The Other Tom Brown's Schooldays Chapter 12
By Pueros

Copyright 2006 by Pueros, all rights reserved
Comments to the author can be sent to pueros@hotmail.com

This story is intended for ADULTS ONLY
 

Chapter 12 – Christmas

(Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, November 1803)

Tom's body quivered in ecstatic orgasm, as his cock spilled a small amount of white fluid onto the grassy surface of the sheep pasture beneath him.

During Dr. Ballsoff's last medical check-up of Brown T's wondrous 10 year-old form, the school Physician had been intrigued to discover that another youngster so tender in age had begun to produce semen. He had also noted that the phenomenon appeared to be common amongst the staff's most favoured catamites, and put the fact down to the kind early exposure of the boys to regular comprehensive sexual activity.

After eventually calming from his sexual ecstasy, Tom shook his penis to try to remove the last signs of his secret pleasure from his cockhead before being encouraged by the ever-encroaching barking of the pursuing beagles to continue his dash towards the forest, which was still half a mile away. However, the energetically sprinting 10 year-old was later still about 450 yards from the trees when he realised in horror, from the now almost deafening sound of the hounds behind him, that he was not going to reach safety in time.

Tom immediately thought that his pause to indulge in masturbatory pleasure was about to cost him dear. However, he then noticed the similarly aged boy on the horse riding skilfully and speedily towards him from his right.

The well-dressed young rider did not take long to catch the naked young runner and he did so just before the beagles. "Quick," the horseman then instructed Tom, whilst proffering a hand down to the now very scared young boy-bait, "climb up or the dogs will have you!"

Tom needed no second invitation and soon found himself, after a little bit of trouble ascending the tall mount, clinging to the rear of his young saviour as the steed bounded north to safety just in time before the beagles could reach them. The fox's brush, still worn by the nude boy and caught in the speedy draught, unfurled horizontally rearwards, resembling an impertinent tongue extended at the now frustrated and defeated hounds.

The illusion was intensified by the fact that the tail was emerging from between two cheeks, albeit those pertaining to a cute bottom rather than face. Meanwhile, although Christmas was still a month away, Tom immediately wondered whether his seasonal present had arrived early in the form of his completely unexpected rescue.

Having eventually achieved a safe distance, and seeing that the beagles had given up the chase in response to a recall bugle, the young rider brought his horse to a trot before turning his very pretty head towards his naked passenger, who was still clinging tightly to his clothed body. The boy then advised Tom, in a very posh voice, "Hello, old bean, I'm Abernethy, James Abernethy."

"I'm Brown, T, and many thanks for your help," Tom, deeply relieved at his narrow escape managed to reply despite also now being intensely ashamed of his nudity. "It was no problem, old bean," James responded, "as I knew that today was that of the Sodomhall School's special hunt. I thought I'd take a ride to see if I could help a chap in trouble."

"Luckily, old bean," James continued, "you began to run in my direction just in time, although you might have made safety on your own if you hadn't stopped to play with yourself!" The sudden revelation that his rescuer had somehow observed his masturbation caused Tom to blush from head to toe.

Tom also wondered how James had achieved the feat. He was sure that the young horseman had not been anywhere close when he had begun masturbating and then ultimately achieved the satisfying pleasurable climax.

"How did you…." Tom therefore began to ask before his intended query was answered. "I brought a spyglass, old bean," James informed, whilst patting the instrument, now secured in a special pocket on the side of his saddle, "as I thought that it would come in handy to spot the boy-bait I was hoping to help."

"I was right," James happily confirmed, "although my right eye espied more than expected!" The sudden embarrassed redness of Tom's delicious bare form intensified on hearing the explanation.

"Don't worry, old bean," James reassured, "I won't tell anyone. It'll be our little secret."

