第7章

Withthisintention，hetookaspearineachhand，andthrewaleopard’sskinoverhisshoulders，tokeepofftherain，andsetforthonhistravels，withhislongyellowringletswavinginthewind。Thepartofhisdressonwhichhemostpridedhimselfwasapairofsandals，thathadbeenhisfather’s。Theywerehandsomelyembroidered，andweretieduponhisfeetwithstringsofgold。Buthiswholeattirewassuchaspeopledidnotveryoftensee；andashepassedalong，thewomenandchildrenrantothedoorsandwindows，wonderingwhitherthisbeautifulyouthwasjourneying，withhisleopard’sskinandhisgolden-tiedsandals，andwhatheroicdeedshemeanttoperform，withaspearinhisrighthandandanotherinhisleft。

IknownothowfarJasonhadtraveled，whenhecametoaturbulentriver，whichrushedrightacrosshispathway，withspecksofwhitefoamamongitsblackeddies，hurryingtumultuouslyonward，androaringangrilyasitwent。Thoughnotaverybroadriverinthedryseasonsoftheyear，itwasnowswollenbyheavyrainsandbythemeltingofthesnowonthesidesofMountOlympus；anditthunderedsoloudly，andlookedsowildanddangerous，thatJason，boldashewas，thoughtitprudenttopauseuponthebrink。Thebedofthestreamseemedtobestrewnwithsharpandruggedrocks，someofwhichthrustthemselvesabovethewater。Byandby，anuprootedtree，withshatteredbranches，camedriftingalongthecurrent，andgotentangledamongtherocks。Nowandthen，adrownedsheep，andoncethecarcassofacow，floatedpast。

Inshort，theswollenriverhadalreadydoneagreatdealofmischief。ItwasevidentlytoodeepforJasontowade，andtooboisterousforhimtoswim；hecouldseenobridge；andasforaboat，hadtherebeenany，therockswouldhavebrokenittopiecesinaninstant。

"Seethepoorlad，"saidacrackedvoiceclosetohisside。"Hemusthavehadbutapooreducation，sincehedoesnotknowhowtocrossalittlestreamlikethis。Orisheafraidofwettinghisfinegolden-stringedsandals？Itisapityhisfour-footedschoolmasterisnotheretocarryhimsafelyacrossonhisback！"

Jasonlookedroundgreatlysurprised，forhedidnotknowthatanybodywasnear。Butbesidehimstoodanoldwoman，witharaggedmantleoverherhead，leaningonastaff，thetopofwhichwascarvedintotheshapeofacuckoo。Shelookedveryaged，andwrinkled，andinfirm；andyethereyes，whichwereasbrownasthoseofanox，weresoextremelylargeandbeautiful，that，whentheywerefixedonJason’seyes，hecouldseenothingelsebutthem。Theoldwomanhadapomegranateinherhand，althoughthefruitwasthenquiteoutofseason。

"Whitherareyougoing，Jason？"shenowasked。

Sheseemedtoknowhisname，youwillobserve；and，indeed，thosegreatbrowneyeslookedasiftheyhadaknowledgeofeverything，whetherpastortocome。WhileJasonwasgazingather，apeacockstruttedforward，andtookhisstandattheoldwoman’sside。

"IamgoingtoIolchos，"answeredtheyoungman，"tobidthewickedKingPeliascomedownfrommyfather’sthrone，andletmereigninhisstead。"

"Ah，well，then，"saidtheoldwoman，stillwiththesamecrackedvoice，"ifthatisallyourbusiness，youneednotbeinaverygreathurry。Justtakemeonyourback，there’sagoodyouth，andcarrymeacrosstheriver。Iandmypeacockhavesomethingtodoontheotherside，aswellasyourself。"

"Goodmother，"repliedJason，"yourbusinesscanhardlybesoimportantasthepullingdownakingfromhisthrone。Besides，asyoumayseeforyourself，theriverisveryboisterous；andifIshouldchancetostumble，itwouldsweepbothofusawaymoreeasilythanithascarriedoffyonderuprootedtree。I

wouldgladlyhelpyouifIcould；butIdoubtwhetherIamstrongenoughtocarryyouacross。"

"Then，"saidshe，veryscornfully，"neitherareyoustrongenoughtopullKingPeliasoffhisthrone。And，Jason，unlessyouwillhelpanoldwomanatherneed，yououghtnottobeaking。Whatarekingsmadefor，savetosuccorthefeebleanddistressed？Butdoasyouplease。Eithertakemeonyourback，orwithmypooroldlimbsIshalltrymybesttostruggleacrossthestream。"

Sayingthis，theoldwomanpokedwithherstaffintheriver，asiftofindthesafestplaceinitsrockybedwhereshemightmakethefirststep。ButJason，bythistime，hadgrownashamedofhisreluctancetohelpher。Hefeltthathecouldneverforgivehimself，ifthispoorfeeblecreatureshouldcometoanyharminattemptingtowrestleagainsttheheadlongcurrent。

ThegoodChiron，whetherhalfhorseorno，hadtaughthimthatthenoblestuseofhisstrengthwastoassisttheweak；andalsothathemusttreateveryyoungwomanasifshewerehissister，andeveryoldonelikeamother。Rememberingthesemaxims，thevigorousandbeautifulyoungmankneltdown，andrequestedthegooddametomountuponhisback。

