The children of Odin - Germanic Mythology

ODIN THE WANDERER 87
while she spun, listening to the tales she told, and asking such
questions as brought him more and more wisdom. And Agnar
heard of Asgard and of the Dwellers in Asgard and of how they
protected Midgard, the World of Men, from the Giants of Jotun-
heim. Agnar, though he did not speak out, said in his own mind
that he would give all his life and all his strength and all his
thought to helping the work of the Gods.
PRING came and Odin built a boat for Geirrod
and Agnar. They could go back now to their
own country. And before they set out Odin told
Geirrod that one day he would come to visit him.
"And do not be too proud to receive a Fisherman
in your hall, Geirrod," said Odin. "A King
should give welcome to the poorest who comes to his hall."
"I wiU be a hero, no doubt of that," Geirrod answered.,
"And I would be a King, too, only Agnar Little-good was born
before me."
Agnar bade good-bye to Trigga and to Odin, thanking them
for the care they had taken of Geirrod and himself. He looked
into Frigga's eyes, and he told her that he would strive to learn
how he might fight the battle for the Gods.
The two went into the boat and they rowed away. They came
near to King Hrauding's realm. They saw the castle overlooking
the sea. Then Geirrod did a terrible thing. He turned the
boat back towards the sea, and he cast the oars away. Then, for
he was well fit to swim the roughest sea and climb the highest