On the right they found an adjoining chamber, into which they entered, but while the others, trembling with fear, crept into the furthest corner of this retreat, Thor remained at the doorway with his mallet in his hand, prepared to defend himself, whatever might happen.  A terrible groaning was heard during the night, and at dawn of day, Thor went out and observed lying near him a man of enormous bulk, who slept and snored pretty loudly.  Thor could now account for the noise they had heard over night, and girding on his Belt of Prowess, increased that divine strength which he now stood in need of.  The giant awakening, rose up, and it is said that for once in his life Thor was afraid to make use of his mallet, and contented himself by simply asking the giant his name.

“’My name is Skrymir, said the other, ’but I need not ask thy name, for I know thou art the God Thor.  But what hast thou done with my glove?’ And stretching out his hand Skrymir picked up his glove, which Thor then perceived was what they had taken over night for a hall, the chamber where they had sought refuge being the thumb.  Skrymir then asked whether they would have his fellowship, and Thor consenting, the giant opened his wallet and began to eat his breakfast.  Thor and his companions having also taken their morning repast, though in another place, Skrymir proposed that they should lay their provisions together, which Thor also assented to.  The giant then put all the meat into one wallet, which he slung on his back and went before them, taking tremendous strides, the whole day, and at dusk sought out for them a place where they might pass the night under a large oak tree.  Skrymir then told them that he would lie down to sleep.  ’But take ye the wallet,’ he added, ‘and prepare your supper.’

“Skrymir soon fell asleep, and began to snore strongly, but incredible though it may appear, it must nevertheless be told, that when Thor came to open the wallet he could not untie a single knot, nor render a single string looser than it was before.  Seeing that his labour was in vain, Thor became wroth, and grasping his mallet with both hands while he advanced a step forward, launched it at the giant’s head.  Skrymir, awakening, merely asked whether a leaf had not fallen on his head, and whether they had supped and were ready to go to sleep.  Thor answered that they were just going to sleep, and so saying, went and laid himself down under another oak tree.  But sleep came not that night to Thor, and when he remarked that Skrymir snored again so loud that the forest re-echoed with the noise, he arose, and grasping his mallet, launched it with such force that it sunk into the giant’s skull up to the handle.  Skrymir awakening, cried out—­

“’What’s the matter? did an acorn fall on my head?  How fares it with thee, Thor?’

“But Thor went away hastily, saying that he had just then awoke, and that as it was only midnight there was still time for sleep.  He however resolved that if he had an opportunity of striking a third blow, it should settle all matters between them.  A little before daybreak he perceived that Skrymir was again fast asleep, and again grasping his mallet, dashed it with such violence that it forced its way into the giant’s cheek up to the handle.  But Skrymir sat up, and stroking his cheek, said—­