What had become of the jailer and the guards,
Theseus never knew. But however that might
be, Ariadne opened all the doors, and led him
forth from the darksome prison into the pleasant
moonlight.

"Theseus," said the maiden, "you can now
get on board your vessel, and sail away for
Athens."

"No," answered the young man; "I wi!l
never leave Crete unless I can first slay the
Minotaur, and save my poor companions, and
deliver Athens from this cruel tribute."

"I knew that this would be your resolution,"
said Ariadne. "Come, then, with me, brave
Theseus. Here is your own sword, which the
guards deprived you of. You will need it; and
pray Heaven you may use it well."

Then she led Theseus along by the hand un-
til they came to a dark, shadowy grove, where
the moonlight wasted itself on the tops of the
trees, without shedding hardly so much as a
glimmering beam upon their pathway. After
going a good way through this obscurity, they
reached a high, marble wall, which was over-
grown with creeping plants, that made it shaggy

[[56]]

p055 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p056w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p057

v?