190 
LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES. 
44 4 Further,’ said he, 4 most remarkable did it seem 
to me that thou liftedst the cat, and in truth all became 
terrified when they saw that thou liftedst one of its 
feet from the ground. For it was no cat, as it seemed 
unto thee, but the great serpent that lies coiled round 
the world. Scarcely had he length that his tail and 
head might reach the earth, and thou liftedst him so 
high up that it was but a little way to heaven. That 
was a marvellous wrestling that thou wrestledst with 
Ella (old age), for never has there been any one, nor 
shall there ever be, let him approach what great age 
he will, that Ella shall not overcome. 
44 4 Now we must part, and it is best for us on both 
sides that you do not often come to me; but if it 
should so happen, I shall defend my castle with such 
other arts that you shall not be able to effect anything 
against me.’ 
44 When Thor heard this discourse he grasped his 
hammer and lifted it into the air, but as he was about 
to strike he saw Utgard Loke nowhere. Then he 
turned back to the castle to destroy it, and he saw 
only a beautiful and wide plain, but no castle.” 
So ends the story of Thor’s journey to Jotunheim. 
