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with their drawn swords； that they solemnly promised never to trouble
King Phineus again。
Then the Argonauts sailed onward and met with many other marvelous
incidents； any one of which would make a story by itself。 At one time they
landed on an island； and were reposing on the grass； when they suddenly
found themselves assailed by what seemed a shower of steel…headed
arrows。 Some of them stuck in the ground； while others hit against their
shields； and several penetrated their flesh。 The fifty heroes started up； and
looked about them for the hidden enemy； but could find none； nor see any
spot； on the whole island； where even a single archer could lie concealed。
Still； however； the steel…headed arrows came whizzing among them； and；
at last； happening to look upward； they beheld a large flock of birds；
hovering and wheeling aloft； and shooting their feathers down upon the
Argonauts。 These feathers were the steel…headed arrows that had so
tormented them。 There was no possibility of making any resistance； and
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the fifty heroic Argonauts might all have been killed or wounded by a
flock of troublesome birds； without ever setting eyes on the Golden Fleece；
if Jason had not thought of asking the advice of the oaken image。
So he ran to the galley as fast as his legs would carry him。
〃O； daughter of the Speaking Oak；〃 cried he； all out of breath； 〃we
need your wisdom more than ever before！ We are in great peril from a
flock of birds； who are shooting us with their steel…pointed feathers。 What
can we do to drive them away？〃
〃Make a clatter on your shields；〃 said the image。
On receiving this excellent counsel； Jason hurried back to his
companions （who were far more dismayed than when they fought with the
six…armed giants）； and bade them strike with their swords upon their
brazen shields。 Forthwith the fifty heroes set heartily to work； banging
with might and main； and raised such a terrible clatter； that the birds made
what haste they could to get away； and though they had shot half the
feathers out of their wings； they were soon seen skimming among the
clouds； a long distance off； and looking like a flock of wild geese。 Orpheus
celebrated this victory by playing a triumphant anthem on his harp； and
sang so melodiously that Jason begged him to desist； lest； as the steel…
feathered birds had been driven away by an ugly sound； they might be
enticed back again by a sweet one。
While the Argonauts remained on this island； they saw a small vessel
approaching the shore； in which were two young men of princely
demeanor； and exceedingly handsome； as young princes generally were； in
those days。 Now； who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be？
Why； if you will believe me； they were the sons of that very Phrixus； who；
in his childhood； had been carried to Colchis on the back of the golden…
fleeced ram。 Since that time； Phrixus had married the king's daughter； and
the two young princes had been born and brought up at Colchis； and had
spent their play…days in the outskirts of the grove； in the center of which
the Golden Fleece was hanging upon a tree。 They were now on their way
to Greece； in hopes of getting back a kingdom that had been wrongfully
taken from their father。
When the princes understood whither the Argonauts were going； they
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offered to turn back； and guide them to Colchis。 At the same time；
however； they spoke as if it were very doubtful whether Jason would
succeed in getting the Golden Fleece。 According to their account； the tree
on which it hung was guarded by a terrible dragon； who never failed to
devour； at one mouthful； every person who might venture within his reach。
〃There are other difficulties in the way；〃 continued the young princes。
〃But is not this enough？ Ah； brave Jason； turn back before it is too late。 It
would grieve us to the heart； if you and your nine and forty brave
companions should be eaten up； at fifty mouthfuls； by this execrable
dragon。〃
〃My young friends；〃 quietly replied Jason； 〃I do not wonder that you
think the dragon very terrible。 You have grown up from infancy in the fear
of this monster； and therefore still regard him with the awe that children
feel for the bugbears and hobgoblins which their nurses have talked to
them about。 But； in my view of the matter； the dragon is merely a pretty
large serpent； who is not half so likely to snap me up at one mouthful as I
am to cut off his ugly head； and strip the skin from his body。 At all events；
turn back who may； I will never see Greece again； unless I carry with me
the Golden Fleece。〃
〃We will none of us turn back！〃 cried his nine and forty brave
comrades。 〃Let us get on board the galley this instant； and if the dragon is
to make a breakfast of us； much good may it do him。〃
And Orpheus （whose custom it was to set everything to music） began
to harp and sing most gloriously； and made every mother's son of them
feel as if nothing in this world were so delectable as to fight dragons； and
nothing so truly honorable as to be eaten up at one mouthful； in case of the
worst。
After this （being now under the guidance of the two princes； who were
well acquainted with the way）； they quickly sailed to Colchis。 When the
king of the country； whose name was Aetes； heard of their arrival； he
instantly summoned Jason to court。 The king was a stern and cruel looking
potentate； and though he put on as polite and hospitable an expression as
he could； Jason did not like his face a whit better than that of the wicked
King Pelias； who dethroned his father。 〃You are welcome； brave Jason；〃
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said King Aetes。 〃Pray； are you on a pleasure voyage？Or do you
meditate the discovery of unknown islands？or what other cause has
procured me the happiness of seeing you at my court？〃
〃Great sir；〃 replied Jason； with an obeisancefor Chi