"Thepassageseemstomenotverysafe，"heremarked。"Butasyourbusinessissourgent，Iwilltrytocarryyouacross。Iftheriversweepsyouaway，itshalltakemetoo。"

"That，nodoubt，willbeagreatcomforttobothofus，"quoththeoldwoman。"Butneverfear。Weshallgetsafelyacross。"

SoshethrewherarmsaroundJason’sneck；andliftingherfromtheground，hesteppedboldlyintotheragingandfoamingcurrent，andbegantostaggerawayfromtheshore。Asforthepeacock，italightedontheolddame’sshoulder。Jason’stwospears，oneineachhand，kepthimfromstumbling，andenabledhimtofeelhiswayamongthehiddenrocks；althougheveryinstant，heexpectedthathiscompanionandhimselfwouldgodownthestream，togetherwiththedriftwoodofshatteredtrees，andthecarcassesofthesheepandcow。Downcamethecold，snowytorrentfromthesteepsideofOlympus，ragingandthunderingasifithadarealspiteagainstJason，or，atallevents，weredeterminedtosnatchoffhislivingburdenfromhisshoulders。Whenhewashalfwayacross，theuprootedtree（whichIhavealreadytoldyouabout）brokeloosefromamongtherocks，andboredownuponhim，withallitssplinteredbranchesstickingoutlikethehundredarmsofthegiantBriareus。Itrushedpast，however，withouttouchinghim。Butthenextmomenthisfootwascaughtinacrevicebetweentworocks，andstucktheresofast，that，intheefforttogetfree，helostoneofhisgolden-stringedsandals。

AtthisaccidentJasoncouldnothelputteringacryofvexation。

"Whatisthematter，Jason？"askedtheoldwoman。

"Matterenough，"saidtheyoungman。"Ihavelostasandalhereamongtherocks。AndwhatsortofafigureshallIcut，atthecourtofKingPelias，withagolden-stringedsandalononefoot，andtheotherfootbare！"

"Donottakeittoheart，"answeredhiscompanioncheerily。

"Younevermetwithbetterfortunethaninlosingthatsandal。

ItsatisfiesmethatyouaretheverypersonwhomtheSpeakingOakhasbeentalkingabout。"

Therewasnotime，justthen，toinquirewhattheSpeakingOakhadsaid。Butthebrisknessofhertoneencouragedtheyoungman；and，besides，hehadneverinhislifefeltsovigorousandmightyassincetakingthisoldwomanonhisback。Insteadofbeingexhausted，hegatheredstrengthashewenton；and，strugglingupagainstthetorrent，heatlastgainedtheoppositeshore，clamberedupthebank，andsetdowntheolddameandherpeacocksafelyonthegrass。Assoonasthiswasdone，however，hecouldnothelplookingratherdespondentlyathisbarefoot，withonlyaremnantofthegoldenstringofthesandalclingingroundhisankle。

"Youwillgetahandsomerpairofsandalsbyandby，"saidtheoldwoman，withakindlylookoutofherbeautifulbrowneyes。

"OnlyletKingPeliasgetaglimpseofthatbarefoot，andyoushallseehimturnaspaleasashes，Ipromiseyou。Thereisyourpath。Goalong，mygoodJason，andmyblessinggowithyou。Andwhenyousitonyourthroneremembertheoldwomanwhomyouhelpedovertheriver。"

Withthesewords，shehobbledaway，givinghimasmileoverhershoulderasshedeparted。

Whetherthelightofherbeautifulbrowneyesthrewagloryroundabouther，orwhateverthecausemightbe，Jasonfanciedthattherewassomethingverynobleandmajesticinherfigure，afterall，andthat，thoughhergaitseemedtobearheumatichobble，yetshemovedwithasmuchgraceanddignityasanyqueenonearth。Herpeacock，whichhadnowfluttereddownfromhershoulder，struttedbehindherinaprodigiouspomp，andspreadoutitsmagnificenttailonpurposeforJasontoadmireit。

Whentheolddameandherpeacockwereoutofsight，Jasonsetforwardonhisjourney。Aftertravelingaprettylongdistance，hecametoatownsituatedatthefootofamountain，andnotagreatwayfromtheshoreofthesea。Ontheoutsideofthetowntherewasanimmensecrowdofpeople，notonlymenandwomen，butchildrentoo，allintheirbestclothes，andevidentlyenjoyingaholiday。Thecrowdwasthickesttowardsthesea-shore；andinthatdirection，overthepeople’sheads，Jasonsawawreathofsmokecurlingupwardtothebluesky。Heinquiredofoneofthemultitudewhattownitwasnearby，andwhysomanypersonswerehereassembledtogether。

"ThisisthekingdomofIolchos，"answeredtheman，"andwearethesubjectsofKingPelias。Ourmonarchhassummonedustogether，thatwemayseehimsacrificeablackbulltoNeptune，who，theysay，ishismajesty’sfather。Yonderistheking，whereyouseethesmokegoingupfromthealtar。"

