into the air, and was carried swiftly back to
Hunaland; and, just before the dawn appeared in the east, he alighted
at the door of the farmhouse where Odin and Hoenir still lay bound with
thongs, and guarded by the watchful Fafnir and Regin.

Then the farmer, Hreidmar, brought the otter's skin, and spread it upon
the ground; and, lo! it grew, and spread out on all sides, until it
covered an acre of ground. And he cried out, "Fulfil now your promise!
Cover every hair of this hide with gold or with precious stones. If
you fail to do this, then your lives, by your own agreement, are
forfeited, and we shall do with you as we list."

Odin took the magic net from Loki's shoulder; and, opening it, he
poured the treasures of the mountain elves upon the otter skin. And
Loki and Hoenir spread the yellow pieces carefully and evenly over
every part of the furry hide. But, after every piece had been laid in
its place, Hreidmar saw near the otter's mouth a single hair uncovered;
and he declared, that unless this hair, too, were covered, the bargain
would be unfulfilled, and the treasures and lives of his prisoners
would be forfeited.

The Asas were filled with dismay; for not another piece of gold, and
not another precious stone, could they find in the net, although they
searched with the greatest care. At last Odin took from his bosom the
ring which Loki had stolen from the dwarf; for he had been so highly
pleased with its form and workmanship, that he had hidden it, hoping
that it would not be needed to complete the payment of the ransom. And
they laid the ring upon the uncovered hair; and now no portion of the
otter's skin could be seen. And Fafnir and Regin, the ransom being
paid, loosed the shackles of Odin and Hoenir, and bade the three
huntsmen go on their way.

Odin and Hoenir at once shook off their human disguises, and, taking
their own forms again, hastened with all speed home to Asgard. But
Loki tarried a little while, and said to Hreidmar and his sons:

"By your greediness and falsehood you have won for yourselves the Curse
of the Earth, which lies before you. It shall be your bane. It shall
be the bane of everyone who holds it. It shall kindle strife between
father and son, between brother and brother. It shall make you mean,
selfish, beastly. It shall transform you into monsters. The noblest
king among men folk shall feel its curse. Such is gold, and such it
shall ever be to its worshippers. And th