Hello, Dear Readers. I am sorry for the long delay in getting this
chapter posted. I hope it lives up to the rest of the story so far. As
always, please E mail me your comments at Swarri1349@aol.com
Thanks, Stephen

A Great thanks to ED for his help on this chapter

                               CHAPTER 4

        Holloman Plantation, one of the largest in Yazoo County and one
of the oldest, was founded by John C. Holloman, a Dutch immigrant in the
1820's before hardly anyone knew of Yazoo County and the wilderness
surrounding it. Manchester was founded in 1815 by another immigrant from
England and was named after his hometown in the old sod. Fifty miles to
the north, in the northeastern part of the county was Benton, the county
seat, well, the first county seat. Two years before, the county officials
moved the courthouse to Manchester and renamed it Yazoo City.  Within
the two years, Yazoo City became a booming city of 1,000 souls, and a
port was created for the steamers bound south for Vicksburg or north to
Greenwood, lying in the heartland of the Yazoo delta, a vast land of
swamps and hardwood forests that would not be tamed for many years to
come. So the area boomed and so did Holloman House. Mr. Holloman sold
the plantation two years after the main house was built and the death
of his wife. There still is the haunting mystery surrounding the young
woman's leap from the 2nd story balcony onto the driveway, but no one
would discuss that. The local people always said 'leave quiet ghosts
alone, let them sleep while you still can'.

        The sunlight broke the morning darkness as the golden rays
shone through the high glass windows of Holloman House. The slaves and
fieldhands were already out in the vast fields, hoeing cotton and
planting corn and beans. Somewhere on the Big Black, loading cotton on
the flatboats to be shoved down river to Grand Gulf to be picked up by
the river packets bound for New Orleans, Memphis, and other cities
along the Mighty Mississippi.

      Johnny awoke to the golden rays of the morning sun shining in the
corner room, his room, the room where he spent the first 16 years of his
life. Johnny's room was larger than some dining rooms of other houses,
decorated in fine woods and well oiled hardwood floors. White plaster
covered the high ceiling; wonderful woodland scenes were carved in the
corners of the room. There were two full-length mirrors on the walls
and oil paintings of famous battles and England. Two large cherry
dressers lined the walls, enough room to store everything some people
owned. The crown jewel of the room was the four poster bed in the
center; when Johnny was just a boy, there had been a stool tucked under
the bed so he could get in it. Satin sheets covered the goosedown
mattresses and heavy covers kept him warm even on the coldest nights.
Forgotten toys were now tucked away in the closets along with many other
boyhood things - wooden ships, fishing rods, tin tops, chalk boards,
and slates. Ah, the memories of this room and the fun that was had in
it. Johnny stood up and walked to the high windows and looked out. He
could see the Big Black river in the distance, just a glimmer of
sparkle. He watched wagons loaded with goods traveling down the
crushed rock drive heading to town or down to Satartia, a river
landing on the Yazoo. Life here continued on, not yet touched by war.
Union gunboats were traveling the Yazoo river but so far very little
damage had been done by them, just several small steamers and a couple
of burned homes. The main objective of the Union ships at this time
was not private property but the unfinished ironclad Arkansas.

