Authors note: OK readers, as promised here is part two of this story. However based on some of the feedback I have received from many reviewers from chapter 1, this is not the final chapter! Part 3 which will be the definite last chapter, will hopefully be posted next weekend (If I get the chance to complete it by then.)

WARNING: This chapter contains the physical chastisement of minors (or in other words spankings). I would like to remind readers that this is a work of fiction, it reflects how children were disciplined at home and sometimes school in the old days (pre mid 1980's in the UK where I am from and from what I have read, it was around the same time for the USA, although in some states it may have gone on longer). If this type of discipline bothers you in any way please DO NOT read any further as I wouldn't want anyone to get upset.

-Dares-

Recap: We left the boys sitting in the cells of the Virgina City jail worrying about what their folks were going to say and do when they arrived to collect them...

When Jacob returned to the jail 10 minutes later, he had Hoss Cartwright with him and Clem was quietly playing solitaire at his desk.

"Clem, Hoss here was in town and he helped me with the boy's ponies. Do you want him to help me fetch the boy's parents as well?"

"Howdy Hoss," said Clem laying a red 2 on a black 3.

"Clem!" Hoss said touching his hat.

Back in the cells Abraham groaned when he heard his uncle being addressed. It wasn't as bad as his father or grandfather being there, but he knew that his uncle would be no less amused to hear why Abraham was in the jail cells.

"Thanks for helping Jacob, Hoss."

"Ah that's alright. Jacob said he had a lot of ponies he needed help with. I understand you've had a bit of a problem with some youngsters today."

"Yeah you could say that, Hoss." Said Clem finishing his game and collecting the cards up before laying them in a pile on his desk. "Do you happen to know where your older brother Adam is, Hoss?"

Hoss shrugged his shoulders, "At home by now I shouldn't reckon. Why?"

Clem indicated with his head to the back room, "Got his eldest in there."

"Abe? No! Really? Why? What's he done?" asked Hoss walking to the door and standing in the doorway looking at the 10 boys.

Clem stood up and came up behind Hoss. "Caught them up to some mischief out at the Daniel's farm, in the orchards in fact. Apparently they've been using the place for shooting practice!"

"With guns?" asked Hoss angrily, glaring at his nephew who was still sitting on one of the cot beds next to Willy.

Abraham blushed bright red and he gulped and immediately he looked back down at the floor ashamed of his uncle seeing him in the cells of the jail house like some common criminal.

"No, not guns, just slingshots and catapults." said Clem. "Seems they've caused quite a bit of damage to the apple trees over a few days."

Hoss turned away from the cells and back to face Clem. "Do you want me to take Abe home or fetch Adam, Clem?"

"Ah well there a fine to pay for being arrested for criminal damage and Mr. Daniels wants the damages to his trees paid for. So I think I'd prefer it if Adam came here same as the other fathers. If that's alright with you, Hoss?"

"OK no problem. I'll ride out and fetch Adam then. Oh and Jacob mentioned you might need a hand with fetching the other boys parents too."

"Yes. I've written a note for each of them including Adam. If you and Jacob could split them up between ya I'd be grateful." said Clem walking back to his desk and collecting up 10 sealed notes.

There was a few minutes of conversation between Jacob and Hoss where they sorted out who was taking what notes home to the various parents.

"Clem, do ya uh... mind me having a quick word with one of the prisoners before I leave?"

"Abe?"

Hoss nodded.

"Sure OK, but I want him left in one piece for his father." Clem said with a wink, then he walked into the back room and called out. "Abraham!"

Abe's head jolted up from his chest. "Yes Sir?" he replied respectfully.

"Come on out here please, your Uncle would like a word."

Abraham swallowed hard, but he stood up and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He looked around the cell at his friends, wondering what they were thinking right now, then he gulped and slowly walked toward the Sheriff who took his arm gently by the bicep and he led him out to the front office to Hoss, before he released the boy.

"All yours, Hoss."

"Mind if I take him outside, Clem?" asked Hoss taking Abraham's hold of Abraham's upper arm firmly.

"Nope, feel free."

"Come on, son," whispered Hoss leading the young boy out of the jail. Hoss led Abraham down the alley and round to the back on the jail house where no one could see them, and then he released the boy's arm.

Abraham thought that he was in for some sort of chastisement, but was surprise that when his uncle next spoke, it was to ask how he was.

"You OK, Abe?" Hoss asked quietly and then he opened his arms wide and Abraham stepped forwards and collapsed gratefully onto his Uncle's large chest and he started to sob.

"I'm so sorryyyy, Uncle Hoss."

Hoss just held the crying boy, remembering how scared he was the first time he had ended up in jail. He hadn't been much older than Abraham when his friends and he had been carted back to the jail for some mischief or other they had got up to.

