Northern mythology

238 DANISH TRADITIONS.
OF HISTORICAL PERSONS, FAMILY TRADI-
TIONS, ETC.
THE ARMS OF THE BILLE FAMILY.
In tlic arms of tlie noble family of Bille there is a
dwarf or little wild man, concerning wlioni there is the
follomng tradition.
Many hundred years ago there was a great
drought in
the countr)^, so that all the water-mills were stopt, and the
people could get no corn ground. During this calamity
a land-proprietor of the above-mentioned family was walking
in his court-yard, much perplexed and dejected, when
a little dwarf came to him, whose body was all shaggy,
and in his hand carrying a tree that had been torn up by
the roots. Standing before the proprietor, he asked him
why he was so sad? To which the other answered,
" What can it avail if I tell thee, for thou canst not help
me." The dwarf replied, ^' Thou art sad because thou
canst not get thy corn ground, and hast many children
and people that require bread. But I \\\\\ show thee a
place on thy own grounds where thou canst build
seven
mills that shall never lack water." And having pointed
out to him the spot, Herr Bille built there the seven mills
still existing by Ellebro Dam, which are never at a stand
for want of water, winter or summer.
It is further related that the same dwarf gave him a
little white horn, which, as long as it remained in his
family, should preserve them in prosperity.
is said, was long preserved at Soholm in Seeland.
HERR ESKE BROK.
This horn, it
Herr Eske Brok,who dwelt at Vemmeltoft, going one day
into the fields, amused himself with striking the air w^ith
his stick, when suddenly a hat fell at his feet, which he