man has ever come here who was swifter of foot."

In the second trial, Thjalfi was a full bow-shot from the boundary when
Hugi arrived at it.

"Very well do you run, Thjalfi," said Utgard-Loki; "but I do not think
you will gain the prize. However, the third trial will decide."

They ran a third time, but Hugi had already reached the goal before
Thjalfi had got half-way. Then all present cried out that there had been
a sufficient trial of skill in that exercise.

Then Utgard-Loki asked Thor in what manner he would choose to give them
a proof of the dexterity for which he was so famous. Thor replied that
he would contest the prize for drinking with any one in the court.
Utgard-Loki consented to the match, and going into the palace, ordered
his cup-bearer to bring the large horn out of which his followers were
obliged to drink when they had trespassed in any way against the customs
of the court. The cup-bearer presented this to Thor, and Utgard-Loki
said--

"Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn at a draught. Some men
make two draughts of it, but the most puny drinker of all can empty it
in three."

Thor looked at the horn, which seemed very long, but was otherwise of no
extraordinary size. He put it to his mouth, and, without drawing breath,
pulled as long and as deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged
to make a second draught of it. When, however, he set the horn down and
looked in it he could scarcely perceive that any of the liquor was gone.

"You have drunk well," said Utgard-Loki; "but you need not boast. Had it
been told me that Asu-Thor could only drink so little, I should not have
credited it. No doubt you will do better at the second pull."

Without a word, Thor again set the horn to his lips and exerted himself
to the utmost. When he looked in it seemed to him that he had not drunk
quite so much as before, but the horn could now be carried without
danger of spilling the liquor. Then Utgard-Loki said--

"Well, Thor, you should not spare yourself more than befits you in such
drinking. If now you mean to drink off the horn the third time it seems
to me you must drink more than you have done. You will never be reckoned
so great a man amongst us as the AEsir make you out to be if you cannot
do better in other games than it appears to me you will do in this."

Thor, angry, put the horn to his mouth and drank the best he could and
as long as he was able, but when he looked into the horn the