But though the fire flamed bravely over the logs, it made no difference whatever to the meat, which remained raw and cold.
Heaping on fresh fuel, the three Asas put the carcass still nearer the flame and waited hungrily. All in vain, the meat remained uneatable.
Looking at each other in dismay, the Asas exclaimed:
"There is some magic spell at work here."
And at that very moment they heard the loud croak of a bird in the tree above them.
Hastily searching the branches, the Asas soon found an immense eagle perched there and looking down upon them with an evil expression.
"Ho!" cried Odin, "is it you who has bewitched our food?"
The eagle nodded and croaked maliciously again.
"Then come at once and remove the spell," cried the famished Hœnir.
"If I do so, will you give me as much as I want to eat?" asked the eagle.