Boot camps for wayward youths have been around for ages. They are designed to instill some sense of normality and discipline into the lives of troubled teenagers. Just as there are many different degrees of anti-social behaviour amongst our troubled youth, there are as many different styles of management in the operation of these boot camps.
Jack Norris was one such operator of one of these boot camps and was from the old school of disciplinarians. He firmly believed in a strict no holes barred approach in the rehabilitation of wayward teenagers where young delinquents, as he referred to them, would soon be taught to behave themselves, even though it meant they might well suffer extreme discipline and punishment in the process.
His methods were fully approved by a large section of the community who were fed up with the consistent pandering to the whims of the do-gooders and the bleeding hearts in society. Jack's approach to his charges was nothing short of backbreaking physical work coupled with regular beatings at the slightest sign of laziness or disobedience and his services were in great demand by parents who felt that it was high time that their offspring were brought back into line. Other parents simply wanted their sons to experience some solid discipline as part of the growing up process to ensure their boys stayed in line.
Hastings Farm catered only for boys, with a maximum number of just eight at a time, ensuring that Jack was able to keep a very close eye on their daily lives. By day the boys laboured hard on the 1000 acre property, either in the fields or tending to the livestock. Each youth was assigned a daily target of work to be completed and any failure to do so in an appropriate manner would always be accompanied by a visit to the punishment shed, a visit that the boys naturally dreaded.
The punishment shed was located close to the main farmhouse and took the appearance of a discipline master's dungeon, which is exactly what it was designed for. Here the boys would be taught the error of their ways. In the very centre of the room was a round wooden pole – six feet high with a horizontal beam across the top. This was the whipping post to which the boys would be tied for major punishments. Spread around the wall of the room an assortment of implements for punishment was on prominent display - riding crops, leather straps, paddles, canes, whips and a razor strop, all with a lethal appearance and warning of what was about to befall any boy sent here for correction.
Two punishment benches took pride of place near the back wall. It was here that the majority of the discipline was administered. Here the youths to be punished would be bent over the benches whilst their backsides were lashed unmercilessly. If it were felt necessary, the recipient would be strapped to the frame to prevent any movement.
Although Jack had a small staff of overseers to supervise the boys' activities, it was he, himself, who administered all punishments and the boys feared him. If Jack were unable to administer punishment when one of his supervisors deemed an immediate thrashing was required or that a boy should be separated from the others, then the youth would be taken to one of two small cells, almost completely void of all light, at the edge of the punishment room. Here the boys would be stripped naked before being locked away to await Jack's availability to administer the necessary correction. The boys detested being locked in the darkened cell as much as they disliked the ensuing thrashing.
No boy ever treated a visit to the punishment shed in a lighthearted manner and it is no surprise why this would be the case. A period of training at Jack Norris' boot camp would, more often than not, make a major difference to the attitude, conduct and obedience of any of its residents.
For some time Harold and Enid Rawlings had experienced problems with their twin 16-year-old sons, Luke and Mark. The boys' schoolwork had slipped dramatically and each of them was tending to mix with the wrong crowd. At home they did not attend to their chores and when reprimanded they tended to become quite cheeky to their parents.
Until two years ago Harold had no trouble keeping the boys well in line with a thick leather strap and they were both developing into fine young citizens. But as he had now become incapacitated he was no longer able to exercise proper parental authority. The boys were aware of this and they simply defied him at every occasion as they also did with their mother.
The Rawlings had spoken to some good friends, John and Robert Edwards, who also had two teenage boys, about the problems they were experiencing with both Luke and Mark. They were told about Hastings Farm and how it had helped get their own children back on the straight and narrow. Admittedly, they told them, it was a drastic action to send them there, but it worked wonders and the boys had never looked back. John warned the Rawlings that their sons would be in for some regular solid hidings and that they would have to undertake some intense physical work but if it would do the same for Luke and Mark as it had done for their own boys, they would never regret it.
