This is part 5 of a continuing story about a young man - Justin McDermott, who was sent by his worried father to work as a jackaroo at a cattle station in the Australian outback, Diamantena Downs. Here the pampered city boy Justin was to be "taught to be a man" in the old, rough , time honoured Australian way of hard physical work and strict discipline. His mentor among the jackaroos was the 25 years old senior Jackaroo - Jake Wilkinson, who took an instant liking to Justin, and they became best mates, this was despite the fact (or maybe because) Jake was often the one to take the cane to Justin's backside !
The other Jackaroos are: Andy - 23yr old mechanical engineering student who was on a year's break from his studies, Brett - 19 yr old son of the owner of another station in western Queensland, visiting Diamantina to get some experience, Charlie - 26 yr old artist, who was working in the outback to get the chance to paint it, Scott - 20 yr old high school drop-out, who came to the bush to find out what he wanted to do with himself, and Archie - an English guy aged 22 on a year's break from his studies.
As we resume our story - theJackaroos have been working on repairing a damaged dam, until late at night. Jake and Justin both had to work with sore butts - from the 12 hard strokes of the cane they each received from the station Boss - Bill Fraser.
+ + +
It was late at night when a cold and hungry work party made its way back down to the homestead after working all evening to save the lower dam from breaching.
"You blokes did good work tonight" said Boss Fraser as he led the young jackaroos "so I'm not going to give the rest of you stick for what happened this arvo- just Justin and Jake, who were the most at fault"
The subdued Jackaroos muttered "thanks Boss" as they headed into the kitchen to eat some soup before bed. All except Jake and Justin, that is, who were at the back of the group, and wordlessly exchanged nervous glances at this mention of their names.
These two were unusually quiet. They were tired from a night of long hard labour, but they also both had stinging backsides from the 12 hard strokes of the cane they had received a few hours earlier. All the manual lifting they had done this evening, had just made their butts all the more sore.
They were the last to file into the kitchen and accept a bowl of hearty soup, before sitting down gingerly at the end of the table, and eating silently.
Watching them throughout was Brett, the 19 year old farmer's son from a nearby property. He was tall and lanky, but strong as an ox - and an excellent jackaroo. He had never really needed mentoring because he had been working cattle stations for most of his life in school holidays, so now that he was done with school, he was a natural to take on the job full time. So he came to Diamantina Downs to learn about managing operations, before taking over his family property.
Brett admired Jake and Justin because of their self confidence and poise with others - both of the young men had lived in cities, and attended universities and were _c_o_c_k_y and self assured, while he was still a nervously polite "bushie". Brett knew there was no way he could have taken 12 of the best with the cane, and then gone to work like they both did, as if nothing had happened.
Still, Brett sighed to himself as he took another mouthful of soup. He'd never really talked with Jake or even Justin - just jokey banter, so didn't really know either of them. He also envied them their easy camaraderie, and would have loved to be better mates with either of them, or even both of them. He loved to just watch them both, unobtrusively, noting their mannerisms, and language as well as their impressive muscles .
Brett sighed again - this time more loudly, as his thoughts were lost in such musings. That was until he got an elbow in the ribs from Andy who jovially teased him "what's up Brett mate - you away with the fairies ". Brett started suddenly and almost dropped his spoon as the other jackaroos looked at his confusion and laughed good naturedly.
Both Justin and Jake sat quietly and uncomfortably at the other end of the table - unaware of the attention they were both getting form their young friend.
Soon they were all finished with their soup and were ordered to bed by the Boss. And so all the jackaroos made their way quietly to the bunk house, fell into their beds and were soon all in a deep sleep, without any of the usual late night banter.
+ + +
The next day - just after breakfast. Justin and Jake were asked to see the Boss in his office again. So, while the other Jackaroos headed out to work, they both pulled on their work boots and headed over to Fraser's office. Jake looked over at Justin, took and deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in" called back the Boss' voice.
He looked up and smiled slightly as he saw the two of them make their way into his office - walking gingerly, as they clearly were still feeling the stripes from the previous afternoon.
