Those 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 not 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, that 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.

With pale face and sinking heart the giant watched the deadly struggle; he saw ho the boat filled with water, and his

courage failed him, so that he grew faint with terror.

Thor heeded him not, but, raising his hammer, prepared to slay the enemy of the gods, but Hymir rushed forward

and cut through the line. The earth groaned and shuddered, the rocks burst asunder, the abyss howled, as swiftly

the great snake sank through the waters to its lair at the bottom of the sea, and there it lay till its hour had come,

and with it the hour of Thor, the strong god.

Terrible was the wrath of Thor; few there were who cared to face him when his anger came upon him. The giant sat

and said no word. Then Thor struck him a blow, so that he fell into the water, while he himself waded to the shore.

Hymir managed to save himself, but ere long he and all his kin perished at the hands of the slayer of giants.