DBINKIXG THE BL<H> <>F WILD BEAST*. 437 



jumped on its back and spurred it, and it ran as if it had no 

 burden on its back " (Volsunga Saga, c. 19). 



"When it drew near to Yule, people became uncheerful, 

 Bodvar asked Hott why this was. He told him a large and 

 terrible animal had come there for two winters ; it had wings 

 on its back, and always flew : for two autumns it had come, 

 and done much damage ; weapons did not wound it, and the 

 best champions of the King did not come home. Bodvar said : 

 ' The hall is not so well manned l as I thought, if one creature 

 is to lay waste the realm and property of the king.' Hott 

 replied that it was not an animal, but the worst fiend. 

 On Yule-eve the King said : ' I want people to be quiet and 

 silent this night, and I forbid all my men to endanger them- 

 selves against the animal; with the property let it happen 

 as it may, but I do not want to lose my men.' Every man 

 promised to do as he ordered. Bodvar stole away in the night 

 with Hott, who went unwillingly, saying that he was taken 

 to death, while Bodvar said it would not be so. As they 

 left the hall, Bodvar was obliged to carry him, he was so 

 frightened. When they saw the beast, Hott shouted as loud 

 as he could, and cried that it was going to swallow him. 

 Bodvar told the animal to be silent, and flung him down in 

 the moss ; there he lay, not without fear, nor dared he go 

 home. Bodvar now went against the beast ; it happened that 

 his sword was fast in the scabbard ; at last he got the scabbard 

 turned, so that the sword came out ; he thrust at once under 

 its shoulder so strongly that he pierced the heart, and it 

 fell dead. Then he went to where Hott lay; he took him, 

 and carried him to the place where the beast lay dead. Hott 

 trembled violently. Bodvar said : ' Now thou shalt drink its 

 blood.' He was long unwilling, but dared not, however, dis- 

 obey. Bodvar made him swallow two large mouthfuls, and 

 eat some of the beast's heart ; then took hold of him, and 

 they wrestled a long while. Bodvar said : ' Thou hast be- 

 come rather strong, and I do not think thou art now afraid 

 of the hirdmen of King Hrolf.' Hott replied : ' I will not 

 be afraid of them nor of thee hereafter.' Bodvar answered : 

 ' That is good, my companion Hott ; let us go and lift up the 

 beast, and arrange it so that others will think it alive.' This 

 they did. After this they went home quietly, and no one 

 knew what they had done " (Hrolf Kraki's Saga, c. 35). 2 



There were several different drinks, known under different 



1 Same expression as of a ship. 



2 Cf. also about HrolPs Champions, 



c. 31. (Ynglinga, c. 38.) 



