The Second Saga: Part Thirteen

The caravan of workers continued slowly on its way toward Nitaa the Cutters cottage, Oggin was sure that Bob Junior was looking ‘smug’ but tried not to think about it, he found the thought of a ‘smug’ Donkey too much to handle. The teenagers followed along behind, still throwing fir cones at each other and the occasional “Ouch” followed by a raucous laugh, betrayed a hit. For the most part Bob Weaver was quiet and Oggin guessed he was trying to make sense of The Stone Woman’s visit, something Oggin had given up trying to do years before.

They arrived outside Nitaa’s gate and there was a brief discussion on the best way to get the midden cover into the back garden and in the end it was decided that it would be best to carry it through on its side, with the slide at the top. As Oggin helped to remove the ropes holding it on the cart, he got his first close look at Bob’s handiwork. He was extremely impressed, there wasn’t a single iron nail or screw used in the whole thing, every joint was fitted to perfection and hardened ‘dowel pins’ used to fasten the entire piece together. The lid was separated from the slide section and three wooden hinges allowed the cover to be lifted up with the slide still in place. All the wood had been sanded smooth and not a rough patch could be seen, even on the underside and then for good measure Bob had applied a light coat of oil to the complete construction, to keep it in good order in all weathers. Despite the weight of the cover, the four of them managed to manhandle it through the gate and into the back garden, where it was placed to one side till needed.

Without being asked, the two boys began clearing the Oggbarrow and tools away from the trench while Oggin and Bob inspected the fence line next to it. Both agreed that a simple hole in the fence, to accommodate the slide would be the easiest option and it should be possible to keep it ‘cat proof’ as well. Now Oggin turned his attention to the bottom of the midden trench. The signs that somebody had recently buried something were only too obvious and as the two men exchanged knowing glances, Oggin wondered what on earth made the ‘clandestine digger’ think this piss poor effort would fool anyone. He told the boys to sit on the pile of stones and grabbing a small spade jumped into the hole. As Bob crouched beside the trench, Oggin set about carefully removing the freshly dug soil and within a minute his spade made contact with a solid object. Placing the spade to one side he cleared the loose soil away by hand and found himself looking at the top of a round tin, he gently eased it out and saw it was about ten inches in diameter and some six inches deep. On the lid Oggin could just make out some printing;

La     sin   De    hat

And under that what appeared to be a picture of a fat ginger rabbit but most of the paint had been rubbed off and rust had taken its place, Oggin looked up at Bob.

“Do you think we should risk opening it Bob.....?”

Bob rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner before replying with a shrug.

“Better’n spend’n the rest off tiime wonder’n wa’ss in ‘un I sess....”

With great care and not a little trepidation, Oggin slowly removed the lid and looked inside. It was a black leather bound book and Oggin showed it to Bob before lifting back the cover to reveal and hand written title page;

The use of Herbs

In the

Colouring of

Hair

By

H’rsh O’Kilarchie

In a flash of inspiration the truth became clear to him, Oggin now knew not only who had hidden the book but also why.

“Wh’a is’sit then Oggin....?” asked Bob

“For the time being my friend, I will say nothing but when we have some privacy I’ll explain it all to you...”

“Fair’nough Oggin....you’da know best.....”

“We’ll just re-bury the tin as we go Bob....you okay with that....?”

“Tha’s fine be I.....le’ss get on with un...afore yon wummin shows er’self....”

“Agreed then...” said Oggin and then raised his voice, “You two boys...you can ‘shift and sieve’ and make a start on sorting the bigger stones out of the pile as well. When the trench is deep enough, the big’un’s go in the bottom and the little’un’s on the top.....Now, one of you two pass me a pick and shovel and let’s get on....”

Once the two boys were not watching, Oggin used the spade to cut a hole in the side of the trench and put the tin in it, out of sight. The work progressed very quickly, Oggin would loosen the soil and break it up and then he and Bob would change places and Bob would throw the spoil up and into the barrow. The two lads worked well, sifting the soil and grading the stones that came out.

The sun had climbed high in the sky when Oggin called a halt for a bit of a break and some food. It struck him as odd the Nitaa the Cutter hadn’t put in an appearance but he could guess why and he didn’t need the distraction anyway. They had done about another hours work when Oggin declared the trench deep enough and told the boys to load the barrow with the bigger stones, while they were distracted, he re-buried the tin in one corner and made sure a really big stone went on top of it. The large drainage stones in the base of the trench had to be placed by hand, one after another, although this was time consuming it was Oggin’s experience that this was the only way to get a good drainage over time. Once he was happy with the bedding layer, the boys started adding the smaller stones on top and Bob and Oggin tamped them down. With a six inch layer of stones in place, Oggin once again called a halt and told them that was enough for today. As before, the two younger Bobs set about clearing away the tools without being told.

“Bob...do you think it’s worth trying the cover for size before we go...?”

“Tha’s up to ee.....but I recons it’d not be much ‘elp till we’da ‘ave an’ ‘ole fer the slide...mind....”

“That’s true Bob.....and to be honest I’ve had enough for one day....we’ll let the drain stones bed in overnight and come back tomorrow to finish off....do you want to join us again...?”

“If’n I can be a use to ee.....I’da loike ter see un finished mind...”

“That’s agreed then...many hands make light work....let’s pack up an’ piss off....!”

The four picked up their grub bags and set off to the front gate, Oggin bringing up the rear. He’d just reached the gate when he heard a voice from behind him.

“Oi....Oggin you finished alweddy...?”

“Oh....hi Nitaa....no not quite...we’ll be back in the morning to finish the soak away and seal it all up...do you think you could keep your ‘girls’ indoors till we’ve done...we’ll be cutting a hole in their run...for the poop slide....”

“Tha’s not a problem....jus le’me know when ya finish....know wot I mean...?”

“I will don’t worry.....stay well...”

“Yeah riiite....An’ you....stay well...an’ that...”

Oggin Turned to go out of the gate and found himself facing the two Bobs staring at Nitaa’s front door, mouths open, eyes glazed and a look of total stupefaction on their faces. Oggin clicked his fingers in front of their faces and both jumped back, looked very shamefaced and went to the back of the cart, nudging each other.

Oggin moved up beside Bob junior, who was still looking smug and said.

“Come on Bob...let’s all go home....”

Bob looked across at Oggin and smiled broadly, shook his head and clicked his tongue and Bob junior set off at a slow, end of day walk.