could
not rise. Let the wind and the sun caress his son. The son answered that
the wind only blew sometimes, and the sun only shone by day, but Taara
lives for ever. And the father told him not to weep or grieve, for the
spirit of his dead father should follow him throughout his life, and
that the good gods would protect him even through the desert wastes of
the waters of the ocean; and he also counselled him to do his best to
atone for every fault and error.

[Footnote 46: The smith is sometimes called the uncle of Kalev; but the
term may only mean that he was an old friend.]

[Footnote 47: The cuckoo is a sacred bird, but more often alluded to in
Finnish than in Esthonian literature.]

CANTO VIII

THE CONTEST AND PARTING OF THE BROTHERS

On the following morning the three sons of Kalev set out before sunrise
towards the south; but they rested under the trees and took some
refreshment during the heat of the day. In the evening they passed a
house which was lighted up as if for company. The father and mother
stood at the door, and invited them to choose brides from among their
rich and beautiful daughters. The eldest brother answered that they were
not come to woo brides, and had no thought of marriage; but the second
brother said he should like the girls to come out to swing with them;
and they were forthwith summoned. Then the youngest brother said he
hoped the young ladies would not distress themselves, but really he and
his brothers had no idea of marrying at present, and they must beg to be
excused.

Then they continued their journey southwards, and on the third day they
reached a small lake with steep banks.[48] Water-birds were sporting in
the lake, and on the opposite shore they saw the holy forest of Taara
shining in the sunset. "Here is the place where our lot must be
decided," said the eldest brother; and each selected a stone for the
trial of strength. It was arranged that whoever should cast his stone
across the lake to the firm ground opposite should be adjudged his
father's heir, and the other two should wander forth to seek their
fortunes in other lands.

The eldest brother, in all friendliness, claimed his right to the first
trial, and cast his stone. It flew from his hand with the speed of a
bird or of the tempest, but suddenly changed its direction, and plunged
into the middle of the lake. The water foamed up over it, and entirely
concealed it from sight.

The second brother then se