k
pity on the king's daughter and her parents; for the king sought their
aid continually, and made them rich offerings. But even the gods did not
venture to contend openly with the mighty Peipa; so they sought to
effect their purpose by stratagem. They secretly sent a dove to
Rannapuura with a silver comb, a carder, a golden apple, and a
snow-white linen robe, and sent her this message: "Take the gifts of the
white gods, and flee from your prison as soon as you can. If Peipa
pursues you, call on the white gods, and first cast the comb behind you;
but if this is of no effect, drop the carder; but if this does not
detain her, and she still follows on your heels, then throw the apple,
and lastly the robe behind you. But be very careful not to make a
mistake, and throw down the gifts in the right order."

Rannapuura promised the dove to obey her instructions exactly, thanked
the white gods for their favours, and sent the dove home.

On the first Tuesday after the new moon, Peipa jumped upon an old broom
at midnight, as the witches are accustomed to do, both here and in
Ingermanland, every year, on the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth new
moon, and thus flew away from the house. The maiden stole softly from
her room long before dawn, and took the four gifts of the gods with her
on her way. She ran straight towards her father's castle, as swiftly as
she could. At mid-day, when she had already gone a good part of the way,
she chanced to look round, and saw to her horror that the witch Peipa
was pursuing her. In her right hand she swung a formidable bar of iron,
and she was mounted on a huge cock, who was close behind the princess.
Then she cried aloud on the white gods, and cast the silver comb behind
her. Instantly the comb became a rushing river, deep and broad and many
miles long. Peipa gazed furiously after the fugitive, who was running
swiftly on the opposite bank of the stream, and soon left her far
behind. But after a time, the witch found a ford through the water,
hurried across, and was soon close behind the maiden again. Now
Rannapuura dropped the carder, and behold, a forest sprang up from it so
thick and lofty that the witch and her hellish steed could not penetrate
it, and she was forced to ride round it for a whole day.

The unfortunate princess had now been wandering for two nights and a
day, without tasting a morsel of bread or daring to sleep an instant.
Then her strength failed her, and on the second day th