As parents, with a very traditional view of bringing up boys, this sounded exactly what they wanted and what their boys needed and so they wasted no time making a booking. When they phoned Jack Norris, and told him of their problems with the boys, he explained in detail that this could well be the answer. They must understand, he told them, that it was not a holiday camp in any sense of the word. It was a very strict boot camp and the discipline would be solid and frequent to get the boys back in line.
Without hesitation, the boys were booked in for a fortnight over the coming school holidays. All they told the twins was that they were off to camp in the country over the vacation and the boys seemed thrilled and excited. Little did they know what lay in store for them. However, it was not too long before they discovered for themselves that their butts were to be reddened on numerous occasions as they learnt the essential lessons of obedience. Indeed, it was only on the drive to the camp that their parents told them of the type of camp they would be attending.
As they arrived at Hastings Farm, Jack Norris was there to greet them. By this stage the boys were quite anxious, to say the least, and Jack Norris wanted to make perfectly sure that both parents fully understood what was in store for their sons.
"I presume you both understand that the boys will be given regular beatings as part of the process in changing their attitude?" has asked of both Harold and Enid Rawlings.
"Yes, we're well aware of that," Harold replied. "It's exactly what they both need. Isn't it, boys?" their father asked, addressing his twin sons.
The boys were speechless and didn't even answer. They couldn't believe what they were hearing and just merely looked at each other.
After Jack farewelled Harold and Enid, he turned his attention to the two cute young boys standing before him. At this stage he was unable to identify who was who, except for the clothes they currently wore.
Standing before him were two handsome, well developed young blond boys with striking blue eyes. Each of them had a short cropped head of hair and their bodies were well tanned from the many hours they had been exposed to the summer sun. Both were keen swimmers and had obviously spent many hours in training, both in the water and at the gymnasium.
Luke was dressed in a brief pair of white nylon shorts and was wearing a mesh vest, through which Jack could easily see his rippling and well developed chest. The lad's thick set thighs and biceps were indicative of a young man who had spent many hours working out in the gym. With great anticipation, Jack could barely wait to get the boy stripped and to see those buttocks.
Mark had an equally striking figure, his babyish face also belying his years, with the same short cropped blond hair and blue eyes. Jack was unable to assess Mark's physique as he was wearing a pale blue track suit but with the same style of joggers that Luke wore.
"From this point onwards, you will address me as 'Sir'. Do you understand?"
The twins looked at each other and then replied in unison, "Yes, Sir."
"Follow me to the office boys and I'll tell you what's in store for you both for the next fortnight," Mr Norris commanded.
Wondering just what was in store for them, Luke and Mark followed behind as Jack Norris led them to the office. Once inside the office, Jack seated himself behind a large desk and laid down the rules and procedures that the boys were to follow for the next fortnight. The twins were not invited to sit but remained standing in front of the desk.
"You have been sent here to learn to be obedient, to learn discipline," Jack told them. "From the discussions I have had with your parents your school work has slipped because you are lazy. You are slack at home. You are disobedient at home. You are mixing with the wrong type of person. Your whole attitude needs to be altered and that is what we are going to do here at Hastings Farm over the next fortnight. Do you understand what I have said so far?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Luke.
"Yes, what?" demanded Mr Norris.
"Yes, Sir," Luke replied.
"And you, Mark, do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir."
Jack Norris continued: "Whilst you are here, you and the other boys will have regular chores to do. You will work hard at all times. There will be very little free time. Occasionally the boys may be allowed to go swimming in the dam or horse riding on the property if I think your work and your behaviour warrants it. If it doesn't, you will be punished and punished severely. Punishments are a regular event. I believe that a good thrashing on a regular basis is what all young boys need to straighten them out."
"And have you had a good hiding recently, young man?" Jack asked as he turned to Luke.
"No, Sir." Luke replied.
"And you?" he asked, now addressing Mark.
"Not for a couple of years." Mark replied.
