pretend to be very wise," said Jason; "but ask me what you
please and I will answer to the best of my ability."

Now King Pelias meant cunningly to entrap the young man and to make him
say something that should be the cause of mischief and destruction to
himself. So with a crafty and evil smile upon his face, he spoke as
follows:

"What would you do, brave Jason," asked he, "if there were a man in the
world by whom, as you had reason to believe, you were doomed to be
ruined and slain--what would you do, I say, if that man stood before you
and in your power?"

When Jason saw the malice and wickedness which King Pelias could not
prevent from gleaming out of his eyes, he probably guessed that the king
had discovered what he came for, and that he intended to turn his own
words against himself. Still, he scorned to tell a falsehood. Like an
upright and honorable prince, as he was, he determined to speak out the
real truth. Since the king had chosen to ask him the question and since
Jason had promised him an answer, there was no right way save to tell
him precisely what would be the most prudent thing to do if he had his
worst enemy in his power.

Therefore, after a moment's consideration, he spoke up with a firm and
manly voice:

"I would send such a man," said he, "in quest of the Golden Fleece!"

This enterprise, you will understand, was, of all others, the most
difficult and dangerous in the world. In the first place, it would be
necessary to make a long voyage through unknown seas. There was hardly a
hope or a possibility that any young man who should undertake this
voyage would either succeed in obtaining the Golden Fleece or would
survive to return home and tell of the perils he had run. The eyes of
King Pelias sparkled with joy, therefore, when he heard Jason's reply.

"Well said, wise man with the one sandal!" cried he. "Go, then, and at
the peril of your life bring me back the Golden Fleece!"

"I go," answered Jason composedly. "If I fail, you need not fear that I
will ever come back to trouble you again. But if I return to Iolchos
with the prize, then, King Pelias, you must hasten down from your lofty
throne and give me your crown and scepter."

"That I will," said the king, with a sneer. "Meantime I will keep them
very safely for you."

The first thing that Jason thought of doing after he left the king's
presence was to go to Dodona and inquire of the Talking Oak what course
it was best to pursue. This