We then burnt them in a rude kiln, and though at
least one half broke with the heat and our want of skill, still those
that came out whole more than paid me for my toil, and kept up my
wife's stock of delf. Some of the jars were set round with red and blue
beads, and these were put on a shelf as works of art, and kept full of
long dried grass.
The time was now at hand when we must reap our grain and store the ripe
crops that were still on the ground; and, in fact, there was so much to
be done, that we scarce knew what to do first. The truth must be told
that our wants did not keep pace with the growth of our wealth, for the
land was rich, and we had but a few mouths to fill.
We knew that we might leave the roots in the ground for some time, as
the soil was dry, but that the grain would soon spoil; so we made the
corn our first care. When it was all cut and brought home, our next
task was to thresh it. The floor of our store room was now as hard as a
rock, for the sun had dried it, and there was not a crack to be seen.
On this we laid the ears of ripe corn, from which the long straw had
been cut, and sent the boys to bring in such of our live stock as were
fit for the work to be next done.
Jack and Fritz were soon on the backs of their steeds, and thought it
fine fun to make them course round the floor and tread out the grain.
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