FESTING USES FORCE A week or so after the supper party Festing started for the settlement with some pieces of a binder in his wagon.

He had bought the machine second-hand, and meant to replace certain worn parts before harvest began, although he doubted if this was worth while.

The drought was ripening the grain prematurely and some of it was spoiled, but he must try to save as much as possible.

Reaching the edge of the wheat, he stopped the team irresolutely, half tempted to turn back, because it seemed unlikely that the old binder need be used.
The wind had fallen; the mosquitoes were about and bit his face and neck.

Everything was strangely quiet, it was very hot, and masses of leaden cloud darkened the horizon.