The Cost of Hunting Turkey

Written By: D’be-D’be


Colt Sanders rode into camp with a quick gallop. He was starving and he wanted to be the first in line for chow. He handed the reins of his horse to Gomez, thanking him as he ran for the chuck wagon.

“Hey, Flapjack, what’s for supper! I’m starving!” Colt yelled out.

“What do you mean, what’s for supper? What do we always have for supper? Beef stew, of course!” the cook growled back his answer.

“Oh horse dung, Flapjack! Why can’t you use your imagination and cook us hungry drovers something different for a change?”

“Listen, boy! No one is forcing you to eat it. If my cookin ain’t good enough for ya, get out of the line and let someone who appreciates it, step up.”

“Now don’t get mad, Flapjack. I didn’t say I didn’t want none. I just thought something different would be nice for a change.”

“Well just leave the thinkin to those who get paid for it, like Mr. Morgan. Now go sit and eat your chow.”

“Where is Luke, ah I mean Mr. Morgan, anyway? I haven’t seen him all day.”

“He went with Vince to scout out the trail for leading the cattle so they won’t disturb the surrounding farms in the area.”

“Oh, I just thought I might be able to have supper with him.”

Flapjack’s features softened as he heard the disappointment in the young mans voice. “Don’t’ worry, boy. He’ll be along soon.”

The rest of the men were served and Flapjack and his helper, Jacob, were cleaning up when the Trail Boss, Luke Morgan, and the Scout, Vince Perry, finally rode into camp. Colt wanted so bad to run up to Morgan and throw his arms around the big man, but he knew he and Luke had to be very careful how they behaved with each other around the other men. It was hard for Colt to be unable to show his new lover how much he wanted him, but Colt understood it was hard for Luke as well. He also understood that Luke was right when he laid the number one rule on Colt in Willow Creek.

“Rule Number One: Under no circumstances can the rest of the drovers see any sign of us being more than co-workers.” Luke told his young lover that on the drive, he would be treated like anyone else. “I will be friendly in an acquaintance sort of way like I am with all the other drovers, but that is all!”

Colt let his eyes watch Luke Morgan enter the camp, walk up to the chuck wagon, grab a biscuit and plate of stew, and stroll by. Perry followed close behind.

‘Mmm, what a cute ass!’ Colt thought to himself as he watched Morgan walk around camp looking for a seat. ‘And those chaps fit so nice and tight around the front. It makes his pants tight in the crotch.’ Just looking at Luke moving around, made Colt groan in frustration. He had to figure out a way to get the Boss alone for a while. He couldn’t wait until the next town to be with him. He knew Luke felt the same way just by looking in those dark eyes. He had to get closer to him. So he goes up with the excuse of getting another cup of coffee, and made his way to where Luke and Vince were sitting

“Hi Boss, Vince. How did you find things?”

“Good!” Luke answered with that deep sexy voice of his. “We met with the farmers and they gave us permission to move the cattle across their land as long as we didn’t disturb their livestock or trample the crops.”

“What kind of livestock they got, Boss?” Colt asked just to keep the conversation going.

“I don’t know. The usual I suppose; chickens, geese, turkey, or pigs. I’m not sure. What do you want to know that for?”

“Oh nothing. I just thought maybe they could spare a chicken or two so Flapjack could change the menu a bit.”

“Sorry, boy, I didn’t think to ask. I was just thinking of the cattle.”

“You’re always thinking of the cattle.”

“And what is that suppose to mean, boy?” Colt heard a little tone creeping into Luke’s voice

“Well, a good Trail Boss should also be thinking about his drovers and their need for nourishment.”

“Is that so? Have you been going hungry lately? I wasn’t aware that you or any of the other men were starving.”

“It’s not that, Boss. Well, it’s just we’re getting kinda sick of beef stew night after night. That’s all.”

Luke softened his tone and gave Colt a small smile. “I know, boy. I’m kinda sick of it myself.”

Colt resigned himself that the discussion was over. He excused himself telling Luke he had to pay mother nature a call and slipped out of camp to a grove of trees about a quarter a mile away. He did what he had to do, then sat down under one of the trees in hopeful anticipation that Luke would soon join him. He was about to give up when he heard footsteps heading his way. The moon shed enough light to allow him to make out Luke coming down the path. Colt stood and waited for Luke to come to him. With three quick strides his lover was by his side and Colt soon found himself in Luke’s embrace. Their lips met with heated passion. Their hands roamed over each other’s clothed bodies. It wasn’t perfect but it was enough. It was all they needed for now.

