n of the hydra, could not be healed; so the centaur was carried
into his cave. There he wished to die in the arms of his friend. Vain
wish! The poor Centaur had forgotten that he was immortal, and though
wounded would not die.

Then Hercules with many tears bade farewell to his old teacher and
promised to send to him, no matter at what price, the great deliverer,
Death. And we know that he kept his word.

When Hercules from the pursuit of the other Centaurs returned to the
dwelling of Pholus he found him also dead. He had drawn the deadly arrow
from the lifeless body of one Centaur, and while he was wondering how
so small a thing could do such great damage, the poisoned arrow slipped
through his fingers and pierced his foot, killing him instantly.
Hercules was very sad, and buried his body reverently beneath the
mountain, which from that day was called Pholoe.

Then Hercules continued his hunt for the boar, drove him with cries out
of the thick of the woods, pursued him into a deep snow field, bound the
exhausted animal, and brought him, as he had been commanded, alive to
Mycene.

THE FIFTH LABOR

Thereupon King Eurystheus sent him upon the fifth labor, which: was one
little worthy of a hero. It was to clean the stables of Augeas in a
single day.

Augeas was king in Elis and had great herds of cattle. These herds were
kept, according to the custom, in a great inclosure before the palace.
Three thousand cattle were housed there, and as the stables had not been
cleaned for many years, so much manure had accumulated that it seemed an
insult to ask Hercules to clean them in one day.

When the hero stepped before King Augeas and without telling him
anything of the demands of Eurystheus, pledged himself to the task, the
latter measured the noble form in the lion-skin and could hardly refrain
from laughing when he thought of so worthy a warrior undertaking so
menial a work. But he said to himself: "Necessity has driven many a
brave man; perhaps this one wishes to enrich himself through me. That
will help him little. I can promise him a large reward if he cleans out
the stables, for he can in one day clear little enough." Then he spoke
confidently:

"Listen, O stranger. If you clean all of my stables in one day, I will
give over to you the tenth part of all my possessions in cattle."

Hercules accepted the offer, and the king expected to see him begin to
shovel. But Hercules, after he had called the son of Augeas t