Jeb caught us coming out of the Tavern and started blabbering on about all the stuff he saw laid out for the auction. It seemed a lot of folk hadn’t economically survived the Panic and we had a huge opportunity to pick up all sorts of equipment. There were also tradesmen who were auctioning off their own shops just to pay off debts and raise cash to start over.

One walkthrough was all it took to convince me that I was about to spend a lot of money. I asked Timmons to go secure us a warehouse and sent Amos off to the bank to tell the manager that I’d need a clerk at the auction to issue drafts on the spot. Then Jeb started to show me what he’d found.

Obviously, the first stop was the carpentry section. That was what Jeb did, after all. There were tool lots from two companies that had folded and just their equipment was there represented by the bank. We also saw one forlorn dude standing around a bunch of nicely kept tools, looking pitiful. He would be the first of more than a few I talked to who were struggling to survive, for whatever reason. I wasn’t a pro, but even I wanted his tools. I took the easy way out - I told Jeb to buy him out fully and recruit him. We'd have him help pick the best of the tools from the other offerings, along with anything unique that we needed. I peeled him off a hundred in St. Louis dollars to use as deposits.

Next, I came upon one of the things I desired the most, a blacksmith and his full shop of tools. I didn’t waste time and recruited him on the spot. He passed my basic requirements and I need someone to do metalwork more than anything else. I told him we’d need a kiln to make iron with as well, and he claimed to know how to do that. A deposit sealed the deal. Well, mostly. It was undecided whether I took him and his tools or I just took the tools. He was fine with either, but we needed to talk some more before I signed him and his family on. So we agreed to meet for dinner on Monday.

I found many other small opportunities and soon had the bank clerk acting as my recorder also. He wrote down everything I did. Amos was a handy runner to have. The last surprise was the wagonwright. Again, I went full court press and set up the same deal that I had with the blacksmith. We’d meet for supper on Monday to confirm the hire.

Other treasures were a millstone setup and a couple of rotary blades for a lumber saw. Both of those setups were a no-brainer and I jumped on them quickly to avoid them going into the auction. The sellers were all allowed to sell right up to a certain time, at which point the lots were locked. The last items of importance were the hay scythes and I bought every one I could find. The cutoff was sounded and I started shopping animals and people.

Timmons caught up with me and asked if I was crazy rich or something, I merely asked him to go see if any boats were going up on the block. We might need another one or two. He merely shook his head and threw his hands in the air as he went off to see if he could find anything. I really hoped he did, because we’d need one to run all summer just to pick up what we’d purchased thus far.

I walked the livestock, spotting both mares and milk heifers I wanted. I also saw a few cages of chickens that gave me a hunger for BBQ chicken. All in all, I would be into the bidding in a big way. Next stop was the humans. Here, Amos came in handy. I sent him around to identify families or couples that were on the block. I also pointed out one huge guy with a defiant look in his eye that I definitely wanted. I went over and talked to him personally.

He was a monster of a man even next to me. He had to have at least two inches and probably fifty pounds on me with a look of total defiance in his eyes. His body was also covered in scars and none of them being the intentional ‘coming of age’ marks. After a few moments of mutual appraisal, I spoke to him.

“How’s your English?” the obvious question that earned a disdainful look.

“Just fine, thank you.”

“Can you behave until we get home, big guy?”

Now he just had a confused look on his face and was speechless again.

“Do you have a woman here as well?” again. It made me smile.

He nodded and I asked the obvious question, which one and which lot. Point her out.

Well he stayed with me enough to point her out and say, “Lot 142.”

I looked over to see four women standing together, with an African Goddess standing in their midst. This was going to get expensive.

“Great, behave until we get home. Amos and I will explain on the trip home. I hope you can ride a horse.”

With that explained, I went back to the horses. I needed tack now and I needed a friggin’ Clydesdale for the big guy to ride. I had just enough time to find a team of large mules on the block and decided that they would have to do. The bidding was about to start and I was about to spend some money.

I grew up around auctions and I’d heard the auctioneer's song every weekend in my youth. I still love that cadence and to follow the action as items are moved through. I guess it’s more exciting when you have skin in the game. Some of my fondest memories are sitting with my dad at the auction and going to eat with the farmers afterwards. It was definitely one of our winter activities and I quickly came to love it.

So I happily moved up front, in front of the looky-loos to get my bids in. Everyone was standing with me including the blacksmith and the carpenter. The bank clerk was looking nervous as the auctioneer started to explain the rules and I looked around to see the bank manager standing at the back of the crowd. I waved him forward, then turned back to pay attention as the first lot came up.