After a few minutes of crying into his uncle's shoulder, Abraham managed to get himself a little more under control. Hoss noticed the change in the way Abraham was clinging to him and he put his hands gently on either side of the boy's head and pushed him back so he could look into his eyes.

"Feel better now?"

Sniff, "Yes Sir."

Hoss released the boys head. "What happened Abe? What's been going on?"

"It was a dare, Uncle Hoss or that's the way it started out last week and..." sniff..." things have been escalating to bigger and bigger dares but ... You know how it is Uncle Hoss... Ya ...just can't welch out on doing things...unless..."...sniff," You wanna...be called yella."

"So what was today's dare all about?" Hoss asked.

"Well it ..." sniff..." was a competition actually, Uncle Hoss." Abraham used his sleeve to wipe across his face. And he sniffed a couple of times and then took a deep breath to gather himself. When he felt able to speak normally he said, "The dare today was to see who could shoot down the most apples outta the trees with a limit of 10 stones."

"I see... and was there some sort of prize in this here competition?"

Abraham nodded, "Yes Sir. The winner got to keep all the apples shot down by everyone and the two dollars prize money that we all put in."

"So you were going to be stealing as well then?"

"No!"

At Hoss' glare Abraham slowly lowered his eyes in embarrassment, "Uhm I mean yes Sir, I guess so... but..."

"But?" asked Hoss reaching out to lift the boys chin up.

"But... the apples were going to be bruised anyway, Uncle Hoss so Mr. Daniels wouldn't have be able to sell them to anyone."

"Only because you and the others would have caused all that damage to them, Abe!" retorted Hoss angrily.

Abraham winced at his uncle's choice of words. "Yes Sir. I know. Guess we should just shot at tin cans instead!"

"Yes that would have been more sensible, Abraham. It would have saved all your backsides a great deal of pain at least."

Abraham started shuffling about in the dirt with his feet. "Uh... Uncle Hoss... Are... You...gonna...uhm …spank... me now?" Abraham asked haltingly.

Hoss shook his head. "No, Abe I'm not. I'll leave that unpleasant chore to your Pa."

Abraham let out a huge audible sigh. At least his friends wouldn't get to see him shuffle back in to sit in the cells on a sore behind and his face puffy from crying, until his father came for him.

Hoss shook his head wryly. Boys and their constant need to find adventure, as well as prove their bravado in front of their friends! Hoss was actually very glad that his boys were home with stomach flu, or else they might have been involved as well. Then again he thought, since this had been going on for at least week it was likely that his boys might have been involved earlier.

"Abraham, I am going to ask you a question and I want the truth, even if you don't think I will want to hear it. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Well then...have any of my boys or your brother been involved in these dares at all?"

Abraham shook his head quickly. "No Sir! I wouldn't let them or Zach join the group, 'cos their too young."

Hoss cocked an eyebrow, "Are you sure? Because I see one of those boys in there is about my boy's ages?"

"Oh that's Jamie and yeah he is younger than the rest of us but his brother Jeff wanted to allow him into the group. I objected to it as Zach and the others would then pester me that they should be allowed to as well but I got outvoted by the others as Jeff said either Jamie was in as well or he wouldn't be. However, there was no way I was allowing my younger brother or my younger cousins in it. No way!"

Hoss studied the boy's face and he didn't show any signs of lying and Hoss had gotten good at spotting the young boy's tells. "Alright... I believe you."

Abraham let out a slow breath and relaxed his shoulders. He was very grateful that Hoss was the one the deputy had bumped into in town and that he wasn't going to set his butt on fire either. He had little doubt that should his grandfather have been the one member of the family in town, then he wouldn't have been quite so lucky. Ben would most definitely set his grandson's backside alight, insisted that the Sheriff punished him as well and then dragged him home for Adam to do the same.

Hoss took his handkerchief out of his pocket and he passed it to Abraham, before gesturing with his head to the nearby horse trough full of water. "You better go wash your face and get on back into the jail, so as I can go and fetch your Pa and the other boy's folks as well."

"Yes Sir," replied Abraham quietly and he walked to the horse trough to wet the handkerchief and wipe his face. The cold wet cloth felt lovely against his hot skin. Hoss gave his nephew a few moments to clean himself up properly and then walked up and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Alright, that's enough. Ready to go back inside?"

Abraham nodded, so Hoss led him back inside the jail house and 5 minutes later he and Deputy Jacob were riding out of town to deliver the notes from the Sheriff.

Adam opened the door just moments after he heard the sound of someone riding in, he was convinced that it was his eldest and he was ready to give him a piece of his mind for being late, only it was his brother Hoss who was the one tying his horse up to the rail.

