Raising Steam

by Peter Rhodan

  Arturo considered this question carefully. He had not expected Ceri to suggest this on the first run but perhaps it was not a bad idea to show the assembled people he was not afraid of the contraption. Even if he was concerned about the insulation catching fire! “Very well.” He answered before walking over and after a moment of studying the best way to go about it, hauled himself up onto the metal beast using the vertical rods secured above the footplates on both the engine and tender. He had quickly decided they were for people to use when climbing aboard.

  “Just make yourself comfortable over there.” Ceri said waving him into the far corner of the flat area the men were standing on at the rear of the firebox. Ceri turned to Harlain with a grin. “Give it a toot.”

  Harlain grinned back and then reached for a cord that was hanging from a device at the top of the firebox. He gave it a tug and a jet of steam shot up out of the device accompanied by a raucous screech. The crowd all jumped and some attempted to move back but were held in place by the press of the fellows behind them. Arturo noted several horses rearing and being unruly in the distance but there was not much he could do about that right now and he hoped horses in the area would get used to the noisy, smoky contraptions fairly quickly. Not allowing the crowd any time to recover Ceri pulled on a lever sticking up from the floor at the left front of the cabin area and then pulled down on another lever that hung across the upper part of the firebox.

  There was hiss and the dribble steam escaping at various points was submerged in billowing mass of the white stuff that appeared at the front of the engine broiling up first on the left then seconds later on the right as well. The machine moved slightly and then there was a chuff sound from the front accompanied by a blast of smoke and steam coming out the top of the chimney that stuck up from the front of the boiler. The locomotive moved forward slightly then a bit faster, with steam still flooding out from the front end. Another chuff and more smoke shot out of the chimney as the machine gathered speed surprisingly quickly. Arturo decided that was already travelling at a fast walk or slow trot. Well with no load to pull he guessed the acceleration would be quite good.

  Ceri eased the horizontal lever back up, which seemed ease the amount of steam pouring out of the front end and the locomotive slowly rolled along the track towards the junction with the railroad that led to the coal mine. The crowd were trying to edge along with the steaming locomotive, but their numbers made it difficult although a flock of enterprising boys had broken free from the ruck and were running along with the engine. Before reaching the junction Ceri pushed the horizontal lever completely back up to where it had started and then shoved the lever on the floor back forward. Slowly the locomotive came to a stop a good ten paces before the junction. There was a loud hissing and more steam billowed from the front.

  Waving to the crowd he nodded to Harlain who pulled a lever on his side of the firebox. It clicked into place with a thud and Ceri pulled the floor lever back once more. Once more there was a hiss and a mass of steam escaped from the front but this time the engine began to slowly move backwards. He pulled the horizontal lever down only a small way this time. There was a chuffing sound and smoke rose up out the chimney but not as violently as on the previous occasion. The engine slowly rumbled back the way it had come, rattling and clanking. They were barely moving faster than a walk and as they approached the shed Ceri shoved the horizontal lever back up and pushed the floor lever forward and the engine slowly came to rest with the wagon holding the water and coal slightly inside the shed.

  Arturo moved up next to him and spoke loudly in his ear. “You’re not going to take it out on the line to the coal mine?”

  Ceri shook his head. “I don’t think those rails will hold the weight. We’re already working at replacing them so it will only be a week or so. Give me time to solve some of the problems with this.” He said waving at the engine.

  “Seemed to run alright to me.” Arturo offered.

  “Yes, it did but there was too much steam escaping from the front end and I think the wheels are not correctly balanced but we shall have to wait for that. And there are a few other small things I have noticed, but still, it was pretty amazing, yes?” He grinned widely.

  “It was great my friend!” Arturo responded. And it was. The steam engine was nothing compared to the grave elevated, magnetically powered mass transport used on his home planet but it was a start. Very definitely a start! H clapped Ceri on the shoulder. “I’ll go see who else wants a ride shall I?”

  Ceri nodded, suddenly looking anxious. “Yeah. We can spend the day giving people rides up and down the yard. Help get them to accept it.”

  Arturo smiled and hopped down, heading over to where the dignitaries, namely his officers, Oween and a few important civilians like Arcadius were standing. “Right then. Who wants a ride?”

  In practice so many were willing to go for the short ride that Ceri had been forced to attach an empty coal truck behind the tender and even then it took all that day and most of the next to get through everyone. Word had spread quickly and people from Wern, Alladraef, Maglona and even Lugowalion turned up. Theodorius had been tied up with a delicate operation involving hanging the first dock gate and did not get there till after lunch the second day and was almost rendered speechless when he saw the engine move and even begged lessons about how to drive it.

  After the initial excitement wore out things settled down and the next day Arcadius headed to Lugowalion with a squad of cavalry to continue his Census while Arturo found out where there was some limestone not too far away and began experiments with making cement. It took ten days for the track to be re-laid all the way to the coal mine and with some ceremony the engine hauled six empty wagons out to the mine and four full ones back. Ceri, Arturo, Harlain and surprisingly the Mair, Vellgern worked out a simple operating system for the rail roads that would prevent serious accidents for the moment, at least so they hoped.

