Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:45:57 +0000 From: Jeffrey Fletcher <jeffyrks@hotmail.com> Subject: A meeting of the Twain Part 3 This is a story that involves sex between males. If such a story is offensive, or illegal for you to read where you live, then do not continue, go and surf elsewhere. This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any specific person or persons. If there is any similarity to any real persons or events it is entirely coincidental. The work is copyrighted (c) by the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the author. It is assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the written permission of the author. My thanks to John who has read this through and made a number of corrections and suggestions. Any remaining errors , grammatical, spelling or historical or whatever are entirely my fault. Thank you to those who have commented on my stories. If you want to comment on the story then do contact me on Jeffyrks@hotmail.com. I aim to reply to all messages. A Meeting of the Twain Part 3 The moving Moon went up the sky, And nowhere did abide; Softly she was going up, And a star or two beside - Her beams bemock'd the sultry main, Like April hoar frost spread; But where the ship's huge shadow lay, The charmed water burnt alway A stil and awful red. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834 Ralph Tooley was waiting at the door, dressed in his livery, and holding Artemis, when Lex was ready to depart. Edward did come to see his young brother off. "India will either make you or break you. I hope it makes you. Your life is up to you. I wish you well." They shook hands and for a brief moment looked into each others eyes. Lex saw a glimmer of kindness and love; and Edward a note of sadness and apprehension. Thomas was there too, and he gave Lex a hug. "Remember to write," he whispered. "I will." Neither Caroline or Georgina came down to see Lex off. He mounted Artie, and he and Ralph began to move off down the drive. It was a summer morning, and the sun had not long risen, but the Hertfordshire countryside was at its best. At the end of the drive Lex turned and looked back. The drive was marked by a mile-long avenue of beech trees planted by his father some twenty years before. The trees were still young and immature, and Lex realised he would never see the avenue as it had been planned by his father, that would take another thirty or forty years. At the far end of the drive he saw the red brick Hall, his birthplace, and until that day his home: it was a last look. "Come on, Ralph, we've got to get to London today." He dug his heels into Artie's flanks and they galloped off. One large and one smaller item of luggage had been sent on ahead, and should be awaiting him on the London. They were to stay a night in an inn where the horses could be left. Ralph was to see Lex on board the ship, and then collect the horses and bring them back to Whitgest. The journey to London was a good day's ride. It was easier in summer when the hours of daylight were longer and the roads drier. In winter the roads tended to become quagmires, but the way was easier than it had been only a few years before with the making of a new turnpike road from St Albans to London. Ralph knew the road to London well. He had had to accompany old Sir Edward a few times, looking after the horses, and for security, as highwaymen were still not unknown. He had more frequently accompanied Lex's brother on his fairly frequent visits to the capital. Lex had been to London several times, but did not know it as well as Ralph. Their conversation was spasmodic. Lex was full of thoughts about what had happened, and the uncertain future that lay ahead of him, with fears of the unknown. Ralph realised that it was a difficult time for Lex, he tried several times to get into conversation in an effort to cheer him up but each time the conversation soon dried up. They stopped for something to eat in High Barnet. From there on the road would be busier but better. They got talking to the barman who served them their drinks and bread and cheese. "You going to London?" "Yes, for today," answered Lex. "He's going on to India," added Ralph. "India! That's a long way, real foreign parts. Are there man eating savages there?" "I don't know, but there may be a few in the great forests," said Lex. "I suppose they talk different, like a Frenchie. You going to teach them how to live proper?" Lex laughed. "I don't know about that." "Be careful; those foreign parts are awful dangerous. Wild animals, and wilder men. Do they wash? Do they have chairs and tables, and eat good food?" Lex laughed again. "I'm going to find out." He realised that though he knew something about India it was not very much. It was late afternoon when they went over a rise in the road and saw London before them. London was growing fast in every direction in the late Eighteenth Century, but the city was still dominated by the great dome of St Paul's Cathedral, surrounded by the spires and towers of other smaller churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London just over a century before. Soon they were into the rush, bustle, noise and smells of the great city. They made their way to the inn where Edward had told them to stay the night. The next morning Lex was due to go to his ship for the voyage to India. They stabled their horses. It was a better class of inn but Lex managed to arrange it so that Ralph shared his room, and was not sent to the usual servants quarters. This got a disapproving glare from the landlord, who disapproved of such mixing of the classes in his establishment, but a small back hander silenced his protests. Ralph had brought some other clothes and changed out of his livery. They went out to explore the city. Lex had said he wanted to take a last look in St Paul's. "I remember the three of us being taken in here by my father. I know the abbey at St Albans is longer, but this is magnificent in a different way." They went up into the Whispering Gallery round the inside of the dome, and then sat opposite each other, and turning their heads to the wall whispered to each other. Then up more steps to the stone gallery where they looked out over the city. They could see the