i," said one of the maidens; but
another pointed towards the city of Helheim, and there they saw the
stern face of Hela looking over the wall.

"One has not wept," said the grim Queen, "and Helheim holds its own."
So saying she motioned the maidens away with her long, cold hand.

Then the Valkyries turned and fled up the steep way to the foot of
Odin's throne, like a pale snowdrift that flies before the storm.

THOR'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE JOETUNS

ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD

Once upon a time Thor set out upon his travels, taking Loki with
him, for despite Loki's spirit of mischief he often aided Thor, who
doubtless, in the present expedition, felt that Loki might be of use
to him.

So they set off together in Thor's chariot, drawn by its two strong
he-goats, and as night drew nigh, stopped at the hut of a peasant,
where they asked food and shelter.

"Food I have none to give you," said the peasant. "I am a poor man and
not able even to give supper to my children, but if you like to rest
under my roof you are welcome to do so."

"Never mind the food; I can manage that," said Thor, dismounting from
the chariot and entering the hut.

It was a poor place, and not at all fitted to receive one of the Asi,
but Thor was glad enough to meet with it, wretched as it was.

"You can kill the goats," said he; "they will make us an excellent
meal."

The peasant could not help thinking that it was a pity to kill two
such fine animals; but wisely thinking that this was no affair of his,
and that the stranger had a right to do as he pleased with his own, he
set himself to obey Thor's orders, and with the help of his daughter
Raska soon spread a savory repast before the hungry god and his
attendant.

"Sit down, all of you," said Thor; "there is enough and to spare."

So they all sat down, and the peasant and his children shared a more
plentiful meal than had fallen to their lot lately. Thor and Loki
also did ample justice to the food, and when supper was over the
thunder-god bade the peasant gather the bones and place them in the
goatskins, and making them into a bundle he left them on the floor
until the next morning.

When the morning came and the early sun shone in through the crevices,
Thor raised his hammer, and instead of the bundle of bones the peasant
and his son and daughter saw the two goats standing as fresh and
lively as if nothing had happened to them, saving that one of them
halted a little in his wa