Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/134

 at night Loki discovered a hut for them to sleep in, a spacious build- ing with an entrance hall almost as large as the chief apartment. But towards midnight the earth shook, the hut trembled, and terrible sounds disturbed their slumbers.

“This house is dangerous,” cried Thor; “I will rest in the open air Then Thialfi discovered an outhouse, and he and Loki took refuge there, for they were sore afraid. But Thor knew no fear, so the live-long night he kept watch with his hammer at the door.

All night the terrible sounds continued. When the darkness grew a little less, because beyond the trees the sun was rising, Thor arose and went forth to see if he might find what manner of thing had disturbed them. He had gone but a few paces when he discovered a man of mighty stature lying on the ground. Thor was no dwarf, he towered above all men, yet by this Giant’s side he felt himself but small. He stood and gazed, and as he gazed the Giant snored. “Ha,’ said the god, as he girded on his belt that doubled his strength; “that was the sound that troubled us. What manner of man is this whose snores are like to earthquakes?”

As he spoke, the Giant awoke, rose up to his full height, and it is said that, for the only time in his life, the heart of the Thunderer failed him, and he could not strike.

“What is thy name, friend?” he asked.

“I am called Skrymir,” answered the Giant; “but I have no need to ask thee who thou art. Thy red beard and thy hammer betray thee for the mighty god Thor. But where have I laid my glove? Ah, yonder it lies.” Then Thor, to his shame, discovered that the hut where he and his comrades had spent the night was naught but the Giant’s glove, and the thumb thereof they had taken for an outhouse! But he held his peace, and when they had broken their fast Skrymir spoke.

“Let us go forth together,” said he. “A journey seems shorter in good company. We will put our provisions in one bundle. It will be but a little matter for me to carry them.” So he put all together, and they journeyed through the forest all that day; and when it was night they rested beneath a tall oak.

“Eat your supper,” said Skrymir, throwing down the bundle; “I have no desire for food.” So saying, he laid himself beneath an oak, and in another minute the forest shook with his snores.