Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

before the door of the shed in which we were working. We of course had no idea what this might mean, which left room for every sort of conjecture from the most disastrous to the most favor- able that our imagination could picture. The leader of the group soon entered upon a very serious conversation with our interpreter Mr. T—, who stood nearest the door. I did not understand a word, but realized from what happened that he was demanding our papers and passports. Mr. T—, in perfect self-control drew his papers from his pocket, such as every one must carry in Russia who hopes to escape inconveniences. They were carefully examined and then respectfully returned, which I interpreted to mean that they were satisfactory; whereupon I ventured to inquire whether I, too, should produce my credentials, but my friend indicated that such was not necessary. As an uninformed yet much concerned observer, I watched further developments, when to my good pleasure and relief, I noticed that the commander of the besieging force of Russians, very politely bid good-bye to our interpreter and to all of us; and then withdrew with his company of soldiers. After they were gone Mr. T—, our interpreter, reported to us the following. Our distinguished visitor was none less than the official head of the local soviet. In America the nearest to his position probably would be city mayor with considerably more powers added. He had come to investigate the report that we had come to take over the railroad system, which was in a sad condition. Further, that instead of threaten- ing us, he had been so frightened that he trembled all over, and felt perhaps even more relieved than we did at the happy solution of the apparent complication. Lost, AND ON DANGEROUS TRAILS Soon after the work on our spring was completed, VIZUALIZING FAMINE CONDITIONS 249 we started out amid abundant showers to complete the remainder of our journey that night, if possible. We inquired for the way and were told to go straight ahead, which is the Russian mode of telling you the way. Even in case there are several roads branching, he seldom takes more trouble in directing you than to say straight ahead, or to the right, or to the left, when these designations are so indefinite that you cannot in any way be sure what has been meant. There is no regular road system, such as we have in the central states with sections laid out square, but roads simply lead from one village to another, what- ever direction that may be. Besides, most of the roads are still just as Providence. once made them, without having made the acquaintance of the road grader or the scraper. Under such conditions we lost our way, and at about sunset had traveled a long distance only to learn that we had gone too far south and were about as far from our destination as at the time when we started from Apostolowa. Here we were put on the right trail, and we traveled on until about nine o