      Johnny did not even want to think about war. He had enough to
last his lifetime and everyone else's. Johnny heard a soft moan and
turned around; it was Adam, sleeping soundly but dreaming. Johnny
opened the curtains covering the window and let the light fall onto
Adam. Oh, what a wonderful sight to behold; those boyish features
stood out still. Wonderful sweet Adam had grown since that spring day
when they had first met. The boy now stood about 5 foot 8 inches and
weighed a perfect 145 pounds, that flaming red hair still a little
long for some people's standards, but for Johnny just perfect. The
boy's body was still smoother than silk except for the area around
his groin and Adam could not even grow a beard, to his own dismay,
but Johnny told him he wanted his wonderful boy just the way he was,
so Adam was happy and so was Johnny. The covers of the bed were
kicked back during the night and now wonderful Adam was lying there,
his long nightshirt was pulled up, exposing those muscular legs and
cute feet of this golden boy with red hair. Johnny knew it was time
to get dressed but, instead of dressing, he walked slowly back to
the bed but stopped. He looked at the heavy wooden door and walked
toward it. He checked the doorknob and locked it so he would not be
disturbed. Then, walking back to the bed, he removed his nightshirt,
standing naked in the rays of the sun. He felt refreshed and his
body, still handsome, smooth, and wonderful, felt full of power and
most of it was charging his youthful manhood as his lifeblood
enlarged him. He started to kiss Adam's toes. The boy moaned but
continued to sleep as Johnny worked his way around the boy's feet,
slowly kissing the smooth legs and running his hands over them.
Adam continued to moan, still dreaming, but his cock was hardening
with every lick and rub of Johnny's hand and mouth. Johnny could
resist his urges no longer for the forbidden love of Adam. It had
been so long since the last time they were alone. Johnny pulled
Adam's nightshirt above the boy's head and still the boy did not
awaken. 'All good,' thought Johnny; he was going to make this
wake up call special. Johnny moved up the boy's body, skipping over
Adam's hard cock and tight balls. He stuck his tongue into Adam's
bellybutton and rimmed it, then running his tongue up his chest to
perfect brown nipples, hard with excitement from both Johnny and the
dreams. Johnny licked Adam's nipples, then sucking the right one
slowly into his mouth, teasing the bud with his tongue. A moan
escaped Adam's lips. Then over to the left nipple with the golden
loop. Johnny sucked it into his mouth and teased it with his tongue,
circling the gold, flipping it up and down, listening to Adam's
breathing become heavier every second. Johnny then licked his way
slowly back down Adam's smooth stomach, then to his groin, and
licked the tip of Adam's pulsing cock, tasting the pre cum. Slowly
he lowered his mouth, taking the member inside and curling his
tongue around the head. Adam let out a low guttural moan and his
eyelids fluttered. Never had Adam's dreams been so wild. Johnny
felt Adam's cock jerk and knew he was getting close. Johnny pulled
back and sucked harder. Adam's pulsing cock began to shoot loads
of white creamy cum into Johnny's waiting mouth. He almost choked
at the amounts the boy was producing. Cum flowed down his chin and
down Adam's balls. Johnny slid up beside Adam and kissed him full
on the lips until he began to awaken fully and Adam tasted his own
juices and knew the last moment of that powerful dream was not a
dream at all. Johnny whispered into his lover's ear, "I love you
so."

      Adam whispered back, "And I love you even more." They kissed
long and deep for it seemed like hours, until they heard the
bloodless scream coming out of Billy's room. Johnny threw his
nightshirt back on and quickly wiped the cum off his chin and lips.
Adam did the same and ran down the hallway to Billy's bedside.
Billy was covered in sweat. His eyes shone like diamonds but
Billy was still caught in the dream and the nightmare of battle.
Adam took a cloth and dipped it in cool water and washed Billy's
face and neck. Soon Sarah and John Sr. came into the room with
fear on their faces. "What is going on?" asked John Sr. Adam
looked around.

     "It is Billy, sir. He is burning up with fever." Johnny had
pulled the covers back and was feeling Billy's chest; it too was
hot. The bandage covering the wound was still in place and was not
showing any new blood seeping from the area. Sarah quickly left the
room and was headed for the kitchen to find some healing salts.
When mixed with water, the salts helped to bring down the fever of
the patient.

      Adam continued to wash Billy's forehead and neck, trying to
soothe him. John Sr. remembered the morphine the boys had brought
in last night and fixed a dose. Sarah returned, bringing a glass
of the salts and water, but Billy would not be able to drink it
until they calmed him down some more. John decided it was time to
give the dose of morphine and slowly eased the long needle into
Billy's leg and pushed the plunger. Billy stiffened from the
medicine but soon began to calm. Doctor Hancock was stopping by
that afternoon to check in on Billy, but that was hours away.