“Oh, Cowboy, how I long for you.”

“Me too, Luke.” Colt replied before being cut off by Luke’s lips on his once more. He opened his mouth to allow Luke’s tongue to slip in. Too soon, Luke pushed away with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Yuck! Beef stew, you taste like beef stew.”

“Very funny!” Colt giggled, hitting Luke in the chest at the same time with his open hand.

Luke sat down under the tree, offering his hand to Colt as he did so. Colt slipped his hand into Luke’s and allowed Luke to pull him down to sit beside him. The two men stayed that way for a long while, just holding hands under the tree and gazing at the moon.

Finally Luke broke the silence. “Well, we better get back. The men will be wondering where we are.”

“Ya, I guess so. I guess it’s too much to ask if we can stay like this for the rest of the night.”

“Unfortunately yes, Cowboy, but I’ll see you in my dreams.” With one final kiss, Luke helped Colt up and they made their way back to camp. If anyone noticed how long the two men were gone, they said anything. Everyone was too busy doing their own thing and winding themselves down for the night. Colt wished everyone a good night. Giving one final glance Luke’s way, Colt snuggled into his bedroll, preparing for a night filled with sweet dreams of him and Luke making sweet love.

The next morning everyone was preparing for the day ahead when Luke was told one of his drovers had come down with some sort of bug and wouldn’t be able to ride today. After placing him in the supply wagon under the watchful eye of Flapjack, Luke asked the cook if he could spare his helper for the day. Luke explained he had to keep a tight rein on the herd going through the farmer’s fields and needed all the drovers he could get. After a few minutes of grumbling and complaining, Flapjack agreed.

Jacob, who was always waiting for any opportunity to be a real cowboy, gave out a joyful yelp and a ‘thank you, Mr. Morgan’ at the same time. He ran for a horse before Flapjack had a change of mind. He was given the task along with Colt, to gather any stray cattle that happened to leave the herd. It was the assignment that led the two young men into a whirlwind of trouble.

It was around one o’clock in the afternoon, and Colt and Jacob had just move down into a low gully to gather a few strays, when they heard the familiar sounds of a turkey coming from the bushes. They looked at each other and the same idea hit them at the exact time. “Turkey for supper!”

Now if they would have taken the time to think things out, they would have come to the conclusion that this was not an area where wild turkeys could be found, so the only explanation was of course that this turkey had escaped from one of the nearby farms. But the thought of having something else beside beef for supper superseded any common sense the boys may have possessed. Taking out his rifle, Colt took careful aim and with one shot, brought down the bird.

Jumping off their horses, the young men made their way to their kill. It only took a few seconds for the thrill of their conquest to turn to fearful reality of what they had just done. How were they going to explain this dead turkey to the Trail Boss and the Cook?

After running a few stories by each other they finally came up with what they thought sounded like a plausible explanation. They would tell the Boss that when they were looking for a stray cow, they happened upon a farmer working in his fields. They exchanged pleasantries and before they knew it, the farmer offered them a turkey he had to kill this morning. The farmer didn’t go into to the reason for having done it. Luke and Jacob would tell the Trail Boss that at first they refused the kind offering, but after the farmer assured them he had turkeys a plenty to feed his family, the boys finally agreed to take the turkey off his hands.

They practiced their story a few times until they were sure it had the ring of truth they were looking for. So now not only had they killed something they had no right to kill, they were also willing to lie about it. If they could have seen into the future, they would have taken that turkey back to the farmer with an apology and explained to the Trail Boss what had occurred. Unfortunately for them both, that plan of action never occurred to them. So off they went back to camp, confident they had everything under control.

Flapjack was the first to see the boys heading into camp with a turkey tied to Colt’s saddle. Scratching his head, he made his way to them. “What in tarnation is that?” he asked in amazement.

“Come on, Flapjack!” Colt answered. “Don’t tell me you’ve spent so much time with beef you can’t recognize a turkey when you see one.”

“Don’t get smart with me, boy. I know it’s a turkey. What I meant is, where did it come from?”

