this ring was made in such a marvellous fashion that every ninth night
nine other rings would drop from it, so that its owner would be the
richest being in the world.

But Brock did not know all this, and only growled.

"Wait a bit," said Sindri again, and this time he threw a lump of iron
on the fire, once more going out, and urging his brother, as he went,
to be specially careful this time, or he would spoil all.

Then in flew Loki and lighted between Brock's eyelids, stinging them
so that the blood poured down and blinded him. Raising his hand for a
second the dwarf dashed away the blood, and just for that instant he
ceased to blow. Presently Sindri was back again, saying gloomily that
what lay in the furnace came nigh to being spoilt. Then he put in his
hand and pulled out a great hammer; but the handle of the hammer was
an inch too short.

Now this hammer was so powerful that no one, not even a Frost Giant,
could resist its force, and it would smash a mountain as easily as it
would an egg-shell. So Brock, when he knew all that was to be known,
took the three gifts and hastened away to Asgard to pit them against
those of Loki, who had just returned.

Enthroned in a circle sat the Asas, and in the midst, as judges of the
gifts, sat Odin, Thor and Frey.

Loki of the red beard and cunning eye, bringing forward the magic
spear, bowed low to Odin, saying: "Here, brother Odin, is a spear that
will never miss its mark!"

Then he turned to Frey and handed him the magic ship, saying: "Here is
a ship which will never lack a fair wind wherever you wish to go; and
though you may fold it up and carry it in your pocket, it will hold
all the gods of Asgard and their steeds besides."

But to Thor he gave the golden web of hair, and said nothing, for he
feared him.

Then Brock stood forth and produced his treasures, saying: "Here,
mighty Odin, is a ring that will produce nine other gold rings every
ninth night."

Odin laughed with joy, and said: "Spears have I in abundance, but with
this ring I shall never want for gold."

Next Brock opened the heavy bag with which his shoulders were
burdened, and out of it fell the golden boar, which he laid before
Frey, saying: "Here, good Frey, is a boar who will carry you through
the air or over the sea. And wherever you go on his back the sky will
be lighted up by his golden bristles."

Then Frey laughed with joy, saying: "Better sport is it to ride on a
golden boar than in a sh