n, the sinews of a bear, the breath of
fishes, and other such strange materials, which only the dwarfs knew how
to use. With this chain the messenger hastened back over the Rainbow
Bridge to Asgard.

By this time the Fenris Wolf had grown too big for his yard, so he lived
on a rocky island in the middle of the lake that lies in the midst of
Asgard. And here the Asas now betook themselves with their chain, and
began to play their part with wily words.

"See," they cried, "O Fenris! Here is a cord so soft and thin that none
would think of it binding such strength as thine." And they laughed
great laughs, and handed it to one another, and tried its strength by
pulling at it with all their might, but it did not break.

Then they came nearer and used more wiles, saying: "_We_ cannot break
the cord, though 'tis stronger than it looks, but thou, O mighty one,
will be able to snap it in a moment."

But the wolf tossed his head in scorn, and said: "Small renown would
there be to me, O Asa folk, if I were to break yon slender string. Save,
therefore, your breath, and leave me now alone."

"Aha!" cried the Asas, "thou fearest the might of the silken cord, thou
false one, and that is why thou wilt not let us bind thee!"

"Not I," said the Fenris Wolf, growing rather suspicious, "but if it is
made with craft and guile it shall never come near my feet."

"But," said the Asas, "thou wilt surely be able to break this silken
cord with ease, since thou hast already broken the great iron fetters."

To this the wolf made no answer, pretending not to hear.

"Come!" said the Asas again, "why shouldst thou fear? For even if thou
couldst not break the cord we would immediately let thee free again. To
refuse is a coward's piece of work."

Then the wolf gnashed his teeth at them in anger, and said: "Well I know
you Asas! For if you bind me so fast that I cannot get loose you will
skulk away, and it will be long before I get any help from you; and
therefore am I loth to let this band be laid upon me."

But still the Asas continued to persuade him and to twit him with
cowardice until at length the Fenris Wolf said, with a sullen growl:
"Have it your own way then. But, as a pledge that this is done without
deceit, let one of you lay his hand in my mouth while you are binding
me, and afterwards while I try to break the bonds."

Then the Asa folk looked at one another in dismay, for they knew very
well what this would mean. And while the