South Downs clearly to the south. When he looked north Lex felt sad, because that was the direction of his home. To the east they could see the wooded hump of Epping Forest. Then they went up further, up the wooden stairs between the inner and outer shell of the great dome to the golden gallery, where they could look down on to the floor of the nave far below. Finally they took turns to climb up the iron ladder from where they could peer out over London. They knew the cross was the only thing above them, and at that moment each of them was the highest person in London. It was getting towards dusk when they made their way back to the inn. They made their way up to their room. "We spend a whole night together, Lex." "My last night in England. And what are we waiting for. Get those clothes off, I can sleep all the way to India." "I am going to miss you." "You'll find some nice boy in the village who will let you poke your jock up his arse." "And you will find some nice Indian to do the same to." "Do they do it in India? Do you know?" "I don't know. It may be even more forbidden there than here." "Their religion is different, I know that." "Come on, stop talking, Master Lex, my pizzle's got a real horn, and only you can deal with it. They had very little sleep that night. All too soon they heard the cocks crowing, and knew the sky was lightening in the east. They dressed. Lex went to say good-bye to his horse, Artie. "Good bye old girl. I shall never ride you again. But Ralph will look after you." His eyes were moist. "I know you'll take good care of her for me. I hope Edward doesn't sell her. I think it'd break my heart to know she'd been sold." "I don't think he will. I heard him say the other day that he'd keep her for Georgina to ride when she's married." "I won't mind that." He paused for a moment. "Ralph, I shall be writing to Thomas when I get to India. I shall ask about Artie and you. Maybe he'd send a message back from you. Ralph laughed, "But I couldn't ask him to tell you that I fucked my cousin John Tooley in the bushes for an hour on Thursday evening." Lex laughed. "No. I'll believe you are doing that sort of thing whether you tell me or not." He gave Artie a hug, and tried not to let Ralph see that his eyes were moist. "Good bye, old girl.! The time had come for Lex to make his way to the ship, the London, which was to take him to India. They went down to the waterside. They had to make their way across a couple of smaller boats before they got to the London, which was lying in the deeper water. Everywhere there was noise and movement. Last minute items were being loaded on to the ship. Other passengers were arriving and going on board. Ralph was not allowed to go on board, so they said their farewells at the bottom of the gang plank. "Are you hoping to get back to Whitgest today?" "Yes, there's plenty of day light, and I will not be riding one horse the whole way, so I can move quicker." "Don't stay to watch us depart. It might be some time yet. It would be too painful to see you down here and me on board, and not be able to talk. So please go." Lex was conscious that his eyes were dampening again. They looked at each other before having a quick hug. Lex went up the gangplank, turned to give Ralph a wave, and then asked where he was to go. He was shown to a small cabin, with six very narrow births. Four other young men where there. sorting out their possessions in the very confined space, knowing that this was to be their home for the next few months. Introductions were made, and a sixth man joined them. Half an hour later they all agreed to go back up on deck to watch what was going on. Lex was relieved to see that Ralph had departed, and began to wonder if he was riding the horses yet. They watched the last minute preparations for the voyage. Then at 3.30 the flow of flotsam and jetsam in the river stopped moving from east to west, and then began to move out to sea. The tide had turned. Half an hour later the gangplank was removed, and the ship was pushed out into the main stream of the river. A small sail was raised, and with the wind and the strengthening current they began to make their way out to sea. They passed the Tower of London, and watched as the dome of St Paul's disappeared from sight. The river swung in a series of great meanders, each one larger and wider than the one before. They passed the Royal Observatory and the Palace at Greenwich, passed the small towns of Gravesend and Tilbury. There were five other ships sailing that day for India. They would try as far as possible to sail together, for mutual defence and help should it be needed. There were still pirates on the High Seas, and it was not unknown for a French privateer to try and capture an East Indiaman. Though they preferred to catch one on the return voyage when its cargo was worth much more. The London had been built in 1771. It was 723 tons. It had three decks, four if you included the hull. It was 137 feet 1 inch in length and 35 feet six and a half inches in breadth. The height between the decks was five feet nine inches. The captain was called Webb. [See footnote 1] Lex's companions were all young men going out to be clerks with the East India Company. They were all stepping off into the unknown. All felt emotional at the breaking of old family ties, and the knowledge that they may well never see the land of their birth again. The names of the five other clerks on board were George, Fred, Isaac, John, and Sam. These, soon to be, clerks immediately formed a recognised group on the ship. Lex was the youngest my several months. They were to spend five or six months living in the close confinement of cabin and ship. They were like any other group of young men, given to horse play and practical jokes. They argued and fell out with each other. While there were frequent disputes over space, there was frequent laughter. They all soon knew a great deal about each other. Lex naturally did not tell then the reason for his going to India, and he sometimes wondered if one or two others were being economical with the truth on some score. Some boasted of their sexual activities, others were more reticent. Lex was able with honesty able to admit that he had had sex with a woman, though he did not elaborate. Nothing