"Anyway," James added, illustrating his rather mature knowledge of the realities of puberty for a boy of his tender years, gained by satisfying sexual curiosity through secretly investigating the subject amidst his father's immense library, "I understand many chaps are tempted to masturbate after they've reached a certain age. I certainly do, despite suggestions that the act a grave sin, which I consider silly. However, I must say I'm very impressed that you can produce semen, as I can't do that yet!"

Tom's embarrassment immediately began to subside on hearing the apparently unperturbed and unabashed tone of James' promise and confessions, and was almost replaced by pride at hearing this last remark. However, such ego was still compromised by his continuing shameful nakedness, as he clung onto his clothed young rescuer.

"I hope that you don't mind, old bean," James next announced, "but I'm taking us home, where I can secure you some cover and refreshment. Don't worry, I'll sneak you in without anyone seeing you in your current state and I'll take you back to your school later when it's safe to do so."

Tom's transformation from frightened and shamed bait to rather relaxed and nonchalant boy was, despite his nudity, now almost completed by these phrases, which had been so soothingly spoken. His feeling of affinity with and gratitude to his young rescuer also caused him to rest the side of his head on his fellow 10 year-old's back and tighten his hold on the clothed form in front of him.

James' already hard cock began to throb in response.

(Loveboy Farm, Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, same time)

Meanwhile, about three miles behind Tom and James, the pack of beagles had been recalled by horn to their handlers and the disappointed dogs and men proceeded despondently to the barn of Farmer Loveboy, where the post-hunt luncheon had been laid out. There was plenty of food and ale to enjoy but sadly now no boy dessert.

The hounds would not have harmed Tom, if they had caught him, as they had been trained just to corner the bait. However, it was customary for the human hunters to cause the captured boy humiliation and hurt by enjoying his orifices throughout the rest of the day and night. The event was basically an annual drunken orgy to which all the participants, except the youngest, looked forward with eager anticipation and this was the first time that sexual aspirations had been denied.

"Did you see who the rider was?" asked an angry and frustrated Gamesmaster, Mr. Hardcock. "No," replied an equally aggrieved Headmaster, "but, given the location, I suspect that it was young Abernethy."

"If that's the case," Dr. Strappem added, "there's little that can done. His family's too influential in these parts. After all, they own most of the land around here, including that upon which we're currently standing. Loveboy's one of their tenant farmers!"

(Abernethy Hall, Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, same time)

Three miles away, Tom was in awe, for he had never seen a house so grand, as James guided his horse into the residence's vast landscaped grounds through an entrance whose huge open elaborate ironwork gates were supported by massive stone columns, crowned with carved lions. "Do you really live here?" the incredulous 10 year-old nude enquired, after lifting his head from his young rescuer's back to inspect the impressive scene.

"Yes, old bean," the boy answered, "as my part of the family has resided here for hundreds of years, although the main branch are Scottish. My father's another James, Sir James Abernethy, one of the more junior members of a line that also boasts several Lords and a Clan Leader." In response, Tom was momentarily speechless.

James then steered his horse off the long main pathway that led up to the distant mansion called Abernethy Hall in order to guide his steed instead into an adjacent wood. "There's a tunnel that leads from the trees, old bean," the young horseman advised his fellow 10 year-old, "to the house, where there are many secret passageways, which is a legacy of more troublesome times when they all formed part of an escape route. We'll use the system to smuggle you in to prevent your current embarrassing state of undress being witnessed by others. You can then have a wash whilst I acquire some attire for you and before I introduce you to our kitchens for some sustenance."

Tom's grateful clinging hug of his young rescuer's body became more pronounced in response to this announcement, much to the delight of the hidden cock of the recipient of such attention. James had never previously even seen another naked boy, let alone been in such close proximity to one. However, his groin was suggesting to him that he was enjoying the new experience.

The two mounted boys eventually came to a small stone outbuilding hidden amongst the trees, not far from the large mansion. James quickly climbed off his horse and looked up at the delectable Tom.

James noticed that Tom's own penis was also again hard, pointing horizontally along the horse's back. The sight caused the obvious bulge, within his own long but tight brown trousers, to increase in size.

