THE EIGHT-FOOTED SLIPPER 45 



wondrous heavy ? " asked the maiden. " Never 

 have I seen this golden bridge shake and sag as 

 it did under your weight. Only yesterday five 

 thousand passengers were crowded upon it at 

 once, and yet it trembled not in the least. Surely 

 you are not the kind of man that should travel 

 this road. There is too much color in your face, 

 and too much strength in your arm. Why do you 

 ride into the land of Hela ? " 



" I am on my way to Hela's halls to find my 

 brother Balder," answered Hermod. " He has 

 but lately passed this way, and I doubt not but 

 that among all the multitudes who have given 

 you toll you remember him." 



" Indeed, I do remember him. Two days ago 

 he came, riding his good steed Gyller the Golden, 

 and his sweet-faced wife Nanna was beside him. 

 Never before did such brightness cross this river ; 

 never before did beauty such as his pass over 

 into the land of Hela. If you will promise to 

 bring him back this way, I will lift the gate and 

 allow you to ride on, for I see you have nothing 

 to give me for toll." 



" I promise," said Hermod. " But which way 

 shall I ride to find Hela's halls? " 



" The way lies downward and northward," 