was said about the type of sex he preferred to engage in; to be known as a player of backgammon [C18 term for a homosexual man] could be dangerous, and could be especially so in the close confines of that group of men. Lex wondered if any of his companions were like himself, but he got not further than thinking. Of course, they all saw each other in various states of undress, and comments were made on their equipment, especially if it was showing signs of arousal. Within the confines of their own bunks it was soon obvious that they all knew how to take care of themselves. As they were all doing it, there was no attempt at concealment. Moans of pleasure were openly made, comments on the degree of pleasure were made. Sometimes one of them would tell a story that got them all aroused, but this was a simultaneous activity and no one gave another a hand. There were only three women on board. One was travelling with her husband, the second going out to join her husband, and the third a lady's maid, serving both women.. They kept together, and being older did not in any way excite the interest of the young men. Another group on board were soldiers. The East India Company had its own army. It was largely a sepoy army, but was leavened by British officers, both commissioned and non commissioned. The largest group on board were the crew. In absolute command on board was the captain. Captain Webb was a middle aged man, with greying hair. He kept very much to himself, though he usually dined with the three commissioned officers, and two of the women. The lady's maid was obviously not included. Very soon the hard and fast barriers between the groups broke down. Boredom was always a problem for those travelling on long sea voyages, so there was encouragement to play games, and to hold competitions. A happy ship had fewer problems. The first three days of sailing down the Channel were relatively calm. The ship did pitch and toss, and though several on board felt queasy, none were sick at that stage. They put into Plymouth for a final loading of fresh food and water. When they were crossing the Bay of Biscay they caught the end of a summer storm. It was not very violent by nautical standards, but it was sufficient to make the women retire to their cabins, and two of the clerks were sick. The small convoy of half a dozen ships made its slow way southwards, the sea became bluer, and the air warmer. It was late one evening when Lex was about to turn in, that he stood on the starboard side of the ship waiting for the moon to rise. He knew it would be soon as the sky was already lighter with the moon's advancing glow. He looked at the stars and noted that the Plough was lower in the sky to the north, and Orion higher in the sky. Sirius too was now visible, it was usually too low in the southern sky at that time of the year. It was a warm evening. He had discarded wearing a shirt, and was just wearing britches. He had decided to be like the sailors and wear nothing on his feet. The moon rose, and there was a silver path way of glittering light across the sea. "Nothing like a clear moon rise on a night like this," said a voice. Lex turned to see one of the sailors on watch standing by his left shoulder. "You must've seen it many times." "Yeah. And it's always beautiful. I dunno which is more wonderful, moon rise or sun rise." "Difficult to say, they're different." "It's different at sea to what it is on land." Lex nodded in agreement. "How many trips to India have you made?" "This is only my second. Some of the older crew have been six or seven times. You ever been to sea before?" "No, I hadn't even seen if before. Only the Thames in London, and that doesn't count." They both laughed. "How's it going with you young men?" "Fine. No big problems, and quite a bit of fun. It is difficult to believe we've been at sea for over two weeks, and have got another seven or eight months, perhaps more, of it. It seems a long time to go a long way." "Wait till we get in the doldrums, when we are whistling for a wind, sometimes for days at an end. Then tempers can get frayed." They turned when they heard the patter of feet behind them. The cabin boy, the youngest boy on board, was walking past on his way to the captain's cabin. His britches were unusually tight, and reveal his buttocks to perfection and the deep crack between. The sailor and Lex looked, and kept looking. "It's no good lusting after him," said the sailor. "What do you mean?" "That nice arse asks for just one thing, that you and me could give to him." Lex's embarrassment must have conveyed itself to the sailor. "I saw the way you looked at him. That's all right by me. But don't try anything on with that lad, at least not at the moment." "Why? Why at the moment?" "He's the captain's. And just the captain's. Every night, `cept when the Cap'n is busy with something to do with the ship, that lad spends with him. The Cap'n's yard gets in between those arse cheeks, and fills the lad with spunk. Then the Cap'n goes to sleep sucking the lad." "How do you know that?" "The lad told us." "You had the lad then?" "No. Not yet." "Why not yet?" " `Cause he's the Cap'n's. But one day soon the Cap'n's going to find his mouth filled with spunk. That will be the end for the boy. The Cap'n'll not want the boy any more. He likes `em young. Then the lad'll be there for the crew." "Including you?" "Yes. I'm longing to get my yard up that lad's arse." They stood side by side looking at the moon as it rose higher in the sky. "Do you like that sort of thing?" The sailor's hand gave one of Lex's buttocks a gentle squeeze. "It wouldn't be a first time for me." "I thought so. There's a lot of it going on a ship like this." Lex looked at him with open mouthed surprise. "Some of the crew just do it when at sea, some go to their wives when back in London, others to a dasher [C18 slang for prostitute], and both go with dusky maidens when they are in India. But there are some of us, who prefer it when there is a nice hard yard to play with and to suck, and a nice tight male arse to get into." "Isn't it dangerous. Couldn't you get flogged if caught. "This ain't the Navy: rum, sodomy and the lash. If you know where to go when on board, it is easy to get." "Doesn't the captain or the