"You are our king," cried they; "and what
is more, you are the wisest man in the whole
world, and nothing but your wisdom and courage
can get us out of this danger. If you desert us,
and go to the enchanted palace, you will suffer
the same fate as our poor companions, and not a
soul of us will ever see our dear Ithaca again."

"As I am your king," answered Ulysses, "and
viser than any of you, it is therefore the more
my duty to see what has befallen our comrades,
and whether any thing can yet be done to rescue
them. Wait for me here until to-morrow. If I
do not then return, you must hoist sail, and en-
deavor to find your way to our native land. For
my part, I am answerable for the fate of these
poor mariners, who have stood by my side in
battle, and been so often drenched to the skin,
along with me, by the same tempestuous surges.
I will either bring them back with me, or
perish."

Had his followers dared, they would have
detained him by force. But King Ulysses
frowned sternly on them, and shook his spear,
and bade them stop him at their peril. Seeing
him so determined, they let him go, and sat

[[195]]

p194 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p195w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p196

v?