"Hoss? Is there something wrong? Are the boys getting worse?" Adam asked anxiously. He had become to love Hoss' adopted boys, just as it they had been born into the family and knowing that all three boys were sick concerned him greatly.

"No Adam the boys are feeling much better thanks. Here, this is for you," Hoss said handing Adam the sealed note.

Adam quickly slit open the envelope and read Clem's handwritten note. "Damn that boy. I'm gonna kill him!"

"Now, Adam calm yourself down. It ain't gonna help any you getting angry."

"Calm down! Calm down! Do you know what this note says?" Adam yelled.

"Nope, haven't read it but I have spoken to Abe."

"You've seen him?"

Hoss nodded, "Yeah at the jail."

"Well why the hell didn't you bring him home with you?"

"Adam? What's wrong? Why are you yelling?" asked Emma coming up behind him. "Oh, hello Hoss. How are the boys today?"

"Hello Emma. The boys are much better thank you, should be back in school on Monday."

"Oh good, I bet Caroline will be very relieved."

"You're not wrong there, Em. The boys have been a real handful today," chuckled Hoss, thinking of the fact that the boys had been feeling well enough to get out of bed and start fighting each other over who was winning at the card game, 'Go Fish!' Well, until Caroline had threatened to go fetch her wooden spoon anyway and then they were anxious to get back to bed!

"Adam? What's wrong?" Emma asked turning her attention back to her husband.

Adam handed her the note, "At least we know where he is and he's not in a ditch somewhere," Adam said angrily.

Emma read the note, "Oh Adam! How could he?"

"It was a dare, Em," said Hoss. "You know how boys are."

"Yes I do," said Adam angrily and he started for the barn. "and my son is going to get dealt with exactly the same way Pa dealt with us when we got up to mischief that meant other people's property was damaged." he shouted over his shoulder.

Emma shook her head and sighed sadly. Her eldest really had done it now, she had never seen Adam be so angry and she was very disappointed with him herself.

"Do you want to come in for some coffee, Hoss?"

"No thank you Em, I think I'll head back to town with Adam, just to make sure that he keeps his temper you know. I'm not condoning what Abraham and his friends have done, but I think Adam forgets sometimes what it's like to be a young boy."

Emma put her hand on Hoss' arm. "Thank you, Hoss. I know Adam is angry and Abraham is in the wrong and he deserves to be punished for it, but you will make sure Adam doesn't embarrass him in town in front of his friends won't you?"

Hoss nodded and patted Emma's hand, "I'll see to it that he keeps his temper in check, Em don't you worry."

They both exchanged weak smiles.

Just then Adam exited the barn leading his horse out. "Em, I'll be back in while. Kiss Annabel and Zach goodnight for me will you and tell Annabel I'll read her a longer bedtime story tomorrow night to make up for tonight?" Adam asked kissing his wife.

"I will, Adam. And Adam?"

Adam sighed. "Yes?"

"Promise me you will stay calm, at least until you get home, please?"

Adam took another long deep breath and let it out with a long sigh, "I'll try, honey. Hoss, say hello to Caroline and the boys for me will you?"

"Nah uh, I'm coming with you."

"There's no need..."

"There is," interrupted Hoss, "and I'm coming, so get on your horse and let's go fetch the little rascal."

"Alright, come on then," said Adam slapping his brother on the back and the two of them said goodbye to Emma and were soon riding hard towards town.

-Dares-

When Adam and Hoss arrived back at the jail, there were only 3 boys left in the cells. Abraham, Jeff and his younger brother Jamie.

Clem stood up as soon as the door opened. "Howdy, Adam, sorry to bring you in here this late in the day, but under the circumstances..."

"Its fine, Clem. I'm sorry that you even needed to bring me in. What are the damages?"

"Well the there's a two dollar fine for the offences of disturbing the peace and criminal damage and then there's the damages to the orchard on top that. Mr. Daniels hasn't calculated that yet but it'll be equally split between all 10 of them. I should have the amounts for that tomorrow."

Adam took twelve dollars out of his wallet and handed it to Clem. "Let me know how much more I owe you tomorrow."

"Sure, Adam. I guess you want to take your boy home now?"

"Yes, please. I take it he hasn't given you any problems?"

Clem shook his head as he noted down that Adam has paid Abraham's fine and the amount of compensation he also left for Mr. Daniels.

"Nope, not had any trouble with any of 'em since we caught 'em. I figure they realised how much trouble they were all in and didn't want to make it worse."

"Well that's something in their favour I guess," said Adam.

He followed Clem into the back and saw his son sitting on the cot bed with his head in his hands.

"On your feet, son," Adam said sternly.

