The Horse Keeper Read online

  “It gets worse, it gets a lot worse,” said Ty, hardly being able to conceal his delight.

  “How much worse can it get Ty? I can see you’re dyin’ to tell me.”

  Ty just laughed raucously and carried on with the tale.

  “Well when Wade told Mari Jo he could not carry on takin’ her out to the slave quarters coz both of them were in deep trouble, she offered herself to him.”

  “What? What did Wade do?” asked Wayne in disbelief.

  “He shat himself even more and I mean sheeee-att himself.”

  “My God Ty, no wonder he’s lookin’ so darn worried at church on Sundays, when ole Boucher gives one of his fire and brimstone sermons about the evil pleasures of the flesh. It’s enough to frighten off a darn pole-cat on heat.”

  “Wade has got reasons to be real worried, coz when he declined Mari Jo’s advances, she exposed her bosoms to him, in broad daylight.”

  “What? I mean, how could he resist her? She’s a darn fine looking gal.”

  “It gets even worse Wayne, you wait for this.” Now he became serious as he spoke.

  “When he told her that what she was doin’ was sheer madness and all three of them would surely be horsewhipped, she told him she would drag him in anyway. And worst of all, if he did not carry on ferrying her out there, she would say he tried to rape her. So he had to just keep on doin’ it and hope Boucher never found out.”

  “How did he get outa it? He couldn’t win either way,” said Wayne.

  “Well Boucher did find out and it worked in Wades favour. When he told me, ma darn blood ran cold Wayne, I bleeve you know somethin’ ‘bout John Boucher’s antics.”

  “Wade did tell me ‘bout John raping a pretty black slave gal, and when ole Boucher found out she was pregnant, he ran her off the plantation with a shot gun.”

  Wayne had no reason to disbelieve this, because he had witnessed Ben Boucher’s uncontrollable fury before, when he had been buying a saddle and stirrups from the town’s main store. Wayne had been taken completely by surprise by the events. As he was waiting to be served, Ben Boucher had burst into the store wielding a double-barrelled shotgun, foaming at the mouth and his face scarlet with rage. He had levelled the shotgun at the weird, effeminate dude who was serving a lady and fired, shattering the big mirror as the dude ducked. He then blasted the windows out, while using the most profane language and biblical oaths that Wayne had ever heard.

  It turned out that this dude had been paying one of Boucher’s young black male slaves for sexual favours and they had been caught in the act in one of Boucher’s cotton fields by John Boucher, of all people. John had horsewhipped the boy to within an inch of his life, but the white dude had escaped. When old Boucher had found out the identity of the dude he had gone berserk. Marshall Conway and two deputies had gone out to the Boucher place to warn him about his conduct and they were also greeted by the barrels of a shotgun and some fantastic expletives. To Marshall Conway’s credit he had warned Boucher that his conduct was totally unacceptable, and if he done anything like it again, he would have to run him in. Boucher had reluctantly paid for the damage, but had been completely unrepentant about his behaviour.

  Ty carried on talking.

  “Well when Boucher finally became suspicious, he started watching Mari Jo’s every move… Luckily for Wade, she could not resist this dude and began sneakin’ out to the slave quarters in the night after Wade had long gone home… He followed her out one night and caught ‘em in a barn, both of ‘em, stark naked, doin’ it.”

  By now Wayne was cringing as he pictured the scene, and asked Ty cautiously, “Well, what did he do? He must of exploded like a bomb.”

  “He did, and that’s why this poor fella had to pay, pay for both of ‘em. Boucher had Mari Jo locked in her room for a few weeks and her meals only taken to her by Olga and Martha. Mari Jo ain’t allowed anywhere near any male slave. Thank the Lord she never dragged Wade into it, she sure coulda done. But ole Boucher did question him.”

  “What did Boucher say to him? He musta been suspicious about the regular outings to the slave quarters. Only a darn fool wouldn’t of suspected somethin’.”

  “This is where Wade played his cards very carefully, coz he knew it was a matter of life and death for him. The pregnant slave gal woz nothin’ compared to what Wade told me next. And he woulda testified gains’t Boucher and John to save himself. John Boucher thinks it’s his divine right to abuse his father’s slaves as he pleases and ole Boucher has had to even commit murder to cover John’s dastardly deeds.”

