and showed them the
outlet to the sea. And Triton spoke in friendly wise to the heroes,
bidding them go upon their way in joy. "And as for labor," he said,
"let there be no grieving because of that, for limbs that have youthful
vigor should still toil."

They took up the oars and they pulled toward the sea, and Triton, the
friendly immortal, helped them on. He laid hold upon Argo's keel and he
guided her through the water. The Argonauts saw him beneath the water;
his body, from his head down to his waist, was fair and great and like
to the body of one of the other immortals. But below his body was like
a great fish's, forking this way and that. He moved with fins that were
like the horns of the new moon. Triton helped Argo along until they
came into the open sea. Then he plunged down into the abyss. The heroes
shouted their thanks to him. Then they looked at each other and
embraced each other with joy, for the sea that touched upon the land of
Greece was open before them.

IX. NEAR TO IOLCUS AGAIN

The sun sank; then that star came that bids the shepherd bring his
flock to the fold, that brings the wearied plowman to his rest. But no
rest did that star bring to the Argonauts. The breeze that filled the
sail died down; they furled the sail and lowered the mast; then, once
again, they pulled at the oars. All night they rowed, and all day, and
again when the next day came on. Then they saw the island that is
halfway to Greece the great and fair island of Crete.

It was Theseus who first saw Crete--Theseus who was to come to Crete
upon another ship. They drew the Argo near the great island; they
wanted water, and they were fain to rest there.

Minos, the great king, ruled over Crete. He left the guarding of the
island to one of the race of bronze, to Talos, who had lived on after
the rest of the bronze men had been destroyed. Thrice a day would Talos
stride around the island; his brazen feet were tireless.

Now Talos saw the Argo drawing near. He took up great rocks and he
hurled them at the heroes, and very quickly they had to draw their ship
out of range.

They were wearied and their thirst was consuming them. But still that
bronze man stood there ready to sink their ship with the great rocks
that he took up in his hands. Medea stood forward upon the ship, ready
to use her spells against the man of bronze.

In body and limbs he was made of bronze and in these he was
invulnerable. But beneath a sinew in his