Nevertheless, James somehow managed to acquire sufficient composure to offer Tom a helping hand to dismount from the tall steed. "Thanks," the other 10 year-old politely said, as he was subsequently aided safely to the ground after his first ever horseback ride, "thanks for everything."

"No problem, old bean," replied James, who was trying his best to hide his disappointment on now losing sight of Tom's erection, as young protective hands quickly covered the embarrassing arousal. "I suggest you take off the fox's brush attached to you and follow me," the boy subsequently gently commanded, as he strode purposefully towards the door of the outbuilding.

Tom now appreciated how handsome James was, with his straight red hair crowning a lovely face bejewelled by gorgeous brown eyes above a slim lithe body. The naked boy's now hidden genital excitement guiltily intensified as a result of the realisation.

Nevertheless, despite his genital embarrassment, Tom took off the silly fox's tail tied to him and followed his young rescuer inside the outbuilding. He found inside a gloomy single windowless chamber with a stone floor, which was empty apart from a few oil lamps and a flintlock mechanism.

James used the flintlock to light one of the lanterns and, utilising this to guide his way, went to the far side of the room. He then pressed his free hand firmly against one of the stones from which the wall there was built.

The block depressed inwards and suddenly, to Tom's amazement, an opening appeared in the apparently solid floor. James then began walking down some steps below the aperture into darkness, whilst suggesting "Follow me again, old bean, as there's nothing to be afraid of!"

Tom, still carrying the fox's brush, as not returning the tail to Sodomhall School would certainly earn him punishment, shivered as he complied because, in contrast to the surprisingly mild and pleasant autumnal day outside, the tunnel was cold and he could see his breath condense in the lamplight. Of course, the fact that the boy was still naked did not help.

James considerately paused at the foot of the steps to allow Tom, whose chilled body was now covered in goosepimples, to catch up with him. As the latter boy now needed his hands to help steady him whilst he moved downwards, the former was rewarded for his kindness with the pleasant sight of his fellow 10 year-old's lovely smooth genitalia descending towards him, with the little delightful cock present still amazingly hard.

James also noticed the shivering of Tom's body and the goosepimples present. He therefore placed his lamp on the floor in order to begin the removal of his brown jacket.

"I'm sorry, old bean, it was thoughtless of me not to do this before," James advised, as he subsequently proffered his jacket to Tom, "because you'll catch pneumonia down here without some cover. Take this, it'll help keep the chill away!"

Tom was very happy to accept the offer, as the jacket not only represented warmth but also some cover for his bare body. James was naturally less content, as the garment hid much pleasantry from view, but he was too honourably considerate not to make the gesture.

"Right, old bean," James suggested, after Tom had given appropriate thanks for the boy's kindness, "let's go!" He then picked up his lamp, pressed another stone to close the opening above and started to walk down the very dark tunnel.

Tom found the environment rather creepy. He therefore followed quickly in James' wake, albeit with as much care as he could manage in the gloom. The boy was particularly wary of cobwebs and of his bare feet treading on something nasty.

James appeared to appreciate what Tom's main concerns would be by reassuring, as they proceeded into the blackness, "Things shouldn't be too bad, old bean. Because I play here often, my father asks some of our groundsmen to clean the tunnel regularly. You should therefore find the floor underneath your bare feet not too uncomfortable and we shouldn't encounter too many spiders' webs or other nasty stuff. The lamplight should also cause any rats around to flee." However, the latter part of this attempt at comforting the other boy, mentioning vermin, only caused his concern about what lurked about him to intensify. Consequently, he began to shiver again but not now as a result of the low temperature.

Nevertheless, the two boys advanced steadily along the tunnel, passing several side passageways as they did so, before James announced, after reaching yet another junction, "We turn left here, old bean. There're some long stairs ahead that lead straight to my bedroom!"

