Chapter 52
Patty and the group came over first thing in the morning for breakfast. The assembled group had decided to have as many of their meals together as they could, but there was food in both houses just in case. They discussed putting a tunnel between the two properties but it was tabled for the immediate term. Patty asked if Tom could be relieved from clearing the new property long enough to help them get a garden started. It was decided they would just extend the current garden as it would be quicker and they were only a few hundred yards away.
Over the next few months, the small group continued to thrive, there was the occasional visitor and they were invited to stay for a meal as long as they exchanged a little labor for it. Most of them were glad for the opportunity to fill their stomachs and word soon got around that if anyone was hungry, there was a meal to be had. Not free, but worth every bit of effort it took.
With all the fuel tanks topped off and the pantry over flowing, Janet and Frank discussed the possibility of adding a few more people to their group. There was a couple that had become pretty regular at showing up to work and eat. Frank had noticed that both of the them regularly saved some of their meal and took it with them. Janet said it looks like they may be feeding someone else, maybe children. Frank thought it would be a good idea to approach them and try to find out more about them. Janet agreed.
“John was overseeing the drying of all the boards he and Tom had cut with the portable sawmill. “I think we could sell some of this, it is ready to use, the only problem is nobody has any money to buy it.' he said.
Tom was quick to agree, “We might as well be cutting firewood and preparing lumber, there is no market for it and the firewood would be less work.”
“I don't know Tom,” said John, “Something tells me we need to make as much building ready lumber as we can. We can always cut firewood, but there is a nagging voice in my head that says cut lumber.”
“Well, I haven't heard anything, but I will bow to your intuition and we will make lumber,” said Tom.
Back at the house, there was potential trouble at the gate. There were no less than a dozen people demanding to be let in and except for the young couple they want to talk to, Frank didn't recognize any of them.
“Get on the radio and let Terry know what's going on and then let Dad and Tom know. This could get nasty,” Frank warned.
Frank walked out to the gate and called the couple to the front, “Do you two know any of these people,” asked Frank?
“We have never seen them before,” the young man answered, clearly nervous. “They started following us just outside of town and we were sure we would be robbed.”
“Well, I got a bad feeling about them. I am going to let you two in. You go straight to the house and Janet will let you in the house. I am going to delay this group a little, we have some help on the way.”
Frank radioed Janet and told her the couple were on the way up, and to let them in. Janet told Frank that Terry was going to approach the crowd from behind and Tom and his Dad were flanking them.
“I am going to try and stall them for a minute if I can. It may be nothing, but we need to know for sure,” Frank said.
“If everyone will get in a line, we will be going to the fields in just a minute. Now I haven't seen any of you before, so I need to get a little information from each of you.”
Frank was scouring the area behind the crowd and was relieved when he saw Terry and Patty, taking up shooting positions. He knew Janet and June would be shooting form the hous and Tom and his Dad should be in position by now.
“This is the way it works,” Frank began, “We will work from now until around noon, and then there will be a break for about forty five minutes while we eat and take care of any personal issues you need to take care of. No one is allowed into the house or barn, unless you area accompanied by a resident. No offense, but I don't know any of you and if that offends you, you can leave now. Snacks will be handed out on the way to the gardens, but there will be no other feeding until the noon break.”
“We're hungry now,” a voice from the crowd called out, “Why can't we eat first.”
“Because that is not how it works,” Frank shouted back, “We have a system here that works and if you are not willing to work within our boundaries, you might need to hit the road.”
“How about we just come and take what we want, we have you outnumbered,” said another voice.
“I think that would be a foolish move on your part,” Frank re countered, “Now if anyone is interested in working for a meal, according to the rules I laid out, come to the front, if you are not interested, move along.”
An elderly man and a young boy walked to the from of the crowd. The old man was stooped and frail looking. “Me and my grandson would like to work for a meal,” said the old man, “I might not look like much, but I can give you a good day's labor.”
“Come on in,” Frank said, “go up to the main house and wait for me there. Anyone else?”
“We ain't leaving without a meal,” said the loudmouth from earlier. “Now you go and fetch us some food or we will take everything.”
There were several nods of agreement and Frank thought this had gone on long enough. He keyed the mic on his radio and told everyone to show themselves. John and Tom stood up and had their rifles directed at the assembled mob. Patty and Terry did likewise and Janet and June let themselves be seen at the house.
“Move along,” Frank said rather forcefully, and don't come back or you will be shot.
“Oh, we'll be back,” said the loudmouth, “and when we do, we will be armed.”
“Then maybe we should just shoot you now,” said Frank.
The assembled mob broke and ran with more than a few curses and threats thrown back over their fleeing shoulders.
“You know,” said Terry, “They will be back.”