these earth-born warriors, who immediately began to attack each other.
Jason then rushed furiously upon them, and after a terrible struggle not
one of the giants remained alive.

Furious at seeing his murderous schemes thus defeated, Aetes not only
perfidiously refused to give Jason the Fleece which he had so bravely
earned, but, in his anger, determined to destroy all the Argonauts, and to
burn their vessel.

JASON SECURES THE GOLDEN FLEECE.--Becoming aware of the treacherous designs
of her father, Medea at {226} once took measures to baffle them. In the
darkness of night she went on board the Argo, and warned the heroes of
their approaching danger. She then advised Jason to accompany her without
loss of time to the sacred grove, in order to possess himself of the
long-coveted treasure. They set out together, and Medea, followed by Jason,
led the way, and advanced boldly into the grove. The tall oak-tree was soon
discovered, from the topmost boughs of which hung the beautiful Golden
Fleece. At the foot of this tree, keeping his ever-wakeful watch, lay the
dreadful, sleepless dragon, who at sight of them bounded forward, opening
his huge jaws.

Medea now called into play her magic powers, and quietly approaching the
monster, threw over him a few drops of a potion, which soon took effect,
and sent him into a deep sleep; whereupon Jason, seizing the opportunity,
climbed the tree and secured the Fleece. Their perilous task being now
accomplished, Jason and Medea quitted the grove, and hastened on board the
Argo, which immediately put to sea.

MURDER OF ABSYRTUS.--Meanwhile Aetes, having discovered the loss of his
daughter and the Golden Fleece, despatched a large fleet, under the command
of his son Absyrtus, in pursuit of the fugitives. After some days' sail
they arrived at an island at the mouth of the river Ister, where they found
the Argo at anchor, and surrounded her with their numerous ships. They then
despatched a herald on board of her, demanding the surrender of Medea and
the Fleece.

Medea now consulted Jason, and, with his consent, carried out the following
stratagem. She sent a message to her brother Absyrtus, to the effect that
she had been carried off against her will, and promised that if he would
meet her, in the darkness of night, in the temple of Artemis, she would
assist him in regaining possession of the Golden Fleece. Relying on the
good faith of his sister, Absyrtus fell into the snare, and duly a