Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/122

 “Food we have enough,” said they, and showed him their booty.

When Hreidmar saw the otter, anger and grief filled his heart, for it was his son. He summoned his sons Regin and Fafnir to take vengeance on the murderers.

There entered two great men, and they fell upon the gods and bound them. “We will redeem our lives,” said Odin, when he saw their strength availed not. “We will pay what ye will for the murdered man.”

The giants, after much debate, consented, and solemn oaths were sworn that the gods would keep their word, for there was little faith between the gods and giants.

“Take off the skin of the otter,” said Hreidmar. “If you would redeem your lives you must fill it full of red gold, and you must cover the fur so that not one hair is without gold. Then shall there be peace between us.”

Odin took Loki aside and bade him go to the dwarf called Andvari, while he and Hoenir remained as hostages. Loki went his way and came to where the dwarf swam in the water in the shape of a pike. He caught him in his hand, and demanded his gold. Now the dwarf loved the red gold as though it had been his life, and his heart was heavy within him. But there was no help, for he was in Loki’s power. They went into the cave, and Andvari fetched forth the great stores of gold. Loki noticed that the dwarf was concealing a tiny golden ring. “Give up the ring,” cried he. “I bade thee give me all.”

Then the dwarf fell on his knees. “Take not the ring,” he implored. “Thou hast taken my treasure; leave me the ring.”

“Thou shalt not retain one piece of gold,” returned Loki coldly. “Why wouldst thou keep the ring?”

“Because,” said Andvari, “with it I can renew my wealth.”

“Now have I cause enough to take it from thee,“ said Loki. “Nothing shalt thou keep.”

“Take it,” cried Andvari. “But I will attach a curse to it. Who- ever owns this ring, he shall lose his life because of it.”

“Be it so,” said Loki. “I am content to abide thereby.” He went back to Hreidmar’s house, and gave Odin the gold and the ring. Odin kept the ring because he deemed it beautiful, and gave the remaining gold to Hreidmar, who filled the otter skin, pressing the gold tightly together till the skin stood upright. Then Odin covered the outside with gold.