42 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



continue and joy never return? Frost and ice 

 and darkness would at length overwhelm the 

 earth, and the race of mankind would perish. 



" We must bring lost Balder back to us ! " he 

 cried. " He must not stay in the gloomy halls 

 of the under-world. And yet how can we per- 

 suade Hela, the pale-faced Queen of that region, 

 to give him up? " 



" Hela is deaf to prayers," answered one of his 

 councilors ; " and, moreover, she will be glad to 

 keep the bright Balder in order that perchance 

 some joy may be known to the dwellers in her 

 own domains. And yet, mayhap, if some one of 

 your own household shall go down and carry 

 your prayers to her, she will relent and give 

 him up." 



" Ah, so she may ! " cried the Queen-mother. 

 " But who among his brothers will dare under- 

 take so fearful a journey? " 



"I will dare!" cried Hermod, B alder's younger 

 brother. He was only a little fellow, but he was 

 famous all over the world for the quickness of 

 his movements and for his horsemanship. " I 

 will go down to Hela's house with your prayers, 

 if only I may ride Sleipnir, who is both fleet and 

 sure-footed." 



