44 JHE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



narrow valley where there were many unknown 

 and fearful things, they came out upon a broad 

 plain which is the beginning of the great silent 

 land. A dim yellow light illumined the sky, and 

 the air seemed soft and mild, and a restful peace 

 abode there. But no sound of any kind was 

 heard; even the striking of Sleipnir's hoofs upon 

 the pavement was noiseless; and when Hermod 

 tried to sing, he found that he could not hear his 

 own voice. On the farther side of the plain they 

 came to a broad river that flowed silently toward 

 the sea. It was the river Gjol, and across it was 

 the long Gjallar Bridge, a narrow roadway 

 roofed with shining gold. Here Sleipnir slacked 

 his pace, and Hermod found that the great silence 

 had been left behind. At the end of the bridge 

 was a gate behind which stood a maiden named 

 Modgud, whose duty it was to take toll of all 

 the travelers who passed that way. 



" Who are you," she asked, " who ride so 

 heavily across the frail Gjallar Bridge, and what 

 kind of beast is that which you bestride ? " 



" I am Hermod, of the house of mighty Odin," 

 was the answer ; " and this beast is Sleipnir the 

 Glider, the fleetest and the wisest of all horses." 



" Why do you ride so hard, and why are you so 