      They all stood beside Billy, Sarah with the worried face of
a dear mother, Adam with soft boyish tears flowing down his cheeks,
Johnny the worried older brother, and John Sr. with that uncertain
feeling of desperation. Billy began to mumble in his sleep, calling
Davie over and over again, "Davie, where are you? Davie, my boy,
stand fast," "Davie, no, oh God, not Davie," before lapsing back
into silence again. They all looked at each other and asked 'Who
is Davie?' Soon Billy was sleeping soundly again and the fever had
lowered a bit. They all slowly walked out of the room and into the
hallway where a cool breeze coming from the end windows cooled the
great house, and the air smelled alive out here and not sickening
and dying like in Billy's room. The thought made Johnny shiver
like a ghost had just passed close by. Adam glanced over and saw
Johnny as he shivered and placed his arm around him.

      Adam and Johnny walked slowly down the large hallway flanked
on both sides by heavy oaken doors, each leading to a bedroom, and
oil paintings of members of the Kingston family as far back as the
1400's. These stern men and women of days past seemed to watch the
boys as they walked, the younger supporting the older with his
young arms. 'What must we do to save him?' thought Johnny, 'Oh,
Lord, what must we do?'
I am starving, Johnny, when do we eat?"

      "Breakfast should soon be ready," Johnny said as he brushed
his hair from his eyes, as he moved his hand further down Adam's
back. The two boys returned to their room and quietly dressed,
each in his own thoughts. Johnny and Adam both put on light gray
pants and linen shirts with puffy sleeves to let the cool air blow
up the sleeves to help keep the body cool. Then they grabbed the
evil woolen socks that itched like the devil and finally their
hard-soled shoes.

      The boys walked down the massive oak stairway; the well-
oiled wood did not even make a sound except for the footfalls of
the boys. They entered the dining room. John and Sarah were
sitting at the head of the table, drinking strong coffee. Samson,
one of the house servants, slowly pulled a rope connected to a
velvet roof fan. The slow swish of the fan stirred the morning
air.
      "Good morning, boys".
      "Good morning, Father and Mother," said Adam and Johnny.

      The two boys took their seats at the big table. Johnny
sitting to his father's right and Adam beside him.

      A young black girl brought forth trays laden with hot fresh
food - fried ham, grits, eggs, hominy, molasses, and hot buttermilk
biscuits. Adam's mouth was watering. It had been a long time since
he had actually sat down at a real table for a real breakfast.

      Johnny seated tall in his chair, back straight, arms below
the table, white linen shirt spotless, and his hair neatly combed
back. Johnny, like his father, a perfect Southern Gentleman.

      John Sr. offered grace for the meal and family. Then
silently they began to eat, proper table manners a must even when
it was just family. The sun slid behind a gray bank of clouds and
in the distance thunder rumbled and Adam shivered.

      The spring storm moved in quickly; only moments before, the
sun was shining brightly, now the clouds rolled in and blocked it.
Soon lightning flashed across the sky and thunder rolled. The
field hands raced to finish covering the freshly planted crops of
corn and cotton and took the mules and horses to the stables for
shelter. The overseer shouted commands at his army of slaves,
"Move on, boys, move on." The house servants quickly raced around,
closing windows and bringing the morning wash off the lines. Then
the rain began to pour in buckets. The last of the slaves raced to
their quarters and to their families. The clouds darkened even
more as the storm blew in a chilly wind.

      Adam just sat there in his chair. He had turned pale at the
first sound of the thunderclaps; to him it reminded him of cannon
fire. Johnny saw Adam's pale face and quickly got out of his chair;
he then grabbed Adam's arm and pulled him up and excused himself
and Adam. Johnny's father nodded his approval and the two boys left
the dining room. Johnny picked Adam up in his arms and carried him
to their room and laid him on the big bed.

      "Adam, my boy, what is wrong? You're whiter than a ghost."

      "It is the storm. The thunder reminds me of cannon fire and
memories are rushing back. I do not know why they want to haunt me
now when they never have before."

      Johnny pulled the shaken boy into his arms and held him
tightly to his chest. He rubbed the boy's red hair and comforted
him in his arms. "It will be all right, you're safe with me and
nothing will bother you as long as I hold you tight."