"Well, I've got news for both of you. I'm going to start you both off you with a good flogging so you know exactly where you stand and what's in store for you at the slightest sign of any disobedience."
The twins looked terrified.
"Follow me!" Mr Norris intoned as he led the boys out the back and through to the punishment room.
The boys gazed in awe as they looked around the room.
"This is where most punishments are administered," he told them, "and this is where boys' attitudes start to change for the better. Sometimes, all eight boys at the farm will visit here together and witness punishments as a warning. Other times, just those boys to be punished will be brought here. This time it's just for you two so we can start to change your attitudes. In addition, for the next two mornings you will both visit the punishment room straight after breakfast, do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir," the terrified youths answered.
"Right, well let's not waste time. I want you both stripped completely. Shoes, socks, shirt, pants. You can put them neatly on the table over there." Mr Norris instructed.
The boys slowly stripped to their underpants as they surveyed the various instruments of punishment on the wall of the room. They carefully put their clothes on the table as instructed and then faced Mr Norris.
"What was the instruction I gave you boys?"
"To strip," Luke replied.
"Did you hear my say the word 'completely' or not?" Mr Norris asked.
"What? Underpants, too?" Luke asked.
"Yes!"
"Are we going to get it on the bare?" asked Mark.
"That's correct, boys."
And so both of them dropped their underpants and put them on the table with the rest of their clothes, awaiting the next instruction.
Jack Norris gazed intently at the two young lads before him. The wait to see these two boys stripped completely naked had arrived. Rarely had he seen such fine physical specimens. Each of them was such a perfect example of a young Adonis – perfectly developed bodies all over, well tanned throughout except for the Speedo line now that they had removed their underpants and had exposed their tender young bottoms. And those buttocks? Two solid well rounded orbs on each of them, just begging for the strap and they wouldn't have to wait long.
"You will notice, boys, a number of different instruments around the room. Today we are going to start with the razor strop on your butts and for the next two mornings, it will be something different. Sometimes it will be the cane; sometimes it will be the leather strap; other times it may be the riding crop. But whatever it is you are going to very quickly learn two things. First you are going to learn that a visit to the punishment room is nothing to be treated lightly. Secondly you are going to very quickly change your whole general attitude and learn the importance of good conduct and obedience."
Already the tears were beginning to form in the eyes of both boys as they contemplated what lay in store for them.
"All right, we'll start you off today with 20 strokes," Mr Norris stated as he reached for the razor strop. "Luke, you can go first. I want you to take your position at the punishment bench there and Mark you can put your nose against the wall over there until it's your turn."
As Luke approached the bench, Jack instructed him to spread his feet and to lean over the bench. He suggested that as he leant over he should grab hold firmly to prevent any excessive movement because if he did this it would result in additional punishment. Mark by now was facing the wall as instructed.
"I'll give you ten strokes first and then I'll give Mark his first ten before I return to you for the rest."
Luke held his breath as Jack Norris approached the prone young man in front of him and doubled over the razor strop. Jack took careful aim and laid a resounding crack across both cheeks of Luke's butt. The boy flinched but did not utter a sound.
"Obviously not hard enough," Jack thought to himself.
He paused for a few moments before striking the boy a second time. This time he managed to elicit a reaction. Luke screamed as the strap flayed across him. Two red welts had by now appeared across those pristine orbs. By now, Mark, who hadn't even tasted the razor strop had tears flowing down his cheeks.
Eight more solid strokes followed in slow succession, allowing sufficient time between each stroke for the boy to fully savour the punishment and for the pain to register appropriately. Luke screamed as each stroke whipped across his backside. The last stroke, particularly, was excruciating as Mr Norris laid it across Luke's upper thighs. The lad was in great pain and beside himself in anticipation for the remainder of his punishment at the bench.
As soon as the tenth stroke cut across Luke's butt, the boy was instructed to stand but to remain facing the bench. At this point Mark was instructed to turn around. He was horrified. His brother's butt was a mass of red and purple as the bruising started to take effect.