WhilethemanspokeheeyedJasonwithgreatcuriosity；forhisgarbwasquiteunlikethatoftheIolchians，anditlookedveryoddtoseeayouthwithaleopard’sskinoverhisshoulders，andeachhandgraspingaspear。Jasonperceived，too，thatthemanstaredparticularlyathisfeet，oneofwhich，youremember，wasbare，whiletheotherwasdecoratedwithhisfather’sgolden-stringedsandal。

"Lookathim！onlylookathim！"saidthemantohisnextneighbor。"Doyousee？Hewearsbutonesandal！"

Uponthis，firstoneperson，andthenanother，begantostareatJason，andeverybodyseemedtobegreatlystruckwithsomethinginhisaspect；thoughtheyturnedtheireyesmuchoftenertowardshisfeetthantoanyotherpartofhisfigure。

Besides，hecouldhearthemwhisperingtooneanother。

"Onesandal！Onesandal！"theykeptsaying。"Themanwithonesandal！Hereheisatlast！Whencehashecome？Whatdoeshemeantodo？Whatwillthekingsaytotheone-sandaledman？"

PoorJasonwasgreatlyabashed，andmadeuphismindthatthepeopleofIolchoswereexceedinglyill-bred，totakesuchpublicnoticeofanaccidentaldeficiencyinhisdress。

Meanwhile，whetheritwerethattheyhustledhimforward，orthatJason，ofhisownaccord，thrustapassagethroughthecrowd，itsohappenedthathesoonfoundhimselfclosetothesmokingaltar，whereKingPeliaswassacrificingtheblackbull。Themurmurandhumofthemultitude，intheirsurpriseatthespectacleofJasonwithhisonebarefoot，grewsoloudthatitdisturbedtheceremonies；andtheking，holdingthegreatknifewithwhichhewasjustgoingtocutthebull’sthroat，turnedangrilyabout，andfixedhiseyesonJason。Thepeoplehadnowwithdrawnfromaroundhim，sothattheyouthstoodinanopenspace，nearthesmokingaltar，fronttofrontwiththeangryKingPelias。

"Whoareyou？"criedtheking，withaterriblefrown。"Andhowdareyoumakethisdisturbance，whileIamsacrificingablackbulltomyfatherNeptune？"

"Itisnofaultofmine，"answeredJason。"Yourmajestymustblametherudenessofyoursubjects，whohaveraisedallthistumultbecauseoneofmyfeethappenstobebare。"

WhenJasonsaidthis，thekinggaveaquickstartledglancedownathisfeet。

"Ha！"mutteredhe，"hereistheone-sandaledfellow，sureenough！WhatcanIdowithhim？"

Andheclutchedmorecloselythegreatknifeinhishand，asifhewerehalfamindtoslayJason，insteadoftheblackbull。

Thepeopleroundaboutcaughtuptheking’swords，indistinctlyastheywereuttered；andfirsttherewasamurmuramongstthem，andthenaloudshout。

"Theone-sandaledmanhascome！Theprophecymustbefulfilled！"

Foryouaretoknow，that，manyyearsbefore，KingPeliashadbeentoldbytheSpeakingOakofDodona，thatamanwithonesandalshouldcasthimdownfromhisthrone。Onthisaccount，hehadgivenstrictordersthatnobodyshouldevercomeintohispresence，unlessbothsandalsweresecurelytieduponhisfeet；andhekeptanofficerinhispalace，whosesolebusinessitwastoexaminepeople’ssandals，andtosupplythemwithanewpair，attheexpenseoftheroyaltreasury，assoonastheoldonesbegantowearout。Inthewholecourseoftheking’sreign，hehadneverbeenthrownintosuchafrightandagitationasbythespectacleofpoorJason’sbarefoot。But，ashewasnaturallyaboldandhard-heartedman，hesoontookcourage，andbegantoconsiderinwhatwayhemightridhimselfofthisterribleone-sandaledstranger。

"Mygoodyoungman，"saidKingPelias，takingthesoftesttoneimaginable，inordertothrowJasonoffhisguard，"youareexcessivelywelcometomykingdom。Judgingbyyourdress，youmusthavetraveledalongdistance，foritisnotthefashiontowearleopardskinsinthispartoftheworld。PraywhatmayIcallyourname？andwheredidyoureceiveyoureducation？"

"MynameisJason，"answeredtheyoungstranger。"Eversincemyinfancy，IhavedweltinthecaveofChirontheCentaur。Hewasmyinstructor，andtaughtmemusic，andhorsemanship，andhowtocurewounds，andlikewisehowtoinflictwoundswithmyweapons！"

"IhaveheardofChirontheschoolmaster，"repliedKingPelias，"andhowthatthereisanimmensedealoflearningandwisdominhishead，althoughithappenstobesetonahorse’sbody。

Itgivesmegreatdelighttoseeoneofhisscholarsatmycourt。Buttotesthowmuchyouhaveprofitedundersoexcellentateacher，willyouallowmetoaskyouasinglequestion？"

"Idonotpretendtobeverywise，"saidJason。"Butaskmewhatyouplease，andIwillanswertothebestofmyability。"

NowKingPeliasmeantcunninglytoentraptheyoungman，andtomakehimsaysomethingthatshouldbethecauseofmischiefanddistractiontohimself。So，withacraftyandevilsmileuponhisface，hespokeasfollows：

