r is it given to
everyone in this world to be a brigand. Amyntas found that even heroes
have their limitations.

X

One day, making his way along a rocky path, he found a swineherd
guarding his flock.

'Good-morrow!' said the man, and asked Amyntas whither he was bound.

'God knows!' answered Amyntas. 'I am wandering at chance, and know not
where I go.'

'Well, youth, stay the night with me, and to-morrow you can set out
again. In return for your company I will give you food and shelter.'

Amyntas accepted gratefully, for he had been feeding on herbs for a
week, and the prospect of goat's milk, cheese and black bread was like
the feast of Trimalchion. When Amyntas had said his story, the herdsman
told him that there was a rich man in the neighbouring village who
wanted a swineherd, and in the morning showed him the way to the rich
man's house.

'I will come a little way with you lest you take the wrong path.' ...

They walked along the rocky track, and presently the way divided.

'This path to the right leads to the village,' said the man.

'And this one to the left, swineherd?'

The swineherd crossed himself.

'Ah! that is the path of evil fortune. It leads to the accursed cavern.'

A cold wind blew across their faces.

'Come away,' said the herdsman, shuddering. 'Do you not feel on your
face the cold breath of it?'

'Tell me what it is,' said Amyntas. He stood looking at the opening
between the low trees.

'It is a lake of death--a lake beneath the mountain--and the roof of it
is held up by marble columns, which were never wrought by the hand of
man. Come away! do you not feel on your face the cold breath of it?'

He dragged Amyntas away along the path that led to the village, and when
the way was clear before him, turned back, returning to his swine. But
Amyntas ran after him.

'Tell me what they say of the accursed cavern.'

'They say many things. Some say it is a treasure-house of the Moors,
where they have left their wealth. Some say it is an entrance to the
enchanted land; some say it is an entrance to hell itself.... Venturous
men have gone in to discover the terrible secret, but none has returned
to tell it.'

Amyntas wandered slowly towards the village. Were his dreams to end in
the herding of swine? What was this cavern of which the herdsman spoke?
He felt a strange impulse to go back and look at the dark opening
between the little trees from which blew the cold wind.... But perhap