Jacob kept his eyes down, knowing full well that Flapjack would be able to tell if he was lying as soon as he opened his mouth. He was a basket case. On the other hand, Colt was the complete opposite. Jacob was amazed on how calm and cool his friend was and how he was telling the story with such an air of confidence, first to Flapjack and now to Mr. Morgan, who had just joined the group.

“Well, Flapjack. I think you better start preparing the turkey. You’re going to have a bunch of hungry drovers riding into camp in about four hours. Maybe sooner if they get a whiff of turkey cooking,” Morgan chuckled as he took the turkey from Colt and handed to the cook. Then with a tease in his voice, Luke added, “You do know how to cook a turkey, don’t ya, Flapjack?”

“If you don’t watch yourself, Mr. Morgan, I’ll see to it that all you’ll have to chew on, is the neck. Now get out of my way so I can get to work.”

Jacob nearly wet himself when he heard Flapjack ask Morgan if he still needed his helper. He almost fell to his knees in thankful praise when Morgan said he did and suggested that if the sick drover was up to it, maybe he could peel some spuds or something.

Flapjack just mumbled something under his breath about being taken for granted once more and how he was expected to work miracles, as he walked away with the turkey.

“Okay you two, back to work or I’ll see to it that you’re the last in the chow line.”

“Yes, sir!” the two young men shouted as they slid back into their saddles.

Once again Jacob’s blood ran cold as he heard Morgan ask Colt. “By the way, Sanders, what did you say that farmer’s name was who gave you the turkey?”

“He didn’t say, Boss, and I forget to ask. Sorry! Uh, if it’s important to you I can go back and find out for ya.”

“No, it’s not worth the bother and besides I need you with the herd. Now go on and make sure you work up a good appetite for that turkey.”

“Oh we will, Boss! You can be sure of that!” The boys rode back to the herd, feeling really proud of themselves. Little did they know that before the night was over they wouldn’t only be eating turkey, they would be eating crow as well and, to add insult to injury, they would have to do it standing up.

*************

Some of the drovers were already enjoying the turkey along with all the fixings Flapjack cooked to perfection, when Colt and Jacob made their way into camp. The look of pure delight on everyone’s face gave Colt and Jacob the final proof that what they did was justified.

The two starving young men, with mouths watering, took their place in the chow line right behind the Trail Boss. Colt sided in next to Luke as Flapjack filled his plate with turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing and hot biscuits. When Luke’s plate was brimming over, Colt pushed his plate at the cook. Knowing Colt was in a rush to grab a seat next to Luke, Flapjack obliged the young man by moving as fast as he could.

“Mmm, this is a mighty good meal, ain’t it, Boss?” Colt spoke while at the same time shoving some more turkey into his already crowded mouth.

“Didn’t your mama teach you not to talk with your mouth full, boy?”

“I didn’t have a mama. She died of the fever when I turned three, and my pa didn’t care one way or another how we talked, just as long as we left him alone with his self-pity and his bottle of whiskey.”

Luke stopped eating long enough to look over at the young man sitting next to him and whispered in a low voice only Colt could hear,
“I’m sorry, Cowboy. I didn’t know.”

Giving Luke a ‘that’s alright smile’, Colt filled his mouth with more turkey and for good measure added a spoon full of potatoes before he turned to Vince. “Good eating eh, Vince?” The scout made a disgusting face as bits of potato flew out of Colt’s mouth and landed on the front of the scout’s clean shirt.

In spite of himself, Luke burst out laughing but quickly suppressed it when Vince gave him a ‘that’s not funny’ glare. Colt turned to Luke and gave him a quick wink then went back to eating his meal.

Compliments to the cook had been said and the men were just sitting around enjoying the pleasures of their full bellies when they heard the sound of horse-hoofs making their way into camp.

Luke Morgan stood up to greet the visitor. As he approached the camp, Luke recognized him as one of the farmers he had talked to the previous day. Morgan was trying to recollect his name when the big man gave a huge wave and shouted, “Hi, Mr. Trail Boss! Do you remember me? Name’s Jonas, Jonas Garrett. We talked yesterday, ya’ll recall.”

“Yes I do, Mr. Garrett, and you can call me Luke if you’re a mind to.”

“Well thank you, Luke. That’s mighty friendly of ya and you can call me Jonas.”

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Jonas?”

“Well, if it’s no trouble.”

“No trouble at all. Flapjack, would you mind pouring Jonas and me a cup of coffee?”