"Whatwouldyoudo，braveJason，"askedhe，"iftherewereamanintheworld，bywhom，asyouhadreasontobelieve，youweredoomedtoberuinedandslain——whatwouldyoudo，Isay，ifthatmanstoodbeforeyou，andinyourpower？"

WhenJasonsawthemaliceandwickednesswhichKingPeliascouldnotpreventfromgleamingoutofhiseyes，heprobablyguessedthatthekinghaddiscoveredwhathecamefor，andthatheintendedtoturnhisownwordsagainsthimself。Stillhescornedtotellafalsehood。Likeanuprightandhonorableprinceashewas，hedeterminedtospeakouttherealtruth。

Sincethekinghadchosentoaskhimthequestion，andsinceJasonhadpromisedhimananswer，therewasnorightwaysavetotellhimpreciselywhatwouldbethemostprudentthingtodo，ifhehadhisworstenemyinhispower。

Therefore，afteramoment’sconsideration，hespokeup，withafirmandmanlyvoice。

"Iwouldsendsuchaman，"saidhe，"inquestoftheGoldenFleece！"

Thisenterprise，youwillunderstand，was，ofallothers，themostdifficultanddangerousintheworld。Inthefirstplaceitwouldbenecessarytomakealongvoyagethroughunknownseas。Therewashardlyahope，orapossibility，thatanyyoungmanwhoshouldundertakethisvoyagewouldeithersucceedinobtainingtheGoldenFleece，orwouldsurvivetoreturnhome，andtelloftheperilshehadrun。TheeyesofKingPeliassparkledwithjoy，therefore，whenheheardJason’sreply。

"Wellsaid，wisemanwiththeonesandal！"criedhe。"Go，then，andattheperilofyourlife，bringmebacktheGoldenFleece。"

"Igo，"answeredJason，composedly。"IfIfail，youneednotfearthatIwillevercomebacktotroubleyouagain。ButifI

returntoIolchoswiththeprize，then，KingPelias，youmusthastendownfromyourloftythrone，andgivemeyourcrownandsceptre。"

"ThatIwill，"saidtheking，withasneer。"Meantime，Iwillkeepthemverysafelyforyou。"

ThefirstthingthatJasonthoughtofdoing，afterhelefttheking’spresence，wastogotoDodona，andinquireoftheTalkingOakwhatcourseitwasbesttopursue。Thiswonderfultreestoodinthecenterofanancientwood。Itsstatelytrunkroseupahundredfeetintotheair，andthrewabroadanddenseshadowovermorethananacreofground。Standingbeneathit，Jasonlookedupamongtheknottedbranchesandgreenleaves，andintothemysteriousheartoftheoldtree，andspokealoud，asifhewereaddressingsomepersonwhowashiddeninthedepthsofthefoliage。

"WhatshallIdo，"saidhe，"inordertowintheGoldenFleece？"

Atfirsttherewasadeepsilence，notonlywithintheshadowoftheTalkingOak，butallthroughthesolitarywood。Inamomentortwo，however，theleavesoftheoakbegantostirandrustle，asifagentlebreezewerewanderingamongstthem，althoughtheothertreesofthewoodwereperfectlystill。Thesoundgrewlouder，andbecameliketheroarofahighwind。Byandby，Jasonimaginedthathecoulddistinguishwords，butveryconfusedly，becauseeachseparateleafofthetreeseemedtobeatongue，andthewholemyriadoftongueswerebabblingatonce。Butthenoisewaxedbroaderanddeeper，untilitresembledatornadosweepingthroughtheoak，andmakingonegreatutteranceoutofthethousandandthousandoflittlemurmurswhicheachleafytonguehadcausedbyitsrustling。Andnow，thoughitstillhadthetoneofamightywindroaringamongthebranches，itwasalsolikeadeepbassvoice，speakingasdistinctlyasatreecouldbeexpectedtospeak，thefollowingwords：

"GotoArgus，theshipbuilder，andbidhimbuildagalleywithfiftyoars。"

Thenthevoicemeltedagainintotheindistinctmurmuroftherustlingleaves，anddiedgraduallyaway。Whenitwasquitegone，Jasonfeltinclinedtodoubtwhetherhehadactuallyheardthewords，orwhetherhisfancyhadnotshapedthemoutoftheordinarysoundmadebyabreeze，whilepassingthroughthethickfoliageofthetree。

ButoninquiryamongthepeopleofIolchos，hefoundthattherewasreallyamaninthecity，bythenameofArgus，whowasaveryskilfulbuilderofvessels。Thisshowedsomeintelligenceintheoak；elsehowshouldithaveknownthatanysuchpersonexisted？AtJason’srequest，Argusreadilyconsentedtobuildhimagalleysobigthatitshouldrequirefiftystrongmentorowit；althoughnovesselofsuchasizeandburdenhadheretoforebeenseenintheworld。Sotheheadcarpenterandallhisjourneymenandapprenticesbegantheirwork；andforagoodwhileafterwards，theretheywere，busilyemployed，hewingoutthetimbers，andmakingagreatclatterwiththeirhammers；

untilthenewship，whichwascalledtheArgo，seemedtobequitereadyforsea。And，astheTalkingOakhadalreadygivenhimsuchgoodadvice，Jasonthoughtthatitwouldnotbeamisstoaskforalittlemore。Hevisiteditagain，therefore，andstandingbesideitshuge，roughtrunk，inquiredwhatheshoulddonext。

