They proceeded on their way. The fields of barley stood, golden ripe, on either side of the road; troops of reapers were on their way to the harvest, and the sound of the sickle, the song of the labourer, and the rolling of the threshing-wain resounded through the air. While rows of the reapers were busy in cutting down the grain, others were binding up the sheaves, tying the stalks not far from the ears. Here a corner of the field was left for the poor;[11] there a field already reaped was affording them a gleaning. Some were carrying their sheaves to the threshing-floor, others were loading them on waggons to convey them thither. They past one of these threshing-floors: it was an open place in the fields, where the soil had been made hard and smooth by stamping; the width was on an average from thirty to forty paces, and oxen, unmuzzled, according to the law, were treading out the grain.[12] In another, which belonged to a rich man, a servant sat upon the threshing-wain, guiding the beasts, who dragged this machine, with its iron-shod wheels, over the sheaves, while another, following behind, shook up the straw with a fork. All were enlivening their various labours with a song; and such passages as these might frequently be heard, He watereth the hills from his chambers, The earth is satisfied with the fruit of his works. He causeth grass to grow for cattle, And herb for the service of man, Bringing forth bread out of the earth.—Ps. civ. Or this, Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; Thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness, And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks, The vallies also are covered over with corn, They shout for joy and sing.—Ps. lxv. ----- Footnote 11: Lev. xix. 9. Footnote 12: Deut. xxv. 4. ----- The travellers joined in these festive songs, and, according to ancient custom, pronounced, at every field which they passed, the benediction, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you! We bless you in the name of Jehovah.—Ps. cxxix. 8.