And is he a live giant, or a brazen image?"
asked Theseus.

"That, truly," replied the master, "is the
point which has always perplexed me. Some
say, indeed, that this Talus was hammered out
for King Minos by Vulcan himself, the skilfulest
of all workers in metal. But who ever saw a
brazen image that had sense enough to walk
round an island three times a day, as this giant
walks round the Island of Crete, challenging
every vessel that comes nigh the shore? And,
on the other hand, what living thing, unless his
sinews were made of brass, would not be weary
of inarching eighteen hundred miles in the
twenty-four hours, as Talus does, without ever
sitting down to rest? He is a puzzler, take him
how you will."

Still the vessel went bounding onward; and
now Theseus could hear the brazen clangor of
the giant's footsteps, as he trod heavily upon
the sea-beaten rocks, some of which were seen
to crack and crumble into the foamy waves be-
neath his weight. As they approached the en-
trance of the port, the giant straddled clear
across it, with a foot firmly planted on each

[[49]]

p048 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p049w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p050

v?