his angry eyes, was terrified, and attempted to
change himself into another shape; but before he could do so the
wrathful god had gripped him by the throat and was shaking the life
out of him.

"Let me go!" gasped Loki. "Let me go, and I will bring new hair for
Sif ere the daylight's gone."

"Go, then," roared Thor, "but mind, if you break your word you will
have not only to reckon with _me_, but with Odin and Frey as well."

Then, giving Loki a last shake, he sent him flying over the
battlements and down the Rainbow Bridge like a falling star.

Now Loki was terrified at the result of his trick, and dread of the
punishment that Odin might have in store for him, when he returned
with the hair, began to assail him. So he determined to take back with
him two presents, one for his mighty brother, and one for Frey, the
god of the Golden Sunshine.

Leaping on to the earth, he quickly made his way through a hillside
into the depths of the mountains, never stopping till he had reached
the dark and gloomy district of Dwarfland.

For a time Loki could see nothing, though he heard on every side the
tapping hammers and heaving bellows of the Little Men.

Presently, however, he distinguished a tiny furnace with its burning
flame, and saw by its light a little squat figure, who pulled off his
peaked cap and asked the visitor what he wanted.

"I want you to make me three gifts," said Loki; "one for Odin, and one
for Frey, and the third must be golden hair that will grow upon Sif's
head."

Now the dwarfs were anxious to keep on good terms with the gods, who
could protect them against the giants; and so, when they heard Loki's
request, they readily agreed to make the three things. Accordingly,
they set to work upon a pile of golden nuggets, and spun from them a
mass of the finest gold thread, so smooth and soft that it looked like
the loveliest hair. This they gave to Loki, telling him that directly
it touched the head of Sif it would become as a natural growth.

"Now give me something for Odin," said Loki, well pleased.

So the dwarfs set to work again, and presently fashioned the spear
called Gungnir, which, however badly it might be aimed, was always
sure to go straight to its mark.

Loki gratefully took the spear, and there now only remained the gift
for Frey.

The dwarfs thought awhile, and then set to work upon a ship which,
when pressed together, would fold up and go into one's pocket, but
which, when allowed to