Abraham scrambled to obey his father's request and Adam could see that the boy had been crying afresh as he could see the tear track on his cheeks.

"You alright, son?"

Abraham gulped and nodded his head, "Yes Sir."

"Come on then, let's get you out of here."

Adam turned and started to leave the back room knowing that his son would follow him. When they were in the front office with Clem, Adam stood Abraham in front of him facing Clem and holding the boy's shoulder firmly. "I think you owe the Sheriff an apology, don't you?"

"Yes Sir." Abraham stood at attention and looked directly at the Sheriff, "I'm very sorry for making you have to come and arrest us, Sir. It won't happen again I promise."

"I hope so too, young man. I think I can rely on your father to give you a good enough incentive to keep that promise, but just in case that isn't enough, just know this. Next time I will let the farmer punish you like Mr. Daniels wanted and then I'll add a few licks myself, before I take you home to your father. Am I being clear?"

"Yes Sir! Very clear."

"Good. Now go on, get on home and don't ever end up in my jail again."

"No Sir, I won't."

Adam gave his son's shoulders a quick squeeze, and then he held out his right hand for Clem to shake hands.

"Thanks for keeping him safe, Clem. I'll make sure he keeps his promise."

"I know you will, Adam. Oh and here, this I believe is your son's, only if you don't mind I don't want to see him with it for some time," said Clem handing Adam the catapult he had confiscated from Abraham earlier.

Adam accepted the catapult from the Sheriff. "Thanks Clem, don't worry he won't be getting this back for a very long time. Alright, Abe, out we go." Adam led the way outside where Hoss was already mounted up with Abraham's pony's reins in his.

Abraham went to climb up onto his pony only to have Adam stop him with his hand on his arm. "Oh no you don't, you're riding home double with me, son."

"No! Pa, Please! Please don't make me ride double like a little kid."

"I am not arguing with you Abraham; just do as you are told. You want to act irresponsible like a child then I am going to treat you just like one."

"But Pa! I have my pony here, please don't embarrass me like this," Abraham pleaded in a low voice, knowing that Jeff and Jamie were still at the jail and they would be most likely able to hear what was going on outside through the cell windows.

Adam put his hands on his hips and glared down at his son, "Young man you are in enough trouble, if I were you I would do as I was told right now! Unless of course you want your friends to be witness to the punishment you would have been receiving at home. I don't mind taking you back inside to deliver it in the cells if you prefer."

"Adam!" warned Hoss as he could see Adam's temper rising and if Abraham continued to push his father Hoss wasn't sure that he could stop his older brother delivering on that last threat.

Abraham continued to stand by his pony, too angry that his father was embarrassing him in town to realise just how close he was to getting his bare backside tanned in front of his friends.

"One, two..."

"Abe just do as your Pa tells you, right now!" said Hoss reaching down and pushing the boy towards Adam's horse.

Abraham glared at Adam but he carried on walking the last few steps and mounted his father's horse and sat behind the saddle. "Good decision, son," said Adam and he swung himself up into the saddle behind him. Moments later and Adam, Abraham and Hoss were riding out of town.

They rode hard and fast and in total silence. At the point on the trail where Hoss usually turned off to his place, they stopped and Hoss handed his brother the reins to Abraham's pony. Adam tied the reins onto his saddle horn, and then warned Abraham to stay where he was and he slid from the saddle and Hoss and he walked a short distance away to talk.

"Thanks for coming to fetch me, earlier, Hoss and I'll try and remember to stay calm when we talk, but it depends on his attitude, if he doesn't curb it, I can't promise to keep my own temper."

"Aw come on, Adam, don't be too hard on him. No one got hurt after all and boys will be boys. Daring each other and that is all part of growing up. Why, I can remember a time or two when you got up to quite a bit of mischief with your friends when you were his age."

"Yeah alright... I did... But I remember just how that ended up for me too, with Pa having what he calls one of his necessary discussions in the barn, with his belt doing almost all the talking to my bare ass." Adam looked over at the now very contrite looking teenager sitting on the saddle in the early evening light and he slapped his brother firmly on the shoulder and he sighed. "Don't worry about him, Hoss I'll give him no more than Pa would have given us, probably a lot less if he doesn't fight me, since I plan to use my belt time on his bare backside for the first time."

Hoss winced at the memory of him getting the same treatment from their father a time or two and even after 20 years since the last time that happened, he could still remember the long walk to the barn with Ben. "Alright, Adam, well you better get him on home then, 'cos the waiting for the punishment must be making his stomach churn right about now."

"Yeah it probably is. I'll call by your place tomorrow OK?"

"Yeah OK."

The two men went back to the horses and after Abraham bade his uncle a solemn goodbye, Hoss rode off in one direction and Adam in the other.

