. Now shall I reach Niflheim even yet."

Thor wagged his great tail and barked joyfully in answer.

All that night Sigurd lay secure, watched over by the sleepless Thor,
whose honest bark was the sweetest music that ever lulled a hero to
repose.

For two days Sigurd trudged safely onward through that dense forest,
with Thor, the dog, beside him. The way was hard and painful, and the
hero's limbs, now his only support, crashed wearily through the
thickets. But, faint and weary though he was, his bold heart and the
thought of his brother carried him through.

Four days had come and gone since he quitted the Tower of the North-West
Wind, and in three more Ulf would either be saved or slain. Sigurd, as
he thought of it, strode sternly forward and shut his ears to all the
backward voices.

And, with Thor at his side, all danger from the wolves seemed at an end.
As the two pressed on many a distant how! fell on their ears, many a
gaunt form stole out from among the trees to gaze at them, and then
steal back. Thor's honest bark carried panic among those cruel hordes,
while it comforted the heart of Sigurd.

For two days, without sleep, without rest, without proper food, the hero
walked on, till, on the fifth morning after quitting his castle, the
light broke in among the trees, the woodman's cheerful axe resounded
through the glades, the angry howling sounded far behind, and Sigurd
knew he was on the other side of the forest.

In one day he would reach Jockjen, and scarce two hours' march beyond
Jockjen lay Niflheim.

Thor seemed to guess his master's mind, and with a hopeful bark bounded
forward. But Sigurd regarded his companion sadly and doubtfully. He
called him to him, caressed him lovingly, and said--

"Good Thor, thou hast been like a messenger from God to bring me through
this wood. Alas! that we must part."

Thor stopped short as he heard these last words, and moaned piteously.

"Yes, good Thor," said the hero, sadly, "for I cannot live another day
without sending a message to my lady that I am safe, thanks to her and
thee."

The dog, who seemed to understand it all, looked up in his master's face
beseechingly, as if to persuade him against his resolve.

"The danger now is past," said Sigurd. "No wolves haunt the forest
betwixt here and Jockjen, and in the town thy presence may discover me.
So haste back, good Thor, to my lady with this my message."

So saying he took from the ground a smooth