mate inspect?" "Yes, but they always let us know when they are going to inspect our meeting place. They don't want trouble and ill feeling. They know the needs of the crew. After all they have the same need themselves. The Cap'n has his own particular needs." "Where do you meet?" "Down below." "Where?" "That'd be telling. But do you want to?" Lex nodded. "I can't leave the deck now, `cos I'm on watch. But when I come off watch, we can go down there, and I can get my yard up your arse." "What's your name?" "Bill. And your'n?" "Lex." "I've got some things to do, and talking too long to a passenger, and neglecting me duties will land me in trouble. It'll soon be eight bells. See you later." Bill went off, and was soon busy tidying and tightening one of the many ropes that were around the deck. Lex continued to stand looking out to see, seeing the moon continuing to rise in the sky. The stars were brilliant, and there was the occasional shooting star. He thought over what had happened, and his prick was half hard as he looked forward to what was going to happen. But was he right to go with a member of the crew? Bill had told him that there were a number of the crew who liked to get together. As long as it did not get out to any of his cabin mates. When eight bells were rung marking the end of the watch, Bill walked past Lex and said, "Follow me." He led the way down into the bottom of the ship. He opened a door into small hold. It was about three quarters full. "There's more room in here as the voyage goes on." Bill shut the door, and it seemed almost pitch black, But there was a gap in the door, and the light from a lantern outside threw a little light into the hold. Slowly Lex's eyes began to adjust to the limited light. But well before he could see, Bill's hands were at work. His prick was held and his bum squeezed. He in return felt for Bill. Then he felt the belt holding his britches in place being undone, and the britches lowered. "Hold on," said Bill, as he reached into a dark corner. "There's always some fat down here to help things along." Lex felt some cold fat being applied to his arse. "Bend over, lad, I'm coming up yer." He felt the head of Bill's prick against his arse and it began to push. Fortunately Ralph and Billy had been that way before, and Bill's prick made its way in. Soon he could feel Bill's hair tickling his bum cheeks. He pushed back, he felt completely filled by the biggest prick that had ever entered him. "That's good, Lex, my boy. How's it for you?" "Good. Just don't shoot your load too quickly." "That's the lad. Like it nice and slow." Lex felt Bill's rough but gentle hands stroke his back, and feel round to hold his prick. "Not too much of that, or my spunk will be shooting out." Bill moved his hand away. He then bent over so that his front was touching the length of Lex's back. He kissed Lex's neck, and then began to use his tongue and lips on Lex's ear. Lex was unable to do anything in response, as he was taking his weight on his arms as he lent forward, so he just made noises showing he was enjoying what Bill was doing to him. Bill's thrusts into Lex became stronger and more rapid. His hand came round again to work of Lex's prick. Then Bill pushed right in and stopped, for a moment nothing happened. Then Lex felt the prick in side him convulse, and a series of powerful jets pour into his guts. At the same time his own prick shot a large load of spunk onto Bill's hand and it dripped down onto the floor. They both stood there gasping for breath. "That were good, young fella. I `ope it were good for you?" Lex began to feel Bill's prick decrease in size and hardness within him. Almost of its own accord it slipped out. Lex giggled. "What you laughing at?" "I just liked the way your pizzle popped out of me. You could almost have heard it." Bill smiled, though it was not seen in the gloom. Lex turned to face Bill. "Thanks mate. I enjoyed that." "Want to do it again, some other time?" "Yes. Any time." "Not tomorrow as my watch is different. Day after tomorrow same time." "Fine." "But if your bollocks need emptying before then, and you want some help, just come down here. If the place is empty there'll probably someone along sooner or later with the same need. If someone's here, enjoy yourself." Then much to Lex's surprise Bill gave him a kiss. "Thanks, lad. Till next time." He opened the door and they both left. *** Two evenings later Lex was back with Bill. Again Bill led the way down the small hold. As Bill closed the door, he turned to Lex. "Now get those britches off, and your yard greased up. I've got an almighty itch in my arse that only your yard can cure." He handed Lex the grease, and applied some to himself. "You hard yet?" "Yeah." "Well what are you waiting for get it in." In the dim light Lex positioned his prick and pushed. Very quickly it penetrated. "Right in. We've got all night, and I want a good long hard fucking. So don't you go off too soon, my lad." Lex held it. He knew from experience how easy it is to shoot immediately after entry, but given a short breathing space, then the enjoyment can be prolonged. "That feels good, my lad. I can feel your bollocks against my bum cheeks. I `ope they're full, and you `aven't been shooting your load up some other guy's hairy arse today." "No. Bill. I have kept it all for you. I'm full up." "Then don't shoot too soon." Lex reached round and pinched one of Bill's nipples. "That's it, lad. I like that. Can you do it wiv both your mits?" The harder Lex squeezed the more Bill liked it. He was soon into a rhythm. "Harder! Harder! Fuck me harder." Lex obeyed instructions. "If it gets round the others how good you are, you'll be put in chains down `ere, available for all." Lex pounded away. This was harder and more violent than it had ever been back home. He felt his balls swing against Bill with each thrust. Then he felt them draw up. "I'm getting close, Bill." "So am I, mate." With a great cry they both came at the same time. "That's the way I like it. My arse will be telling me that you've been there for the next day. That's what I like!" For the next ten days Lex only went with Bill. The ship was all the time sailing south. They put into Tenerife where they took on supplies of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, and