The subsequent climb up the steps was long and quite tiring. The two boys were breathing heavily by the time James pressed another stone on a wall, activating the opening of a wooden wall panel to reveal his large opulent bedroom, which was brightly illuminated by sunlight streaming through a huge bay-window.

James invited a grateful Tom inside his bedroom before triggering the devise that closed the secret entrance to the tunnel. "Welcome to my abode, old bean," he then triumphantly said to his guest.

Tom was again momentarily speechless, this time because of the splendours of James' bedchamber, with its immense four-poster bed and magnificent scenic view through the window across the splendid gardens of the stately home. However, he eventually managed to compose himself sufficiently to remark in awe but truth "What a lovely room!"

Tom also remembered his manners and added "I must thank you once more for all your help. If there's anything that I can do for you in return, please let me know."

James was momentarily tempted to answer 'Well, actually, old bean, there is something that you can do for me!' He would have loved to play with Tom's gorgeous naked body, especially the smooth genitals that he had espied dangling between his fellow 10 year-old's legs.

James was rather mature for his tender years and was already going through a phase of sexual self-discovery, which had caused him to begin to masturbate earlier than most boys do, albeit currently without producing any ejaculate. He also now realised, from the tingling sensations that had pervaded his own form, especially his groin, when he had seen Tom naked, that he was somehow very attracted to his fellow 10 year-old.

James was tempted to ask Tom if he could play with his naked body. He had, of course, never enjoyed such indulgences with anyone else before and was not even sure what heterosexual let alone homosexual practices entailed. However, he fancied experimenting by following his natural instincts.

Nevertheless, the words that actually now flowed from James' own sweet rosy lips, in response to Tom's offer, were "Well, there's nothing that I can think of at the moment for you to do in return for my recent help. However, if I do think of something, I'll certainly let you know!"

(Loveboy Farm, Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, same time)

Meanwhile, the Gamesmaster asked the Headmaster, in Farmer Loveboy's barn and in a slightly slurred voice as the effects of several pints of strong ale began to materialise, "Should I go and fetch some of the pupils to entertain us?" Dr. Strappem considered his answer for a moment before replying "No, I don't think so. It would break all the hunt's traditions. The sexual molestation of a boy at this event should be reserved as the forfeit for being caught as the bait. No, we'll just have to accept defeat with grace as true gentlemen and hope for a better result next year!"

Mr. Hardcock, like most of the other deeply disappointed hunters, was not happy with Dr. Strappem's response, as he felt that the lack of boy entertainment spoiled the occasion. However, he knew better than to argue with the Headmaster. He therefore had to content himself with more ale and the thought of enjoying young Morton that night, whilst his employer would undoubtedly be securing simultaneous revenge on Brown T.

(Abernethy Hall, Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, ¼ hour later)

A quarter of an hour later and three miles away, Tom was luxuriating in a hot soapy bath, sponging his genitals clean. James would, of course, have liked personally to wash his young guest in this intimate manner but was too polite and shy to express his preference.

James had instead discreetly remained in his bedchamber, allowing Tom to enjoy privacy in the bathroom whilst he shed his borrowed jacket and plunged naked into the quickly drawn hot soapy water. The young host was also denied sight of his fellow 10 year-old's delectable private parts when he collected the garment he had lent and left behind other more appropriate spare clothing for the boy eventually to redress in.

The soapy foam covering the surface of the bath-water had denied James this particular visual treat. He therefore wondered whether he should interrupt Tom's subsequent drying of his delicious naked form as if by accident in order to feast on the wonderful sight for one last time before the boy had to be returned to Sodomhall School. However, his inherent integrity quickly dispelled such dishonourable temptation.

James instead contented himself by shouting to Tom "By the way, I don't know what your first name is. What does the 'T' in Brown T stand for?"

"'Thomas'," the bathing boy shouted in reply, whilst turning the attention of his sponge towards his legs, "or more commonly 'Tom' to those who know me." "Can I call you that too?" James next enquired.