"Well, Luke. Are we starting to learn why you need to change your attitude yet?"
"Yes, Sir," the boy cried. "I've learnt already. Do I have to take any more?"
"Yes, you do. Ten more to come. But we'll give Mark his first dose before I get back to you. Mark, take your brother's place. Luke get over here and face the wall."
Both boys instantly did as instructed, without hesitation. They were on their way to learning instant obedience, without question, but they had a long way to go yet before the fortnight at Hastings Farm was over.
"Feet apart!" Mr Norris snapped as Mark took his position over the bench.
Jack Norris again gazed at the new set of buttocks facing him – firm and rounded and looking ever so responsive to the good flogging that was about to befall them. But Mark, who was already in tears, was not able to restrain himself as the first lash of the razor strop landed across both buttocks. He flinched and jumped up, grabbing his backside in an attempt to relieve the pain.
"I thought I warned you both not to get up during punishment, young man."
"But I couldn't help it, Sir. It hurt so much."
"What did I tell you would happen, Mark, if you moved during punishment?"
"You said we'd get more."
"Well, don't say you weren't warned. Right, Mark, on the wall over there are two canes. Bring me the lighter one this time."
Mark was crying as he fetched the cane and handed it to Mr Norris.
"Bend over," he instructed.
As soon as Mark had done as he was told, three solid cuts were landed across his butt. The boy screamed.
"Now, are we ready for the rest of the strapping?"
"Yes, Sir."
The boy resumed his position over the bench and Jack Norris returned the cane to its position on the wall. Slowly he returned to Mark, picked up the razor strop and again doubled it over before landing another nine strokes across Mark's backside, each one accompanied by a loud scream from the prone youth. As was the case with his brother, the last stroke flayed across his thighs. Mark was told to rise. He was a quivering mess.
Jack left the boys for an hour to contemplate the remainder of their punishment. Luke and Mark consoled each other over their bruised and welted butts and wondered if they could withstand the rest of their strapping, let alone the fortnight to come.
Upon his return, Jack asked the boys if they were going to learn anything from their visit to Hastings Farm.
"Do you know why you have been sent here? Do you know why you are being punished?" Mr Norris asked of them.
Luke glanced at Mark and allowed his brother to answer.
"Yes, Sir. We have been talking about it. Both of us have been completely out of line. We have been lazy with our schoolwork and disrespectful and disobedient to our parents."
"And?" Mr Norris asked.
"And we both deserve to be punished," Luke chimed in. "It'll help us to be better in the future."
"I certainly hope so," replied Mr Norris. "Because in the next fortnight you are likely to visit the punishment room time and time again until I am perfectly sure we've got the message through. Now, let's get on with the rest of the strapping. Luke, I think you're first. Mark, hand me the strop."
Mark handed him the strop as Luke again spread himself over the punishment bench and took another ten solid lashes across the butt before his brother changed places with him for the remainder of his flogging. Neither of them would forget this visit for a long time. Not that they had that long to wait, for again as promised, the next morning after breakfast they both returned for their next dose.
They were only given twelve strokes each, but Mr Norris selected the riding crop for their punishment on this occasion. Although the punishment was less than on their earlier visit, both boys suffered far more both because their butts were already extremely tender from the previous day's flogging and also because each of them received three of the strokes across the upper thigh where the pain was doubly intense.
Just what would their punishment be for the next morning, the boys wondered, as they reported to the punishment room after breakfast where they stripped and awaited Mr Norris' arrival. The waiting was almost as bad as the punishment itself they felt. Eventually Jack Norris arrived.
"Turn around, the pair of you," he commanded as he addressed the twins. As he examined each of them, he slapped them firmly across their butts with his hand and they jumped. They were extremely sore and very tender.
But before he had a chance to utter another word, the farm foreman rushed in dragging an 18-year-old young buck by the scruff of the neck. Mitch Parsons was the eldest of the farm's current inmates, and was quite obviously due for some correction.