refilled all the water casks. Those who did not have work to do explored the island. The six clerks tended to do things together, and they rented a small cottage for the few days of their stay. After ten days the London set sail and made its way southward. The days became even hotter, as the sun moved steadily towards being over head. This was the shortest stage of the whole voyage just to the Portuguese held Cape Verde Islands. Again fresh supplies and the all important water were taken on board. They set said for Cape Town. The steady trade winds died away and they were into the doldrums. That region of the oceans where the wind is uncertain, can blow from any direction, or not at all. Every day they looked for cat's paws of wind on the oily surface of the ocean. Tempers became frayed. Down below was too hot and stuffy, and Bill and Lex stopped meeting. "When we get further south into the southern trades we'll be fine again." said Bill. There was the equator to be crossed. There had been growing mutterings about the fate of all the passengers and several of the crew who had never crossed the equator before. The Captain reckoned they would be passing it at noon. In the morning all those to be initiated were ushered below. The ladies were told not to appear on deck as King Neptune's rites were not to be observed by the fair sex! At noon all those to be initiated were brought up on deck to watch the arrival of King Neptune and his court. These were crew men from one of the other ships. Neptune was a ship's carpenter, and was dressed up in elaborate robes, and holding a huge trident in his hand. He was escorted by six mermaids - crew members dressed up as `fishy' women! They were all naked except for a tight thong which endeavoured to conceal, but emphasised, their manhoods. There were painted all over with scales, and each carried a small trident. Neptune inspected all those to be initiated, making crude comments about them all. He then sat on a specially prepared throne, and ordered the ceremonies to begin. Those to be initiated were sent below again. First four members of the crew were then brought up on deck. They were told to strip off their clothes. The mermaids made a close inspection of the candidate's bodies, making coarse and disparaging remarks about the physique and the sexual endowments of the men. No one was spared. A huge barrel had been filled with a foamy white liquid. This was applied to the four candidates in turn so that their bodies were soon covered with froth. A huge wooden razor was produced and the white substance was scrapped off the candidate's bodies. Special attention was paid to the interesting parts of their anatomies. Every so often there was a ear piercing scream from a member of the crew, which could be clearly heard by those waiting to be initiated. When the candidates had been shaved, buckets of sea water were thrown at them until every vestige of the white liquid had been removed. This involved another careful inspection my the mermaids. Armpits, crotches, and arses receiving the most thorough attention. They were then clothed in a loin cloth and made to stand in the fo'c'sle and watch proceedings. Several of the loin cloths had large red patches on them. When all the candidates among the crew had been initiated a bowl was produced in which were two finger sized objects and small round balls of meat. All were covered by a blood coloured liquid. When it came to the passengers to be initiated the ribald comments increased, and the inspections ever more intimate. "We had one or two accidents with the earlier ones," said King Neptune, pointing to the bowl with the bloody pieces in it. "But the mermaids are getting a bit better at it." One by one the passengers were initiated. Several were quite fearful and thought they might well lose their manhood, or at least have their equipment seriously damaged. Finally when all had been initiated Neptune prepared to leave. He ordered everyone to strip naked. Instead of shaking hands he shook the cock of everyone, making a comment on each one, usually to the embarrassment of the victim, especially if it showed any sign of hardening at his touch. He and his mermaids went down into the ship's boat and began to row away. All those initiated were send below. Half an hour later when they were allowed to return on deck there was no sign of the activities that had taken place on the deck. The celebrations of `crossing the line' were a short relief in the passage of the doldrums. The captain said they had crossed the line three times, as they had drifted back north in the following night. Then the southern trades picked up. And using the wind the ships began to make their way towards Cape Town. It was on this stretch of their journey that Lex made his first visit to the hold without Bill. He went in, and when his eyes adjusted to the gloom he saw that the hold was empty. He decided to wait, so he sat down. He must have been there for about a quarter of an hour when the door opened and a man entered. Lex thought he was one of the Ship's junior officers. He came and sat down next to Lex. His hand immediately began to feel Lex's crotch. "Get it out lad. Let me see what you've got there." Lex extracted his prick. "That feels a good un." The man extracted his own, and Lex got of hold of a thick though not particularly long male member. The sailor knelt in front of Lex. "Get those britches off, I want to give you a good sucking." Lex obeyed and for the next few minutes enjoyed a good sucking. When he felt he was approaching his climax, he pushed the man's head away. "I don't want to shoot too soon. Let me suck you, if I can get your thick pizzle in my mouth." The man laughed. "Take as much as you can." He stood up, removed his britches, and changed places with Lex. The sailor's prick was certainly the thickest that Lex had so far encountered, he was only able to concentrate on the head, but this seemed to satisfy the sailor. They took turns in sucking each other, stopping whenever the climax approached. They had been in the hold for quite a while when the door opened and two men slipped in. One was a crew member and the other Lex recognised as one of the soldiers on board. They stripped all their