distorted figure that ran towards him with its head downwards,
bearing aloft in one skinny hand a smoking pine-torch, from which
the sparks flew like so many fireflies. This uncanny personage,
wearing the semblance of man, came within two paces of Errington
before perceiving him; then, stopping short in his headlong career,
the creature flourished his torch and uttered a defiant yell.

Philip surveyed him coolly and without alarm, though so weird an
object might well have aroused a pardonable distrust, and even
timidity. He saw a misshapen dwarf, not quite four feet high, with
large, ungainly limbs out of all proportion to his head, which was
small and compact. His features were of almost feminine fineness,
and from under his shaggy brows gleamed a restless pair of large,
full, wild blue eyes. His thick, rough flaxen hair was long and
curly, and hung in disordered profusion over his deformed shoulders.
His dress was of reindeer skin, very fancifully cut, and ornamented
with beads of different colors,--and twisted about him as though in
an effort to be artistic, was a long strip of bright scarlet woollen
material, which showed up the extreme pallor and ill-health of the
meagre countenance, and the brilliancy of the eyes that now sparkled
with rage as they met those of Errington. He, from his superior
height, glanced down with pity on the unfortunate creature, whom he
at once took to be the actual owner of the cave he had explored.
Uncertain what to do, whether to speak or remain silent, he moved
slightly as though to pass on; but the shock-headed dwarf leaped
lightly in his way, and, planting himself firmly before him,
shrieked some unintelligible threat, of which Errington could only
make out the last words, "Nifleheim" and "Nastrond"

"I believe he is commending me to the old Norwegian inferno,"