      Adam began to relax and soon drifted of to sleep. Johnny
continued to hold the boy in his arms. The winds howled through
the trees and the rain poured. This was no spring shower. Johnny
knew that the state needed this rain but the army did not. The
heavy cannons would become stuck in the mud and the horses and
mules would be almost useless. As Johnny's mind wandered, he
drifted off to an uneasy sleep while still cradling Adam in his
arms.

      Adam held tightly onto Johnny as he slept, feeling the
comfort of the powerful arms that never would let go of him. The
thunder rumbled as the rain poured, battering against the thick
windowpanes. Adam's head rested on Johnny's chest and Johnny
brushed his fingers through the red hair of his boy. Soon Johnny
was fast asleep; both slept with no dreams to haunt them.

      John Sr. paced the floor in the library, every now and
then pausing to look out the windows at the blowing rain. He was
a very worried man. He knew with the fall of New Orleans, the
mouth of the Mississippi was closed to all trade except the
blockade-runners and now the Union gunboats patrolled the lower
Mississippi. So shipping cotton to Grand Gulf 30 miles below
Vicksburg was out of the question. So why did we waste time
planting cotton? Now it is flooding. The corn, on the other hand,
was needed everywhere in the South but worth very little cash.
Finally he sat down behind the great desk, lit a cigar, and blew
the smoke into the air. It was time to make a tough choice. He
opened the desk drawer and removed the letter that was delivered
the day before Johnny and Adam had returned. He opened it and
once again read the plea from the Confederate Navy yard in Yazoo
City.

Honorable Mr. Kingston,
        Once again I beg of your help. I know you need your men
in the fields at this time but we have a great need of some of
your finest woodsmen and craftsmen. The construction of the C.S.S.
ARKANSAS is lagging behind and, with the river rising and then
falling, we do not know how much time we have before the Union
gunboats make it past Haynes Bluff and the log raft barrier. I
beg of you, sir, please send help as quickly as possible. I have
sent this plea to all planters in the area. We have the guns but
no carriages, we have the iron plate but no blacksmiths. Above
all, sir. I ask of you to consider asking your son Johnny to
accept a commission in the Confederate navy. He would be most
helpful in training the gun crews.
Sincerely,
Captain Issac Brown, CSN

      John refolded the letter and placed it back in the drawer.
To be damned with the cotton. As soon as the storm lets up, I am
going to send 50 men to Yazoo City and I will speak with Johnny
and Adam as soon as I feel the time is right. He took out a large
leather-bound ledger and began to write. He had to keep track of
all the costs of the plantation war, or no war. He decided then
he would speak to Johnny that night at dinner about the
Commission in the navy. One of the house servants could take care
of Billy while the boys traveled to Yazoo City to look at the
unfinished ironclad. John thumped the ashes from his cigar and
leaned back in the big chair. So much for now and, with nothing
better to do, he picked up a book and began to read, but before
he had the book opened good, his mind began to wander to the
C.S.S. Arkansas again. Wasn't Charles Savvy Read in command of a
battery? Yes, he is. John smiled; Johnny would be in good hands.
By God, he was going to do it.

      As John was thinking of the C.S.S Arkansas, still just a
hull with no engines or anything else in place, the two boys were
beginning to stir awake.

      Johnny kissed Adam. "My boy, what would I do without you?
I love you so much."

      Adam smiled, "Johnny, you're the one I am grateful to, for
without you I would be nothing more than a street rat."

      They slipped their shoes back on and Johnny draped his arm
over Adam's shoulders as they walked to Billy's room. Through the
open door they saw Billy was awake. His eyes were dim but alert;
when he heard the door being opened wider he looked over at Johnny
and Adam and smiled.

      Adam walked over to Billy's bedside and kissed him on the
cheek. "How are you feeling this morning, sweetheart?"

      In a harsh whisper, "Better, Adam, thank you and Johnny".
Just those few words brought forth a coughing fit; a thin line of
saliva trickled down the side of Billy's mouth, tainted pink with
blood.

      Adam picked up a wash cloth and wiped Billy's mouth and
forehead, as Johnny carefully checked the bandages covering the
wound. Some blood Had soaked through the gauze. He carefully peeled
the bloody covering away. The skin was a healthy pink, showing the
healing had began deep inside Billy's chest. Adam continued to wash
Billy's face and neck. Johnny left the room.

