Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/28

22 Thor hurried away and waited until the giant once more slept soundly. Then he went softly, and struck him so hard that the hammer sank into his head.

This time the giant sat up and looked around him. Seeing Thor, he said, "I think there are squirrels in this tree. See, a nutshell has fallen and scratched my forehead."

"But make ready to go now. We are near the palace of Utgard."

"You see how large I am. In Utgard's palace I am thought small. If you go there do not boast of your strength."

With that, he directed Thor to the palace, and went away northward.

At noon they saw a palace so high that they had to bend back their heads to see the top of it.

The gate was locked. So they crept in through the bars, and went from room to room until they came to the hall where sat Utgard with his men around him.

For some time he pretended not to see Thor. Then with a loud laugh he said, "Ho! ho! who is this little creature?" Without waiting for a reply, he cried, "Why, I believe it is Thor of whom we have heard."

Then speaking to Thor for the first time, he