Northern mythology

60 NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY.
when they saw before them a city, on a vast plain, so high
that they had to bend back their necks in
order to see to
the top of it. The entrance Avas protected by a barred
gate, which was locked. Thor endeavoured to open it,
and failed ;
but being desirous to enter, they crept through
the bars, and so gained admission. Before them was a
spacious hall with open door, into which they passed,
where, on two benches, sat a company of men, most of
them very gigantic. They then went before the king,
Utgarda-Loki, and greeted him ; but he, just glancing at
them, said with a contemptuous smile, " It is wearying to
ask of travellers the particulars of a long journey ; but is
my surmise correct that this little fellow is Auku-Thor ?
though, perhaps, you are taller than you appear to be.
WTiat feats can you and your followers perform ? for no
one is suffered here, who in one or other art or talent does
not excel others." Then said Loki, who entered last,
" One feat I can exhibit, and which I am willing to perform
forthwith, and that is that I can devour my food as
expeditiously as any one."
Utgarda-Loki answered, " That
is certainly a notable feat, provided thou art able to perfonii
it, and that we will put to the proof." He then
called a man from the bench, by name Logi (flame), and
commanded him to try his power with Loki. A trough
full of meat was then placed on the floor, at one end of
which Loki seated himself, and Logi at the other. Each
ate to the best of his ability, and they met in the middle
of the trough. Loki had eaten all the meat from the
bones, while Logi had swallowed down meat, and bones,
and the trough into the bargain. All were, therefore,
unanimous that Loki was the loser at this game. Utgarda-
Loki then asked at what game that young man could play ?
Thialfi answered, that he would try a race with any one
that Utgarda-Loki might select.
Utgarda-Loki said that
that was a goodly craft, but added, that he must be very