“_Loki_, the beguiler, flew away one day in quest of adventures in _Frigga’s_ falcon dress. He flew to a huge castle over the sea and alighted on a great castle and looked into the hall. _Geirod_ saw him and ordered him to be caught. The slave climbed the wall with difficulty and _Loki_ laughed to see the labor the man made. He resolved not to fly till the slave had nearly caught him. He waited too long, as he spread his wings to mount to the next height and lead on his pursuer, the slave caught him by the feet and took him to _Geirod_, the giant, who, when he looked at him believed him to be a human and not a real bird. He bade him answer but _Loki_ was silent. _Loki_ could only regain his liberty by promising the giant that he would lure _Asa Thor_ to this fastness without his hammer. _Geirod_ was sure he could destroy _Thor_ if he could meet him without _Thor_ having his wonderful hammer. _Loki_ beguiled _Thor_ to visit _Geirod_ without his hammer; but a friendly giantess, _Grida_, Grace, in whose house _Thor_ lodged, knowing the plot of _Loki_ and _Geirod_, loaned _Thor_ her staff and iron gauntlets.” “_Thor_ discovered the plot and in trying to escape waded the sea, whereupon _Gjálf_, (din or roar of ocean), _Geirod’s_ daughter, flung the waves at _Thor_. _Thor_ cast a rock at _Gjálf_ and he never missed when he cast a stone, and thus with stone hurling and with the aid of his staff and gauntlets he reached the land. He caught hold of a friendly ‘rowan’ and climbed out of the water.” Because of this myth the mountain ash has ever since been sacred to _Thor_. Again we read:— “When _Thor_ had won his way into the fire castle,” (this doubtless refers to the fiery lava chambers which occur in many parts of Iceland), “he was invited to take a seat. No sooner had he done so than the seat flew to the roof of the hall, where _Thor_ would have been crushed had he not pushed back with his staff which the giantess had given him. He pressed back so effectively that he slew the two water-storm daughters of _Geirod_, who had tried to blow him into the heavens.” In this parable the reference is undoubtedly to the _Geysir_. _Thor’s_ next foe was a volcano. “_Geirod_ now challenged _Thor_ to fight in the hall lined with fire. _Thor_ caught the red hot weapons in his iron gloves and hurled them back to _Geirod_, who vainly crouched beside a pillar to defend himself. But _Thor_ crushed this _Demon_ of _Underground Fire_ back into the black rock and flung the fire caverns wide open to the day.” Such is the ancient legend but it shows how legends are founded upon facts or conditions, which may be lost for centuries, though the legends may remain for us to scoff at when we do not know the foundation. In this instance we see the forces of water and fire contending with humans, a never ending contest between the forces of destruction and the powers of reason and intelligence.