g voice, nodding his head as he
spoke: "Yea, thou art right, great Mother of Gods and Men."

But the wicked Asa had learnt what he desired to know. The instrument
by which he might bring harm to Balder the Beautiful was now awaiting
him, and he determined to use it, to the dire sorrow of Asgard.

Hastening to the western gate of Valhalla, he pulled a clump of the
mistletoe from the oak, and fashioned therefrom a little wand, or
stick, and with this in his hand he returned to the plain of Idavold.
He was far too cunning, however, to attempt to carry out his wicked
design himself. His malicious heart was too well known to the Asa
folk. But he soon found an innocent tool. Leaning against a tree, and
taking no part in the game, was Hoder, the blind god, the twin-brother
of Balder, and to him he began:

"Hark to the Asas--how they laugh! Do you take no share in the game,
good Hoder?"

"Not I," said Hoder gloomily, "for I am blind, and know not where to
throw."

"I could show you that," said Loki, assuming a pleasant tone; "'tis no
hard matter, Hoder, and methinks the Asas will call you proud and
haughty if you take no share in the fun."

"But I have nothing to throw," said poor blind Hoder.

Then Loki said: "Here, at least, is a small shaft, 'twill serve your
purpose," and leading innocent Hoder into the ring he cunningly guided
his aim. Hoder, well pleased to be able to share in a game with his
beloved brother, boldly sped the shaft, expecting to hear the usual
shouts of joyous laughter which greeted all such attempts. There fell
instead dead silence on his ear, and immediately on this followed a
wail of bitter agony. For Balder the Beautiful had fallen dead without
a groan, his heart transfixed by the little dart of mistletoe.

"So on the floor lay Balder dead; and round
Lay thickly strewn swords, axes, darts, and spears,
Which all the gods in sport had idly thrown
At Balder, whom no weapon pierced or clove;
But in his breast stood fixed the fatal bough
Of mistletoe, which Loki the Accuser gave
To Hoder, and unwitting Hoder threw--
'Gainst that alone had Balder's life no charm."

Dreading he knew not what, Hoder stood in doubt for some moments. But
soon the meaning of that bitter wail was borne in upon him, piercing
the cloud of darkness in which he always moved. He opened wide his
arms as though to clasp the beloved form, and then with: "I have slain
thee, my brother," despair