Thistime，therewasnosuchuniversalquiveringoftheleaves，throughoutthewholetree，astherehadbeenbefore。Butafterawhile，Jasonobservedthatthefoliageofagreatbranchwhichstretchedabovehisheadhadbeguntorustle，asifthewindwerestirringthatonebough，whilealltheotherboughsoftheoakwereatrest。

"Cutmeoff！"saidthebranch，assoonasitcouldspeakdistinctly；"cutmeoff！cutmeoff！andcarvemeintoafigure-headforyourgalley。"

Accordingly，Jasontookthebranchatitsword，andloppeditoffthetree。Acarverintheneighborhoodengagedtomakethefigurehead。Hewasatolerablygoodworkman，andhadalreadycarvedseveralfigure-heads，inwhatheintendedforfeminineshapes，andlookingprettymuchlikethosewhichweseenowadaysstuckupunderavessel’sbowsprit，withgreatstaringeyes，thatneverwinkatthedashofthespray。But（whatwasverystrange）thecarverfoundthathishandwasguidedbysomeunseenpower，andbyaskillbeyondhisown，andthathistoolsshapedoutanimagewhichhehadneverdreamedof。Whentheworkwasfinished，itturnedouttobethefigureofabeautifulwoman，withahelmetonherhead，frombeneathwhichthelongringletsfelldownuponhershoulders。Ontheleftarmwasashield，andinitscenterappearedalifelikerepresentationoftheheadofMedusawiththesnakylocks。Therightarmwasextended，asifpointingonward。Thefaceofthiswonderfulstatue，thoughnotangryorforbidding，wassograveandmajestic，thatperhapsyoumightcallitsevere；andasforthemouth，itseemedjustreadytouncloseitslips，andutterwordsofthedeepestwisdom。

Jasonwasdelightedwiththeoakenimage，andgavethecarvernorestuntilitwascompleted，andsetupwhereafigure-headhasalwaysstood，fromthattimetothis，inthevessel’sprow。

"Andnow，"criedhe，ashestoodgazingatthecalm，majesticfaceofthestatue，"ImustgototheTalkingOakandinquirewhatnexttodo。"

"Thereisnoneedofthat，Jason，"saidavoicewhich，thoughitwasfarlower，remindedhimofthemightytonesofthegreatoak。"Whenyoudesiregoodadvice，youcanseekitofme。"

Jasonhadbeenlookingstraightintothefaceoftheimagewhenthesewordswerespoken。Buthecouldhardlybelieveeitherhisearsorhiseyes。Thetruthwas，however，thattheoakenlipshadmoved，and，toallappearance，thevoicehadproceededfromthestatue’smouth。Recoveringalittlefromhissurprise，JasonbethoughthimselfthattheimagehadbeencarvedoutofthewoodoftheTalkingOak，andthat，therefore，itwasreallynogreatwonder，butonthecontrary，themostnaturalthingintheworld，thatitshouldpossessthefacultyofspeech。Itwouldhavebeenveryodd，indeed，ifithadnot。Butcertainlyitwasagreatpieceofgoodfortunethatheshouldbeabletocarrysowiseablockofwoodalongwithhiminhisperilousvoyage。

"Tellme，wondrousimage，"exclaimedJason，——"sinceyouinheritthewisdomoftheSpeakingOakofDodona，whosedaughteryouare，——tellme，whereshallIfindfiftyboldyouths，whowilltakeeachofthemanoarofmygalley？Theymusthavesturdyarmstorow，andbraveheartstoencounterperils，orweshallneverwintheGoldenFleece。"

"Go，"repliedtheoakenimage，"go，summonalltheheroesofGreece。"

And，infact，consideringwhatagreatdeedwastobedone，couldanyadvicebewiserthanthiswhichJasonreceivedfromthefigure-headofhisvessel？Helostnotimeinsendingmessengerstoallthecities，andmakingknowntothewholepeopleofGreece，thatPrinceJason，thesonofKingJason，wasgoinginquestoftheFleeceofGold，andthathedesiredthehelpofforty-nineofthebravestandstrongestyoungmenalive，torowhisvesselandsharehisdangers。AndJasonhimselfwouldbethefiftieth。

Atthisnews，theadventurousyouths，alloverthecountry，begantobestirthemselves。Someofthemhadalreadyfoughtwithgiants，andslaindragons；andtheyoungerones，whohadnotyetmetwithsuchgoodfortune，thoughtitashametohavelivedsolongwithoutgettingastrideofaflyingserpent，orstickingtheirspearsintoaChimaera，or，atleast，thrustingtheirrightarmsdownamonstrouslion’sthroat。TherewasafairprospectthattheywouldmeetwithplentyofsuchadventuresbeforefindingtheGoldenFleece。Assoonastheycouldfurbishuptheirhelmetsandshields，therefore，andgirdontheirtrustyswords，theycamethrongingtoIolchos，andclamberedonboardthenewgalley。ShakinghandswithJason，theyassuredhimthattheydidnotcareapinfortheirlives，butwouldhelprowthevesseltotheremotestedgeoftheworld，andasmuchfartherashemightthinkitbesttogo。

