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and the galley slid at once into the sea； dipping her prow so deeply that the
figure…head drank the wave with its marvelous lips； and rising again as
buoyant as a swan。 The rowers plied their fifty oars； the white foam boiled
up before the prow； the water gurgled and bubbled in their wake； while
Orpheus continued to play so lively a strain of music； that the vessel
seemed to dance over the billows by way of keeping time to it。 Thus
triumphantly did the Argo sail out of the harbor； amidst the huzzas and
good wishes of everybody except the wicked old Pelias； who stood on a
promontory； scowling at her； and wishing that he could blow out of his
lungs the tempest of wrath that was in his heart； and so sink the galley
with all on board。 When they had sailed above fifty miles over the sea；
Lynceus happened to cast his sharp eyes behind； and said that there was
this bad…hearted king； still perched upon the promontory； and scowling so
gloomily that it looked like a black thunder…cloud in that quarter of the
horizon。
In order to make the time pass away more pleasantly during the
voyage； the heroes talked about the Golden Fleece。 It originally belonged；
it appears； to a Boeotian ram； who had taken on his back two children；
when in danger of their lives； and fled with them over land and sea as far
as Colchis。 One of the children； whose name was Helle； fell into the sea
and was drowned。 But the other （a little boy； named Phrixus） was brought
safe ashore by the faithful ram； who； however； was so exhausted that he
immediately lay down and died。 In memory of this good deed； and as a
token of his true heart； the fleece of the poor dead ram was miraculously
changed to gold； and became one of the most beautiful objects ever seen
on earth。 It was hung upon a tree in a sacred grove； where it had now been
kept I know not how many years； and was the envy of mighty kings； who
had nothing so magnificent in any of their palaces。
If I were to tell you all the adventures of the Argonauts； it would take
me till nightfall； and perhaps a great deal longer。 There was no lack of
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wonderful events； as you may judge from what you have already heard。 At
a certain island； they were hospitably received by King Cyzicus； its
sovereign； who made a feast for them； and treated them like brothers。 But
the Argonauts saw that this good king looked downcast and very much
troubled； and they therefore inquired of him what was the matter。 King
Cyzicus hereupon informed them that he and his subjects were greatly
abused and incommoded by the inhabitants of a neighboring mountain；
who made war upon them； and killed many people； and ravaged the
country。 And while they were talking about it； Cyzicus pointed to the
mountain； and asked Jason and his companions what they saw there。
〃I see some very tall objects；〃 answered Jason； 〃but they are at such a
distance that I cannot distinctly make out what they are。 To tell your
majesty the truth； they look so very strangely that I am inclined to think
them clouds； which have chanced to take something like human shapes。〃
〃I see them very plainly；〃 remarked Lynceus； whose eyes； you know；
were as far…sighted as a telescope。 〃They are a band of enormous giants；
all of whom have six arms apiece； and a club； a sword； or some other
weapon in each of their hands。〃
〃You have excellent eyes；〃 said King Cyzicus。 〃Yes； they are six…
armed giants； as you say； and these are the enemies whom I and my
subjects have to contend with。〃
The next day； when the Argonauts were about setting sail； down came
these terrible giants； stepping a hundred yards at a stride； brandishing their
six arms apiece； and looking formidable； so far aloft in the air。 Each of
these monsters was able to carry on a whole war by himself； for with one
arm he could fling immense stones； and wield a club with another； and a
sword with a third； while the fourth was poking a long spear at the enemy；
and the fifth and sixth were shooting him with a bow and arrow。 But；
luckily； though the giants were so huge； and had so many arms； they had
each but one heart； and that no bigger nor braver than the heart of an
ordinary man。 Besides； if they had been like the hundred…armed Briareus；
the brave Argonauts would have given them their hands full of fight。 Jason
and his friends went boldly to meet them； slew a great many； and made the
rest take to their heels； so that if the giants had had six legs apiece instead
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of six arms； it would have served them better to run away with。
Another strange adventure happened when the voyagers came to
Thrace； where they found a poor blind king； named Phineus； deserted by
his subjects； and living in a very sorrowful way； all by himself： On Jason's
inquiring whether they could do him any service； the king answered that
he was terribly tormented by three great winged creatures； called Harpies；
which had the faces of women； and the wings； bodies； and claws of
vultures。 These ugly wretches were in the habit of snatching away his
dinner； and allowed him no peace of his life。 Upon hearing this； the
Argonauts spread a plentiful feast on the sea…shore； well knowing； from
what the blind king said of their greediness； that the Harpies would snuff
up the scent of the victuals； and quickly come to steal them away。 And so
it turned out； for； hardly was the table set； before the three hideous vulture
women came flapping their wings； seized the food in their talons； and flew
off as fast as they could。 But the two sons of the North Wind drew their
swords； spread their pinions； and set off through the air in pursuit of the
thieves； whom they at last overtook among some islands； after a chase of
hundreds of miles。 The two winged youths blustered terribly at the Harpies
（for they had the rough temper of their father）； and so frightened them
with their drawn swords； that they solemnly p