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。\"
