the leaves drop off the trees?" And then he
snored as loudly as before.

Thor picked up his hammer, and approaching nearer drove it into the
hinder part of the giant's head, who again, half waking up, muttered,
"How troublesome the dust is!"

Thor was exceedingly astonished at this, but thought nevertheless
that he would once more make trial of his power; so coming up close
to Skrymner he struck with such force as to drive the hammer up to the
handle in the giant's cheek.

Then Skrymner opened both eyes, and lazily lifting his finger to his
face said, "I suppose there are birds about, for I fancied I felt a
feather fall."

Now was Thor fairly disconcerted; and the next morning, when the giant
told him that they must now part, as his road led him another way, he
was by no means ill-pleased, and he let Skrymner go without so much as
bidding him "good speed." Skrymner, however, seemed not to notice
that Thor was glad to be quit of his company, and gave him some very
friendly advice before he left him.

"If you will take my advice," said the giant, "you will give up this
thought of visiting Utgard. The people there are all giants of greater
stature even than I, and they make nothing of little men, such as
you are. Nay, more, you yourself are likely to fare but badly amongst
them, for I see that you are rather apt to think too much of yourself
and to take too much upon you. Be wise while there is time, think of
what I say, and don't go near the city."

"But I will go there," shouted Thor, almost choked with rage; "I will
go in spite of all the Joetuns of Joetunheim. None shall hinder me, and
the giants shall see and wonder at the mighty power of the god Thor."

And as he spoke the rising sun fell full upon the city of Utgard,
whose huge brazen gates glittered in the sunlight. Even though they
were so far away, Thor could see how high they were; and as he drew
nearer, their vast size filled him with amazement; but when he reached
them his wonder was beyond all words, for he and his companions seemed
no larger than grasshoppers, in comparison with their height.

The gates were not open, for it was yet early; so Thor and his
comrades crept through the bars, and entered the city. As they passed
along the streets the houses were so tall that it was only by crossing
to the opposite side of the broad road that they were able to see the
windows in the topmost stories. And the streets were so wide that it
was quite a journ