20 minutes later, Adam and Abraham arrived back at the homestead and Abraham slid of the back of his father's horse, allowing Adam to swing down as well.

"I know you haven't eaten anything since lunch, son but I want to get this over and done with tonight and I am guessing you do too, right?"

Abraham shuffled his feet in the dirt, "Y... Yes s...Sir."

"Alright go into the barn and find yourself a corner, I am just going to let your mother know we are home."

"Don't want me to take care of the horse's first Pa?"

"No leave them, they'll be OK." Adam turned and walked up to the house as his son sadly made his way into the barn and into the first free corner where he stood and hung his head.

Why oh why did I agree to taking on those darn dares? And taking Part in that competition today was even more stupid. I shoulda known we would get caught eventually. Pa's surely gonna follow through on his threat to take his belt to me. I'm not sure all the fun and the prize was worth it. Oh god I hope I don't get it bare, Pa promised that the next time he had to take his belt to me it would be on the bare. I sure hope he forgets because it's bad enough with my long johns on.

Adam entered the house silently and came up behind Emma in the kitchen where he wrapped his arms around her waist and then he kissed the back of her neck. "I'm home honey."

"So I see. Where is our son?"

"Out in the barn standing in the corner if he's smart. I just thought I'd let you know that we are back and that I have calmed down."

"What are you planning on doing, Adam?"

"I'm going to give him the tanning his life, Em and he's restricted to the ranch for a month with extra chores to keep him occupied. Apart from school, chores and meals he is not to leave the yard. I want you to find him lots of extra chores to do after school to make up for the damages I'm going to have to pay the farmer and for the next week he is also restricted to his room. Do you have anything you want to add to that?"

"No Adam, I agree that this time he deserves to be punished hard. Will you be spanking him with your belt like you promised before?"

"Yes I will and on his bare backside."

"Is that really necessary?"

"Yes I am afraid it is, honey. I have to follow through on my threat and besides I need to see what I am doing, it's supposed to be a punishment but I don't want to leave bruises. But don't fret my sweet. I am not going to use the belt for the entire spanking. Just for the last few swats. I think my hand can still make a good enough impression on his behind, but having the last few with the belt will make sure he is very clear just how unacceptable his behaviour was this time and, hopefully it will be that little bit of an extra incentive to not doing anything this stupid again."

Emma turned herself around and Adam kissed her gently on the lips, "I'm not looking forwards to this at all, honey, but I have to make sure he thinks twice about doing anything like this in the future, or next time he could end up in jail for much longer."

Emma sighed, "I know Adam but I hate that you have to do it."

"So do I honey, so do I." Adam kissed Emma again, "I had better go, I've kept him waiting long enough."

"OK, I'll put your dinner back in the oven then and make some fresh coffee for when you're finished."

"OK." and with that Adam sadly left his wife in the kitchen to go and deal with his miscreant.

When Adam entered the barn Abraham was standing in the corner as he had been told too.

Adam walked in and took a seat on a feed barrel, "Alright, Abraham you can come out of the corner now."

"Yes Sir," the boy muttered softly and went to stand in front of his father who was now sitting at a height that was eye level with his son. But the boy was not able to look his father in the eye.

"Look at me please, son?" Adam ordered softy.

Abraham obeyed slowly.

"Uncle Hoss told me that this was all part of a dare. This is your one and only chance to come clean. I want you to tell me everything."

Abraham nodded and he blurted out the whole story of how a few weeks ago the older boys in the class had started daring each other and how the dares had escalated into wilder and more daring ones, culminating the target practice on the apples in the orchard. He then told his father that it had proved to be the most popular dare and so they had all decided to take part and that Thomas had suggested today that they all take part in a competition.

Adam interrupted occasionally to ask for a few details here and there but apart from that he remained quiet. When Abraham had finished he returned to looking down at the ground.

"Thank you for being honest with me son, but you do know that what you did before and today in damaging Mr. Daniels apple trees was very wrong and that I have to punish you for it don't you?" asked Adam sadly.

Abraham nodded and he bit his lip. "I'm sorry, Pa and I'll Pay you back every single cent for my part of the damages," he muttered without looking up.

Adam lifted his son's chin up with his finger, "I know your sorry, Abe but just saying you are sorry isn't enough this time. Mr. Daniels will want to know that you and your friends have been punished appropriately and I believe I made you a promise the last time that we had to have a conversation in the barn didn't I?"

Abraham's eye widened in alarm, oh yes he remembered. "Please Pa! Not bare, please!" he pleaded with a voice sounding much younger than his 13 years.

Adam shook his head, "I'm sorry, son, but I don't make idle threats. Now drop your britches and your underclothes and put yourself over that saddle stand," said Adam pointing to the one free saddle stand against the far wall of the barn.