clothes off, watching Lex and his sailor all the time. They stood there playing with their hard pricks. "Don't just stand there ogling like a couple of shy virgins at a wedding," said the sailor who was being sucked by Lex. He reached out and grabbed the men's pricks and brought them closer. He played with their pricks and balls, and felt all round. "I'll take my mate, and you my young fella, take the soldier." Lex turned on his knees so he was facing the soldier. He placed the prick in his mouth and began to suck. The solder started stroking Lex's hair and, and playing with his ears. "Steady on, lad. I want to hold my fire." He pulled Lex to his feet and began to feel Lex's crack. "You've got a nice bum, young man. I want to get my jock right in there. Are you game?" "Yes." Lex reached for the store of grease, and lubricated himself and the soldier's jock. "How do you want me?" "Kneel over that box, and I'll do you hard." Lex knelt down with his arse raised for the soldier. Soon he felt the military ramrod touch his arse hole. The soldier pushed and was soon deep into Lex. "That's perfect. Where have you sprung from, young un. I haven't seen you in here before." "Waiting for you," replied Lex with a giggle. "I don't want you to fire, because I want you to fire inside me. Is that all right with you, young fella?" "Great. Take your time." The soldier did take his time, but he certainly knew how to give pleasure as well as how to take it. He fired a good salvo into Lex. "And you didn't fire. So you're still fully loaded?" "Yes, fully loaded. Been arming myself since yesterday evening." "Good lad. Now where's that stuff to get us both ready?" Lex got the grease, handed him the grease. The soldier slapped a good load onto Lex prick, but did not play around doing it as he didn't want any premature firing from Lex. He knelt down and greased himself. "In you come, my young friend. Let me see if you can give as well as you can take." Lex placed his prick at the entrance to the soldier's arse hole, and just held it there for a moment. The soldier sighed, then Lex pushed just the head in. Once he was in he stopped. He pushed a little further, and then pulled back until his prick as almost out. Each time he penetrated a little further. "Cor, mate. That's wonderful. Where did you learn to do it like that? There are too many who just shove it in and jiggle it about and then fire, all before you can say `Jack Robinson'." Lex worked to give this soldier a maximum amount of pleasure, but all too soon he was firing into the man. Lex had several similar encounters with those on board who liked to engage in that activity. It was not every male on board who paid visits to that particular hold, but quite a high percentage, yet many of them were now looking forward to penetrating some females when they got to Cape Town. It was mid January when the London and the other ships in the convoy arrived at Cape Town. This was a necessary stop for doing those things that only could be done to the ship when in a harbour, and also to take on board victuals and water for the second half of the voyage to India. For all on board it was a welcome opportunity to set foot and sleep on dry land and see a different country. The East India clerks tended to go around together. Again they found some accommodation for the three and a half weeks they were in Cape Town. They made their way to the top of Table Mountain, and admired the view for about half an hour before the table cloth was laid, - the clouds came over. A few made independent ways to enjoy the strumpets in a Corinth. [18th Century slang for a brothel] For the crew it was a busy time, the usual revictualling, but also work that could only be done in port had to be done on the ship. Their time in Cape Town was soon over and the London and her sister ships put out to sea. The Cape of Good Hope may not be as notorious as Cape Horn but it is still a difficult stretch of water. There is a rough meeting of ocean currents. The convoy in 1777 was negotiating that rough area when a violent storm from Antarctica came and added to their misery. The convoy was scattered, and they later learnt that one of the ships had foundered. For three days the wind screeched in the rigging, and the ship was tossed around, and they all existed on cold food. Eventually the winds died away, and they set their course across the Indian Ocean for Calcutta. There was a different mood on the ship. There was now an eager anticipation of getting to India. Their destination was talked about. Those who had been to India before were questioned. Most of the crew had only visited one of the main British ports - Bombay on the west coast, Madras in the south, and Calcutta in Bengal to the north east. London was making its way to Calcutta. Two things happened which were to have consequences for Lex in India. Joseph Fairfax was the passenger who was taking his wife out to India, and he had been to the sub continent before. He was a man in his late forties, but Lex had rarely spoken to him on the first stretch of their journey. One evening found them both watching the sun sinking towards the horizon. The sky was full of colour. "Well, young man, do you expect to make your fortune in India?" "I will need to do something. I have no wish to return to England. A fortune in India would be as good as anywhere. But how possible is it?" "Fortunes have been made in India. Robert Clive made a huge one, and so have others, though perhaps not as spectacularly. It will be up to you." "But what is India like?" "India is a vast country. There are deserts, and jungles. High snow covered mountains, I am told, though I have never seen them." "What are the people like?" "To look at they are darker skinned than we are. Most have black hair, and brown eyes." "Are they friendly?" "They are like people everywhere. Some are friendly, some are not." "What sort of houses do they live in?" "All sorts. Some live in palaces which make St James', or Windsor seem small and mean. Others live in hovels, or even on the streets. In India there are men who could buy out King George many times over; but for every one like that there are thousands who can barely keep body and soul together. What are you good at?" "At school I was good at languages. The