"Well boys, how are we today ?" he boomed with good humour.
"Umm .. ok thanks Boss" they both mumbled , as they moved to stand in front of the desk - virtually in the same positions they had before bending over, the night before.
"Good - apart from the sore backsides I guess ?" he said with a laugh.
Both lads looked up and nodded - deeply embarrassed by this whole situation.
"The trouble I have" continued the Boss, sitting up in his chair, "is that you two have hides like bloody elephants and so I'm not sure that more caning is the answer to teach you the lesson you need".
Jake looked up in surprise at this, and looked across at an equally surprised Justin before looking at the Boss and asking " What then ?".
The Boss smiled, and both lads suddenly felt very nervous, before saying "I'm glad you asked me that Jake!" . He then stood up and the sat on the edge of his desk - so he was near eye level with both of the Jackaroos " I'm giving you both new work duty - apart , so the two of you aren't around each other to be muckin around all the time, and getting the others in strife too"
"But Boss .... " started Jake in protest, because this arrangement didn't sound like fun, but the boss held his hand up for silence.
"Oh don't worry boys" he continued " you'll still get your little backsides caned for a few more times over the next two weeks as additional punishment "
At this point there was a knock at the door. Fraser turned to open it revealing John Taggart, the station's senior Boundary rider. He stood aside to let the tall, lanky hard man who was a very fit and trim 56 years old into the office, and then he shook Taggart's hand, saying "Just in time mate".
"Good to see ya mate" drawled Taggart, before glancing at the two nervous young men, smiling slightly, looking them both up and down, nodding in acknowledgement and saying "... boys ,"
"Now Jake" continued the Boss, " - I want you to go out and ride the boundary fence for two weeks, with John here. You'll need to repair some sections - so there will be lots of work, and part of John's job will be to ensure that you get your necessary dose of the cane !" At this, the Boss pulled the cane out and swished it around - causing both lads to contract their butts in anticipation.
Taggart laughed appreciatively and took the cane off Fraser and tested swishing it some more.
Jake gulped before trying to protest and say ".. but Boss ....". but he was waved quiet.
Bill Fraser continued saying, "and Justin - I am banning you from any outdoor work for the two weeks, you are to spend your time updating all the station's computer software - seeing you have proven so good on the computers, and you'll get your canings from me in here. "
Now Justin tried to protest, he looked across at the equally aghast Jake and started to say "but boss ..." but , Fraserr just continued with his lecture.
He said " Now - these rules will be effective immediately, but we will start by giving you today's dose of the cane - you will both take 12 on your bare bums"
"Now wait a minute" protested Jake.
The boss just laughed "too much? .. for great strapping blokes like you ? .. are you guys going soft ?"
Both Jake and Justin stood just a little taller in protest at the affront against their manhood. They looked at each other and each felt compelled to take his licks, like a man.
The Boss continued "I'm going to ask John to cane Jake first - just to establish who is in charge on that riding trip."
Flexing the cane ominously Taggart looked around and fixed his stare of Jake.
"Ok boy" he growled " drop those pants, and bend over and grab your ankles".
Jake looked across to Bill Fraser, who nodded that he should comply. So with a nervous sigh and a quick glance back to Justin, Jake pulled his shorts and briefs down and bent over and into position.
Justin watched as his mate and mentor prepared to take a hard caning, his own shorts starting to tent out of his excitement at witnessing this.
Taggart looked appreciatively over the young muscular backside of his new riding partner, as he drew the cane back and THWWWWAAAAAAAAAACKED the cane hard into Jake's bum. A vivid red strip appeared, but Jake remained in position, silently.
Justin watched , fascinated as the cane hit again and again across that backside, and Jake just took it, unmoving and apparently unaffected. Taggart was making each stroke harder as he tested how tough this young smartass really was. After nine hard strokes, Jake moaned softly, and after ten, he shifted his legs and clearly was feeling the pain. Eleven and twelve also produced soft groans.
