belt of power, and his gloves
of might; and one ugly daughter blinked her red eyes, and the other
gnashed her black teeth, and both clamoured to have what might be left
of the Asa when their father had finished with him.

Meantime Thor was not even aware of the existence of these folk, and
it did not seem at all likely that he would put himself in their way.

About the time that Geirrod was thus breathing out threats against the
Thunderer, Loki grew restless within the walls of Asgard, and,
recalling the fun he had had when he visited Giantland in the guise of
a bird, he went to Freya once more with intent to borrow her falcon
dress. But Freya would not lend it again, for she had no liking for
Red Loki. So the mischievous fellow waited for a moment when she was
busy watering the blades of young corn, and stole the dress.

Only a few moments passed ere Loki was on the wing. To and fro he
flitted for awhile, and then directed his flight towards Giantland,
until at length, as luck would have it, he found himself hovering
above the towers of Geirrod's castle.

The giant and his family were sitting at their great table as Loki
arrived upon the scene. Peering through the open window he could see
the ugly trio snatching at the joints from the smoking dishes, and
half choking themselves in their efforts each to eat faster than the
rest.

Perching on the window-sill, Loki could not resist a croaking chuckle
of amusement, and at the same time his great wings shut out much of
the light, so that the giant's attention was attracted, and he looked
quickly up.

"Ho! Catch me yon bird!" he cried to one of his servants, for there
was that about the appearance of the falcon that revealed the truth to
Geirrod at a glance.

The servant leapt at once to the window-sill; but the ledge was too
high for him, and Loki croaked and chuckled at his vain attempts,
keeping all but within reach in order to increase the fun.

But suddenly the servant, giving an extra high spring, managed to get
a grip of the sill, and as Loki spread his wings in flight he found
his feet firmly caught in some ivy. In vain he struggled to get free,
the servant seized him fast and carried him off in triumph to Geirrod.

"Who are you?" asked the giant; but Loki only blinked and made no
reply.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded again; but still he got only a
blink for answer.

"Who sent you to spy upon us?" roared Geirrod; Loki gave only another
blink.