192 Some Mythical Tales of the Lapps
a zealous worshipper of his Seita, or idol, but after it had failed to respond to his oblations and prayers, he was disillusioned, and burned it, and forthwith converted his zeal into the service of Christianity.^ It is said that he was associated with a Finnish priest named Mansueti {circ. 1648) in the extirpation of paganism in Finnish Lappmark.^ Others tell the idol-burning story of Olaf, ascribing his conversion to the preaching of a missionary whom he met while travelling in Finland.^ Of his heroic deeds there are many tales. It is related how he overcame and slew Stalos, how he could outrun a wild reindeer or a wolf, how he once slew a bear with his naked hands, how he rowed his boat some thirty miles single-handed against a boat rowed by eight Russians and beat them, and how his three sons, Vullusj, Hanusj and Sarasj (little Ole, little Hans and little Sarak) likewise excelled in strength and ability.* Another member of the family, presumably, was Andrew Baeve, who circumvented and slew the Bailiff of Vadso, after the Bailiff had transformed himself into a Stalo.^ On the south side of the Varanger Fjord is a place which is called " Baeive Vuolab's Bay," where Olaf used to fish, and a rock hard by also bears his name.^ According to Castren, Olaf Baeive travelled in Karelia, and there slew in hand-to-hand combat the most doughty champion of the heathen ; and Tornaeus states (in 1672) that the glory of the family name is derived from the heroic warfare which its members waged for the Cross in the north of Sweden and in Finland.' The legends would seem, therefore, to have become attached to this family only during the last two or three centuries, since it rose to distinction, and so the name Peive may not, in this case, carry with it any ancient tradition of /la//a-lineage.
Charles J. Billson.
- J. C. Poeslion, p. 208. -Von Duben, p. 431. ^Q. & S. p. 125.
- Q. & S. p. 117 sqq. ^ Friis {_E7en(yr.), p. 29; Poestionj p. 155.
"Q. I'v S. p. 120. 'Q. it S. p. 123, note.