"Of course you can," Tom responded.

(Abernethy Hall, Near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, ½ hour later)

Half an hour later, two new friends finally emerged from James' bedroom.

Both boys now sported expensive finery. Tom's, borrowed from his new friend, fitted almost perfectly, as he was very similar in size to James.

Tom subsequently ate a sumptuous meal in the kitchens, served by the chief cook herself.

(Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, 2 hours later)

Two hours later, Tom was conveyed back to Sodomhall School in Sir James Abernethy's own liveried carriage. His new friend, the young heir to the Baronetcy, namely James, accompanied the boy.

Tom's return to the school was, of course, in marked contract to his naked departure from the educational establishment earlier in the day. However, the boy still dutifully carried the fox's brush as testament to his previous debasing role.

James' last words to Tom, as the latter disembarked from the ornate carriage to incredulous stares from those school staff and pupils who witnessed the scene, were "Remember, old bean, I'll be asking my father to make sure that the Headmaster let's you come to visit me often."

Tom knew that James was taught at home by his own tutor and therefore sadly did not have anyone to play with. He was happy to fill the gap, if allowed to do so by Dr. Strappem.

(Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, ½ hour later)

Tom's new finery subsequently did not remain on his lovely body for long but the attire was removed within half an hour not just to be returned, with thanks, to Sir James Abernethy. The time was now early evening and the boy soon found himself naked and in Dr. Strappem's bed, as the Headmaster wanted to make up for opportunity lost earlier in the day.

"Congratulations on your success in the hunt," Dr. Strappem said, as his manly cock again penetrated Tom's anus, eliciting the usual loud anguished moan from the boy as his rectum was once more painfully filled to the hilt.

(Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, 1 month later, Christmas Eve, December 1803)

During the next month leading up to Christmas, Tom had been allowed to visit his new friend every Sunday, being collected after breakfast by Sir James Abernethy's ornate liveried carriage and returned later in the early evening in the same manner. The boys thoroughly enjoyed each other's company and the various games in which they indulged, although to the young host's hidden regret these pastimes did not yet include sexual experimentation.

By now, Tom had, of course, been introduced to James' widower father, the current Baronet Abernethy, and was treated as an honoured guest during his Sunday visits. The boy no longer ate in the kitchens but instead in the ancient family mansion's resplendently huge dining hall, served by the butler and other servants. He had never been so mollycoddled previously and enjoyed every minute of the experience, even though his new friend had had occasionally to remind him politely about expected table etiquette and the correct use for various items of cutlery.

Dr. Strappem had received a visit from Sir James Abernerthy himself to establish the arrangements. The Headmaster had felt compelled to agree to the Baronet's request for ready access to his new friend for his heir, whom the father felt would benefit from the relationship because of the lonely isolation of where his son lived.

Sir James had not sent his son away to boarding school because of his own bad experiences at such a place but was aware that having a personal tutor instead meant that the boy would be short of companionship. Having a friend or two at nearby Sodomhall seemed an ideal solution to the problem but only because the Baronet was completely unaware of the many nefarious abusive activities that took place at the educational establishment. The secrecy surrounding such deeds was well kept by those involved, with even the young victims remaining silent because of fear, shame and the lack of anyone to whom they could realistically complain and expect help.

Dr. Strappem's motives for co-operation were twofold. First, the Headmaster did not want to incur the displeasure of the richest and most influential man in this part of the county. Second, he also knew that the Baronet would now owe him a return favour, which might someday prove useful if any problems did somehow result from the naughty activities that took place within his school.

Christmas Eve arrived but no seasonal snow. The winter day was instead dry and bright, albeit somewhat chilly.

Of course, none of the pupils of Sodomhall School had returned to their families for Christmas. As previously mentioned, all of the boys were sadly so unloved by uncaring parents or, more usually in an age when orphans were common, guardians that they were not invited home to enjoy the seasonal festivities.

