the tsar archidei ordered carpenters to be sent to the first simeon, as well as masons and blacksmiths and all sorts of workingmen. he also ordered a supply of bricks, stones, iron, clay, and cement. without any delay, simeon, the first brother, began to build a column, and according to his simple peasant's habits his work progressed rapidly, and not a moment was wasted in clever combinations. in a short time the white column was ready, and lo, how high it went! as high as the great planets. the smaller stars were beneath it, and from above the people seemed to be like bugs.