Northern mythology

NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY. 61
swift-footed if he hoped to win at that game. He then
rose and went out. Without on the plain there was a
noble race-ground. Utgarda-Loki called to a young man
named Hugi (thought), and ordered him to run a race with
Thialfi. In the first run Hugi was so greatly ahead_, that
when he had reached the goal, he turned and came to
meet Thialfi. "Thou must step out better than that,"
said Utgarda-Loki, " if thou wilt win ;
though I must allow
that no one has ever come here before more swift-footed
than thou.^^ They now tried a second race. When Hugi
was at the goal and turned round, there was a long bowshot
between him and Thialfi. " Thou art certainly a good
runner," said Utgarda-Loki, " but thou wilt not, I think,
gain the victory ;
though that will be seen when thou hast
tried the third course. They now ran the third time, and
when Hugi had already reached the goal, Thialfi had not
arrived at the middle of the course. All were now unanimous
that these trials were quite sufficient.
Utgarda-Loki now inquired
of Thor what the performances
were which he wished to exhibit before them, and
which might justify the general report as to his great
prowess. Thor answered that he would undertake to drink
with any of his men. With this proposal Utgarda-Loki
was content, and returning to the hall, ordered his cupbearer
to bring the horn of atonement, or punishment, out
of which his men were wont to drink, saying, " When any
one empties this horn at one draught, we call it well
drunk ; some empty it in two, but no one is so great a
milksop that he cannot manage it in three." Thor looked
at the horn, which did not appear to him particularly
capacious, though it seemed rather long. Being veiy
thirsty, he applied it to his mouth and took a long pull,
thinking there would be no occasion for him to have recourse
to it more than once ; but on setting the horn down
to see how much of the liquor had vanishedj he found there