"What's this?" Jack demanded of his foreman.
"I thought you would want to deal with this immediately. I've just caught this young man well on the way to being as drunk as a skunk."
"What?" demanded Jack Norris.
"Yes. In the dormitory drinking from a bottle of Jack Bean."
Alcohol was strictly forbidden at Hastings Farm and everyone knew it. The boy had smuggled it into camp when he was admitted three days ago. It was well known amongst all of the boys that the possession of alcohol, let alone its consumption, was one of the most major offences they could commit at the boot camp.
"Tie him to the post. Now!" Jack commanded.
The foreman dragged the boy to the whipping post in the centre of the punishment room, tying his wrists firmly to the horizontal beam fastened to the top of the pole. Both Luke and Mark wondered just what he was going to cop for his disobedience. They didn't have long to wonder. This was really going to be a major punishment and young Mitch knew it. He had been warned by the others of the consequences if he were caught.
Jack Norris thanked his foreman for bringing the matter to his attention and dismissed him. He would handle this from now on and the twins, he thought, could well learn a thing or two from witnessing this punishment.
"Mark," he instructed. "Undo his belt and get his trousers off."
Mark approached Mitch and, as instructed, undid the boy's belt and zipper. He then lowered the boys trousers to his ankles.
"And the underpants," Mr Norris commanded.
Mark stepped behind, put his hand in the elastic and dragged Mitch's underpants to his ankles.
"Do you want me to take them right off?" Mark asked.
"No," Mr Norris replied. "Leave them where they are. It will stop him jumping all over the place. Now get back where you were."
"Luke. On the wall over there are several straps. I want you to bring me the one marked 'Number 6 Strap'. Move it, boy."
Luke collected the strap and handed it to Mr Norris and then, without being told, returned to his place alongside Mark. Would this be what they were also going to get today, the twins wondered?
The strap was a fearful looking instrument, the heaviest of all the various straps on the wall. The 'Number 6 Strap' was about 24 inches long and some 4 inches wide, attached to a wooden handle. The strap was made of a very thick cow leather and was appropriately named as the end of the strap was cut into six separate strands. It was nicknamed by the boys as 'The Prison Strap' and they feared it more than anything else.
Now that Mitch was in position and stripped from the waist down, Jack Norris approached the boy and ripped the shirt from his back, exposing the boy's broad muscular back and shoulders and leaving the boy totally naked except for his pants, now around his ankles.
"Anything to say for yourself, boy?" Mr Norris demanded, addressing the naked young stud before him.
"No, Sir. I guess I knew the rules."
This buffed young stud with his baby looking face was strapped to the whipping post and was now ready to learn the error of his ways. He was a fine looking strapping youth, quite obviously a solid young man with his broad muscular back and shoulders but how long would he be able to withstand the punishment that was about to be inflicted upon him? Jack Norris was about to test those lengths both on that muscular back and solid looking butt that was stretched before him. The boy wouldn't forget this in a hurry!
He drew back the strap as far as he could and with a mighty force flayed it across both cheeks of Mitch's butt. The boy screamed in agony. His half drunken stupour did not alleviate the pain in any manner as the strap continued to lash across his already bruised and battered buttocks.
Fifty heavy strokes were delivered in all across the buttocks and thighs, slowly and painfully, before Jack handed the strap back to Luke with the instruction to put it back on the wall. Mitch was crying continually, like a young baby but seemed relieved that it was now over. Little did he or the twins know what was yet to come.
"I shall be back shortly," Mr Norris exclaimed as he left the shed. "The three of you stay exactly where you are."
It was an hour before he returned; an hour in which the twins contemplated that they were probably next to taste the 'Number 6 Strap' and they were quite visibly upset. The three strapping young boys, all naked, were by now full of tears.
Eventually, Jack Norris returned and instantly approached Mitch at the whipping post. He slapped the boy's butt firmly with his hand and then went round in front of the outstretched boy.
