t themselves
above the water. By and by an uprooted tree, with shattered branches,
came drifting along the current and got entangled among the rocks. Now
and then a drowned sheep and once the carcass of a cow floated past.

In short, the swollen river had already done a great deal of mischief.
It was evidently too deep for Jason to wade and too boisterous for him
to swim; he could see no bridge, and as for a boat, had there been
any, the rocks would have broken it to pieces in an instant.

"See the poor lad," said a cracked voice close to his side. "He must
have had but a poor education, since he does not know how to cross a
little stream like this. Or is he afraid of wetting his fine
golden-stringed sandals? It is a pity his four-footed schoolmaster is
not here to carry him safely across on his back!"

Jason looked round greatly surprised, for he did not know that anybody
was near. But beside him stood an old woman, with a ragged mantle over
her head, leaning on a staff, the top of which was carved into the
shape of a cuckoo. She looked very aged and wrinkled and infirm; and
yet her eyes, which were as brown as those of an ox, were so extremely
large and beautiful that when they were fixed on Jason's eyes he could
see nothing else but them. The old woman had a pomegranate in her
hand, although the fruit was then quite out of season.

"Whither are you going, Jason?" she now asked.

She seemed to know his name, you will observe; and, indeed, those
great brown eyes looked as if they had a knowledge of everything,
whether past or to come. While Jason was gazing at her a peacock
strutted forward and took his stand at the old woman's side.

"I am going to Iolchos," answered the young man, "to bid the wicked
King Pelias come down from my father's throne and let me reign in his
stead."

"Ah, well, then," said the old woman, still with the same cracked
voice, "if that is all your business, you need not be in a very great
hurry. Just take me on your back, there's a good youth, and carry me
across the river. I and my peacock have something to do on the other
side, as well as yourself."

"Good mother," replied Jason, "your business can hardly be so
important as the pulling down a king from his throne. Besides, as you
may see for yourself, the river is very boisterous; and if I should
chance to stumble, it would sweep both of us away more easily than it
has carried off yonder uprooted tree. I would gladly help you if I
co