John Taggart stood back and admired the straight red lines he had created on Jake's well formed buttocks. He was impressed that a city boy took his strokes so well. He'd heard a few good things about the senior jackaroo, but had only ever met the lad in passing, and was sure that he could do with toughening up. He thought, with an evil grin, that testing and pushing this young man would be very interesting.
"Ok lad" said Taggart gruffly "well taken, you can stand up now "
As he watched Jake stand, slowly and stiffly, Justin could see in Jake's face that he was feeling the pain - but he hadn't broken down at all.
Justin was filled with admiration of his mate as he watched Jake as he moved back to stand in front of the desk. At the same time Taggart returned the cane to the Boss, and stood back in the corner of the room.
Idle thoughts were thrown from Justin's head as he heard the Boss say "You next mate - get yerself into position".
He dropped his shorts and bent over the desk, and stretched across it and held on tight. He felt the first tap and then the sharp THWWWWWWAAAAACK of searing pain as the first stroke hit. Justin concentrated on staying calm and not bawling like a baby - he couldn't so disgrace himself after Jake's manful display. These thoughts were interrupted as the second, and then third strokes whacked into his backside.
Justin's grip of the desk was getting tighter as he tried to keep silent and still as more strokes hit his bare bum. He wasn't Jake though and moaned after the sixth stroke, and was gasping with pain after, and had tears in his eyes after 10.
So it was a red faced, tearful Justin who stood slowly after his 12. His butt was very sore , so he moved slowly to stand by Jake. His mate looked over and smiled encouragingly at him. Justin was touched that Jake would think to try and cheer him up, while his own bum must still sting like mad.
Taggart looked at Justin dismissively before nodding to Jake and barking " Ok mate - get your shorts on and go and prepare your pack - we should be ready to go soon".
Jake nodded reluctantly, pulled his shorts back up, turned, looked back at Justin. He smiled ruefully at his mate, and patted his shoulder and muttered "sorry about this mate".
Justin looked up into Jake's eyes and smiled weakly "I'm sorry too - see ya mate".
Jake gulped and coughed, saying "Yeah - well be good" and shook Justin's hand and ruffled his hair in good natured farewell before making his way slowly out the door, with an impatient Taggart following close behind.
With Jake and Taggart gone, the Boss turned to Justin and told him "get your shorts back up mate, and I'll get you started on these software problems."
Justin sniffed a couple of times, and winced quietly as he pulled his shorts back on, and then sat gingerly on one of the office chairs. Bill Fraser then sat down opposite him and laid out the problems they were having with the administration computer software.
Justin listened intently. One thing he had absorbed while lazing around University, was an ability to make computers work, and he was certain that he would be able to earn his way back into the Boss's good books by doing this well.
After about half an hour Bill stood and left Justin to keep working, and went to check on the work the other Jackaroos were doing . Justin was a bit uncomfortable sitting on his tender buns, but found the work enjoyable. He had a quick break for lunch, and enjoyed a half an hour of touch footy with a couple of the other jackaroos, outside in the back paddock, before sitting back down and getting to it.
+ + +
After a few hours of steady, if tedious work, Justin was surprised to hear raised voices outside. He looked out the window but couldn't see what was going. The Boss' distinctive voice was getting near as he shouted at one of the poor Jackaroos who'd stuffed up.
Justin looked around in surprise as the Boss threw the door open and marched into the office, dragging young Brett by the ear lobe .
"Owww .. owwww Bosss ... " moaned Brett "leggo that hurts !!!"
Bill let Brett's ear go and the lad stood slowly and looked over at Justin and smiled weakly. Justin could tell that Brett was in for a good session with the cane, and felt a stirring in his groin at the thought.
The Boss had paced around the room to grab the cane and turned to glare at Brett - "You bloody idiot, you could have hurt someone with that stunt !"
With a sharp glance at Justin he said "this fool nearly drove the tractor into the stockyard fence while people were sitting on it".
