not shaped them out of the ordinary sound mada
by a breeze, while passing through the thick
foliage of the tree.

But on inquiry among the people of lolchos,
he found that there was really a man in the city,
by the name of Argus, who was a very skilful
builder of vessels. This showed some intelli-
gence in the oak; else how should it have
known that any such person existed? At Ja-
son's request, Argus readily consented to build
him a galley so big that it should require fifty
strong men to row it; although no vessel of such
a size and burden had heretofore been seen in
the world. So the head carpenter, and all his
journeymen and apprentices, began their work;
and for a good while afterwards, there they were,
busily employed, hewing out the timbers, p.nd
making a great clatter with their hammers; until
the new ship, which was called the Argo, seemed
to be quite ready for sea. And, as the Talking
Oak had already given him such good advice,
Jason thought that it would not be amiss to ask
for a little more. He visited it again, therefore,
and standing beside its huge, rough trunk, in-
quired what he should do next.

[[292]]

p291 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p292w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p293

v?