Chapter 19: Brandon - Sheep

Chapter 19 Deep Dive

Outline:

Brandon and Master Kitter can see the smoke rising from Far Pebble Farm
Brandon can see his Hobson and Sharrow uncles lining up dozens of sheep
Brandon can see the aunts sheering, cutting, butchering
Kitter thinks they are trying to salvage what they can
Brandon can see his brothers up to their hips in muddy water
A dozen or so sheep are floating in the water here and there
Annie and Grandmother Sharrow are only just visible in the croft
They are cleaning
Kitter stops the cart and they climb down into the water
The water comes up to Brandon's thighs
Brandon is shocked
Rodrick asks Kitter why he's brought Brandon
Rodrick says this is no place for a child
Kitter argues this is Brandon's place - by his family
Kitter and Rodrick argue until Kitter asks to sprak man to man
Rodrick sends Brandon to work with Pip, Ed, and their Uncle Gil
Brandon feels his feet grow numb as he walks toward them
Pip greats Brandon & helps him in the cart
Brandon sees the amount of debris in the cart and around him
It smells earthy
Ed is clearly disgusted by the squishy mounds
When they are done, Pip tells Brandon to guide the donkey & cart down to Gil
Brandon guides the donkey but she stops
Pip says there could be something hidden in the water
Pip pokes the water with a stick
Brandon comforts the donkey
A gurle and a ewe and lamb move upwards after three pokes from Pip
Ed heaves and Brandon looks away
Gil joins them to put the Ewe and lamb in the back of the cart
Gil tells Brandon where everything goes
Rocks behind him
Vegetation against the wall
Debris to the left
Brandon understands and goes to the back of the cart
Pip and Gil move the ewe and Brandon recognizes Ewegenia
Pip falls and both Pip and Ewegenia fall into the water
Gil helps Pip up and Brandon is shocked to see he is crying
Brandon looks away as Gil holds Pip tightly
Brandon goes back to the cart and pulls the lamb out
He promises the lamb he won't drop it
Rodrick and Kitter's voices travel across the field
They are still arguing
Ed calls Brandon to help him
Ed tells him Annie kept two of the lambs - so not all is lost
Brandon thinks pretty much all is lost
Rodrick calls Brandon over and tells him to thank Kitter for bringing him
Kitter tells Brandon to send for help with his uncle Jack and Kitter will get half the town over
Kitter will go now to fetch Thomas
Kitter tells Brandon to work hard
Kitter tells Brandon there is always a place in his home for him
Brandon thanks Kitter
Kitter says goodbye