Justin struggled not to smirk at the image, and managed to shake his head solemnly. He then decide he should give them some room and stood to go out.
The Boss looked at Justin in surprise . " Where are you going ?" he demanded.
"Oh ..." muttered Justin ".. I assumed you'd want some privacy to ummm .... "
"Cane this idiot's backside ?" boomed the Boss, completing Justin's sentence (Brett flinched at the word "cane").
Justin smiled slightly, looking apologetically at Brett, and said "..uh .. yeah".
"No Jus - stay, keep working, or better still wittiness this .. I'm sure Brett likes the idea of someone watching ..." said the Boss, so with a shrug of his shoulders Justin sat back down at his desk , while Brett nervously stammered out "uh ..well... I ...uh .. no ".
Bill turned to Brett and told him to assume the position. Brett dropped his work pants and bent over the desk. Justin watched - approving of the sight of Brett's muscular buns.
Soon the cane was drawn back and THWWWWAAAAACKED into his butt 6 times. Brett took each quietly, although he flinched at the last two hard stingers. and he had six red weals across his butt.
Justin could still feel the stinging in his own bum, but was quite turned on by the sight of Brett getting it. Brett stood slowly and smiled ruefully as he pulled his pants up, adjusted his massive hard-on, and gently rubbed his butt.
The Boss put the cane down and asked "Brett my boy, what am I gonna do with you ?"
Brett looked confused and mumbled "Boss ... ?"
"You have to start concentrating mate - or you'll be no good on any property " he returned . Brett looked down at his shoes and mumbled his agreement.
"You have to stop just agreeing mate and start doing mate, that is the third accident you almost caused this month " said the Boss.
"I know " said Brett softly, near tears, "and I'm sorry Boss".
Justin turned back to his computer, to give Brett some privacy for his chat,
Boss Fraser was shaking his head at Brett, and turned to look thoughtfully towards Justin. "Of course .. there may be a way to teach you to concentrate better ..... " Justin had been loading a file on the computer screen, but felt the tingle down his spine the told him he was being watched, and so turned around in his chair and immediately made eye contact, and so inquired "... Boss ?".
Bill Fraser smiled and said "Yes Justin - I think I have an extra job for you".
Justin and Brett exchanged looks of mutual incomprehension. Then Justin asked "ummm what is that Boss ?"
The Boss slapped Brett's shoulder hard , making him wince and boomed "teaching this idiot how to concentrate on a job".
"But ... " began Justin in protest.
"Concentrate at office type work that is - where there aren't the distractions you blokes seem to find constantly when you're working outside " continued Fraser.
Brett stammered "B-b-but I like workin' outside Boss ".
"Too bad" thundered the Boss " you've sometimes gotta do computer work .. well Jus is the best guy to show you about that stuff". Justin smiled slightly before Fraser continued " Especially seeing he is in working here for two weeks on his own punishment detail. So it will be no bother at all for him to show you how to use all the programs as well as introduce you to the principles of what gets done in here."
Justin and Brett exchanged glances of mutual sympathy, and with a sigh Brett grabbed the spare chair and sat down beside Justin. The Boss smiled before adding " And if I feel that either of you are slacking off or mucking around - I'll cane both your backsides."
The guys exchanged glances again and said "Yes boss" with a resigned sigh, almost in unison.
"Of course, Justin has a job to do too in tidying up our whole system. I still expect that to be done - you just need to explain it Brett as you go along, and get him to do some things, when he is ready"
"Yes Boss" said Justin, as Bill glanced at the guys again before heading out the door.
Once alone - the two guys sat in an awkward silence. Justin broke it by asking "uh .. so mate - have you ever done office work before"
"Nope" said Brett, shaking his head.
Justin blew out a deep breath. "Oh boy ... ok ..." before launching into a general explanation of what was done in the office and how it "worked". At the same time he activated a diagnostic program on to computer to diagnose any errors in the databases.
After about half an hour of dry, boring discussion about office procedures Justin dried up and finished up his lecture saying "..er.. so .. that's about it ". He looked over at the computer screen and saw that the diagnostic program wasn't done so he had some time to kill. He turned to Brett and asked "So how's your backside feeling ?"
