There is an auction on a farm nearby, where a family is emigrating to America. Everybody is going - to buy livestock, to find some bargain in household items, or for the entertainment, some drink and a good fight. Emil is going too. But first he needs some money. This he earns by opening and closing the gates where the road goes through a farmer's land for visitors too lazy to get off their carts. At the auction, Emil makes several purchases, mostly for the fun of it, none of the items being anything he really needs. Among other things, he finds himself the new owner of a fire-pump, and his father is livid that he spent his money so unwisely. It it isn't long before a fight breaks out. Nobody can pull the fighting farm workers apart until Emil puts his fire-pump to use and points the flow of water towards the brawl. After successfully breaking up the fight, he sells the contraption to the man in whose place the next auction is going to be. For twice the price he gave for it.