Young Indiana Jones: Adventures Out West
Chapter One

by IndyAnna





To help you visualize, here's a pic of Indy.

And here's a pic of Professor Jones.



The town of Princeton, New Jersey was typical for the times. The Square was the central point. It had an ornate gazebo and park with carefully trimmed trees and intricate gardens. The public buildings that lined the four intersecting streets were brick and ornate. The homes along the streets that branched off the square were large and victorian in style. One of these homes, about a half a mile from the square was that of Professor Henry Jones and his teenage son, Henry Jones Jr (Indy). The year is 1915 and Indy is almost 16, his birthday is a month away. He is a good looking young man, at least the girls say so, he never really thought about it. He is athletic, but somewhat accident prone, a 'klutz' some might say and his pursuit of adventure, mostly thought of as mischief by his father, has landed him in trouble on quite a few occasions. Professor Jones teaches at Princeton Unniversity located on the outskirts of the town. He is a tall man, and looks more like a rancher than a professor. He is described by most people who meet him as intimidating.



It was late. Way past dark and as Indy passed the clock tower on the square he noticed the time.

"Oh, no! Ten thirty!" he gasped out loud. He picked up his pace, almost at a full run now. His curfew was nine o'clock on school nights. The soda shop he worked at closed at eight and, after cleaning up he usually had plenty of time to get home. Tonight he stopped at Nancy's to bring her and her parents some ice cream. Nancy was a girl in Indy's class at school that he was sweet on and bringing her ice cream was all part of his finely woven plan to be sure she went with him to the school dance and not Butch.

As he neared his house he noticed the light in his Dad's study was on and decided to sneak in the back door and up the back steps, hopefully unnoticed. Professor Jones was usually so involved with his work that Indy had a fifty/fifty chance, but unfortunately, not tonight. Hearing the back door creak, Professor Jones called out, "Junior! Come in here!"

Indy jumped at the voice and let out a heavy sigh, his shoulder's slumping as he slowly made his way to the study. His father always called him 'Junior' no matter how many times he asked him to call him Indy. He would have settled for Henry even, but Junior? He hated 'Junior'.

Indy entered 'The Study'. His father's room. Most times when he was there he was in for a lecture and often punishment. Just being in the room made him nervous and he never entered without his father's permission. He rubbed the seat of his pants as he remembered the outcome of that little excursion a couple years back. His father was at his desk, his attention focused on a piece of paper in front of him. Nervously, Indy rocked side to side, wringing his hands and mentally willing his voice not to crack. He pushed back a lock of sandy blond hair, but it immediately fell back over his forehead.

"Sir?" he softly spoke, "You w-wanted to see me?"

"What? Oh, Junior. Yes, have a seat."

Prof. Jones stood and turned his desk chair out and around so it was sideways to the desk. He was at least a foot taller than his son and for some reason always seemed even bigger when Indy thought he was in trouble. His dark hair was graying and his mustache matched it. Indy quickly crossed the room and sat, not sure if this was a good sign or not. His father rested his large hands on his shoulders for a moment then went around him to lean on the desk.

"I have something I want to talk to you about. I've got some time coming now that fall classes have ended and my intern and his new assistant are taking over the next quarter. I've gotten word from a colleague of mine out west of a very interesting nature and I've decided to go out there and help with the dig and research."

"I guess this means you'll be away for awhile, Sir." Indy slumped down in the chair. "Who will I be staying with this time?" A slight whine working it's way into his voice.

"I want you to come with me and don't slouch Junior."

"You do?" Indy asked excitedly as he sat up straight. "When do we go? Are we going by train? Gee, what about school and..."

"Whoa, slow down. I've got everything all set. We leave next Monday. Here's a note for you to take to school, now off to bed with you."

Indy took the note and headed for the door, his head already full of thoughts of horses and cowboys.

"Just a minute, young man." His father's voice took on a stern quality and Indy stopped in his tracks and turned, his eyes widening with surprise to find his father right in front of him. Professor Jones grabbed Indy's arm, yanked him sideways and delivered a swift, hard swat to the seat of his pants.

