on his endless circle around the pole. Along the southern horizon, the stars are faint, for here lies Cetus, the dark-sided Sea-monster, and the glints on the river Eridanus which rolls down to the 'Sea.'
Castor and Pollux
_-_figure_126.jpg)
According to legendary history, Castor and Pollux were the sons of Leda and the brothers of Helen of Troy. These twins were noted near and far for their bravery and had divine honors paid to them both in Sparta and in Rome. Their boyhood days were spent on Mount Pelion under the guidance of the wise centaur Chiron, but they spent most of their manhood adventuring, one of their best known exploits being the journey after the Golden Fleece on the ship Argo. During this journey a great storm arose and the frail little bark, whose only power was its fifty oars and the strong arms of the heroes, was tossed about like a shell. Orpheus, with his magic harp, sought to calm the waters and soothe the fears of the oarsmen, and had just about succeeded when two stars suddenly shone above the heads of the twins. This, of course, was static electricity, which sometimes appears like two stars of light attaching itself to each mast, but the Greeks considered it a sign from Jupiter that all was well and that there was nothing to fear from the storm. The Argo went on in safety, and ever after lights at the mastheads were called "Castor and Pollux" and sailors predict fair weather from their appearance.
"The Greeks called them Castor and Pollux—which some call Hermes fire; Saint Elmo others."
Sometimes, however, but one light is seen. This is then called "Helena," after their sister, and is regarded as foreboding a storm.
[193]