ManyofthesebravefellowshadbeeneducatedbyChiron，thefour-footedpedagogue，andwerethereforeoldschoolmatesofJason，andknewhimtobealadofspirit。ThemightyHercules，whoseshouldersafterwardsupheldthesky，wasoneofthem。AndtherewereCastorandPollux，thetwinbrothers，whowereneveraccusedofbeingchicken-hearted，althoughtheyhadbeenhatchedoutofanegg；andTheseus，whowassorenownedforkillingtheMinotaur，andLynceus，withhiswonderfullysharpeyes，whichcouldseethroughamillstone，orlookrightdownintothedepthsoftheearth，anddiscoverthetreasuresthatwerethere；andOrpheus，theverybestofharpers，whosangandplayeduponhislyresosweetly，thatthebrutebeastsstoodupontheirhindlegs，andcaperedmerrilytothemusic。Yes，andatsomeofhismoremovingtunes，therocksbestirredtheirmoss-grownbulkoutoftheground，andagroveofforesttreesuprootedthemselves，and，noddingtheirtopstooneanother，performedacountrydance。

Oneoftherowerswasabeautifulyoungwoman，namedAtalanta。

whohadbeennursedamongthemountainsbyabear。Solightoffootwasthisfairdamsel，thatshecouldstepfromonefoamycrestofawavetothefoamycrestofanother，withoutwettingmorethanthesoleofhersandal。Shehadgrownupinaverywildway，andtalkedmuchabouttherightsofwomen，andlovedhuntingandwarfarbetterthanherneedle。Butinmyopinion，themostremarkableofthisfamouscompanyweretwosonsoftheNorthWind（airyyoungsters，andofratherablusteringdisposition）whohadwingsontheirshoulders，and，incaseofacalm，couldpuffouttheircheeks，andblowalmostasfreshabreezeastheirfather。Ioughtnottoforgettheprophetsandconjurors，ofwhomtherewereseveralinthecrew，andwhocouldforetellwhatwouldhappento-morroworthenextday，orahundredyearshence，butweregenerallyquiteunconsciousofwhatwaspassingatthemoment。

JasonappointedTiphystobehelmsmanbecausehewasastar-gazer，andknewthepointsofthecompass。Lynceus，onaccountofhissharpsight，wasstationedasalook-outintheprow，wherehesawawholeday’ssailahead，butwasratherapttooverlookthingsthatlaydirectlyunderhisnose。Iftheseaonlyhappenedtobedeepenough，however，Lynceuscouldtellyouexactlywhatkindofrocksorsandswereatthebottomofit；andheoftencriedouttohiscompanions，thattheyweresailingoverheapsofsunkentreasure，whichyethewasnonethericherforbeholding。Toconfessthetruth，fewpeoplebelievedhimwhenhesaidit。

Well！ButwhentheArgonauts，asthesefiftybraveadventurerswerecalled，hadpreparedeverythingforthevoyage，anunforeseendifficultythreatenedtoenditbeforeitwasbegun。

Thevessel，youmustunderstand，wassolong，andbroad，andponderous，thattheunitedforceofallthefiftywasinsufficienttoshoveherintothewater。Hercules，Isuppose，hadnotgrowntohisfullstrength，elsehemighthavesetherafloataseasilyasalittleboylauncheshisboatuponapuddle。Butherewerethesefiftyheroes，pushing，andstraining，andgrowingredintheface，withoutmakingtheArgostartaninch。Atlast，quiteweariedout，theysatthemselvesdownontheshoreexceedinglydisconsolate，andthinkingthatthevesselmustbelefttorotandfallinpieces，andthattheymusteitherswimacrosstheseaorlosetheGoldenFleece。

Allatonce，Jasonbethoughthimselfofthegalley’smiraculousfigure-head。

"O，daughteroftheTalkingOak，"criedhe，"howshallwesettoworktogetourvesselintothewater？"

"Seatyourselves，"answeredtheimage（forithadknownwhathadoughttobedonefromtheveryfirst，andwasonlywaitingforthequestiontobeput），——"seatyourselves，andhandleyouroars，andletOrpheusplayuponhisharp。"

Immediatelythefiftyheroesgotonboard，andseizingtheiroars，heldthemperpendicularlyintheair，whileOrpheus（wholikedsuchataskfarbetterthanrowing）swepthisfingersacrosstheharp。Atthefirstringingnoteofthemusic，theyfeltthevesselstir。Orpheusthrummedawaybriskly，andthegalleyslidatonceintothesea，dippingherprowsodeeplythatthefigure-headdrankthewavewithitsmarvelouslips，andrisingagainasbuoyantasaswan。Therowerspliedtheirfiftyoars；thewhitefoamboiledupbeforetheprow；thewatergurgledandbubbledintheirwake；whileOrpheuscontinuedtoplaysolivelyastrainofmusic，thatthevesselseemedtodanceoverthebillowsbywayofkeepingtimetoit。ThustriumphantlydidtheArgosailoutoftheharbor，amidstthehuzzasandgoodwishesofeverybodyexceptthewickedoldPelias，whostoodonapromontory，scowlingather，andwishingthathecouldblowoutofhislungsthetempestofwraththatwasinhisheart，andsosinkthegalleywithallonboard。