"Ouch!" Indy yelped as he was spun back to face his father.

"Don't think I didn't notice you missed your curfew, young man." His father said loudly, shaking his arm at each word for emphasis. "And you'd better not have any homework that hasn't been done yet, do you?"

"No, Sir!" he said shaking his head from side to side, his free hand wanting to rub his backside.

"Good! Then off to bed with you!" His father turned him toward the door and delivered another stinging swat, sending Indy on his way with a jump and another yelp. "I mean right to bed, young man. If I find you awake when I come up there, you'll feel more than my hand."

"Yes, Sir!" came Indy's response as he scurried up the stairs. Thoughts of the wild west, cowboys, indians and ghost towns filled Indy's head and he found it impossible to fall asleep, but he did a good job of faking it when his father checked on him. He tried to think of how to tell Nancy he wouldn't be there for the dance, but all to soon his eyes became heavy and sleep was short to follow. A dream filled sleep full of wondrous adventures in the wild west.



The following Monday came and went and now Indy was already 2 days closer to the west and the promise of adventure. The train had made stops in Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne, all of which was entered in his journal. The journal was his father's idea way back when he was a little kid, but Indy warmed to it quickly and found it a pleasant way to pass the time on the long trips he'd been on over the years. He was also required to keep up his studies and that he was not too happy about. He really didn't look forward to his father tutoring him. The relationship between Indy and his father was more like that of teacher and student than father and son. They both found it hard to talk to each other and thus kept their conversations light. Up until three years ago when his mother passed away, Indy very rarely saw his father and was raised primarily by his mother. The father/son relationship was a strained one. Not only from his father's rather distant personality, but also because of Indy's feelings of resentment toward his father for not being there for him when he was younger. He certainly respected his father, but he had a rebellious side as well that caused them to lock horns on many occasions. And that along with some youthful irresponsibility caused him to have a sore backside many times too.

Through the night the train chugged along and by morning Indy and his father were at another stop in Hannibal, Missouri. The porter walked through the car announcing that this stop would only be an hour long and not to leave the depot.

"Junior," Prof. Jones said as he stood gathering a few papers. "I'm going to send a telegram from the station, I want you to stay right here. Do not get off the train."

"Oh, Dad! Let me come with you. I'm tired of just sitting here. Please?" He couldn't stop the whine in his voice because he was truly bored.

"Junior!" His father warned. "Just do as I say."

"Pleease?" Indy whined.

Professor Jones put his hands on Indy's shoulders and bent at the waist till their faces were a couple inches apart. In a stern, meaningful voice he said, "Young man, you will stay on this train. And I can assure you, you will be one sorry boy if you don't do what I say."

"Yes, Sir." Indy said, the disappointment evident in his voice as well as the slight pout on his face. He turned to stare out the window as his father left to send his telegram. As he watched his father leave the train and walk toward the depot, unwise thoughts rapidly went through his head. It's not fair! I don't know why I can't go. He probably wouldn't notice anyway. He spotted a small general store not far from the station and within seconds he had a plan.

As he left the train the plan was complete. He'd use his pocket money to buy some candy for the long ride still ahead and he would get back on the train a car or two back and return to his seat from inside the train. That way, if his father did get back before him, he could tell him he was just walking through the cars to stretch his legs. It sounded easy enough and as he neared the building his father went in he ducked down an alley and behind the depot just to be sure he wasn't spotted. Unfortunately he had to go quite a way till he found another alley that cut back to the main street. Now he was past the store and had to backtrack. Indy entered the General Store and it looked to him that the whole town was in there. Apparently he wasn't the only one who had the idea for he recognized many train passengers in there as well. He finally found the candy counter and tried to get the attention of the clerk. The clerk was an older lady who was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden rush of customers. He had no choice but to wait till she finished with the few people in line before him. As the time passed he became nervous and went to the window to check for the train, but that caused him to lose his place and two more people were now in front of him. Finally it was his turn and he was one of the last people still in the store, not a good sign. He told the lady what he wanted as he put a quarter on the counter. The lady clerk put licorice and jaw breakers in the bag.

