when the figures
disappeared, the stakes and ropes gave way, and the treasure fell back
into the river, and was irrecoverably lost to them.

[Footnote 63: This seems to be an error in the story; for the context
shows that the prohibition was not to speak a word during the ceremony.]

THE GOLDEN SNAKES.

(JANNSEN.)

Two woodcutters found a number of snakes in the wood, and one of the men
killed some, and he and his comrade followed them up till they came to a
vast mass of snakes, among which was one with a golden crown. They fled,
but were pursued by the snake-king, when one of them turned round and
hit him on the head with an axe, when he changed into a heap of gold.
They then returned to the cluster of snakes, but they had all
disappeared, and they found only another heap of gold. They divided the
money, and with half of it they built a church.

* * * * *

The previous story is Lithuanian rather than Esthonian in character. The
next has a more diabolical character than any of the preceding.

THE DEVIL'S TREASURE.

(JANNSEN.)

A travelling Swedish shoemaker saw a fire burning one night on the Sand
Mountain, and on reaching the spot, found an iron chest, which he
opened, and finding it to contain a pot of gold, helped himself to a
good supply. He then left his situation, and wandered about till he came
to Ringen, where he was appointed shoemaker to the castle. One evening
he was alone in his room when he heard a horn blown twice, but each time
he went out and found nothing. He then took his prayerbook in his hand,
ate his supper, and went to bed, but was awakened by a tremendous noise
in the castle. On opening his eyes, he saw that his room was lit up with
tapers, and two women, one in a red and the other in a green dress,
stood by his bed, who invited him to dance. Half asleep, he cried out,
"To hell with you! Is this a time to dance?" They reminded him of the
money which he had taken, left the room, and banged the door after
them, so that the whole castle shook. The lights went out, and the
shoemaker turned over and went to sleep again. Next morning he found
himself lying terribly bruised, with his head and body in the hall, and
his legs in the room. On his breast were the impress of two hands,
showing prints of all the fingers. Shortly afterwards he died, having
confessed to the priest, and left all his money for a church-bell. The
chest was found empty, the de