"I think you we can take a good bit more, yet, don't you boy?" he asked.
"Please, Sir. No more, I've had enough."
"No, you don't tell me when you've had enough. I tell you. Luke, fetch me the strap again."
"The same one, Sir?"
"Yes, Luke, the same one, the 'Number 6'. Quickly."
Luke quickly retrieved the strap and handed it to Mr Norris. Jack could see that his victim's backside had already taken a really solid flogging and, without advising the boy in advance, decided to lay the rest of the punishment across his back and shoulders. The first stroke landed across Mitch's shoulder blades and, as expected, the lad screamed in agony. Jack then continued to flay the strap up and down Mitch's back. The boy was sure regretting that alcohol he had smuggled onto the property.
After twenty solid lashes he decided that the lad had had enough. The punishment ceased and Mr Norris went round to the front of Mitch where he lectured the boy and abused him for his disobedience. After about fifteen minutes of haranguing the crying boy, he turned to Mark.
"Cut him loose, Mark!"
As instructed, Mark untied the leather bands around Mitch's wrists. As they were released Mitch slumped to the ground, all the time continuing to cry so profoundly.
"I think we might spare you both from any further punishment today," Mr Norris commented, addressing the two boys, "and let those butts of yours recover. I doubt if it will be too long before we have to give you another dose. Anyhow, today you've witnessed young Mitch here getting his correction. If nothing else, it should provide a good warning to you both."
"Thank you, Sir," they both acknowledged.
"As I said, Luke and Mark, it's a warning because the next time there is a need for you to be back here, you'll be taking Mitch's place at the whipping post. Do you both understand?"
"Yes, Sir," they replied.
Their relief from yet another flogging was enormous and they did their best to avoid any more punishment.
For three days they were successful but when it was reported to Mr Norris that the pair of them had been a little slack with their farm chores, Jack decided it was time for the boys to be strapped to the whipping post.
Because of their age, however, they were to be spared the whipping across their backs. Once again the boys stripped naked and to emphasise the punishment each of them was forced to tie his brother to the whipping post. It took just ten solid strokes across those now already reddened buttocks with the 'Number 6 Strap' before each of them was in an almost uncontrollable state. In addition to their own pain, they fully appreciated what Mitch had gone through when he had been awarded a total of 70 lashes.
Both Luke and Mark had by now fully understood the importance of hard work and good conduct at Hastings Farm and they successfully kept themselves out of all trouble for the ensuing week. Indeed, as the promised reward for perfect conduct, they were permitted an afternoon off and thoroughly enjoyed themselves both swimming in the dam and riding the horses.
Their time at Hastings Farm was fast drawing to a close and they were looking forward eagerly to going home. Jack Norris was extremely pleased with the change he had witnessed in the boys' attitudes but wished to ensure that the change was permanent before the twins left his charge. After dinner on their second last night he called them to his office.
"I am very pleased with the rapid improvement you have shown since you have been with us," he said to the boys. "It is not too often a boy goes a whole week without visiting the punishment room as you've managed to do. I congratulate you both."
"Thank you, Sir," they both replied.
"You've demonstrated to me that whilst you've been here you've learnt to be both obedient and respectful and I hope that will last when you get home."
"It will, Sir," Luke replied.
"Well, tomorrow is your last day and to make sure your improvement is lasting, first thing tomorrow morning I'm going to give you both a good caning as a lasting reminder of the consequences of your poor attitude in the past. I'm sure you both understand that we can't risk going back to your old ways, don't you, boys?" Mr Norris asked.
"We won't slip back, Sir," Mark replied. "We've learnt our lesson, haven't we Luke?" he asked, glancing at his brother.
"Yes we have," Luke replied.
"Well, we're going to make sure. As yet, you haven't visited the cells during your stay. So for tonight you will spend your time there and tomorrow I'm going to give you your farewell punishment – one that you'll remember, I'm sure."