“Of course not, Boss. That’s my job, ain’t it?” As Flapjack poured the coffee, Jacob could hear him cursing under his breath. ‘Oh no, Boss, no trouble at all. Of course it’s no trouble for him. All he has to do is give the order and pay no never mind that I have to stop what I’m doin to do his biddin. No, sir, no trouble at all.”

As Jacob watched Flapjack make his way towards the men with two steaming cups of coffee, his eyes roamed the camp until they landed on Colt. They both made eye contact and decided they better make themselves scarce. Although Jonas didn’t say anything about turkey, the smell in the camp was evidence enough that a turkey had been cooked and the two young men had a strong feeling that Garrett was the owner of that dearly departed bird.

.“Well, Jonas, what can I do for you?” Luke asked,

“I hate to bother you with such a trivial thing as this but I wanted to let you know that my turkeys got spooked by your cattle and somehow managed to make their way out of their pen. I managed to gather them all up but one and I just wanted to warn you to be on the look out for it. My family and I depend on every one of those ugly birds for survival so we can’t afford to loose even one. If you happen to come across it, could you or one of your men gather it up and bring it back to me?”

Suddenly the Trail Boss wasn’t feeling so good. The turkey dinner that was sitting so fine in his stomach moments before, suddenly threatened to make its way back up Morgan’s throat. “Mr. Garrett, I mean, Jonas, where exactly is your farm?”

“Oh, it’s just a mile or two from here. Your cattle are grassing just outside my property line.”

“Are you the only farmer in these parts that has turkeys?”

“Yes, I am. The next farm that carries livestock like mine is Harry Taylor and he’s a far piece away. Why do you ask?”

“Well, Jonas, I think I know where your turkey is.”

“Oh you do? Oh Lord be praised. Where is it?”

“Don’t get to excited just yet. I’m afraid I may have some bad news for you.”

“Oh, what’s that, Luke?”

“Just hold on. Colt! Jacob! I see you hiding behind the chuck wagon. Would you come here please. And I do mean, NOW!”

Colt and Jacob made their way to the two men with eyes cast down and knees knocking together in fright.

“Jonas,” Luke turned back to the farmer. “Did you offer these two young man a turkey for our supper this afternoon?”

“Heaven’s no, Luke. As I stated before, my family needs everyone of those turkeys. I could never offer you one even if I wanted to.”

“I see. And since you’re the only farmer around for miles, I think we have a mystery on our hands and I think these two boys are the only two who can solve it.”

“Colt! Jacob! Do you have anything to add to the story of how that turkey got into your hands?”

Jacob by this time was filled with so much guilt and fear he just shuffled from one foot to another with tears streaming down his face.

Luke turned to Colt and with an icy stare and an even more icy tone to his voice, stated, “Well, we’re waiting!”

Trying to talk without loosing the little control he had left, Colt kept his eyes down and with a small voice began to speak. “I’m sorry. We’re sorry, Mr. Morgan. We were so desperate to have something to eat besides beef, that when we saw that turkey roaming around in the gully, well, we didn’t think. We just, that is I just shot it. After the deed was done we had a idea that this turkey belonged to someone but we knew if we told you that you’d make us take it back. Then we wouldn’t have any turkey for supper, just some more of that dang beef. We made up, well I mostly made up that story about the farmer giving it to us. I’m so sorry, and I apologize to you, Mr. Garrett.”

“Thank you, Colt. You and Jacob go wait by the chuck wagon and I’ll deal with this matter later.” He turned back to the farmer, who stood there with disbelief that one of his turkeys was gone forever, and continued. “All I can do, Mr. Garrett, is to add my apology and pay you what the bird was worth plus a little extra for your inconvenience.”

“I appreciate that, Luke. I surely do. I accept your apology and your generous offer. Thank you kindly.”

Luke made his way to the saddle bag where he kept the trail money and took out a handful of bills. Walking the farmer back to his horse, he handed over the bills with another apology and a question. “Jonas, didn’t you get the scent of turkey as you drove into camp?”

“Well yes, I did. But I just figured that was just something that your cook carried with him to feed your fine men.”

“Yes, I can understand that. Once again, I’m really sorry and I hope you won’t be too put out by all this.”

“Not at all, Luke. Thank you for your understanding and kindness.” The farmer rode away with a suspicious feeling that those two young men were going to have to pay for their turkey dinners in more ways than with mere money.

