Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/38

32 By and by lis began to boast of his strength. "I will tear down Asgard, kill the gods, and carry off Freyja," he cried, crashing Thor's drinking-horn down upon the table.

But the sound made by the drinking-horn called Thor, who was far away.

Soon a muttering as of distant thunder was heard. Flashes of fire streamed through the air, and there was Thor with his hammer in his hand.

"Why is this giant allowed to feast with the gods?" Thor demanded. "He should never have been allowed to enter Asgard."

With that he made ready to strike. But Hrungner cried, "You are a coward if you kill me unarmed. Come to the borders of my own country. There I will meet you with my shield and flint stone."

So a day was appointed, and Hrungner went back to Jotunheim. There he made a huge clay giant, nine miles high and three miles across the shoulders. He put a horse's heart into the giant, because that was the largest heart he could find.

On the appointed day Thor appeared in his chariot, fire flashing from his eyes, mountains tumbling down as he passed, and hurling his hammer before him.

His servant, Thjalfe, the swift runner, went before and told Hrungner that Thor could attack