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moonbeams； but rather resembling the golden glory of the setting sun。 It
proceeded from an object； which appeared to be suspended at about a
man's height from the ground； a little farther within the wood。
〃What is it？〃 asked Jason。
〃Have you come so far to seek it；〃 exclaimed Medea； 〃and do you not
recognize the meed of all your toils and perils； when it glitters before your
eyes？ It is the Golden Fleece。〃
Jason went onward a few steps farther； and then stopped to gaze。 O；
how beautiful it looked； shining with a marvelous light of its own； that
inestimable prize which so many heroes had longed to behold； but had
perished in the quest of it； either by the perils of their voyage； or by the
fiery breath of the brazen… lunged bulls。
〃How gloriously it shines！〃 cried Jason； in a rapture。 〃It has surely
been dipped in the richest gold of sunset。 Let me hasten onward； and take
it to my bosom。〃
〃Stay；〃 said Medea； holding him back。 〃Have you forgotten what
guards it？〃
To say the truth； in the joy of beholding the object of his desires； the
terrible dragon had quite slipped out of Jason's memory。 Soon； however；
something came to pass； that reminded him what perils were still to be
encountered。 An antelope； that probably mistook the yellow radiance for
sunrise； came bounding fleetly through the grove。 He was rushing straight
towards the Golden Fleece； when suddenly there was a frightful hiss； and
the immense head and half the scaly body of the dragon was thrust forth
（for he was twisted round the trunk of the tree on which the Fleece hung）；
and seizing the poor antelope； swallowed him with one snap of his jaws。
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After this feat； the dragon seemed sensible that some other living
creature was within reach； on which he felt inclined to finish his meal。 In
various directions he kept poking his ugly snout among the trees；
stretching out his neck a terrible long way； now here； now there； and now
close to the spot where Jason and the princess were hiding behind an oak。
Upon my word； as the head came waving and undulating through the air；
and reaching almost within arm's length of Prince Jason； it was a very
hideous and uncomfortable sight。 The gape of his enormous jaws was
nearly as wide as the gateway of the king's palace。
〃Well； Jason；〃 whispered Medea （for she was ill natured； as all
enchantresses are； and wanted to make the bold youth tremble）； 〃what do
you think now of your prospect of winning the Golden Fleece？〃
Jason answered only by drawing his sword； and making a step
forward。
〃Stay； foolish youth；〃 said Medea； grasping his arm。 〃Do not you see
you are lost； without me as your good angel？ In this gold box I have a
magic potion； which will do the dragon's business far more effectually
than your sword。〃
The dragon had probably heard the voices； for swift as lightning； his
black head and forked tongue came hissing among the trees again； darting
full forty feet at a stretch。 As it approached； Medea tossed the contents of
the gold box right down the monster's wide…open throat。 Immediately； with
an outrageous hiss and a tremendous wriggleflinging his tail up to the
tip…top of the tallest tree； and shattering all its branches as it crashed
heavily down againthe dragon fell at full length upon the ground； and lay
quite motionless。
〃It is only a sleeping potion；〃 said the enchantress to Prince Jason。
〃One always finds a use for these mischievous creatures； sooner or later；
so I did not wish to kill him outright。 Quick！ Snatch the prize； and let us
begone。 You have won the Golden Fleece。〃
Jason caught the fleece from the tree； and hurried through the grove；
the deep shadows of which were illuminated as he passed by the golden
glory of the precious object that he bore along。 A little way before him； he
beheld the old woman whom he had helped over the stream； with her
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peacock beside her。 She clapped her hands for joy； and beckoning him to
make haste； disappeared among the duskiness of the trees。 Espying the
two winged sons of the North Wind （who were disporting themselves in
the moonlight； a few hundred feet aloft）； Jason bade them tell the rest of
the Argonauts to embark as speedily as possible。 But Lynceus； with his
sharp eyes； had already caught a glimpse of him； bringing the Golden
Fleece； although several stone walls； a hill； and the black shadows of the
Grove of Mars； intervened between。 By his advice； the heroes had seated
themselves on the benches of the galley； with their oars held
perpendicularly； ready to let fall into the water。
As Jason drew near； he heard the Talking Image calling to him with
more than ordinary eagerness； in its grave； sweet voice：
〃Make haste； Prince Jason！ For your life； make haste！〃
With one bound； he leaped aboard。 At sight of the glorious radiance of
the Golden Fleece； the nine and forty heroes gave a mighty shout； and
Orpheus； striking his harp； sang a song of triumph； to the cadence of
which the galley flew over the water； homeward bound； as if careering
along with wings！
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