plan to pursue in regard to a settlement of their troubles.

Simeon said: "Let us arrange it in this way: I will give you the half of
my kingdom, and soldiers to keep guard over your wealth; and you give me
money to feed the soldiers in my half of the kingdom."

To this arrangement Tarras agreed, and both the brothers became rulers
and very happy.

CHAPTER VIII.

Ivan remained on the farm and worked to support his father, mother, and
dumb sister. Once it happened that the old dog, which had grown up on
the farm, was taken sick, when Ivan thought he was dying, and, taking
pity on the animal, placed some bread in his hat and carried it to him.
It happened that when he turned out the bread the root which the little
devil had given him fell out also. The old dog swallowed it with the
bread and was almost instantly cured, when he jumped up and began to wag
his tail as an expression of joy. Ivan's father and mother, seeing
the dog cured so quickly, asked by what means he had performed such a
miracle.

Ivan replied: "I had some roots which would cure any disease, and the
dog swallowed one of them."

It happened about that time that the Czar's daughter became ill, and her
father had it announced in every city, town, and village that whosoever
would cure her would be richly rewarded; and if the lucky person should
prove to be a single man he would give her in marriage to him.

This announcement, of course, appeared in Ivan's village.

Ivan's father and mother called him and said: "If you have any of those
wonderful roots, go and cure the Czar's daughter. You will be much
happier for having performed such a kind act--indeed, you will be made
happy for all your after life."

"Very well," said Ivan; and he immediately made ready for the journey.
As he reached the porch on his way out he saw a poor woman standing
directly in his path and holding a broken arm. The woman accosted him,
saying:

"I was told that you could cure me, and will you not please do so, as I
am powerless to do anything for myself?"

Ivan replied: "Very well, my poor woman; I will relieve you if I can."

He produced a root which he handed to the poor woman and told her to
swallow it.

She did as Ivan told her and was instantly cured, and went away
rejoicing that she had recovered the use of her arm.

Ivan's father and mother came out to wish him good luck on his journey,
and to them he told the story of the poor woman, saying that he
had given