Abraham sniffled back the tears that were already falling and he obeyed his father, letting his clothing fall to the floor before he laid himself over the saddle stand. Adam watched his son lay himself over the saddle stand and he saw the shoulders shaking with his sobs and he almost changed his mind about using his belt altogether, but he remembered that he needed to be consistent with Abraham as his son relied on that from his father.

Adam walked over to stand behind and to the left side of the saddle stand. He unbuckled and pulled his belt through the loops in his jeans with a soft hiss and laid the belt on the saddle stand beside Abraham then he rubbed his right hand hard over his face. He inhaled deeply, let it out again slowly whilst hardening his heart and then raising the same large callused right hand into the air, he brought it down hard and set about warming his son's backside for him.

When the behind in front of him was a dark pink and Abraham was sobbing hard, Adam picked up his belt for the last 6 swats which he made sure to lay on the soft under curves on his eldest's behind, so that he would feel the extra discomfort every time he sat down for the next few days.

The tanning was not the longest one Adam had ever delivered, but it was by far the hardest and by the end of it Abraham's backside was an angry red and he was sobbing hard, all of the fight had gone out of him and he had submitted fully to his punishment.

Adam put his belt back on and buckled it up and then bent down and pulled up Abraham's underclothes and pants and he started rubbing circles gently on his son's back, telling him that all was forgiven now and that he loved him very much and that nothing he ever did would change that.

When the sobs died down a little and Abraham started to push himself up, Adam was quick to help him to his feet and he turned him around and pulled him quickly into a bear hug.

Abraham buried his face against his father's chest and soaked up all the love his father was giving him. He knew he deserved the tanning he had gotten and in fact Adam hadn't had been as hard on him as he feared. Sure his butt was burning something fierce and he was sure that the burning sting would mean sitting down at school tomorrow would be awful, but in his mind on the way home he had imagined it was going to be so much worse. And he had in fact thought the whole tanning would have been delivered with his father's belt.

Sniff, "I'm... I'm...r...real...ss...sorry... I've... d…d.. disappointed... you ...P...Pa!" Abraham blurted out whilst snaking one of his hands back to try and rub out some of the sting.

Adam stroked his son's hair gently with his left hand whilst he used his right hand to rub up and down his back then he planted a kiss on the top of his son's head. "I know son. I know. And I forgive you." Adam held him until Abraham pushed against his father's chest. Sniff, "Can I get dressed now Pa?"

Adam released him, "Of course you can, son."

Abraham gritted his teeth and buttoned up his pants, trying hard not to cry when the heavier cloth pressed the underclothes against the sore skin." He decided not to button up fully as he intended to go and get changed into his nightshirt as soon as he returned to the house, expecting to be sent straight to bed. His stomach growled though at the thought of going without food until the morning.

Adam heard the boy's stomach growling. "Are you hungry? Only your Ma was heating our supper up in the oven before I came out here."

Abraham nodded, he was tired and his backside was stinging, but his stomach was also hurting at the thought having some food. "Do I have to sit at the table, Pa?" he asked with a soft voice.

Adam looked at the young man in front of him with red eyes and cheeks puffy from crying and his heart went out to him. "No son, just this once I think you can stand and eat."

"Thanks Pa," he replied and he gave Adam a weak smile.

"Oh and Abraham?" Adam said as the boy turned to leave the barn.

"Yes Sir?"

"You're restricted to the ranch for a month and the first week of that you will be restricted to just your room. Apart from school, chores and meals you will not leave your room without either my or your mother's permission. Do your hear me?"

Abraham bit his lip, the restriction was much worse than he had ever been given but considering that the whole tanning hadn't been delivered by his father's belt, he supposed he was getting off lightly.

"Yes Sir. I understand."

Adam wrapped his arms around his son's shoulders "I'm disappointed with your behaviour son but I will never ever be disappointed in you. Come on, lets go inside so you your mother can see that I've not killed you and we can both get some food," and together they walked slowly back to the house.

As soon as they entered the house, Emma rose from the sofa and quickly drew Abraham into her arms, "Oh sweetie, I wish you wouldn't get yourself into such trouble with your friends."

Abe sniffed back tears, "I'm really sorry I was so stupid, Ma."

Emma put her arms to his face and pulled it back gently so she could look at him, "I know you are sweetie and I forgive you. I put your supper in the warming oven, are you hungry?"

"Yes Ma'am."

Emma kissed his forehead gently, "Go and get washed up and ready for bed then and you may come down and I'll put it out for you."

"Yes Ma'am."

Emma released her son and stood with Adam beside her and they watched their oldest boy walk slowly and carefully up the stairs.

