Judas Owl (Father Flenn Adventures) by Scott Arnold

Author:Scott Arnold [Arnold, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Farne Press
Published: 2021-11-22T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER Thirty

“Tell me again why we are heading to this part of the stream?”

Samuel was talking with Jenga while stepping gingerly through some marshy bottoms toward a bend underneath a grove of kapok trees. Just ahead, a 10-meter waterfall kept the lifeblood of Uncle Osuroo’s land flowing.

“As I recall, this is where the snakes used to spend their summers when I was a kid,” he said nervously.

“This is autumn. Besides, I was here yesterday,” replied Jenga. “There were no snakes.”

Still, Samuel wasn’t thrilled to be heading toward a portion of the spring that even the cattle avoided. “I wanted to see if you thought we could build a generator underneath the falls. The two watched the water cascading from above, with Samuel keeping a careful lookout for any sign of the venomous puff adders that used to inhabit this area by the score when he was a child. That was why his uncle had never considered using the waterfall for electricity.

Jenga stared up to the top of the falls. “If my calculations are correct, we could generate a turbine efficiency rate of 37 percent.”

Samuel stared at him. “That’s pretty damned precise.”

Jenga shrugged. “I like being precise, Sammy. I used to help my brothers build water generators. Just one of many things we did with our father. Anytime you raise an object off of the ground it gains potential energy. I have measured the mass flow rate, and if we multiply the flow rate times the density of water at 1000 kilograms-a-meter-cubed we would a rate of 2,00 kilograms a second. Then, I simply multiplied the mass flow rate by the height of the falls to find how much power we will generate. Once I plugged in all the numbers, I came up with the answer. The savings to your uncle would be significant.”

Samuel’s chin dropped. “Jenga, I had no idea…”

“What? That I am intelligent as well as strong?”

“That’s not what I meant. You never cease to amaze me. Engineering used to be my specialty…. why would someone with your aptitude for such things be working as a field hand?”

Jenga looked as if he’d just received an elbow to the gut. “There is no need for insults.”

Samuel held up his hands. “I meant no insult. I’m just surprised, that is all.”

“What I do is important work—good work. And I am not a field hand, as you put it. I am foreman of one of the richest pieces of land in all of Archer’s Post.”

“I apologize, Jenga. You are correct; I meant no harm… what?” Jenga’s gaze had suddenly fallen to the ground behind Samuel. “Ow!”

A snake had struck Samuel just above the boot on his left leg. He whipped around, only to have the giant adder strike again, this time its sharp fangs only met the thick leather of Samuel’s right boot.

Thwack!

A knife pinned the adder between eyes and earth, killing it instantly. “Good God, you are an expert with knives, as well?” exclaimed Samuel. “Hurry, help me tie a tourniquet and then get me back to the house.

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