      Johnny walked down the hallway to the stairs. Then down, he
passed his father's office. The door stood open and his father was
seated behind his desk, eyes closed. Johnny continued down the lower
hall; he passed the music room, his mother's private place, and he
heard the soft music drifting out. He passed the empty dining hall,
passing the servants' room and out the back door. A covered
breezeway separated the kitchen from the main house. He ran across
the breezeway slick with rain and entered the kitchen, where the
servants were busy cleaning the morning dishes. "Morning, Mr.
Johnny" said Lois, the large black cook.

      "Morning, Lois"

      "What can I get you, sir?"

      "I need some mineral salts fixed for Billy. We need to clean
the wound."

      "Yes, Mr. Johnny, right away." Lois rushed over to the large
wood stove and stirred the embers and added some more light wood
and placed a boiler of water on top while she measured the crystals
of the mineral salts in a bowl. Once the water boiled, she would
mix the two together. The rain continued to drum on the wood
shingles, then running down gutters into the cisterns to resupply
the fresh drinking water. "Some storm, ain't it, Mr. Johnny?"

      "Yes, it is a gully washer, but we sorely need the rain. The
ground was parched before this morning."

      "It shore is going to do the garden some good. The beans,
tomatoes, and squash really needed a good drink. I was telling
Samson this very morning, we was going to have to tote water from
the river to water it."

      Lois was a woman who could talk anyone's ears off, given the
chance, and her young master was no different than anyone else. She
had helped to birth him, along with Mamma Sallie, when the midwife
could not be found that spring day.

      While Johnny and Lois sat in the great kitchen, talking
about the spring storm, Adam stayed with Billy. Adam had pulled
back the covers from Billy's naked body and was using a wash cloth
to wash him completely except for the wound area. Adam was waiting
on Johnny's return before that area was cleaned. As Adam washed
Billy's body, he remembered the first time those many years before,
back in Natchez, Mississippi. He remembered the day he met Johnny
and Billy at King's Tavern where he worked. For him it was just
another day starting off, waiting tables for the inn-keeper, old
man Davis, who did not give a damn one way or the other. He stood
by the heavy scratched bar and watched the room - the old men,
drunk river rats, street merchants, the whores plying their trade.
Then the blonde haired boy in the blue cadet's uniform walked
through the door and sat down at a corner table. When the blonde
haired boy had seated himself at the corner table, Adam raced
across the room, ignoring the other hairy old men who tried to
pinch his ass every chance they got, wanting him for their
pleasure. He wanted nothing to do with them, but the blonde haired
he wanted and his boyhood grew hard in his worn trousers. Maybe
the blonde haired boy would notice it and him. As Adam dodged the
old men, he stopped short of the corner table; another boy had
walked over and joined the blonde haired boy. He was almost as
cute, with his long black hair. The blonde haired boy invited the
other to join him at the table. Adam quickly walked over and
offered his services. They both ordered drinks and then meals and
Adam was most happy to serve their every wish. He quickly raced
back behind the bar without the old man looking and poured the
best brandy in the place and not the watered down slop that was
served most of the time as the best, then he gave the cook the
meal orders. He made his way back to the corner table.

      "Your drinks, sirs."
      "Thank you, laddie," replied the blonde haired boy and
handed him a gold dollar.

      'Wow', thought Adam, 'that is more than most men paid him
for all night of pleasure'. As he looked back, he saw the two boys
talking and looking at him. They winked at him.

      Adam cursed the slow cook for taking so long with the food,
but soon heard the harsh voice, "Slop's up". Adam grabbed the hot
plates of food and placed them on a serving tray, then hurried
back to the corner table. "Do you need anything else, sirs?" That
is when the blonde boy spoke.

      "Yes, why don't you join us while we enjoy our meal?"
      'Wow,' thought Adam, 'this is really happening to me.'

