of Troy be taken. Thou didst bear me, my mother,
not for thyself only, but for this whole people. Wherefore I will give
myself for them. Offer me for an offering, and let the Greeks take the
city of Troy, for this shall be my memorial forever."

Then said Achilles, "Lady, I should count myself most happy if the gods
would grant thee to be my wife. For I love thee well when I see how
noble thou art. And if thou wilt, I will carry thee to my home. And I
doubt not that I shall save thee, though all the men of Greece be
against me."

But the maiden answered, "What I say, I say with full purpose. Nor will
I that any man should die for me, but rather will I save this land of
Greece."

And Achilles said, "If this be thy will, lady, I cannot say nay, for it
is a noble thing that thou doest."

Nor was the maiden turned from her purpose though her mother besought
her with many tears. So they that were appointed led her to the grove of
Artemis, where there was built an altar, and the whole army of the
Greeks gathered about it. But when the king saw her going to her death
he covered his face with his mantle; but she stood by him, and said, "I
give my body with a willing heart to die for my country and for the
whole land of Greece. I pray the gods that ye may prosper and win the
victory in this war and come back safe to your homes. And now let no man
touch me, for I will die with a good heart."

And all men marveled to see the maiden of what a good courage she was.
And all the army stood regarding the maiden and the priest and the
altar.

Then there befell a marvelous thing. For suddenly the maiden was not
there. Whither she had gone no one knew; but in her stead there lay
gasping a great hind, and all the altar was red with the blood thereof.

And Calchas said, "See ye this, men of Greece, how the goddess hath
provided this offering in the place of the maiden, for she would not
that her altar should be defiled with innocent blood. Be of good
courage, therefore, and depart every man to his ship, for this day ye
shall sail across the sea to the land of Troy."

Then the goddess carried away the maiden to the land of the Taurians,
where she had a temple and an altar. Now on this altar the king of the
land was wont to sacrifice any stranger, being Greek by nation, who was
driven by stress of weather to the place, for none went thither
willingly. And the name of the king was Thoas, which signifieth in the
Greek tongue, "swift