Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/33

Rh THOR AND HYMER. down in the cool depths of the ocean dwelt Æger, the sea-god, in his shining palace.

The water lapped softly against its clear green walls. All the herds of Ran, the sea-god's wife, played about it.

Within sat Æger on his throne, and the winds and waves, which were his children, went abroad to do his will. On a day when the ocean lay calm and quiet in the sunlight, the gods feasted in Æger's palace.

But Æger's great kettle was lost, and there was no meat for the guests.

Thor shook his great hammer in anger and vowed to bring back the kettle. But no one could tell him where to find it.

Tyr said, "Just within the borders of Jotunheim lives Hymer. He has a kettle a mile deep. But he who goes for it must be wary, for Hymer is a dog-wise and dangerous giant."

Thor cried, "I fear no giant! Show me the way and I will bring the kettle!"

So the two gods passed out of Æger's sea-green hall and away through groves of coral.