any visible in Esthonian tales, and even
in the _Kalevipoeg_ there is no resemblance to the Russian hero-legends.
It is, however, noteworthy that even in the most heathenish tales, the
heroes usually have names of Christian origin; though not in the
_Kalevipoeg_. It is possible that the Gospel of Nicodemus, which
describes the descent into hell, may have suggested the name of
Nicodemus for Slyboots.

SECTION I

_TALES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE "KALEVIPOEG"_

The following stories are thoroughly Esthonian in character, and, with
the exception of the first, mostly exhibit variants of the Kalevide's
journeys to Porgu.

That of "Slyboots" is also interesting from the resemblance of a portion
of it to "Jack and the Beanstalk."

THE MILKY WAY.

(JANNSEN.)

Soon after the creation of the world, God created a fair maiden and gave
into her charge all the birds beneath the heavens. This was Lindu, the
lovely daughter of Uko, who knew the paths of all the birds of passage,
whence they came in spring, and whither they went in autumn, and
appointed to each his dwelling. She cared for the birds with a tender
heart, like a mother for her children, and gave them her aid whenever it
was possible; and like a flower in the morning sunlight under a thousand
dewdrops, so brightly shone Lindu in her motherly care for the birds.

Therefore was it not surprising that all gazed upon her and loved her.
Every one desired the maiden as a wife, and suitors came in crowds. The
North Star drove up in a grand coach drawn by six brown horses, and
brought ten presents. But Lindu gave him a sharp answer. "You must
always remain at your post, and cannot stir from it," said she.

Then came the Moon in a silver coach drawn by ten brown horses, and he
brought twenty presents. But Lindu refused the Moon too. "You are much
too changeable," said she, "and yet you always run in your old path, and
that won't suit me."

Scarcely had the Moon taken a sorrowful departure than the Sun drove up.
He rode in a golden coach drawn by twenty gold-red horses, and brought
thirty presents with him. But all his splendour and magnificence and
rich presents went for nothing; for Lindu said, "I don't like you. You
always run on the same course day by day, just like the Moon."

At length the Northern Light came from midnight in a diamond coach drawn
by a thousand white horses. His arrival was so splendid that Lindu went
to the door to meet him. His attenda