  “Murder? Murder who?” asked Wayne.

  “Another slave gal John raped and her father. Wade knows coz he helped bury the bodies. The gal’s father went to the house with a knife, looking for John and ole Boucher shot him down like a dawg. Then they both murdered the gal, so she couldn’t talk. Now when Boucher demanded from Wade what he knew ‘bout Mari Jo and the slave, Wade did not threaten him with exposure. He simply told him this – ‘I don’t know Mister Boucher, I would never betray you. I mean when you and John buried that gal and her father I kept quiet, even when Marshall Conway hauled me in his office four times to learn ‘bout their whereabouts and disappearance. You know I would never dare cross you Mister Boucher. I mean I’ve even watched the Marshall and his deputies walk right by where they’re buried and never said anythin’. You know I keep quiet when I take you to see your lady friends. You know how I respect your wife.’

  “Wow, what the hell else goes on up there?” said Wayne.

  “Is there no damn justice Wayne? I mean, how can Boucher stand in front of a congregation and give a sermon to all those fancy ladies and dandy dudes, when his own conduct is devilish? Ain’t that’s what the bible calls a hypoocratt?”

  “Hypocrite Ty, hypocrite.”

  “Will you stop contradictin’ me Wayne? Yah make me sound like a darn Hill billy.”

  “You are a darn Hill billy Ty.”

  “I mean somebody, somewhere must have the guts to stop Boucher and his kind, sometime. It can’t go on like this forever. What doyah think Wayne?”

  “I don’t pree-fess to know Ty, but I bleeve that men like ole Boucher can’t change, it’s the way they’re made, the way they are. Even if all his cotton fields were burned to the ground, his house torched to ashes and he was being stabbed and shot to death. He could not see the errors of his ways, like a deaf, dumb and blind man. He would fight to the bitter end for what he bleeve’s is his divine right.”

  There’s talk in the north ‘bout a dude called Linton, who is makin’ noises ‘bout stopping slavery altogether, even if it means changing the constushun.”

  “His name is Lincoln and I bleeve he would, if he could change the constitution. But I can’t see it happening, he ain’t got much support, so far.”

  “But what if he did get support? What doyah think would happen to Boucher and his kind, if some brave and just dude did try to stop it all?”

  “I don’t pree-fess to know Ty, but can’t see it happenin’ in our lifetimes.”

  “You sound like a darn Hill billy Wayne.”

  “I am a darn Hilly billy Ty.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Sensual pleasures of a bodily kind.

  The three of them bundled through the churchyard gate, following on the tail end of the rest of the congregation. Ty, Wade and Wayne dreaded going to church, but all three were duty bound, because to do otherwise would draw unwanted attention to their families. Wayne kicked Wade up the backside so hard, he nearly stumbled into a flock of chattering ladies dressed in their white frocks and Sunday bonnets.

  Betta git going Wade, ole Boucher is gonna be givin’ one of his fire and brimstone speeches today. Hate to see yah with a shotgun stuck up yah ass, if yah don’t attend.”

  Wade shook his head of bright ginger hair as he jarred himself to a halt, narrowly missing the ladies, who looked at him in pious disdain.

  “Whatyah doin’ Wayne? Yah crazy bastard,” he said.

  Th
is made the ladies gasp and twitter away like startled birds. Ty started laughing, Wayne’s antics had been tantalising him all morning. And when Ty went into one of his laughing bouts, it was impossible for him to stop. Both Wayne and Wade knew this and deliberately played on it. It was the only way to break the boredom of this, what was to them, a ritual that they had to suffer. Wayne was in fine fettle, he simply loved goading Wade and watching his face turn as red as his hair. From when they were young children, they had always wrestled and brawled, Wayne and Wade growing into about the same size and strength, which was very strong indeed.

  As they took up their usual position at the back of the congregation they all tried to tone their horseplay down. But the appearance of the dour hawk-like priest in the pulpit made them all chortle. He looked especially dour and serious today and they would all find out why, after all the hymns were sung and all of the prayers were said.