      "Well, sir, the barkeep would want to be paid for my time
sitting with you gentlemen." The blonde boy stood and walked over
to the bar and gave the old man some money and said something,
then returned to the table with an extra glass and a full bottle
of the inn's best Kentucky Brandy. The blonde boy leaned over and
said, "You're ours for the rest of the day if you wish to join us."
Then the blonde boy introduced himself as Johnny and the black
haired boy as Billy. Then they asked him for his name. The rest of
the day was heaven, from Johnny buying him new clothes to his
first train trip and the firing of the cannon. Then the supper and
sleeping for the first time ever in safety in the arms of another
boy. The great friendship was born. All these happy memories
flooded Adam's mind as tears began to flow down his cheeks. The
Big Black River was flooding her banks.

      Adam looked down on the pale face of Billy. There was a
pained smile on his pink lips. Adam, while lost in his memories,
had washed Billy's arms, underarms, hands, and feet. Now he began
to slowly wash and scrub Billy's lightly covered hairy legs. Those
wonderful youthful legs were all muscle, toned from the long
marches and drills of camp. He worked up to Billy's knees,
scrubbing and cleaning the calves, but stopped right below Billy's
groin. Adam was nervous about continuing. 'But why,' he thought,
'he had done everything with Billy and Johnny sexually.' As Adam
pondered this question, Johnny walked through the door, carrying
clean clothes and bandages, plus the basin of mineral water. Adam
let out a sigh of relief.

      Johnny smiled at Adam. "Don't cause Billy too much
pleasure or you might kill him."

      Adam looked at Johnny with pleading eyes. "That is what I
am afraid of."

      "Come now, my love." Johnny saw the pink pale flesh all
over Billy except for the wound area and groin. Adam was scared
for some reason. Guilt? Too much pain for Billy if he did to
clean his cock and balls? Johnny moved to the bedside and placed
the basin of water down and the clean linen. Then he grabbed Adam
and pulled him close. Johnny kissed Adam on the forehead, "Adam,
be gentle to Billy and he will be fine. I am here, remember."

      Johnny picked up a wash cloth and dipped into the mineral
water. Then carefully he washed the wound area, removing the
dried blood and sweat from the skin. Then he picked up a second
cloth and dipped the corner into the mineral water and dripped
some into the wound itself. Billy winced at the pain. Johnny took
his free hand and placed it on the opposite side of the wound on
Billy's chest and nodded to Adam to begin the cleaning.

      Adam picked up his wash cloth and dipped into the soapy
water and began to wash Billy's upper thighs, slowly gently
scrubbing. Then, skipping Billy's cock, he washed the black
crotch hairs. Then Adam moved to the six and half inch uncut
cock. Adam sucked in his breath and began. Johnny watched, his
hand still on Billy's chest. Johnny felt Billy's nipple begin
to grow erect; even in the great pain and discomfort, he was
still getting a little pleasure from the washing of his manhood.
Adam scrubbed Billy's heavy balls and below them. Adam then
picked up Billy's limp cock and washed it, slowly pulling back
the foreskin to reveal the purple head. Adam soon found Billy's
cock growing hard in his hands. Adam finished his work and
leaned over and kissed the perfect head, then pulled the sheets
up to Billy's stomach. Johnny redressed the wound after letting
it stay exposed to the cool air during the rest of the washing.
Johnny then pulled the coverlet over Billy and kissed him on the
cheek. Adam kissed the other cheek. They both told Billy they
would be back in a while to check once more on him and for him
to sleep, then they walked out of the room.

      "I believe our boy is getting better, Adam."

      "Yeah, me too, he was smiling. I have not seen that in
a while from Billy. He is in so much pain. I wish I could do
more."

      "What you did in there, Adam, you eased some of the
pain. Even though it hurt Billy in ways, what you did was
special. True friends taking care of someone we love."

      The rain continued to fall as the boys walked to Johnny's
room. There was nothing else to do as the storm pelted the
ground and the house. Johnny was thankful of his parents. They
were loving and understanding. The great house had plenty of
spare rooms but they had always let Adam sleep with him since
the first night he brought Adam home. They understood the bond
of friendship and closeness the boys had for each other, for
they had adopted each other as a brother. If only his parents
could understand their love for each other was stronger than
anything in the world, for nothing could defeat true love.