"Lemon drops too please, Ma'am." Could she be any slower Indy thought to himself. As she handed the bag to him the train whistle sounded. "OH NO!" Indy grabbed the bag, stuffed it in his pocket and bolted out of the store. He ran full steam to the train, but he was still at least 30 yards away as it started to slowly pull out of the station.

"NO! NO! Wait!" He frantically waved his arms as he ran. "Please, WAIT!" As he closed the distance the shape of his father was clearly visible on the platform of their car and he DID NOT look happy. Indy ran as fast as he could and made it to the last car in time to jump on. He rested there, catching his breath. As he calmed down he had a sudden flash of his father watching him run to catch the train. His stomach flipped and the color drained from his face. He knew he was in trouble, big trouble.

While Indy was recovering from his run Professor Jones was quickly making his way to the back of the train, his anger increasing with each step. "Of all the stupid..." he mumbled to himself. "I told him not to leave the train." His step quickened. "Excuse me.....pardon me..." He made his way through two cars and just as he entered the next he saw the porter walking up the aisle with Indy in tow.

The porter witnessed the boy jump on the train and now held Indy's arm in a death grip as he fought the urge to spank the daylights out of the kid. He intended to take the boy to his father and stress his opinion about the foolhardy stunt when all of a sudden the boy stopped dead in his tracks. Following his captive's terror filled gaze he saw a large, angry man making his way down the aisle. Indy tried to back away, but his arm was caught tight in the porter's grip.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Indy repeated over and over. He couldn't get away from the porter, but he could use him as a buffer between him and his father.

"I take it he belongs to you." The porter sounded very agitated.

"Yes, he's mine." Noticing they were getting an audience, Prof. Jones motioned to the back of the car, "Shall we take this back there."

They moved to the back of the car, tears stinging at the backs of Indy's eyes. He was trying not to cry, but he was scared. He stood silently with his head lowered as his father spoke to the porter.

"Your son did a very foolhardy thing, Sir. If he were mine, he wouldn't sit for a week."

Indy still managed to fight back the tears, but his chin started to quiver knowing full well his father had that same idea in mind. "I agree totally. Could we use the baggage car for a bit?"

"Why yes Sir, right this way, Sir." The porter smiled wide and released Indy's arm as he held open the door.

Indy felt his other arm gripped firmly by his father's large hand and he glanced up only to quickly look away. His father could look very scary when he was angry and right now he was very angry. Indy's heart was pounding and his breathing was rapid as he felt himself lead to the baggage car. As they entered he fought the forward motion, "Please Dad! I'm sorry! Please!"

"Not as sorry as you're going to be young man!" Prof. Jones threatened as he pushed Indy further into the baggage car and released his arm. "If you don't mind," he turned to the porter, "I'd like a little privacy."

"Hmm!" snorted the porter. He was looking forward to watching the cute boy get what he had coming to him. Knowing that wasn't going to be, he turned and left the car, closing the door behind him. He figured once the man got started, he wouldn't notice him watching through the window anyway.

A sniff escaped from Indy and a tear ran down one cheek. "Don't you start crying yet, young man. You'll have plenty to cry about in a minute!" Prof. Jones quickly scanned the car and spotted a large trunk in the center. "Drop your pants and bend over that trunk, young man!" He pointed and Indy turned his head to see the indicated spot.

"Dad, pleeeeease! Don't!" Indy pleaded.

"NOW!"

Slowly, Indy went to the trunk and stood there facing it, not quite able to do what he had to do next. He looked back over his shoulder in time to see his father remove his belt. His lips formed the word 'Dad', but no sound came out. His face scrunched up as he realized there was no way out of this.

"Drop the pants AND the underwear, young man." his father directed.

