THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES
one of the damsels. ‘He has fifty daughters, whom some people call very beautiful; but we do not think it proper to be acquainted with them, because they have sea-green hair, and taper away like fishes. You must talk with this Old Man of the Sea. He is a sea-faring person, and knows all about the garden of the Hesperides; for it is situated in an island which he is often in the habit of visiting.’
Hercules then asked whereabouts the Old One was most likely to be met with. When the damsels had informed him, he thanked them for all their kindness,–for the bread and grapes with which they had fed him, the lovely flowers with which they had crowned him, and the songs and dances wherewith they had done him honour,–and he thanked them, most of all, for telling him the right way,–and immediately set forth upon his journey.
But, before he was out of hearing, one of the maidens called after him.
‘Keep fast hold of the Old One, when you catch him!’ cried she, smiling, and lifting her finger to make the caution more impressive. ‘Do not be astonished at anything that may happen. Only hold him fast, and he will tell you what you wish to know.’
Hercules again thanked her, and pursued his way, while the maidens resumed their pleasant labour of making flower-wreaths. They talked about the hero, long after he was gone.
‘We will crown him with the loveliest of our garlands,’ said they, ‘when he returns hither with the three golden apples, after slaying the dragon with a hundred heads.’
Meanwhile, Hercules travelled constantly onward, over
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