gave Loki a hint, and he began to peer about between the clouds,
until at length he saw that the trouble was coming from a certain hill
which stood in the centre of Giantland.

Now on the top of this hill lived a certain Thrym, prince of the Frost
Giants, who for a long time past had been very envious of the might of
Thor. He had, indeed, done his best to imitate him as far as he could,
and had managed to get up a very good imitation of lightning and hail
and rain; but he had not been able to manage the thunderbolts, for
they could only be made by means of Thor's hammer, Mioelnir.

All this was well known to Red Loki, and he was therefore not at all
surprised to find that, somehow or other, Thrym must have got hold of
the magic weapon; for here were thunderbolts crashing about the earth
and sky at a terrible rate.

When informed of the discovery, Thor flew into a still more tremendous
rage, and wanted to rush off at once to try conclusions with the
giant. But Loki, who loved rather to get a thing by trickery and
deceit, persuaded him that violence would never do.

"Remember," said he, "that Thrym _with_ the hammer is much stronger
than Thor without it. This is a matter which must be managed by clever
wit and craft, not by force and loud talking. Leave therefore the
whole matter to me."

To this Thor very reluctantly agreed.

Then Loki bethought him of some disguise wherein he might visit
Giantland in safety, for he was not at all anxious to risk his life.
He betook himself to the House of Maidens, over which ruled Freya,
fairest of all in Asgard, she who was wont to shake the spring flowers
from her golden locks as she passed over the frozen uplands, leaving
behind her a region of green and smiling beauty. Loki found the
goddess, and begged the loan of her magic falcon plumes, in which she
was wont to flit to and fro over the earth; and when she learnt for
what purpose he needed them she gladly assented.

Then Loki took the appearance of a great brown bird, and spreading his
wings he flew away towards Giantland.

It was a long journey, as he already knew, and, although the tempest
had now ceased to rage, he found the country of the giants darker and
colder and drearier than ever.

The longest journey comes to an end, and at length Loki reached a
mountain where sat the Giant Thrym, his huge legs dangling to the
ground, playing with a puppy as large as an elephant.

Perching as near as he dared, Loki gazed at