The traditional annual Christmas Eve Sodomhall School ball game therefore encompassed all 650 or so pupils, excluding prefects. The event was taking place on the largest of the educational establishment's playing fields, with Adonis and Ganymede Houses pitched together against those of Narcissus and Phaethon.

As customary, the boys were dressed only in tight white short shorts and thin distinguishing ribbons worn like sashes diagonally across their bare chests and backs, with blue for those in Adonis House, red for Ganymede, purple for Narcissus and yellow for Phaeton. As usual, the large rectangular playing area was demarcated by dirt pathways and the object of the game was to place the crude heavy leather ball on one of the shorter lengths of track defended by the opponents.

The few other rules meant that the whole lengthy exercise was anarchic, with many participants tackling opponents who were not near the ball just for the fun of doing so or for more malicious reasons. The former frequently entailed a desire simply to fondle an object of unrequited desire, whilst the latter often involved a wish for revenge for an earlier perceived insult or slight.

As usual, Tom, Christopher and Jonathan joined in the game with gusto. However, the trio of particularly beautiful 10 year-olds appeared to be special targets for many of their older opponents. Consequently, all three spent periods on the ground after being tackled, sometimes writhing there in agony after their own small scrotums had been clobbered or, more often, lecherously grasped with hurtful over-eagerness. However, given the proscription against sex between boys unless members of staff decreed otherwise, these happenings were understandable, as the annual event provided the only real opportunity that the more mature pupils had of fondling such delights.

No one had ever scored a 'path' in the annual Christmastime event and no one expected the situation to change today. The massed defences were seemingly impossible to break through, with the game therefore largely played out in midfield.

Tom, displaying his yellow sash, was again lying on the ground in a more isolated part of the playing field, recovering from further hurt to his groin after a particularly heavy tackle, when the game's surprising defining moment occurred. The ball was suddenly thrown high into the air from a mass brawl and landed at his feet.

Christopher and Jonathan had gone to Tom to check that he would live after he had received another anguishing genital grope. Their friend, miraculously immediately restored to fitness by the sight of the leather object next to him, instantly picked up the ball and regained his feet, even though these actions represented certain imminent and potentially excruciating danger. The boy was as a consequence now the main focus for the massed defence, over 300-strong, of Adonis and Ganymede Houses.

Christopher and Jonathan, standing either side of Tom, subsequently attempted to shield their friend, as the young frightened ball-carrier began to advance as fast as his legs could carry him towards the pathway that Adonis and Ganymede Houses were defending. There was obvious menace from the mass of opponents approaching from all around as the trio proceeded, leaving most of their Narcissus and Phaethon allies behind.

Nevertheless, Tom's natural speed and elusiveness, aided by the brave protection afforded by Christopher and Jonathan, produced miraculous results. The young ball- carrier was also helped by his own diminutive size, which made grabbing his body when he was at speed difficult to achieve successfully. Many fingers touched the elusive and skilfully zigzagging boy but quickly lost their grip, barely causing him to lose any velocity.

Christopher and Jonathan took many hits whilst trying to shield Tom but they constantly somehow quickly managed to stand again to continue to guard their friend. However, disaster eventually appeared literally to hit the young ball-carrier.

Tom was finally the recipient of a tackle that brought him toppling to the ground, surely ending his advance, as many opponents now aimed to dive on top of him. However, the boy amazingly tumbled over in such a way that he ended up back on his feet and again running, with his progress hardly checked at all.

Unfortunately, Tom subsequently did not progress very far when another excellent hit again brought him to the ground, this time with the 16 year-old tackler firmly holding on to the boy's ankles. Christopher and Jonathan, bodies now displaying many bruises, attempted to pull some of the enemy from off the top of the growing pile of young forms that had subsequently engulfed their friend but to little avail.

In the end, all that Christopher and Jonathan could do was stand by and watch as the human morass continued to grow, suggesting that the game had reached the usual impasse. However, the two boys were quickly delighted and amazed to be disillusioned in respect of this expectation when Tom, still somehow holding the precious ball, crawled out from the side of the huge scrimmage.

