Thor ate two himself, and Hymer thought he would kill no more of his fine black oxen. He thought he would have fish for the next meal.
At dawn the next day Thor saw Hymer getting his boat out. Thor dressed quickly and asked to go along to do the rowing.
Hymer said, "You might take cold if you stay out as long as I stay, and the rowing might tire you."
Thor was angry enough to box the giant's ears. But he only answered that he could row as far as Hymer wanted to go, and that Hymer would be the first to want to come back.
Thor then asked Hymer for some bait. But Hymer said if he wanted to fish he must find his own bait. At this Thor marched up to the finest ox in Hymer's herd and wrung its head off.
Thor rowed with such strength that Hymer was surprised. When he wanted to stop, Thor said they were not out far enough yet.
Then Hymer cried in fear, "If we go any farther we will be in danger from the Midgard Serpent." At last Thor stopped, and Hymer soon caught two whales.
Thor took out a line he had brought from Asgard, and baited the hook with the ox's head.
The moment the bait dropped to the bottom of the ocean, the Midgard Serpent swallowed it.