Indy drew in a deep breath and bit his lip realizing he was now going to feel the belt on his bare backside. He pulled his arms out of the suspenders, letting them drop and slowly unbuttoned his pants and underwear. He pushed them to just below his butt and bent over the trunk. As he grabbed the other side he wondered if the owner of this trunk would ever know that a half naked teenager was draped over it getting his backside tanned. He felt his father push his pants down to his knees and he balled his hands into fists and clenched his teeth as he waited for the first stroke to fall.

"That was a very dangerous thing you did Junior. You could have been killed and I intend to make sure you never want to try that again." That said, Prof. Jones lifted his arm and brought the belt down swiftly across the white backside of his naughty son. The red line bloomed quickly and was soon joined by two more.

"Ahhhh!" Indy's head shot up then settled back down. He was determined and stubborn enough to prove to his father he could take it without acting like a baby.

Prof. Jones fell into a rhythm, the strokes of belt falling in time with the clacking of the wheels. He didn't talk, he just watched as the backside before him went from red to deep crimson. Indy began rolling his head side to side, moaning louder and louder. He couldn't take it any longer,

"OUUUCH!" he yelped. "STOP! DAD! STOP PLEEASE!!" He tried to move his butt out of the way, as much as the position would allow. He was crying now, his shoulders shaking with sobs. "STOP DAD! PLEASE! I'M SORRY! I'M SOOOOORRRY!!!!" He repeated it over and over as the tears rolled freely.

Prof. Jones was almost satisfied but wanted to be sure that sitting for the rest of the trip was going to be painful and he concentrated on the 'sit spot' until the lower half of his son's backside was a very deep red. He even landed a few strokes on the upper thighs noting the increased volume in the cries to stop.

"I'm sooorrry! I'm soooorrry!" Indy repeated over and over not realizing his father had stopped, his breath hitching every time he inhaled.

Prof. Jones put on his belt and sat on the trunk next to Indy. He wasn't a very tender man and rarely hugged his son or anyone for that matter, but he rested his hand on Indy's back until he managed to get himself a little under control.

"That was a very dangerous thing you did son." He said over the sobbing. "I was so scared when I saw you running after the train. I don't know what I would do if I lost you." He moved his hand in small circles over the shaking back trying to calm his son. "Promise me you'll never do that again."

"I promise. hic I promise. I'm sorry, Dad. So sorry." Indy sobbed pitifully.

"I know, I know." The elder Jones continued to sooth his son to the best of his abilities. "Stand up Junior. Let me help you." He helped Indy to his feet and slowly pulled up his pants.

"Oowwww!" Indy yelped and winced as they went over his burning cheeks. If the cotton pants hurt this much, he thought, how was he ever going to sit down for the two remaining days of the train ride. He wiped his hand over his face and eyes a couple times and pushed back his sweat soaked hair. "Dad.... I am really s-sorry."

"I know you are now." The usual professor tone back in his voice. "Let's go back to our seat." He put his hand on the back of Indy's neck and guided him out of the baggage car. Indy wiped his sleeve over his face again and again. He knew anyone who looked at him could tell he'd been crying and they'd probably guess what else happened too. His face was flushed with embarrassment and his head remained lowered as they walked through the cars.

The porter had wisely left when the actual punishment had ended, but he intended to tell the conductor all about it knowing he'd appreciate the fact that the boy was soundly punished for jumping on the moving train.

Luckily the train was not crowded and the seats around Indy and his dad were unoccupied. Prof. Jones sat down and went back to his papers while Indy stood and looked out the window for a minute.

"Sit down Junior." His father directed without looking up from his work.

"Yes, Sir." Slowly Indy eased himself down on the seat. Thank God they were padded, but he still winced as his sore cheeks met the seat. He ended up leaning on his hip with one leg folded up under the other taking the weight off his butt. He rested his head against the cool glass of the window and watched the changing scenery as the train sped along. Only one thought repeated over and over in his head,this is going to be a very long two days.