Once I was out of sight, as I walked to the Headmaster's study, my hands went down to rub my sore backside. I made my way slowly down the corridors. I was still only wearing some informal sports gear, and must have looke quite a sight as I limped my way along.
As the immediate pain receded, I began to feel quite pleased with the way I'd handled that caning. I was sure the story was already being told in junior dorms - my reputation was pretty safe ! I hadn't humiliated myself - as I'd only cried after the most extreme EXTRA punishment.
It was only begining to dawn on me that all my holiday plans were up in smoke, and that my holiday was going to be made-up of days like this - work and beatings in some measure. I had a horrible feeling that the Head saw beating my backside as some sort of special privilage, to be enjoyed as much as possible.
I was still feeling pretty nervous, as I approached the door to the study, and knocked.
"Enter" I heared
I pushed open the door and peered inside, nervously.
"Well come on in Martin !" barked the Head, "I don't have all day".
I stepped into the room, and observed with some nervousness that the Head was arranging his canes into some sort of order.
He saw me eyeing the canes and said "Don't worry, these aren't for you ! At least not yet. No there for your friends in our special holiday class - they all are still due a caning each".
I signed with relief - I didn't think I could handle another thrashing.
"Now Martin, there were two reasons why I wanted to talk to you". He put down the cane he was dusting, sat on the corner of his desk and continued "firstly, the thrashing you received today."
I gulped nervously - "Yes sir".
"Why do you think you got it ?" he asked.
"Umm, because I was caught writing rude graffitti" I said hesitantly.
"Quite right !" barked the Head, slapping the desk forcefully. "That was a stupid and thoughtless thing to do, and you will repair the damage you have done by repainting the shed you defaced, over this holiday period".
I stood figgiting and stared at the floor as he continued: " So, you think the caning was fair ?"
"Yes sir " I said - knowing I'd just get another caning if I disagreed.
"Good" boomed the Head, " I like it when boys are honest and straightforward fellows! ... You took today's thrashing well - keep it up .."
I smiled uncertainly.
"Now that brings me to the other thing I need to talk to you about. I want you to understand why you have been put into the Holiday school. Your grades are not bad this term - not great, but OK. You could do better - and, my friend, you WILL do better, or your backside will suffer the concequences"
I stiffened at this comment - very aware of the still throbbing pain in my bum..
"But, I had another reason for asking your Father to agree to this. That isn't enough on its own. I need a boy who can be an 'older brother' to these young tearaways. All you boys will share a junior dorm for the holiday. That dorm needs a leader who must be someone they can respect - in other words an older boy with a reputation for trouble! Naturally I thought of you !"
I smiled at this point. As the Head continued: "As you discovered today, this means you'll be caned every bit as hard as them - probably harder, but then again it'll do you good, and you can take it. But I want you to help them deal with this situation, look out for them, and stop any bullying . Now, I can't force you to take this responsibiliy, but you will be part of this holiday school irrespective of your decsision. If you take this on and let me down you'll be thrashed like you've never been thrashed before, but if you complete this assignment for me, I'll make you a Prefect next term."
I was over-whealmed ! "Thank-you sir !" was all I could say.
The Head shook my hand saying "Don't let me down, Oh and don't tell anyone that this is your assignment. You must assume leadership of this group on your own, with no official sanction".
At this he dismissed me. I walked out of the room, passed the line of lads waiting for a caning.
"What's his mood like ?" one of them asked me.
"Not bad , " I said, "but he's going to beat the crap out of you !".The with a wicked grin I walked off down the hall - feeling much better about life.
Until, that is, I got back to my senior dorm. Older boys only had to share with two others. My two best friends were busy packing. They were excitedly looking forward to leaving for the holidays the next day. The three of us had agreed to meet up and go hiking in the mountains over the break.
Now I had to explain that I had to stay at school and have my backside whipped, without telling the most important part.
I walked in quickly and filled them in. They were really disappointed, but equally were fascianted to see my stripes. As was our custom , I dropped my shorts and showed them off.
We were so busy talking that we missed the lights-out bell.
Half an hour later our Housemaster stormed into our dorm, which was fully lit, during a bout of raucous laughter.
He quickly told us that this was unacceptable behaviour, and last night or no last night we should be thrashed for breaking school rules. I tried to explain what had happened, but he just took this as a sgnal that I should be whacked first. We were told to report to his office in five minutes, wearing our thin summer pajammas.
I nervously knocked on his door, and he told us all to come in..
Again, I tried to explain - as I wasn't sure I could take another caning. He picked on me first and grabbed me by the arm and pulled me over to his desk where he forceds me to bend over. I could feel the thin cotton pull tightly over my bum, offering almost no protection.
The Housemaster said : "It's six for you Martin, don't bother counting".
He drew back a thin whippy cane, and whacked it into my bum, One, two three, four , five, six times.
I could barely draw breath. My butt was re-enflamed with pain. Tears fell off my face as I sobbed.
My housemaster was stunned - he was use to me taking this sort of punishment regaularly. One of my mates explained what had happened to me. So I was helped up. And watched silently as my two friends both bent over in turn, their muscular butts revealed by tight shorts, as they silently took the punishment .
I was never more sorry that they weren't going to be at Holiday School with me.
To be continued.