520 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



" God still bears with our sins," was the answer. 



" Are your wives good, faithful, kindly, and helpful to you?" 



" There are good and bad." 



" Are your children obedient, and do they cause you joy?" 



" We have nothing to complain of in regard to them." 



" Is the land you till fruitful; does it yield you a rich harvest?" 



" If it yields us corn tenfold, we are content." 



" Do your cattle thrive?" 



" We are content." 



" How many horses have you?" 



" Thirty- two; there may perhaps be thirty-five." 



" And how many of these do you require for your work?" 



" Eight, ten, and sometimes twelve." 



" Then you bring up the rest to sell?" 



" I may perhaps sell one of them some day." 



" And what shall you do with the others?" 



" Nitschewo." 



" How many cows and sheep have you?" 



" I do not know. My wife takes charge of the cows, sheep, and 

 pigs." 



" Have you heavy taxes to pay?" 



" I am content." 



" Have you anything to complain of?" 



" I am content." 



" So you have no complaints whatever to make; everything is 

 quite satisfactory?" 



" No, not everything; I have one complaint." 



"What is that?" 



" The land is becoming uncomfortable." 



" Uncomfortable; what does that mean?" 



" Why, it is getting too small for us." 



" Too small; in what way?" 



"Oh, the villages are springing up everywhere like mushrooms 

 from the soil. One has scarcely room to turn now, and does not 

 know where to lay out one's fields. If I had not been too old I 

 should have left this part." 



