At this accident Jason could not help uttering
a cry of vexation.

"What is the matter, Jason?" asked the old
woman.

"Matter enough," said the young man. "I
have lost a sandal here among the rocks. And
what sort of a figure shall I cut, at the court of
King Pelias, with a golden-stringed sandal on
one foot, and the other foot bare!"

"Do not take it to heart," answered his com-
panion, cheerily. "You never met with better
fortune than in losing that sandal. It satisfies
me that you ire the very person whom the
Speaking Oak has been talking about."

There was no time, just then, to inquire what
the Speaking Oak had said. But the briskness
of her tone encouraged the young man; and
besides, he had never in his life felt so vigorous
and mighty as since taking this old woman on
his back. Instead of being exhausted, he gath-
ered strength as he went on; and, struggling up
against the torrent, he at last gained the oppo-
site shore, clambered up the bank, and set down
the old dame and her peacock safely on the
grass. As soon as this was done, however, he??

[[281]]

p280 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p281w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p282

v?