  He slammed the big black bible shut with a deliberate loud snap. This was a sure indicator that he had something very serious to say.

  He twisted and distorted his face and nose and this was a certain indicator that he was really angry about something.

  “Brethren, children of the faith and loyal followers of this church. Today I have something extremely important to tell you all.”

  He stopped talking and observed the reaction of the congregation, who went deadly quiet. What on earth could have happened in this dreary, poverty stricken town?

  “For some time now, it has been brought to my attention by some good blessed folks who frequent this community, that this town has been visited by the devil himself.”

  The congregation all gasped together, in perfect harmony. When the priest had gauged that he had got the required reaction he went on,

  “Yes, the devil himself has been creeping through this town. Not only has he been tempting some of you to indulge in sensual pleasures of a bodily kind, but a lot of you have been entertaining sensual pleasures of a bodily kind.”

  “Wouldn’t it be simpler to say fornicating, yah damned ole fool,” muttered Wayne. His words made Ty begin to snigger, and Wade nudged Wayne in the ribs.

  “Don’t make him laff Wayne, or we’ll all be in big trouble,” he whispered.

  But Wayne could not resist it and as the priest continued, he began to punctuate each pause with his own lewd thoughts, and Ty had to gag from bursting into laughter.

  “These bodily pleasures have ben taking place in barns, haystacks, round the back of dwellings, in fields, even in the grounds of this very church.”

  Again the congregation gasped on key, with unrestrained shock.

  “Why do you all think I have begun to lock this holy, sacred place each night…? Because sensual pleasures of a bodily kind have been exercised in this very church.”

  Once again the congregation gasped in perfect harmony, which had jumped up in volume from that of a whispered prayer to an indignant, garbled burble. The distraught ladies Sunday bonnets began to bob and turn around like white ducks on agitated water.

  “Yes indeed, you all have reasons to be outraged my good, God fearing flock. Yes, indeed, because in this very holy sacred place, at this very time, standing right near you are sinners, who indulge in sensual pleasures of a bodily kind.”

  Now the congregation did not even try to tone down their abject horror and the priest could not conceal his own gloating over this dire and dreadful news. He continued,

  “The devil indeed has run amok through this once God fearing town, tempting some of you to exercise these filthy pleasures anywhere that just happens to be convenient. In fields, behind dwellings, up against walls, in this very church, anywhere..!”

  By now the old priest was becoming visibly angry by his own speech and his devoted audience were fuelling his anger with sheer indignation. Ty, who was standing between Wade and Wayne, towering above them, was by now desperately trying to stop from bursting out with laughter. But Wayne would not stop adlibbing with his innuendoes.

  “I sure wish I knew where these pleasures were goin’ on, I could sure use some.”

  “Don’t make him laugh Wayne, ole Boucher’s up front,” rasped Wade.

  By this time the priest had his audience in his grasp so completely that he was manipulating them, like a maestro would do with an orchestra, by wielding a stick.

  “These abominable desire’s are also being exercised out of wed-lock, by fiendish fellows and lustful hussy’s, who are not even satisfied with one partner.”

  Wayne buckled his legs slightly to hide his next comment, sensing that Ty was at exploding point with suppressed laughter.

  “I would sure like to bump into some of these lustful, abominable hussy’s.”

  Now Wade had began to snigger and blood began to rush up to his cheeks, making his face turn a dark scarlet. Wayne bent his knees lower to slip in his next remark.

  “Why don’t we all just have an orgy right here? We’ll all sure find out who are the real bodily pleasure cowboys and gals, under their fancy clothes.”

  This remark had come out slightly louder than Wayne had intended and the people directly in front of them were becoming aware of the three of them. The priest was now becoming almost comic and burlesque in his pose and manner. He carried on piously,

  “Oh brethren, how in the name of the good Lord are we going to purge this once beloved parish of devoted believers, of the most dastardly abomination, which the good bible deplores more than anything else? Because that revolting deed is also upon us, in barns, haystacks, cotton field and in these very grounds, lavishly.”

