114 It Happened in Iona Of all the people encountered during these years we could count on one hand the so-called cranks or tough cases. We certainly had expected more of these and perhaps went out of our way to approach each householder gently. Of course, unlike the hated tax collectors of the Gospels, we did not have to collect tax. We simply decided the property valuation and then got out. In one of these homesteads we had just completed our inspec¬ tion, having received the necessary information from the wife. Then out of a wooded lane behind the barn the husband ap¬ peared and upon finding out our business he immediately ordered us off the premises, adding that if he were not a born-again Christian he would be inflicting a greater penalty than that! In another yard we were just beginning our task when we were spotted from some distance by two men who came toward us across the fields on horseback, both animals in the fast lane. They were father and son who had been jilted some¬ what by the party in power and were white with rage. Reluc¬ tantly, after quite some time they allowed us to proceed. In a third district after one of us knocked on the door and explained our mission the aging farmer began a non-stop sermon on the diabolical nature of governments in general. He advanced slowly outdoors and using the cellar hatch as pulpit, his oratory improved by the minute. Eventually all three of us sheepishly headed for the car and drove off into safer waters, having just tasted our worst defeat. The man had a 1929 Dodge sedan in the yard. Not many days later we happened to meet the elderly gentleman and his wife moving slowly along heading uptown in their old Dodge. We immediately made a dash for his farm fifteen miles away and quickly measured his buildings and took a good look around, fearful that he would return at any time to capture us. Complaints from taxpayers were not uncommon and at times for sure we were forced to justify our assessment figures. One of our three was easy on this and willing to move early toward a reduction in the complainant's figures to keep the peace. The other two were more inclined to hold the line unless some major error had been committed. Only one of our valua¬ tions was taken to court and it happened to be that of the old gentleman with the 1929 Dodge. It seems that our clandestine visit to his place in his absence, plus the effectiveness of his cellar-hatch sermon against us and all governments, worked in his favor for the judge in the end ordered that the figures on the man's property be reduced by $500. The three assessors were