Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/18

12 Odin took his horse, Sleipner, and went on a seven days' journey to the home of the dwarfs. They lived deep down in the earth, and had charge of the gold and diamonds and all other precious things. They were the most cunning of blacksmiths.

When Odin told the little people what he wanted, they all cried, "Never fear, Father Odin! We can make a chain that will bind the wolf."

When the chain was made it was as light and delicate as a spider's web, but Odin knew it could never be broken.

As soon as Fenrer saw the chain, he was afraid of it. He knew if it were only a cobweb they never care to put it on him. would not allow himself to be bound unless a god's hand was put into his mouth. At this the gods only looked at one another. After a little time, Tyr, the bravest of all the gods, put his hand into the wolf's mouth.

The moment the chain touched Fenrer he knew he could never break it, and he bit off the god's hand.

But the Fenris-wolf was bound forever.