again."

Barney hadn't taken his eyes off Wooster's face while he told his story, grimacing when Wooster did, at the memory of the worst switching he's ever had.

"Barney, I have never forgotten that lesson, and I don't want you too, either," said Charlie, standing up and flipping the switch against his leg.

Barney's eyes got big as Charlie motioned for him to stand up.

"Grab that bag and start carrying it to the creek," ordered Charlie.

Barney hoisted the bag onto his shoulder and started walking. Charlie flicked the switch just across the top of Barney's legs, right where his backside curbed.

'Jeminie, did that thing sting,' thought Barney, giving a quick jump and hiss.

Charlie walked just behind him. Barney made each step, expecting the switch to land. Each time he stepped the switch would snap but only against Charlie's leg. He wished that Charlie would just get it over with; the waiting was killing him.

When they reached the bank, Charlie pointed him toward a secluded spot before telling him to drop the bag. "Now young man, I want you to get out of your clothes," ordered Charlie.

Barney's face turned white. Charlie was really going to make sure he remembered this whipping. He was almost in tears as he stood in front of Charlie in his long johns.

"Drawers too," said Charlie stepping up next to the boy.

Just as Barney stepped out of his underwear, Charlie shoved him into the water.

When Barney sat up, wiping water out of his face, Charlie threw him a bar of soap. "And when you get through with your bath, I want all of that dirty laundry washed and hung up to dry. Your clean clothes are on top." Charlie let go with a huge laugh as he snapped the switch in two. "I always did hate laundry, now you do a good job," smiled Charlie turning back the way they had come.

oOo

That night as he lay next to Bill, he smiled as he told Bill the story…

"Bill I swear, it was near torture walking to the creek. I was nearly jumping out of my skin. Then when I thought he was going to use that switch on me without clothes, I just knew that the whole train was going to hear me howling," said Barney.

"But, I bet you will never forget how worried you were," answered Bill.

"You can say that again, and I will think twice before making Charlie mad," Barney said, as he folded the last of the laundry.

"Is that so," chuckled Charlie as he came around behind Barney.

"You just see that you remember that one, Whippersnapper, cause I'm a getting to old to chase after little boys. Now get to peeling them spuds, the men around here are getting hungry."

oOo

Later, as all the men finished up and wandered off, Barney decided that now would be a good time to talk to Mr. Chris.

"Mr. Chris I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for all the trouble and extra work I have caused you and the others. I should have never left camp that day. Then you told me to stay in the store. I got bored and was mad at ya. I stuck my nose where it had no business being and really got myself in a mess."

"Have a seat Barnaby," said Mr. Chris. "When I left the store that day, I was concerned that I might have been just a bit hard on you. Then when the bank got robbed and we realized you were with them, I don't mind telling you it caused me considerable concern. I thought they may kill you. I wasn't sure if they had, but I just felt I had to keep looking. After a while I thought that maybe you wanted to be with them; and that really worried me. A life of crime and running is no life for anyone, especially a boy. Then on that final day when Sam had to shoot his partner to keep him from shooting you, I knew, you were bound to be a little shook- up."

"Yes, I was, but thanks to Bill and you and the others, I'll be just fine."

"Tell me son with this long week of reminders that you're still a kid, are you still in such a hurry to grow up?" asked Mr. Chris smiling.

"I think I have learned that it's worth being reminded that others care about me and that I am part of a family, and part of being a family is having to share in each other's lives. I guess I always really knew that, cause even when I was with Sam and I was scared what he might do, I knew… well I don't know how I knew, but I believed you would be looking for me… That…" Barney stopped, loosing the moment to tears. He scrubbed at his wet cheeks."I knew you wouldn't have given up on me. I can't believe I was so mad at you in the first place, I'm jist stupid I guess."

"No you're a boy, and very much the opposite of stupid Barney. That was a good explanation of the lesson you learned. I always told Bill you were bright young man," smiled Chris.

"Thanks Mr. Chris. So… ah… Mr. Chris ah... that just leaves one thing... as part of my punishment for being rude and disrespectful, I am supposed to accept whatever you think is fair punishment," said Barney, just a little embarrassed.

"Barney, I been thinking about that all week. I watched you take each of the punishments in stride; proving you are becoming a fine young man. So, I think that I'll just leave you with a final Promise. If you disobey me again, or if I catch you with a six-shooter dangling from you hip before you're sixteen, I'll take a leather belt to you myself, and I'm not too old to do it."

"I'll make sure you don't have to make good on that one," answered a relieved Barney leaning in and giving the boss a hug.

"See that you don't," said Chris landing one might wallop to Barney's seat, as he returned the hug.

"Y E S. S I R !"

"Now, get yourself to bed, I'm expecting you up early in the morning for Sunday service."