  Arturo realised he would need electricity to develop a proper signalling system but in the short term they had designed a simple semaphore system and began sorting out where posts had to be built along the lines to ensure visibility. The distance they could be sited apart was limited by line of sight and the ability of people's eyes to pick out the signals at a distance, but Arturo was calculating in the advantages the telescopes he had Gilbyn working on when he set up the posts. Production of static steam engines continued and Lewarth in Wern ordered two more after seeing Ceri’s steel production go up yet again with the now steam powered bellows generating much greater and more controllable heat. The steel produced was actually only a sort of mild steel, true high grade steel was still only being made in smallish amounts, but they were making it far greater quantities than anyone had ever heard of it being produced elsewhere in the Empire or the rest of the world for that matter.

  A few days later word came north from Cambelyn and Arturo headed south to Wern where the ship was nearly ready to launch. Arturo found he was both pleased and a little surprised how quickly it had taken shape. When asked, Cambelyn explained that there was plenty of old wood lying around in the forested areas at the base of the mountains but that he was planning ahead and had begun stockpiling newly cut down timber so it could be aged well before being used in future vessels. He then had to explain to Arturo that the best timber for ship building was timber that had dried out naturally. Arturo’s boating experience was limited to moulded hulls made of composite materials back in his own time, so he accepted Cambelyn’s explanation without demurring.

  The ship looked surprisingly large sitting up on dry land and the following day, with some ceremony, the chocks holding it place were removed and the hull rolled into the water down the railroad tracks without any problems. A few workmen on board quickly had lines secured to a couple of small fishing boats hired for the day and they towed the hull to the small jetty where the water stayed deep right to the shore. Here Cambelyn had finished erecting the A-frame like device with which he intended to lower the masts
into the hull. There was some danger that if the weather turned stormy the ship would be smashed against the shore, but this was a chance that had to be taken, at least until the dock area was operational. A large percentage of the town’s population had gathered to watch the launch but when it became clear the masts were not going to be installed in a hurry they drifted away.

  Getting the masts in the ship was an extremely delicate operation that took most of the next two days but finally the masts were in place and ship was towed further out from the shore, much to everyone’s relief. Work then began on setting up the rigging, which was going to take some time, partly because the workmen were mostly landsmen with little experience and partly because it was going to be the most complicated rig Cambelyn had ever heard of. Arturo had little experience with sailing ship rigging but he had seen pictures of famous sailing ships like the Revenge, Victory and Constitution so at least had some idea of what was needed. While the ship was being rigged the sails were sewn up by a collective of the town’s women, hired specially for the purpose.

  With everything seemingly under control Arturo visited Hwillam to check on the printing plant and as all going well there visited the tanner Owyn hoping for his first telescope. Owyn did indeed have a working device finished for Arturo’s inspection. The stiff leather used on the tubing worked fine to provide a rigid base for the method the fellow had adopted for holding the lenses in place. Arturo exactly sure what he done but it seemed robust enough as well. Putting it up to his eye he could see trees on the hill outside of town, if not clearly, at least much closer appearing than with the naked eye. Unfortunately, the image was inverted so he was looking at upside down trees. Right.

  After some discussion they agreed on several ideas to try and correct the inversion issue. With Oween off trailing his now father-in-law Arcadius around, Hernann was back acting as Arturo’s aide. He had been party to the earlier visit when Arturo had first explained the idea to him. Seeing the two different lenses actually being used he found both fascinating and perplexing. Nevertheless, after scratching his head for a moment, he picked up one of the concave lenses. “Aye so this is the one that focuses the image from afar, is that right?”

  Owyn and Arturo both nodded. “And what would happen if you had a second one of these, here behind the first? Would that perhaps turn the image back the other way?”

  Owyn and Arturo looked at each other and nodded. Owyn grabbed one the unused lenses and had Hernann hold the telescope up for him to look through. He put the new lens at the opening and peered through it. “Gracious.” He said and motioned Arturo to try it.

  Arturo had a quick look and then smiled. “You’re a genius Hernann. A genius!” He repeated.

  The normally taciturn Hernann grinned and Owyn held the thing for him to have a look through as well.

  “It’s till rather blurry though Owyn. I wonder if there is anything that can do about that?” Arturo said as they carefully put the first telescope ever built on Earth back on workbench.

  Owyn stared down at the telescope for a moment stroking his chin. “It must be something to do with the quality of the glass I think. You will have to get Gilbyn to try and improve the glass by taking more care with the lens production although exactly how he could do that I am not sure. Do you want me to see him about it Arturo.”

  “Yes please, my good man. And then I want you to build a hundred to start with.”

  “A hundred!” Owyn expostulated. “I, well, I will need help to do that sir. Gilbyn probably will as well.” He explained.

  Arturo nodded. “Hire all the help you two want as that is just the start. Try and come up with a way of making the whole process work without either of you having direct involvement as I have other things I want the two of you to work on.”

  Owyn swallowed but nodded. “Other things?”