  Now Wade was having trouble fighting back laughter and his whole face was turning purple as more blood surged up into it. Wayne had noticed Wade’s face and began to play on him as well as Ty. He waited patiently for the priest to finish his next tirade.

  “In all the parishes I have taken the word of the good Lord to, this is by far the smallest, and by far the worst. Fornicating and sensual indulgences are not just an underlying problem, they have become a well promoted and grotesque way of life.”

  “Get to the point yah damned old fool, ain’t anybody in this darn town got one redeemin’ feature. So we’re all fornicooters, proversts and feems,” rasped Wade.

  “Fornicators, perverts and fiends Wade. Yah don’t even know what yah are.”

  “I know what I damn well am Wayne, just wish I could darn well do it.”

  Ty had to swallow hard and his face became distorted.

  He pleaded with Wayne.

  “Stop it Wayne, please don’t carry on I can’t take anymore.”

  But Wayne was thoroughly enjoying himself and the challenge to make Ty burst out into one of his thunderous laughs had become like a dire duty, that he must fulfil.

  The congregation were now becoming aware of the sporadic horseplay and garbled comments coming from behind them and some of them had began to glance behind to see who the perpetrators were. But Wayne still could not resist goading Ty.

  “Now what revolting deed are we all doing now that we don’t even know about.”

  “It has been drawn to my attention by some of the more God fearing among you that the diabolical act of… Sod, sod, sod sodama, sodama, ma, ma, sod, soda.”

  Now the priest’s face had become distorted and twisted, as if he was suffering constipation, or a foul taste had racked his taste buds. He could just not say the word.

  “Sodomy, yah damned ole fool, sodomy, don’t you read the bible,” said Wayne.

  Wade farted with shock, and Ty tried to mask his laugh by acting as if he had groaned in horror. But the rear-seated members of the congregation had heard Wayne’s words.

  “Some filthy folk are even… Sodama, sodama, ma, ma, zing, ing, sod.”

  “Sodomizing, yah damned old fool, sodomizing,” sneered Wayne.

  “It has been drawn to my attention by the good Mister Boucher that even some of his slaves have been, sod, sod, soda, ma, ma…”

  “Spit it out, spit it out yah damned ole f
ool, let’s hear it loud and clear.”

  “The bible itself says that the Lord will not tolerate..Sod, soda, ma, ma.”

  “Sodomites, sodomites…Why can’t yah say it…why? Coz it don’t fit into your blinkered view of the real world of sensual pleasures yah damned ole buffoon.”

  This had come out louder than Wayne had expected and the entire congregation turned to see who had said it, as the words echoed around the church, then slipped into deadly silence. The laugh that exploded from Ty’s mouth was so loud that the whole congregation was left stupefied in shock. Then Wade’s laugh also resounded around the clean white walls, his face violet with pent up hilarity at the situation. The priest was beside himself with rage and was joined by an even more furious Ben Boucher, whose face had turned a dark and dangerous purple. The priest was by now hysterical.

  “Get out of my church, you heathens! Get out at once you blasphemous, filthy swine’s. How dare you bring levity and lewd conduct into this sacred place? How dare you? Leave now, now. How dare you laugh at a man of the cloth?”

  Ben Boucher joined in and cold fear replaced mirth as the three of them made a fast exit through the church door with Boucher’s words following them out.

  “How dare you laugh at the good Reverend! You heathens! How dare you?”

  Wayne and Wade followed Ty as they ran along the dusty path that led away from the church and spiralled up over the hill. Ty was leaving huge footprints in the dust and his elbows were throwing apart the overgrown branches and brushwood, which were lashing back and catching Wayne and Wade. Ben Boucher’s tirade could still be heard echoing around the church and bursting out through the church doors.

  “How dare you bring disrespect and humiliation into the House of the Lord!”

  When they had finally ran out of breath and collapsed under an old oak tree, Wade pointed at Wayne and with his face still bright red and gasping for air he said, “You’ve really done it this time Wayne, you’ve done it this time.”

  Only now did Wayne laugh, and that laugh echoed around the hills and mountains as wild and free as the wind.