Tom immediately leapt to his feet and started running again so fast that most of the remaining shocked Adonis and Ganymede defence was quickly by-passed and now, miraculously, only three 17 year-old back-stops stood in the way of glory. Christopher and Jonathan speedily followed their friend, leaving behind most of their colleagues, who had been as surprised as their opponents at the turn of events.

The three last defenders stood their ground with determination. They had been chosen for their positions of last resort because of their own excellent tackling capabilities. Tom knew this and also did not believe that he could outpace on the flank pupils who were 7 years older than him. Accordingly, he shouted to Christopher and Jonathan to try to take out the two outside members of the trio whilst he dealt with the boy in the middle.

Tom, Christopher and Jonathan subsequently rapidly approached the trio of much older, bigger and stronger defenders. The pursuing mass of pupils in their wake gave the three young attackers no chance of surmounting the last formidable obstacles to glory.

Such mass opinion was speedily to be proved incorrect after Christopher and Jonathan, now allowed to lead by Tom, simply but courageously jumped without hesitation but at great velocity into their older targets. The nasty collisions caused all four boys to collapse stunned to the ground, with both 17 year-olds later sporting black eyes as a consequence.

Only one 17 year-old now separated Tom from an unprecedented 'path'. The older boy was standing with his arms outstretched and legs apart, ready to grapple the impertinent young ball-carrier, who was almost upon him.

Tom now followed his friends in jumping but not into his final opponent. Instead, he leapt with bravery onto the ground between the 17 year-old's splayed legs and his momentum carried him sliding through on the grass to the other side. By the time the bewildered last defender realised what had happened, the boy was back on his feet and running to make his score.

As Tom placed the ball down on the dirt pathway, a tumultuous roar resounded. The boy looked back whence he had come to see not only his many team-mates cheering and applauding but also most opponents and all of the staff and prefects watching on the sidelines.

Tom had never been so proud in his young life before. This feeling was increased after a number of pupils caught up with him and lifted him onto their shoulders to escort the young hero from the field to continued vociferous clamour and clapping, just as some snow began to fall.

Tom was also particularly pleased to see Christopher and Jonathan rewarded with the same well-deserved adulation. However, he was perhaps most delighted to notice later the obvious look of intense happiness and pride displayed in the eyes of James, who had been standing next to Dr. Strappem to watch the game as one of the Headmaster's guests.

Tom was much less delighted later when in the evening he again became the attention of Dr. Strappem's cock, which was thrust in and out of the boy's rectum with more hurtful eagerness and vigour than ever. The Headmaster was really turned by sodomising his school's young hero.

(Abernethy Hall, near Sodomhall School, Northumberland, England, 1 day later, Christmas Day, December 1803)

News of historic world events happening in December 1803, such as Napoleon Bonaparte's sale of Louisiana to the USA, partly in order to help fund his continuing European wars, never reached the isolation of Sodomhall School. Tom was therefore ignorant of such occurrences when Sir James Abernethy's carriage again called at the educational establishment to collect the boy.

Dr. Strappem did not feel inclined to deny Tom the pleasure of spending Christmas Day at Abernethy Hall, especially as the celebration in 1803 fell on a Sunday. The Headmaster, still keen to maintain good relations with the Baronet, also kindly agreed to Sir James' request that Christopher West and Jonathan Morton should accompany the boy.

Tom had told James about his best friends at Sodomhall School and the heir to the Baronetcy had been eager to meet them. The Christmas Day subsequently spent by the four 10 year-old boys at isolated Abernethy Hall, amidst the now snowy Northumberland countryside, eventually proved very fateful.

Four close friendships were cemented, which were to prove fateful for not only the quartet of beautiful boys concerned but also Napoleon Bonaparte.

(To be continued in chapter 13 – 'Hogmanay')