“I,” said Loki, “can eat quicker than any one else, and of that I am ready to give proof if there is here any one who will compete with me.”

“It must, indeed, be owned,” replied the king, “that you are not wanting in dexterity, if you are able to do what you say.  Come, let us test it.”

Then he ordered one of his followers who was sitting at the further end of the bench, and whose name was Logi (Flame) to come forward, and try his skill with Loki.  A great tub or trough full of flesh meat was placed in the hall, and Loki having placed himself at one end of the trough, and Logi having set himself at the other end, the two commenced to eat.  Presently they met in the middle of the trough, but Loki had only devoured the flesh of his portion, whereas the other had devoured both flesh and bones.  All the company therefore decided that Loki was beaten.

Then Utgard-Loki asked what the young man could do who accompanied Thor.  Thjalfi said that in running he would compete with any one.  The king admitted that skill in running was something very good, but he thought Thjalfi must exert himself to the utmost to win in the contest.  He rose and, accompanied by all the company, went to a plain where there was a good place for the match, and then calling a young man named Hugi (Spirit or Thought), he ordered him to run with Thjalfi.  In the first race Hugi ran so fast away from Thjalfi that on his returning to the starting-place he met him not far from it.  Then said the king—­

“If you are to win, Thjalfi, you must run faster, though I must own no man has ever come here who was swifter of foot.”

In the second trial, Thjalfi was a full bow-shot from the boundary when Hugi arrived at it.

“Very well do you run, Thjalfi,” said Utgard-Loki; “but I do not think you will gain the prize.  However, the third trial will decide.”

They ran a third time, but Hugi had already reached the goal before Thjalfi had got half-way.  Then all present cried out that there had been a sufficient trial of skill in that exercise.

Then Utgard-Loki asked Thor in what manner he would choose to give them a proof of the dexterity for which he was so famous.  Thor replied that he would contest the prize for drinking with any one in the court.  Utgard-Loki consented to the match, and going into the palace, ordered his cup-bearer to bring the large horn out of which his followers were obliged to drink when they had trespassed in any way against the customs of the court.  The cup-bearer presented this to Thor, and Utgard-Loki said—­

“Whoever is a good drinker will empty that horn at a draught.  Some men make two draughts of it, but the most puny drinker of all can empty it in three.”

Thor looked at the horn, which seemed very long, but was otherwise of no extraordinary size.  He put it to his mouth, and, without drawing breath, pulled as long and as deeply as he could, that he might not be obliged to make a second draught of it.  When, however, he set the horn down and looked in it he could scarcely perceive that any of the liquor was gone.