The Field

Today the sprinkles of rain stretch out into short drenchings. The clouds that cover the sky in uniform dove gray from horizon to horizon occassionally open up on the camp and the island. A large flock of those strange geese have touched down and, despite the rain, are honking happily out on the lake and dining on the seaweed that floats just below the surface. The wind is low and the humidity is high. It's a little bit cooler than it has been lately and plenty of people are bundling up with wool socks or shawls or ponchos made by Helena. They don't keep the rain off but they do help a little.

Nefertiti draws a crowd when she rides a great big male grazer right into camp at mid-day. Barebacked and using nothing but her knees and a leather rein made from some of Bazzer's earliest skins. The strong young animal withstands the excitement of the tribe gathering around him to take turns congratulating her on her success. Nefertiti confesses that the training of the grazer has been rewarding and expects to convert his entire family herd into useful members of their little society. She offers to ride out with the men hauling lumber back to test the bull-grazer (whom she named Dawbo) in his ability to pull heavy loads. Good news for such a rainy day!