The Trail Boss walked quickly over to the two young men who stood quaking in their cowboy boots. Colt, not giving Luke the change to speak first, blurted out in one long sentence. “Please, Boss, go easy on Jacob, most of the fault lies with me, he just went along with it, please take it easy on him.”

“Jacob’s punishment will be up to Flapjack. Jacob is his responsibility and how he chooses to punish his helper is up to him. As for you, you are my responsibility and right now I want you to get a hickory switch and meet me behind the supply wagon.”

“What? A hickory switch? Oh no, boss. Not that, please!”

“Look, boy, you not only took something that didn’t belong to you; you lied about it and drug Jacob into the thick of things. You also deceived Flapjack and the rest of the men with your lie. Don’t you think those actions deserve a hickory switch?”

Saying nothing because he knew Luke was right, Colt made his way to find a hickory switch. He heard Luke bellow out to him as he made his way out of camp, “and make sure it’s a good sturdy one or I’ll go pick one out myself.”

Colt was already crying as he stood in front of Luke with hickory switch in hand. Luke was finding it hard to stay firm with those big tears streaming down the boy’s face, but he knew the deed had to be done. However, Luke wasn’t a complete brut, so he didn’t order the boy to remove his pants and shorts as he knew Colt would feel the pain of the switch well enough through his clothing.

“Alright, boy, assume the position. The quicker you do it, the quicker it will be over.”

Colt placed himself over the Trail Boss’s lap and waited for the first blow to strike. Although the denim material blocked some of the blow, it did nothing to mask the pain. He let out a loud yelp and continued to yell as Luke lay down ten blows to his backside.

The drovers jumped with every whirling sound the switch made as it found its way to Colt’s backside and with every scream the young man let out. They knew this punishment was necessary because two things. No drover could stand to be lied to or to made a fool of and with his actions, Colt had done both.

They were all grateful for the silence that followed the ten blows. The Boss went as easy on the boy as they had a sneaky suspicion he would. After all, even though he tried to act tough, all the men knew their Boss had a soft heart and they knew it was probably hurting the Trail Boss almost as much as it was hurting the young man. They also could hear cries of pain coming from inside the chuck wagon so they figured young Jacob was meeting the same fate as Colt, but at least he was being spared the switch.

Back behind the supply wagon, the punishment was over and Luke was holding Colt closely in his arms. He was letting Colt know that although lying wasn’t tolerated, he was forgiven. Colt was also informed that the cost of the turkey would be coming out of his and Jacob’s wages and that he would also have to wash the dishes for the next few days as his way of apologizing to Flapjack.

Cuddling up close to Luke, Colt wiped the rest of his tears on Luke’s shirt and used with his own shirtsleeve wiped away the snot from his nose.

“Oh, Cowboy, that’s disgusting! Here, use my handkerchief.”

“Thanks, Luke,” Colt hiccupped a few more tearless sobs. The young man put his head on Luke’s shoulder and snuggled in close as Luke rubbed his young lover’s back with a comforting gesture of forgiveness and love. “I’m sorry, Luke. I guess things got out of hand.”

“Forget it. I’ll tell you what; when we get into town I’ll buy you the biggest, most fancy meal you’ve ever seen. What do you say?”

“Luke, the only thing I want to eat when we get into town is you! That’s all the nourishment I need.” Colt laughed as he saw the shaded of red creeping from Luke’s neck to his face as he blushed deeply with embarrassment at Colt’s play on words. Colt placed a warm passionate kiss on Luke’s neck as he whispered, “Dang you’re cute when you turn red!”

“If you don’t stop teasing, I won’t be the only one turning red and I don’t mean on your face, young man.”

Getting the message loud and clear, Colt placed a quick kiss on Luke’s lips then, jumping off his lap, he made his way to find Jacob so they could lick their wounds together. Before he turned the corner of the supply wagon however, Colt couldn’t resist one last comment. “You gotta admit it though, Boss, that turkey was some good. Yes sir, I’m a mighty fine hunter. I always manage to bag the game I’m after whether it be animal or man.” Colt could hear the pleasant ring of Luke’s laughter in his ears as he went on his way to join Jacob, wondering if his partner in crime’s behind was stinging as much as his. Knowing Flapjack, he figured it probably was.

The End.