Page:Stories of Norse Gods and Heroes.djvu/62

56 was the richest of all dwarfs. He was also the wariest of all dwarfs. He changed himself into a fish and hid in the water.

But Loke borrowed a net from Ran, the sea-god's wife, and caught him.

When Andvare found that he could not escape, he gave up all his gold but one little ring. This he tried to hide under his arm. Loke took it away from him. The dwarf begged to have it given back. He said if he had the ring, he could make more gold; but, without it, he could do nothing. When Loke would not let him have the ring, he cursed the gold, and said it Avould always bring trouble to its owner.

Loke carried the gold to Odin. Odin filled the otter skin and covered it, but kept the ring. When the farmer looked he found one hair that was not covered. Odin put the ring upon the hair and the farmer unbound him.

As soon as the gods were gone, the sons demanded some of the gold. The father refused to divide it, and Fafner killed him with a sword while he slept.

Then Begin demanded half the gold. But Fafner ran away with the whole hoard.