Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue #1 by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 1632 and Beyond
Published: 2023-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

Near Wünschendorf

Robert and Lester were fast asleep when Eitel returned just after dark. Robert decided that, since it wasn't Deanna's house, Belle could sleep with him, and she lay curled up at his feet.

Just before sunrise, the door opened, and light from a lantern spilled into the room. Eitel stood behind the lamp. "Herr Butcher? Are you awake? Time to begin, I think."

Robert sat up and slid his legs off the bed. Belle jumped down and pushed her muzzle into his calf. "Yup. We're up. C'mon, Belle, let's get you outside."

Breakfast was the dinner leftovers and gruel, warmed up over the fire. Robert thanked God they had brought some seasoning as these people had none, and gruel was a sad affair without it.

By the time the scrawny rooster in the yard was greeting the sun, they had the reaper down and assembled and were hitching up Devil and Gertie. Herr Dorsch and Gese arrived as they led the mules to the nearest field, which ran right up to the barn.

Robert walked over to Gese's father and stuck out his hand. "How ya do? I'm Robert."

Heinrich Dorsch looked at the hand a moment and then grasped it lightly.

Robert smiled and decided not to force a proper shake. With his limited German and Eitel's assistance, they introduced each other. More people arrived as they talked. There were three men older than Robert, four young women between thirteen and thirty, a smattering of children, maybe five ladies aged from forty to sixty, and one quite elderly lady. He gazed at the group. Heinrich must have caught his doubtful look. He spoke to Eitel who translated.

"Herr Dorsch says they are all hard workers. Strong. Even Grandma Schmidt will be helpful."

Robert nodded his head. "No men?"

Eitel's face dropped. "No. I am the only man in the village older than ten and younger than fifty."

Robert pursed his lips and nodded. To change the subject, he motioned everyone to gather round the reaper. He pointed out the important parts. "This here is the cutting bar. It'll cut the grain at any height and the operator can raise or lower the machine depending on the ground or the length stalk you want. These three paddles sweep the grain and stalks onto the platform on the back and the fourth paddle pushes the bundle off onto the ground. That's where you folks come in. You gather it, bind it, and stack it on the wagon that'll follow us."

"How much faster than men with scythes?" asked Eitel.

"If the fields are pretty much like this one, it would take fifteen to twenty men to keep up with what we can do."

As Eitel translated, a murmuring wave went through the group. There were more than a few disbelieving frowns. Robert just smiled. "Well, how 'bout I just show you?" He hopped onto the driver's seat, took a minute to adjust everything, flicked the reins at Devil and Gertie, and called out "Hyup." Belle ran to the front with an excited yip. Robert

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