, like the model among the coals. Then they threw it into the
roaring stream, Thor holding to one end, and all the other folk pulling
at the other. With great toil, they dragged it forwards, against the
current, even to the foot of the waterfall. But the cunning Loki crept
close down between two sharp stones, and lay there quietly while the net
passed harmlessly over him.

"Let us try again!" cried Thor. "I am sure that something besides dead
rocks lies at the bottom of the stream."

So they hung heavy weights to the net, and began to drag it a
second time, this time going down stream. Loki looked out from his
hiding-place, and saw that he would not be able to escape again by lying
between the rocks, and that his only chance for safety was either to
leap over the net, and hide himself behind the rushing cataract itself,
or to swim with the current out to the sea. But the way to the sea was
long, and there were many shallow places; and Loki had doubts as to
how old AEgir would receive him in his kingdom. He feared greatly to
undertake so dangerous and uncertain a course. So, turning upon his
foes, and calling up all his strength, he made a tremendous leap high
into the air, and clean over the net. But Thor was too quick for him. As
he fell towards the water, the Thunderer quickly threw out his hand, and
caught the slippery salmon, holding him firmly by the tail.

When Loki found that he was surely caught, and could not by any means
escape, he took again his proper shape. Fiercely did he struggle with
mighty Thor, and bitter were the curses which he poured down upon his
enemies. But he could not get free. Into the deep, dark cavern, beneath
the smoking mountain, where daylight never comes, nor the warmth of
the sun, nor the sound of Nature's music, the fallen Mischief-maker was
carried. And they bound him firmly to the sharp rocks, with his face
turned upwards toward the dripping roof; for they said that nevermore,
until the last dread twilight, should he be free to vex the world with
his wickedness. And Skade, the giant wife of Niord and the daughter of
grim Old Winter, took a hideous poison snake, and hung it up above Loki,
so that its venom would drop into his upturned face. But Sigyn, the
loving wife of the suffering wretch, left her home in the pleasant halls
of Asgard, and came to his horrible prison-house to soothe and comfort
him; and evermore she holds a basin above his head, and catches in it
the poisonous dro