usual Latin and Greek, but because I was good at them I also learnt French." "Can you speak French?" "Sort of. I think I am better at writing and reading it." "That might well be useful to you. The Frenchies cause us a lot of trouble out here. They would like us out of India, and we would like them out of it. My wife speaks French well. Why don't you brush up you spoken French by talking with her. I gather her accent is quite good." "You think that would be useful." "Yes, it might be very useful." "What do the natives speak? Indian?" John Fairfax laughed. "I don't think anyone has counted all the different languages spoken in India. Many of them are similar, probably coming for the same original language. The Moghul court uses Persian, especially for diplomacy." "Persian!" "Yes. The Moghul conquerors originally came from Persia." "If you want to see something of the country, and get around, it is useful to learn something of some of the main languages." "What religion are they?" "There are almost as many religions as languages. The Moguls are Moslems, and their influence is stronger to the north and in parts of Bengal. There are many Hindus and Buddhists, as well as countless other religions." "It all sounds very complicated." Joseph Fairfax laughed. "Everything about India is complicated. Nothing is simple. That is why it is such an exciting country." "Have you a word of advise for a young man like me, going out there?" Mr Fairfax thought for a moment. "A third of those who come out to India from England die in the first year! A third go to the dogs, and end up no good. Criminals, or in abject poverty, begging for help from their compatriots. A third survive, make a living, and some of those make a very respectable living." "I can't do much about the first third, but I can endeavour not to get into the second third." "You can do a lot about keeping out of the first third. Many die because they were foolish. Take care what you eat and what you drink. Water is often dirty and dangerous. Alcohol is safe, but too much and you know what trouble that can lead to. Tea is safe, especially if the water is well boiled. Fruit is safer if you eat the flesh only, and not the skin. The piper's wives in a the Punch Houses of Calcutta are dangerous. [Prostitutes in a brothel - 18th Century slang] They had their own diseases and we have brought our own from Europe. Up country the women can be safer." Lex did not add that he was unlikely to sample any woman. The sun had by now set. "I wish you well, young Penbarton. I'll suggest to my wife that the two of you have some French talk. I know she would enjoy that, and it might well help you get on." On the days of the remaining two months of their voyage Lex and Mrs Fairfax spent and hour in French conversation. His fellow clerks thought he was mad! The second thing with consequences happened one afternoon when Lex went down to the hold. It must not be thought that he did this every day. He usually went once or twice a week. He went into the gloom of the hold, and realised very soon there was someone else there. His eyes took a while to adjust, whereas the other man immediately recognised him. "Lex." "Whose that?" "I didn't know you came down here." "Who is it. My eyes haven't adjusted yet." "It's me. Sam." "Sam from our cabin?" "Who did you think? I've been wanting to get my hands on you since the day we set sail." "Really?" "Yes. That pizzle of yours calls out to be sucked, and as for your arse, my pizzle gets a horn every time I just think about you." "Thanks! I thought I was the only one of us lads to come down here." "I come down here when I'm desperate. Fred also comes down." "Fred too!" "I caught him down here just before we crossed the line." "Three of us!" "Now let me relieve my frustrations. Get that pizzle of yours out, I want to get a hand to it, and then give it a good long suck." Lex took his britches off, and stood in front of Sam, who was already stark naked. Sam reached forward and took hold of Lex prick. "That's better than just getting a glimpse of it when we dressed or undressed." He reached with his other hand and cupped Lex's balls. "I bet this lot can produce a mighty big load of spunk." Lex laughed. He reached forward to hold Sam's prick. "We've been wasting time not getting together sooner." "We'll have to make up for lost time, won't we?" Sam got onto his knees and guided Lex's prick into his mouth. He was a tongue expert. Lex felt Sam's tongue exploring every part of his prick. "We have wasted some good time. That's good." Sam stood up, and pressed his body against Lex. "What do you like doing, Lex?" "What you're doing now." He rubbed his hands up and down Sam's back several times, and then started to stroke his smooth buttocks. "Lex, do you like kissing? I know some lads do not." "I like it. Anything that makes for more pleasure." He kissed Sam's mouth, and immediately they were kissing passionately. "I'm so glad you like that." Sam reached down and put his prick under Lex's balls. Lex clamped his legs tightly together. Sam put his hands on Lex's buttocks to they were both pushing against each other. Sam began to work thrusting with his prick. "I'm going to shoot if we carry on like this." "Go on shoot. I am near to shooting too against your belly. Now we've found each other we can do this when ever we like - everyday." They thrust at each other, and very soon Lex felt Sam's prick fire, and the hot liquid begin to drip down the backs of his legs. That set him off and Sam felt Lex's spunk hot against his belly. Breathless, they stood holding on to each other for support. When they eventually made a move they found their spunk had dried and they were stuck together. They laughed as they pulled apart. "Can we do that again tomorrow, Lex?" "Yes. I'd like to." "Shall we tell Fred, and bring him in on it?" "Not straightaway. Let's get to know each other a bit more first." Sam and Lex met down in the hold everyday after that. After ten days they told Fred and he joined them. Fred was the oldest of the new clerks. He was twenty two. He was a muscular man, and with a lot more body hair than the other two. But Lex's closest relationship was with Sam. The London made her way north-east towards the Bay of Bengal. They sighted Ceylon in