Whentheyhadsailedabovefiftymilesoverthesea，Lynceushappenedtocasthissharpeyesbehind，andsaidthattherewasthisbad-heartedking，stillpercheduponthepromontory，andscowlingsogloomilythatitlookedlikeablackthunder-cloudinthatquarterofthehorizon。

Inordertomakethetimepassawaymorepleasantlyduringthevoyage，theheroestalkedabouttheGoldenFleece。Itoriginallybelonged，itappears，toaBoeotianram，whohadtakenonhisbacktwochildren，whenindangeroftheirlives，andfledwiththemoverlandandseaasfarasColchis。Oneofthechildren，whosenamewasHelle，fellintotheseaandwasdrowned。Buttheother（alittleboy，namedPhrixus）wasbroughtsafeashorebythefaithfulram，who，however，wassoexhaustedthatheimmediatelylaydownanddied。Inmemoryofthisgooddeed，andasatokenofhistrueheart，thefleeceofthepoordeadramwasmiraculouslychangedtogold，andbecameoneofthemostbeautifulobjectseverseenonearth。Itwashunguponatreeinasacredgrove，whereithadnowbeenkeptIknownothowmanyyears，andwastheenvyofmightykings，whohadnothingsomagnificentinanyoftheirpalaces。

IfIweretotellyoualltheadventuresoftheArgonauts，itwouldtakemetillnightfall，andperhapsagreatdeallonger。

Therewasnolackofwonderfulevents，asyoumayjudgefromwhatyouhavealreadyheard。Atacertainisland，theywerehospitablyreceivedbyKingCyzicus，itssovereign，whomadeafeastforthem，andtreatedthemlikebrothers。ButtheArgonautssawthatthisgoodkinglookeddowncastandverymuchtroubled，andtheythereforeinquiredofhimwhatwasthematter。KingCyzicushereuponinformedthemthatheandhissubjectsweregreatlyabusedandincommodedbytheinhabitantsofaneighboringmountain，whomadewaruponthem，andkilledmanypeople，andravagedthecountry。Andwhiletheyweretalkingaboutit，Cyzicuspointedtothemountain，andaskedJasonandhiscompanionswhattheysawthere。

"Iseesomeverytallobjects，"answeredJason；"buttheyareatsuchadistancethatIcannotdistinctlymakeoutwhattheyare。Totellyourmajestythetruth，theylooksoverystrangelythatIaminclinedtothinkthemclouds，whichhavechancedtotakesomethinglikehumanshapes。"

"Iseethemveryplainly，"remarkedLynceus，whoseeyes，youknow，wereasfar-sightedasatelescope。"Theyareabandofenormousgiants，allofwhomhavesixarmsapiece，andaclub，asword，orsomeotherweaponineachoftheirhands。"

"Youhaveexcellenteyes，"saidKingCyzicus。"Yes；theyaresix-armedgiants，asyousay，andthesearetheenemieswhomI

andmysubjectshavetocontendwith。"

Thenextday，whentheArgonautswereaboutsettingsail，downcametheseterriblegiants，steppingahundredyardsatastride，brandishingtheirsixarmsapiece，andlookingformidable，sofaraloftintheair。Eachofthesemonsterswasabletocarryonawholewarbyhimself，forwithonearmhecouldflingimmensestones，andwieldaclubwithanother，andaswordwithathird，whilethefourthwaspokingalongspearattheenemy，andthefifthandsixthwereshootinghimwithabowandarrow。But，luckily，thoughthegiantsweresohuge，andhadsomanyarms，theyhadeachbutoneheart，andthatnobiggernorbraverthantheheartofanordinaryman。Besides，iftheyhadbeenlikethehundred-armedBriareus，thebraveArgonautswouldhavegiventhemtheirhandsfulloffight。

Jasonandhisfriendswentboldlytomeetthem，slewagreatmany，andmadetheresttaketotheirheels，sothatifthegiantshadhadsixlegsapieceinsteadofsixarms，itwouldhaveservedthembettertorunawaywith。

AnotherstrangeadventurehappenedwhenthevoyagerscametoThrace，wheretheyfoundapoorblindking，namedPhineus，desertedbyhissubjects，andlivinginaverysorrowfulway，allbyhimself：OnJason’sinquiringwhethertheycoulddohimanyservice，thekingansweredthathewasterriblytormentedbythreegreatwingedcreatures，calledHarpies，whichhadthefacesofwomen，andthewings，bodies，andclawsofvultures。

Theseuglywretcheswereinthehabitofsnatchingawayhisdinner，andallowedhimnopeaceofhislife。Uponhearingthis，theArgonautsspreadaplentifulfeastonthesea-shore，wellknowing，fromwhattheblindkingsaidoftheirgreediness，thattheHarpieswouldsnuffupthescentofthevictuals，andquicklycometostealthemaway。Andsoitturnedout；for，hardlywasthetableset，beforethethreehideousvulturewomencameflappingtheirwings，seizedthefoodintheirtalons，andflewoffasfastastheycould。ButthetwosonsoftheNorthWinddrewtheirswords，spreadtheirpinions，andsetoffthroughtheairinpursuitofthethieves，whomtheyatlastovertookamongsomeislands，afterachaseofhundredsofmiles。ThetwowingedyouthsblusteredterriblyattheHarpies（fortheyhadtheroughtemperoftheirfather），andsofrightenedthemwiththeirdrawnswords，thattheysolemnlypromisednevertotroubleKingPhineusagain。

