THE EIGHT-FOOTED SLIPPER 47 



with lightning swiftness down the narrow road- 

 way toward the edge of the moat, and in another 

 moment was flying through the air right over the 

 gate and into the courtyard beyond. It was a 

 wonderful leap; but then it was a wonderful 

 horse that made it. No sportsman's trained hun- 

 ter ever cleared ditch and hedge with half the ease 

 and grace that great Sleipnir cleared the high 

 wall of Hela's castle. Safe within the courtyard, 

 Hermod alighted and tied the horse to an iron 

 post that stood by the side of a fountain. Then, 

 seeing that all the doors were open, he walked 

 boldly in without asking leave of any one, and 

 made his way to the long banquet-hall where 

 Hela and her guests were feasting. Whom 

 should he see, sitting in the foremost seat at the 

 Queen's right hand, but his brother Balder ! The 

 light which shone in Balder's countenance and 

 glittered in his eyes shed a soft radiance over the 

 entire hall, such as its gloomy walls had never 

 seen before; and the faces of the guests were 

 wreathed in smiles, and the Queen herself seemed 

 to have forgotten all her sternness. Hermod, un- 

 bidden though he was, was welcomed very kindly, 

 and a seat was given him at the table. All that 

 evening he mingled with the guests in the hall. 



