eus was worn out with watching, for during all the voyage
he had not closed his eyes, but had sat the whole time with his hand
on the sheet, and suffered no one to relieve him. But now within sight
of his native land he sank down in utter weariness, and fell into a
deep sleep.

That fatal moment of weakness led to a long train of disasters. His
men had long gazed with curious and jealous eyes at the mysterious
wallet, which they supposed to be full of gold and silver. As long as
Odysseus was on his guard they durst not give utterance to their
thoughts; but when they saw him overtaken by slumber they began to
murmur among themselves. And thus they spake one to another: "Behold
how this man is honoured and beloved whithersoever he goes! He left
Troy-land laden with booty, and thereto hath AEolus added this rich
treasure, while we must come home with empty hands. Go to, let us have
sight of all this gold and silver."

So waking folly prevailed over slumbering prudence. In a moment the
silver cord was loosened, and all the boisterous winds rushed forth
and bore them weeping and wailing far from their native land. Roused
by the tumult of the tempest, and the despairing cries of his men,
Odysseus sprang up, just in time to see the last glimpse of the hills
of Ithaca as they melted in the distance. His first impulse was to
fling himself into the sea and perish; but mastering his frenzy he
covered his face, and sat down in speechless misery, while the winds
bore them swiftly back to the isle of AEolus.

With a heavy heart Odysseus went up to the house where he had been
received so kindly, and told his sorrowful tale. "Pity my weakness,"
he pleaded, "and let me not suffer for the sins of my men." But AEolus
was not to be moved. "Begone," he said sternly, "quit this island at
once, thou caitiff! Heaven hath set the seal of its hatred upon thee,
and I may not give countenance to such as thou. Out of my sight!" he
thundered, and Odysseus crept sadly back to his ship.

Then for six days they voyaged on, toiling continually at the oar, for
now there was no favourable wind to waft them on. They were almost
dead with fatigue when they sighted land on the seventh day, and came
to anchor in a sheltered bay, surrounded on all sides by towering
cliffs, with a narrow entrance, guarded by a tall spire of rock on
either side The place was called Laestrygonia, and the nights in that
country are so short that the shepherd as he drives home