Brett shook his head in embarrassment and said "still a bit sore mate."
"Yeah" said Justin "I can imagine, those were hard strokes !"
Brett nodded in agreement and asked "umm .. so how many did you and Jake get before ".
"Twelve each " said Justin " it hurt like hell !!"
"Boy" whistled Brett, "you must have one tough arse !!"
"I guess" smirked Justin.
Brett then asked Justin about his "previous" life as an irresponsible University student. Justin told Brett about his travels, and the way his Father decided to kick him into shape by sending him to the station. In return Brett told Justin about life at Boarding School, his family property and Agricultural college. The two of them were leaning back in their chairs chatting amiably, having completely forgotten about the diagnostic software. After the earlier punishments, they both enjoyed being able to share their stories to someone with a sympathetic ear.
Without realising it, they had settled into chatting for over an hour. Justin laughed at one of Brett's stories as the office door was flung open and the Boss walked in.
The two lads looked up in surprise, started forward and sat up in the seats .
"What are you two up to ? asked the Boss suspiciously.
"Uh ... we're just ..umm .. waiting for the diagnostic to run Boss" said Justin, who turned to the computer screen and noticed that the screen saver had activated. He moved the mouse and saw to his dismay that the diagnostic program had finished its first run and had been waiting on a "Yes /no" mouse click from him - but it had timed out because he had taken so long to check it.
The boss watched the screen and realised that this lesson in concentration hadn't been going too well!
Justin cleared his throat nervously and said "ummm .. looks like we might need to start this again the ...umm . program timed out and quit" .
The boss crossed his arms and asked in an irritated tone "How could have that happened?"
Justin looked at Brett and said "well .. we ..uh .. were talking about office procedures and stuff and .. uh .. didn't notice it had completed the first run".
"You weren't concentrating, in other words " said Bill with a sneer.
"Uh .. yeah .. I guess" confirmed Justin softly. Brett watched him nervously, guessing they were in trouble.
"What did I say I would do to you two if I felt you slacked off or were mucking around ?"
"Umm ..well ..." began Justin.
"You'd cane us ?" said Brett, in a tone that was hopeful that the Boss would say no.
"Exactly Brett mate " boomed the Boss, "so I want you both to get up, drop your shorts and touch your toes "
"But .. but .. Boss " moaned Justin " we both only got stripes a few hours ago !!"
"That should have kept you concentrating mate" sneered the Boss " now hurry up or you'll get extra !"
Both stood, and they looked at each other before pulling their shorts down, and taking up position. As he bent over, Justin looked over at Brett doing the sue thing and said "sorry about this mate" softly. Brett nodded wordlessly. He was concentrating on not bursting into tears before the cane struck him, and so couldn't speak.
Fraser picked his cane up and stood behind the two young men. He tapped the cane on Justin's already well striped backside , deciding that he would alternate strokes between the two of them, starting with Justin.
"I'm going to give you both 9 strokes boys, as a warning" said the Boss "if you slack off again during this period when you are at punishment work - you'll get 18 of the best" Justin gasped - he'd been hoping this would only be four, or six at the most. Brett just concentrated on breathing deeply - he knew this would hurt a lot, but was determined to take it manfully in from of Justin.
Fraser drew the cane back and THWWWWAAAAAAAAACKED it into Justin, who gasped deeply as all the fire in his butt from the previous 12 of the day, and the 12 of the night before, reignited.
The boss stepped over and tapped the cane on Brett's butt which still had 6 vivid stripes on it. Brett had watched Justin's face as the cane struck and saw the pain registered, so tensed up in fear as he felt the cane drawn back and THWWWWWAAAAAAAACKED into his own butt , and he groaned "owwww" as the pain of the previous stripes throbbed across his butt.
