dwellings to be seen we must try to gain the shelter of the forest
before it is too dark to see where we are going."

So they pushed on, and though they looked to the right hand and to the
left, soon found that they were in a land where no men lived. There
was, therefore, nothing to be done but to quicken their speed, in
order to reach the shelter of the forest. But though they strove
to the utmost, the twilight deepened into darkness and the darkness
became so deep by the time they reached the forest, that they only
knew they had arrived there by Loki's striking his head against a low
branch, and soon after this Thor cried out:

"Good luck! I have found a house. Follow close after me and we will
make ourselves comfortable for the night."

For Thor in groping along had come to what he supposed to be a wall of
solid masonry.

"Where are you?" asked Loki, "for it is so dark that I cannot see
you."

"Here," answered Thor, stretching out his hand; "take hold and follow
me."

So Loki clutched Thor's arm, and Thialfe in turn seized the arm of
Loki, whilst Raska clung to her brother and wished herself safe at
home in her father's hut.

And thus they groped their way along the wall, seeking to find an
entrance to the house.