l at once meet the gaze of a Gorgon,
and be changed into stone. So he turned around, and held the shining
shield before him in such a way that by looking into it he could see
objects behind him as in a mirror.

Ah, what a dreadful sight it was! Half hidden among the weeds lay the
three monsters, fast asleep, with their golden wings folded about them.
Their brazen claws were stretched out as though ready to seize their
prey; and their shoulders were covered with sleeping snakes. The two
largest of the Gorgons lay with their heads tucked under their wings as
birds hide their heads when they go to sleep. But the third, who lay
between them, slept with her face turned up towards the sky; and Perseus
knew that she was Medusa.

Very stealthily he went nearer and nearer, always with his back towards
the monsters and always looking into his bright shield to see where to
go. Then he drew his sharp sword and, dashing quickly downward, struck a
back blow, so sure, so swift, that the head of Medusa was cut from her
shoulders and the black blood gushed like a river from her neck. Quick
as thought he thrust the terrible head into his magic pouch and leaped
again into the air, and flew away with the speed of the wind.

Then the two older Gorgons awoke, and rose with dreadful screams, and
spread their great wings, and dashed after him. They could not see him,
for the Cap of Darkness hid him from even their eyes; but they scented
the blood of the head which he carried in the pouch, and like hounds in
the chase, they followed him, sniffing the air. And as he flew through
the clouds he could hear their dreadful cries and the clatter of their
golden wings and the snapping of their horrible jaws. But the Magic
Slippers were faster than any wings, and in a little while the monsters
were left far behind, and their cries were heard no more; and Perseus
flew on alone.

VI. THE GREAT SEA BEAST.

Perseus soon crossed the ocean and came again to the Land of the West.
Far below him he could see the three Maidens dancing around the golden
tree; but he did not stop, for, now that he had the head of Medusa safe
in the pouch at his side, he must hasten home. Straight east he flew
over the great sea, and after a time he came to a country where there
were palm trees and pyramids and a great river flowing from the south.
Here, as he looked down, a strange sight met his eyes: he saw a
beautiful girl chained to a rock by the seashore, and far a