ran out of a forest and began to neigh.  The horse being thus excited, broke loose and ran after the mare into the forest, which obliged the man also to run after his horse, and thus between one and the other the whole night was lost, so that at dawn the work had not made the usual progress.  The man seing that he had no other means of completing his task, resumed his own gigantic stature, and the gods now clearly perceived that it was in reality a Mountain-giant who had come amongst them.  No longer regarding their oaths, they, therefore, called on Thor, who immediately ran to their assistance, and lifting up his mallet Mjolnir paid the workman his wages, not with the sun and moon, and not even by sending him back to Jotunheim, for with the first blow he shattered the giant’s skull to pieces, and hurled him headlong into Nifelhel.  But Loki had run such a race with Svadilfari that shortly after he bore a grey foal with eight legs.  This is the horse Sleipnir, which excels all horses ever possessed by gods or men.”

OF THE SHIP SKIDBLADNIR.

44.  “What hast thou to say,” demanded Gangler, “of Skidbladnir, which thou toldst me was the best of ships?  Is there no other ship as good or as large?”

“Skidbladnir,” replied Har, “is without doubt the best and most artfully constructed of any, but the ship Nagffar is of larger size.  They were dwarfs, the sons of Ivaldi, who built Skidbladnir, and made a present of her to Frey.  She is so large that all the AEsir with their weapons and war stores find room on board her.  As soon as the sails are set a favourable breeze arises and carries her to her place of destination, and she is made of so many pieces, and with so much skill, that when she is not wanted for a voyage Frey may fold her together like a piece of cloth, and put her in his pocket.”

“A good ship truly, is Skidbladnir,” said Gangler, “and many cunning contrivances and spells must, no doubt, have been used in her construction.”

THOR’S ADVENTURES ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF THE GIANTS.

45.  “But tell me,” he (Gangler) continued, “did it ever happen to Thor in his expeditions to be overcome either by spells or by downright force?”

“Few can take upon them to affirm this,” replied Har, “and yet it has often fared hard enough with him; but had he in reality been worsted in any rencounter there would be no need to make mention of it, since all are bound to believe that nothing can resist his power.”

“It would, therefore, appear,” said Gangler, “that I have asked of you things that none of you are able to tell me of.”

“There are, indeed, some such rumours current among us,” answered Jafnhar, “but they are hardly credible; however, there is one sitting here can impart them to thee, and thou shouldst the rather believe him, for never having yet uttered an untruth, he will not now begin to deceive thee with false stories.”