Abraham only just reached his bedroom door when the door to Annabel's room opened, "Where have you been, Abraham? You weren't home for supper and Mama was really worried and Papa said you were going to be in big trouble."

"Just go back to bed, Annabel." Abraham said tiredly, he didn't want a lecture from his little sister and he wasn't in the mood for an argument just now.

"No! I want to know where you've been. You never came home from school with us and because of you Papa didn't read me my goodnight story."

"Well I'm sorry about that little sister, but it's none of your business where I was. Now go back to bed!"

Annabel stamped her foot hard on the floorboard, "That's not fair. I bet you'll tell Zach."

Abraham grabbed his doorknob and sighed, "Just go back to bed, Annabel."

"I hate you!"

"Yeah, alright you hate me, now leave me alone and go back to bed will ya?" Abraham said and he opened the door to his bedroom and walked in the room and closed the door behind him.

Zach was lying on his bed with his school book on his chest, reading it in the lamp light. "Hey!" he said.

"Hi Zach, look little brother I'm really sorry that I didn't get home in time to help you with your project like I promised."

Zach put down his book and he turned over to face his older brother, "It's alright, Ma helped me to finish it. So I guess you're in trouble for not coming home on time then, was worth it, whatever it was that you were doing?"

"No it wasn't." Abraham stripped off his shirt then lowered his pants and his under clothes and Zach could see his brother's bright red backside.

"Ow! Darn it Abe, that looks really sore. I take it Pa has already shown his displeasure then?"

Abraham slipped his nightshirt over his head and he hissed when the cool cotton cloth fell over his sore behind. "Oh yeah! Let me tell you little brother never ever let yourself get into so much trouble that you end up getting dragged back to jail."

Zach instantly sat up, "You got taken to jail! Really? Oh god I bet Pa was furious."

The door to the boy's bedroom flew open at that moment. "You had to go to Jail? Oh Abraham you're a very bad boy, only bad boys go to jail. "

"Annabel! Get the hell out of here!"

Adam and Emma heard the yelling from downstairs and Adam took off up the stairs taking two at a time. "Just what is going on up here!" he bellowed from the doorway to the boy's room. "Annabel, what are you doing out of bed?"

"That's what I was saying Pa," said Abraham. "I told her to go back to bed."

"Yeah he did Pa," added Zach quickly.

Adam glared down at his youngest. "Well Annabel?"

"I wanted to know why Abe wasn't home for supper, Papa! You didn't read me my story because of him," Annabel whined and she turned to glare at her brother. "And Papa, Abraham is a very bad boy, only bad boy's end up in jail. Why was Abe a bad boy, Papa? Did he hurt someone?"

"That's none of your business, Annabel now get out of our room, we never asked you to come in!" snarled Abraham angrily.

"Abraham, don't be nasty to your sister!" scolded Adam. "Annabel you should be in bed, now get back to your room before I give you an incentive to do so."

"But Papa..."

"Don't you 'but Papa' me, young lady, now get back to BED!" Adam bellowed and he grabbed her arm, swatted her backside once without too much force and he pushed her out the door.

Annabel squealed at being shouted at and swatted, but she took off to her own room across the hall, but before entering it she glared across the hall at her brother and then she entered the room and slammed her bedroom door in temper.

"Excuse me boys," Adam growled and he walked out of the boys room and across the hall into Annabel's without knocking.

Annabel squealed and rushed to climb back into her bed at seeing her father's angry face, but Adam grabbed his little girl before she could pull the covers over her and sitting down on the bed, he put her over his lap, raised her nightdress and he started swatting hard.

"You," swat "do not" swat "slam doors" swat "in temper" swat " in this" swat "house!" swat swat. "Do you understand?" Swat swat!

"Yessssss...Papa...pleaasssssee...stopppp..."

Annabel yelped and squirmed and pleaded as hard as she could to try to get away from the stinging swats that her father was laying over her bare behind. When Adam finished swatting, he immediately righted the little girl and set her on her feet on the floor in front of him then he held her small hands in his to prevent her rubbing the sting out, leaving the little girl to jump up and down doing the well-spanked child dance as she cried trying to ease the sting.

"Papa...it...hurts..." she wailed as she danced about in his hold.

"I'm sure it does, Princess but it could have all been avoided if you had just done as you were told and gone back to bed, couldn't it?"

Annabel sniffed and nodded her head, still struggling against her father's hold, desperate to rub her sore bottom.

"And Princess, slamming your door in temper has never been allowed, has it?" he asked sternly lowering his own head to look into her eyes as Annabel had lowered her head.

Annabel sniffed, "No. I…I'm ...ss...sorry...P...Papa..."

