e gave me you will know that I speak the truth."

Perseus ceased speaking, and she who was the youngest and fairest of
the nymphs came nearer to him. She knew that he spoke truthfully, and
besides she had pity for the youth. "But we are the keepers of the
magic treasures," she said, "and some one whose need is greater even
than yours may some time require them from us. But will you swear that
you will bring the magic treasures back to us when you have slain the
Gorgon and have taken her head?"

Perseus declared that he would bring the magic treasures back to the
nymphs and leave them once more in their keeping. Then the nymph who
had compassion for him called to the others. They spoke together while
Perseus stayed far away from them, polishing his shield of bronze. At
last the nymph who had listened to him came back, the others following
her. They brought to Perseus and they put into his hands the things
they had guarded--the cap made from dogskin that had been brought up
out of Hades, a pair of winged shoes, and a long pouch that he could
hang across his shoulder.

And so with the shoes of flight and the cap of darkness and the magic
pouch, Perseus went to seek the Gorgons. The sickle-sword that Hermes
gave him was at his side, and on his arm he held the bronze shield that
was now well polished.

He went through the air, taking a way that the nymphs had shown him. He
came to Oceanus that was the rim around the world. He saw forms that
were of living creatures all in stone, and he knew that he was near the
place where the Gorgons had their lair.

Then, looking upon the surface of his polished shield, he saw the
Gorgons below him. Two were covered with hard serpent scales; they had
tusks that were long and were like the tusks of boars, and they had
hands of gleaming brass and wings of shining gold. Still looking upon
the shining surface of his shield Perseus went down and down. He saw
the third sister--she who was not immortal. She had a woman's face and
form, and her countenance was beautiful, although there was something
deadly in its fairness. The two scaled and winged sisters were asleep,
but the third, Medusa, was awake, and she was tearing with her hands a
lizard that had come near her.

Upon her head was a tangle of serpents all with heads raised as though
they were hissing. Still looking into the mirror of his shield Perseus
came down and over Medusa. He turned his head away from her. Then, with
a sweep of