THE HORSES OF SOL AND MAANE 23 



turning axle of the sun-car were exceedingly- 

 hot and dazzling, and the steeds and their fair 

 driver would have been burned up had not the 

 cool shield Swalin reflected back the heat and 

 sheltered them from the blinding light; nor, in- 

 deed, would the horses have been safe even then, 

 had not the Asas hung upon their necks two 

 wind-bags that blew cooling breezes about them 

 all day long and kept them ever fresh and vig- 

 orous. 



Maane's team was a very gentle one, and he 

 had no trouble in guiding it wherever he wished ; 

 and his chariot gave out no heat, but only a soft, 

 silvery light which everybody, and especially chil- 

 dren, loved to look upon. Now and then some 

 child who had been very good, or some silver- 

 headed man or sweet-voiced lady, would catch 

 a glimpse of Maane's beautiful face; but it was 

 not often. Once upon a time two children named 

 Juke and Bil — or, as you have it in English, Jack 

 and Jill — went up to their father's well to fetch 

 a pail of water; and the pail was hung from a 

 long pole which they carried on their shoulders. 

 Looking up at the round full moon sailing in the 

 sky, they saw the bright charioteer, and were 

 so charmed by his lovely face that they forgot 