"I know you are, sweetie." Adam put both her hands in his and then with his free arm he scooped his little girl up and put onto his lap, careful to keep the weight off her sore bottom as much as possible. Annabel lay her head on her father's chest as Adam held her tightly and whispered soothing words to her until her cries quietened and he felt her relax completely against him.

A few minutes later after settling his youngest down and tucking her back into bed, Adam kissed her on the forehead, "Goodnight, Princess I love you."

"Love you...t...too...p...Papa."

Adam gave her hair a stroke and then he stood up and walked to the door. "Now, stay in bed and I'll see you in the morning sweetheart." He closed Annabel's bedroom door softly and returned to the boy's room. "Abraham, you had better get downstairs for your supper, I want to talk to your brother for a minute."

"Yes Sir!"

Abraham gave his brother a quick anxious look but then disappeared out of the room clad only in his cotton nightshirt.

Zach gulped when Adam sat down on his brother's bed.

"Am I in trouble, Pa?"

"That depends, son. I was going to leave it until the morning to talk to you but seeing as you are still awake we'll talk now. You told you mother that Abraham went back to school to get his school books and that he would be home for supper. That was a lie wasn't it?"

Zach closed his eyes and nodded.

"A verbal answer please, son."

"Yes Sir."

"Did you know what your brother was up to or did he just ask you to cover for him for a while?"

"I didn't know where he was going or what he was going to do, Pa, honest!"

Adam nodded and sighed, "That's what I thought. Has your brother told you where he has been?"

"Not exactly Pa, he just said never to get myself into enough trouble to end up in jail and I certainly ain't going to do that, Pa. I promise." Zach Paused and chanced another glance over at his father, "Uhm so am I? In trouble I mean?"

"For lying to your mother?" Adam nodded, "Yes son you are. You know how you mother and I feel about being lied to."

Zach shoulders sagged and his head dropped to his chest, he kinda figured he would be in trouble if Abraham was caught.

"Just out of interest son, before I tell you what your punishment is, what did your brother promise you for covering up for him?"

"Uhm...well he promised me he would help me to finish my school project tonight... " Zach bit his lower lip "and... He also promised me a dollar so I would have enough for that telescope out of the mercantile catalogue."

"Is that all?"

Zach nodded, "Yes Sir!"

Adam rubbed his chin slowly, as he considered things. All things considered it wasn't all that bad and it's not like either boy had tried to blackmail their brother. "Alright Zach, you will apologise to your mother for lying in the morning and for the next week you're going to bed an hour early."

Zach sighed and nodded his head, going to bed at the same time as Annabel would be horrible for the 11 year old, but its wasn't as bad as being restricted for a week. "Yes Pa. Can I keep my nightshirt on?"

"What?"

"I mean, may I keep my nightshirt on, Pa?"

"What for son?"

"Your gonna spank me now aren't you?"

Adam shook his head. "No, son not this time. Going to bed early every night for a week is your only punishment this time because I am proud of you."

Zach looked up at his father in amazement. "You are? Why?"

"Because you worked very hard on your school project to get it finished on time to hand in and because you didn't try to lie to me to protect your brother."

"But you already punished him, Pa."

"I know but you still made the right decision, son." Adam stood up and motioned for his middle child to get back into bed, then he pulled the covers up around the boy and kissed him on the forehead, "Goodnight, Zach."

"Goodnight, Pa and Pa?"

Adam turned from the doorway, "Yes?"

"I'm real sorry for lying."

Adam smiled, "I know you are, son. Now go to sleep."

"Yes Sir," Zach replied tiredly and he yawned, then turned over onto his side and closed his eyes.

Adam shut the bedroom door to his boys room softly, then crossed the hall and he quietly opened the door to Annabel's room. He could see that she was already fast asleep, so he shut her door softly and walked down the stairs to get his own supper.

A/N 2 - And that dear readers was where the story was going to end as it was mainly written focused on Abraham Cartwright. However, as many who reviewed have said they wanted to see how things went with the other boys and their folks when they turned up there will be an extra chapter.

I'd like to add that I do not have a beta for my stories right now, but I do have a good friend that I met via fanfiction. They are my guides for the stories, if they like the ideas then I write the story and then if they enjoy it, then it gets posted up for you all to hopefully enjoy as well as critique for me . I am always happy to receive PM's or reviewing comments on how I can improve my story telling and researching so thank you to all those that do that without being rude or just complaining because they don't like the topics I am writing about. I do not write spanking fiction. I write stories that just happen to have an element of discipline in them. If you choose to highlight that part of the story as being enjoyable for you then that is fine with me but that is not the focus of the stories I write.

Please do take the time to review the story so far. Sorry for the long explanations but I'm tired of people reading past the warnings and then complaining. Thanks for reading...Ulls x.