  “Yes, but that can wait till you are properly set to produce these telescopes. I am going to have the paperwork done up to form this whole thing into a company so that our interests are protected. Solwhen Glass Company. How does that sound?”

  “I am not sure I understand these companies you have created sir.” The man said obviously not keen on the whole idea.

  “That is fine Owyn. It is simply a way of protecting our mutual investment. Your skill at working leather, Gilbyn’s with glass and all the money I am pouring in. This way the whole thing stops being individual operations and becomes our joint operation. If anything were to happen to you for instance, the business could keep going with your underlings doing the work, but your heir would own your share of the business and thus be provided for.”

  Owyn did not look any more enthused by this explanation but slowly nodded anyway. “I guess that sounds reasonable.” He said finally.

  Arturo grasped forearms with him. “Trust me Owyn. This will make not just you wealthy, it will make your family wealthy was well.” He pulled out a bag full of a mixture of the new silver Denarii and some gold Solidi that he had tied to his waist inside his tunic. “This should cover any expenses for the next month or so between the two of you. And yes, I have made an exact record of how much I am giving you to cover expenses. It will all be in the company paperwork which you will receive from the banker Jacob in due course.”

  Owyn took the bag and stared at it doubtfully. It was probably more money that he had seen in his life or at least ever held in his hand. “Yes sir. I will go see Gilbyn later today and explain it to him.” He mumbled. “Would you like to come in for refreshment?”

  Arturo would have rather got on with other things but knew he had to the civil, so he and Hernann enjoyed some of the local beer which all the people hereabouts seemed too like. The popularity of the local beer would have to be because there was no reasonable alternative! Arturo thought to himself. Distilling! Arturo made a mental note to himself, trying to make sure he remembered to do something about it among the long list of other things had lined up to introduce or develop or whatever.

  On their way back to the fort to stay with Dileen for the evening they noticed some commotion at the waterfront and headed there. One of the large, skin covered Scotti boats was run up on the shore and a group of the tough looking warriors were standing there faced by a larger number of townsfolk. At first Arturo thought it some sort raid but when they got closer they realised that it was a trading rather than a raiding mission these men were on.

  Laid out in front of them were furs, some gold ornaments and some bronze bars. The locals were dickering with them offering things they had in exchange. Arturo moved to where he saw Dileen standing with two armed men watching the whole proceedings. They nodded to each other as Arturo and Hernann came to stand next to him.

  “So, they just sail in and trade without any trouble?” He asked as he reached the local Mair.

  “So far. Been happening a bit since that battle. Word must have spread about your crossbow things because they all want to buy them.”

  “Ah. And do they get any?” Arturo knew from Oween that some of the crossbows never reached the army.

  “Not that I know of. Ah here comes Lewarth.”

  The iron master was leading a horse drawn wagon which he forced through the crowd to where the Scotti were. He took the covering off and began pulling metal things out. From where he was Arturo could not see clearly but the Scotti were obviously interested in the wares displayed which led to some vigorous and loud bargaining before the final trade ensued.

  “The improvements your ideas have made in his iron production mean he can make things far more cheaply than they can at home so there is always a market for knives, spear heads, axes and those new ploughs of yours.” Dileen commented.

  One of the locals had several rolls of cloth which were soon traded for and moved to the Scotti boat. Some earthenware jugs also swapped hands Arturo noticed but had no idea what they contained. Lewarth was obviously driving hard bargains as the haggling went on and on even as many of the townsfolk who had gathered began returning to their homes. He guessed the
excitement of having a boat load of Scotti around had palled fairly quickly most of the locals.

  Dileen turned to his two men. “You two take the first watch on this lot. I will have you replaced in couple of hours. Stay alert. At the first sign of trouble one of you run for the alarm, no heroics just ring the alarm. You understand?”

  Both men nodded and Dileen looked back at the Scotti for a few more minutes before turning away. “Roast duck tonight.” He offered by way of inducement to Arturo and Hernann.

  Both men smiled and they began walking back to the fort with Dileen, Briana trailing behind of course. Theodorus, apparently inspired by the steam locomotive, had already started on the rail road bridge that would cross the river and was even clearing ground for a new pedestrian bridge as well.

  Dileen waved an arm at the work. “I hope you can keep finding the money to pay for all this.”

  Arturo grimaced, but nodded. For as long as people will accept the battle armour metal as being worth what I say it is, he thought to himself. “Well I hope so. Arcadius is beginning his Census which means everyone will have to start paying proper taxes again, albeit they will be reasonable ones. But the flow of money they will bring in will help.”

  Dileen nodded although he was frowning slightly. “Even so. Your new coins are all well and good but there are not that many of them floating around yet. At least not down here. How are farmers and such like going to pay their taxes if they lack the coins and you are not taking it in kind like they are used to with the old regime?”

  “Well for one thing the tax collectors will be able to accept metal, not just coins. Jacob and Isaac have produced a set of standard weights that are going to be used by all government officials including the tax collectors when we get them organised. You saw the gold trinkets and the bronze ingots those Scotti had. Well there will be no problem with people using similar material to pay their taxes.”