although she had done him so much service only
the night before, he was by no means very certain
that she would not do him an equally great mis-
chief before sunset. These enchantresses, you
must know, are never to be depended upon.

"What says King Aeetes, my royal and up-
right father?" inquired Medea, slighty smiling.
"Will he give you the Golden Fleece, without
any further risk or trouble?"

"On the contrary," answered Jason, "he is
very angry with me for taming the brazen bulls
and sowing the dragon's teeth. And he forbids
me to make any more attempts, and positively
refuses to give up the Golden Fleece, whether I
slay the dragon or no.'??

"Yes, Jason," said the princess, "and I can
tell you more. Unless you set sail from Colchis
before to-morrow's sunrise, the king means to
burn your fifty-oared galley, and put yourself
and your forty-nine brave comrades to the sword.
But be of good courage. The Golden Fleece
you shall have, if it lies within the power of my
enchantments to get it for you. Wait for me
here an hour before midnight."

At the appointed hour, you mighi again have

[[330]]

p329 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p330w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p331

v?