the distance on their port bow. They did not land as Ceylon was then Portuguese. Though Britain and Portugal maintained their ancient friendly alliance, there was a rivalry out in the east, and to go into Colombo would be to tempt fate. Then one morning they saw the mangrove swamps at the mouth of the Hoogly River. They were conscious of a different heat, from what they had been used to at sea. There was also the smell of the rich damp earth, and rotting vegetation. Soon the first insects started paying a visit. They sailed up the Hoogly, with those new to India, watching the shore pass by, with its occasional small fishing villages. They moored for the night, for the next day they would make their way up to Calcutta. The next morning they made their way past the large and splendid homes of those British men who had succeeded in making a fortune in India. Bengal was, after all, the richest province in India, and was now being despoiled by the victors of Plassey. [1757 See footnote 2] It was late afternoon on 23rd April 1778 that the London eventually moored at Calcutta. The eight month voyage was now over. Everywhere was a scene of activity. The passengers eager to disembark, and to have all their possessions with them. Farewells were said to members of the crew, and to other groups of passengers. The newly recruited clerks were met, and taken to their accommodation. They made their way through the streets of Calcutta. They were immediately conscious of the heat, the smells, and the colours, the activity. Everywhere there were people. London was busy but this was teeming with people, like an overturned anthill. Lex was immediately conscious of the language being spoken. It was utterly strange to him. He wondered if he was hearing more than one language. How would he begin to learn this different language. It is not necessary to go into detail about his first four weeks in Calcutta. His work as a clerk to the English East India Company, is not an essential part of this story. It is sufficient to say that he was kept active. He was soon set to work. He quickly realised that it would be possible to make money if he applied himself. Sam, Fred and Lex had made a decision that if it were possible they would live together. The end of the month saw them renting a small house. They also hired some servants. A cook to see to their bodily needs. A man servant to act as a valet. A servant to clean, and another to see to the washing, and a gardener for the small garden that surrounded the house. The cool season had past, and they were now into three months of hot and dry weather. It was the heat that they found the most difficult to cope with. They had looked forward to sleeping together, but they found that they all slept better in the cooler surroundings of their own beds. This did not mean they did not continue to enjoy each other. It was usually a matter of `who and when'. There were many more occasions when two of them paired up. But there were times when all three got together for a group activity. It was over eight months after leaving Whitgest that Lex eventually sat down and wrote to Thomas. Dear Thomas, I arrived in Calcutta 23rd April 1778 [Lex gave Thomas an account of the voyage, but naturally gave no account of the activities that are of interest to my readers! He described Calcutta.] It is all exceedingly hot, and getting hotter. They say it gets unbearable in June when a thing they call the monsoon breaks. I gather it involves a lot of rain. A few of the Englishmen out here wear Indian clothing in their own homes and informally around the place. This is not allowed when we are at work; but I think they are rather letting the side down by wearing Indian clothes. I have started learning Bengali, which is the local language. All our servants speak that language, which it one of many Indian tongues. They are pleased when I try to speak to them. My house fellows think I am mad trying to learn the language of the servants. But you never know when it may come in useful. But the greater difficulty will be learning to write it. Though Greek has a different alphabet, many of the letters are sufficiently close to our alphabet to be fairly certain of many of the sounds. The script of the language out here is a series of squiggles. I will have to find someone who can teach me to read and write. I think, Tom, you would enjoy the study too. I keep wondering how things are at home. It will be sometime around Christmas, when you eventually read this. You will have been married for over a year. You may even be a father by now! How is Georgina? When you write do tell me about your wedding and how things are in Whitgest. Yes, and tell me about Edward and Caroline. They may not want to hear about me, but I would like to hear about them. How is Artie? I do hope Edward has not sold her. Is Ralph Tooley still looking after her? Whether he is, or not, do give him my regards, and tell him my news. Tell him things are going well, and I am living with a couple of good friends I made on the voyage out here. As I sit here writing this letter it is hard to think that it may well be over a year before I have a reply. I shall make a couple of copies of this letter and send them on different ships in case of shipwreck or pirates. Your loving brother, Alec. *** Footnote:- 1 The details of the London are correct as given. In her time she made three rounds trip. A William Webb was the first captain and his son John succeeded him. The sexual activities of the captain are entirely the author's invention. But she did not sail to India the year that Lex went. 2. The Battle of Plassey 23/06/1757 Robert Clive's force of 3200 men (2/3 sepoys - Indian soldiers) defeated Suraj ud Dowlah's force of 50,000 plus 80 French gunners. This was one of the most important battles in the history of the British in India, ensuring dominance over Indian forces, and the eventual virtual exclusion of the French. This dominance lasted until 1947, when independence was granted to India. 3. I am greatly indebted in this chapter to The Floating Brothel by Sian Rees. This is an account of the voyage of the Lady Julian from London to Sydney, Australia, in 1889-90 transporting over 200 female convicts to the newly founded penal colony in Australia.