Jack Norris again led the boys out to the punishment room. The tears were already visible in both boys but they knew not to question or argue in any way. As they entered, Jack reminded them of what they did on their previous visits. They were to strip naked, carefully fold their clothes and place them on the table. This the boys did as Jack opened the two cell doors.
Once again Jack had the two blond young twins naked before him. He marvelled again at those perfect bodies, honed by their many visits to the gym. It was a week since he had seen those firm rounded butts ready to be whipped into shape and once again they appeared to be pleading with him for his attention. This would quite possibly to be his last opportunity.
"Right, boys. One of you in each cell."
The two naked youths had never before seen the inside of the cells and surveyed their surroundings as they entered. There was absolutely no furniture, save for a small pan in the corner for the occasions when they wished to relieve themselves. A dirt floor was to be their only comfort for the night.
As the doors slammed behind them, being night time the cells were now completely dark. The only solace they had was to be able to speak with each other as the cells were not completely soundproofed.
"How hard do you think he'll cane us? Will it be as bad as the 'Number 6 Strap'?"
These and many other topics of discussion cropped up as the night wore on. But one thing was sure. The boys were determined that their conduct in the future would not ever encourage their parents to send them back to Hastings Farm.
As the night wore on, the boys cried themselves to a restless sleep, waking frequently, unaware of the time and wondering how long they had to go before they were to be thrashed. As morning came and the sun rose, slithers of light entered the cells. They were both awake by now and becoming more and more anxious as they knew the time was drawing close.
Eventually they heard footsteps and the cell doors opened. As they looked up they saw Mr Norris standing before them and again the tears formed in the eyes.
"Right, lads. Up you get. Out here."
The boys rose to their feet and followed Mr Norris into the punishment room. A heavy bamboo cane about 3 feet long lay on the table ready for use.
"You may each spread yourselves over one of the punishment benches," he told them.
"How many are we going to get?" Luke asked.
"Sixteen each," Jack Norris replied. "The same as your ages."
They didn't know whether to be pleased or not. Sixteen cuts with that heavy cane would really hurt, but in their wonderings of the previous night in the cells, they realised that it could have been much worse. Or could it? As they leaned over the benches Mr Norris strapped their wrists and ankles to prevent any movement, before he stepped back and surveyed those bare butts before him.
He picked up the cane and positioned it first across Luke's buttocks and gave him a couple of gentle taps. The boy flinched. He then drew the cane back and laid it hard across both cheeks. The procedure was repeated with Mark; a few gentle taps to line up his target and then he slammed the cane across the boy's butt.
Slowly over the next thirty minutes or so Jack Norris alternated between Luke and Mark, one stroke at a time, allowing sufficient time for the pain from each stroke of the cane to have its full effect and for the welts to rise. The final stroke for each of the boys was the most painful as he laid it on the crease of the lower buttocks where they joined the thighs. He was a master practitioner with the cane and laid each stroke on a new spot parralel to the previous stroke. When there was no clear space left he laid the cane diagonally across their butts. By the completion of their punishment there was not a hint of white skin left on either of the boy's butts.
Jack untied the two boys who slowly roe to the erect position, rubbing their butts in an attempt to alleviate the pain. But it seemed futile. Those once tender cheeks had formed into ridges from the caning and the boys were once again crying uncontrollably.
"I think we'll put you two back in the cells for a while until you calm down," Mr Norris told the boys, "and then you can get out on the fields to work for the rest of the day."
As he again locked them away, the boys lay on their stomachs, intermittently continuing to rub their butts. He left them there until lunch time when they dressed and joined the others for lunch. Afterwards, as previously advised, they put in a solid afternoon's work in the fields.
Needless to say, by the time their fortnight was up, the twins' attitude had been changed completely. They returned to their homes as different young men. They had matured enormously. Their schoolwork improved rapidly. Their conduct and obedience at home took a remarkable change for the better and their relationship and respect for their parents was at an all time high.
It had to because there was no way they wanted a return visit to Hastings Farm.