ThentheArgonautssailedonwardandmetwithmanyothermarvelousincidents，anyoneofwhichwouldmakeastorybyitself。Atonetimetheylandedonanisland，andwerereposingonthegrass，whentheysuddenlyfoundthemselvesassailedbywhatseemedashowerofsteel-headedarrows。Someofthemstuckintheground，whileothershitagainsttheirshields，andseveralpenetratedtheirflesh。Thefiftyheroesstartedup，andlookedaboutthemforthehiddenenemy，butcouldfindnone，norseeanyspot，onthewholeisland，whereevenasinglearchercouldlieconcealed。Still，however，thesteel-headedarrowscamewhizzingamongthem；and，atlast，happeningtolookupward，theybeheldalargeflockofbirds，hoveringandwheelingaloft，andshootingtheirfeathersdownupontheArgonauts。Thesefeatherswerethesteel-headedarrowsthathadsotormentedthem。Therewasnopossibilityofmakinganyresistance；andthefiftyheroicArgonautsmightallhavebeenkilledorwoundedbyaflockoftroublesomebirds，withouteversettingeyesontheGoldenFleece，ifJasonhadnotthoughtofaskingtheadviceoftheoakenimage。

Soherantothegalleyasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。

"O，daughteroftheSpeakingOak，"criedhe，alloutofbreath，"weneedyourwisdommorethaneverbefore！Weareingreatperilfromaflockofbirds，whoareshootinguswiththeirsteel-pointedfeathers。Whatcanwedotodrivethemaway？"

"Makeaclatteronyourshields，"saidtheimage。

Onreceivingthisexcellentcounsel，Jasonhurriedbacktohiscompanions（whowerefarmoredismayedthanwhentheyfoughtwiththesix-armedgiants），andbadethemstrikewiththeirswordsupontheirbrazenshields。Forthwiththefiftyheroessetheartilytowork，bangingwithmightandmain，andraisedsuchaterribleclatter，thatthebirdsmadewhathastetheycouldtogetaway；andthoughtheyhadshothalfthefeathersoutoftheirwings，theyweresoonseenskimmingamongtheclouds，alongdistanceoff，andlookinglikeaflockofwildgeese。Orpheuscelebratedthisvictorybyplayingatriumphantanthemonhisharp，andsangsomelodiouslythatJasonbeggedhimtodesist，lest，asthesteel-featheredbirdshadbeendrivenawaybyanuglysound，theymightbeenticedbackagainbyasweetone。

WhiletheArgonautsremainedonthisisland，theysawasmallvesselapproachingtheshore，inwhichweretwoyoungmenofprincelydemeanor，andexceedinglyhandsome，asyoungprincesgenerallywere，inthosedays。Now，whodoyouimaginethesetwovoyagersturnedouttobe？Why，ifyouwillbelieveme，theywerethesonsofthatveryPhrixus，who，inhischildhood，hadbeencarriedtoColchisonthebackofthegolden-fleecedram。Sincethattime，Phrixushadmarriedtheking’sdaughter；

andthetwoyoungprinceshadbeenbornandbroughtupatColchis，andhadspenttheirplay-daysintheoutskirtsofthegrove，inthecenterofwhichtheGoldenFleecewashanginguponatree。TheywerenowontheirwaytoGreece，inhopesofgettingbackakingdomthathadbeenwrongfullytakenfromtheirfather。

WhentheprincesunderstoodwhithertheArgonautsweregoing，theyofferedtoturnback，andguidethemtoColchis。Atthesametime，however，theyspokeasifitwereverydoubtfulwhetherJasonwouldsucceedingettingtheGoldenFleece。

Accordingtotheiraccount，thetreeonwhichithungwasguardedbyaterribledragon，whoneverfailedtodevour，atonemouthful，everypersonwhomightventurewithinhisreach。

"Thereareotherdifficultiesintheway，"continuedtheyoungprinces。"Butisnotthisenough？Ah，braveJason，turnbackbeforeitistoolate。Itwouldgrieveustotheheart，ifyouandyournineandfortybravecompanionsshouldbeeatenup，atfiftymouthfuls，bythisexecrabledragon。"

"Myyoungfriends，"quietlyrepliedJason，"Idonotwonderthatyouthinkthedragonveryterrible。Youhavegrownupfrominfancyinthefearofthismonster，andthereforestillregardhimwiththeawethatchildrenfeelforthebugbearsandhobgoblinswhichtheirnurseshavetalkedtothemabout。But，inmyviewofthematter，thedragonismerelyaprettylargeserpent，whoisnothalfsolikelytosnapmeupatonemouthfulasIamtocutoffhisuglyhead，andstriptheskinfromhisbody。Atallevents，turnbackwhomay，IwillneverseeGreeceagain，unlessIcarrywithmetheGoldenFleece。"