The Boss could tell he was already getting through to these two. Both were tensing their butts and had clearly felt a lot of pain already. So he smiled grimly as he turned back to Justin, and drew the cane back and gave him another hard stroke. The lad gasped a little more loudly and shifted his weight between feet.
Brett looked at the floor for fear of bursting into tears if he saw the pain Justin was feeling. He heard the Boss take up position behind his own butt and felt the cane tap, draw back ... and he yelped in surprise at the hard stroke which blazed across his butt.
Justin was just concentrating on breathing, through the pain as he heard the Boss return to position behind him and gave him his third hard stroke. He moaned softly.
The Boss alternated between the two guys, giving each hard, well placed strokes between their existing stripes. By the fifth stroke, both had given up trying to be tough, and were tearfully trying to stay in position and not start crying out or begging.
Before giving the sixth strokes the Boss paused and asked the two guys "So - what are you two going to do when alone in this office ?"
"Ummm " said Justin, as the pain clouded his ability to think clearly.
"Do our work" mumbled Brett softly.
The boss sighed and drew the cane back and THWWWWAAAAACKED Justin harder than before, and then turned to do the same thing to Brett. Both guys groaned at the pain. "You are going to concentrate, boys - get that !!" before either could answer he gave them both their seventh stroke.
Gasping, and trying not to sob .. both Brett and Justin stuttered out "y-y-es boss".
Then the Boss said "you both have two more - I will give you the two at the same time, and they will be very hard .. just to giver you something to think about !!"
Neither young man responded as they were concentrating on staying in position. The boss drew the cane back behind Justin and THWWWWWWWWWWWWWWACCCCCK ... THWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAACKED the cane and Justin finally couldn't contain it and yelled "yeeeeoooowwww !!1"
Brett shuddered at the cry from his mate, and tried to grab his ankles more tightly. The Boss aimed and gave him two similarly hard strokes and the burst of pain was so bad that he yelled "owwwwwwwwwwwwww ..." and stood and clasped his hands over his flaming buns.
The boss watching Brett standing and smiled and said "that got through to you didn't it". Brett simply nodded tearfully. The boss continued "but I didn't say you could stand - so get back over .. you can get one more stroke "
Brett looked horrified "oh boss please .. no more .. I'm sorry !!"
The boss looked at him sternly "bend over now or you'll get two extra !!"
Brett quickly resumed the position. Justin looked over at him and smiled encouragement and said "c'mon mate you can take it - just hang on to your ankles and don't let go". Brett smiled slightly in response and awaited his last stroke.
The boss drew the cane right back and THWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAACKED Brett as hard as he could. Brett couldn't stop himself from yelling "ohhhhhhh shiiiiiiiiit" but did manage to stay in place.
The boss smiled and said that they could stand. Both stood slowly and rubbed their flaming butts. Both had tears in his eyes, and wiped those away quickly.
Bill decide that they had had enough discipline for the day so said to them that they would have to resume their work in the morning, and that they could go now and join the others in relaxing before dinner. Both of the young men smiled in relief, pulled their shorts up and made their way outside - where they then had to answer a million questions about what had happened to them both.
+ + +
Meanwhile Jake had spent most of the day with his butt impacting a very hard saddle on a bumpy trail. It was really sore !! He was feeling sorry for himself, because John Taggart made him do all the physical labour, so his arms were sore too. His already tenderized butt didn't appreciate the way Taggart would occasionally swat it with his riding crop, while he was working, if he thought Jake wasn't working fast enough. Jake would wince and glare at Taggart, who would smile and threatened him with another one if he didn't get back to work.
So as the sun set and while the other Jackaroos were playing touch footy in the back paddock, and Brett and Justin nursed their sore butts, Jake was chopping firewood, and preparing the campsite.
Taggart watched him with a smile. "You know why you are here lad?" he growled.
"What ?" asked Jake in confusion, breathing hard from his exertions.
"To toughen you up - you're soft and undisciplined from all that playing around with your mates at the homestead" said the Boundary Rider "so keep chopping wood, because that's just the beginning ...."
Jake groaned as he bent to his task
To be continued .....