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 com 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." 



