Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/140



pondered deeply how he could avenge himself on the giants for the deceptions practised on him in Utgard, and so recover his honour. He assumed the form of a youth, and went forth to visit one of the frost giants named Hymir, who gave him shelter for the night. When it was dawn, the giant arose, and prepared to go forth and catch fish in the sea. Thor offered to accompany him, but the giant shook his head.

“Little help should I have from thee,” he said; “thou art too small and young to be aught but a hindrance to me. Long shall I be away, and thou would’st find it bitter cold.”

“Be not afraid,” returned Thor. “It remains to be seen which of us will first desire to return. What bait shall we take?”

Hymir told him to choose his own bait, whereupon he went to the giants’ herds, slew the biggest ox, and tore off his head. Then he joined Hymir in the boat and rowed, so that the latter wondered at his strength. At length, the giant said they had reached his usual fishing ground, but Thor desired to go further out to sea. After a time Hymir ceased rowing.

“It is not safe to go further,” said he, “lest we chance upon the Midgard snake.”

Thor said they must not stop yet, and rowed with all his might, while Hymir sat in sullen silence. At last Thor stopped rowing, and baited a mighty line with the ox’s head, for it was no small fish that he meant to catch that day.

The Midgard snake lay at the bottom of the ocean. When the tempting bait dangled before it, it raised its head, and snapped at it, and the hook caught in the snake’s mouth. Then it grew mad with rage and terror, and pulled and tugged at the line, so that Thor was flung to the bottom of the boat. Now his wrath awoke, and with his wrath his strength grew. His feet went through the boat, and he stood on the sea bottom. The snake struggled and fought, lashing the water, so that the sea grew wild and tumultuous, the waves dashed high, and great was the turmoil, but Thor never let go, and slowly, slowly, he raised the monster out of the water. Its horrible eyes were fixed on him ; it breathed forth venom against him, but little cared the mighty god, as he stood there straining every muscle.