le, having first bound them and veiled their heads. Also that
certain of his guards should go with her, but that all the people of the
city should be straitly commanded to stay within doors, that so they
might not be defiled; and that he himself should abide in the temple and
purify it with fire, covering his head with his garments when the
strangers should pass by. "And be not troubled," she said, "if I seem to
be long doing these things."

"Take what time thou wilt," he said, "so that thou do all things in
order."

So certain of the king's guards brought the two young men from out of
the temple, and Iphigenia led them towards the place where the ship of
Orestes lay at anchor. But when they were come near to the shore, she
bade them halt nor come over-near, for that she had that to do in which
they must have no part. And she took the chain wherewith the young men
were bound in her hands and set up a strange song as of one that sought
enchantments. And after that the guards sat where she bade them for a
long time, they began to fear lest the strangers should have slain the
priestess and so fled. Yet they moved not, fearing to see that which was
forbidden. But at the last with one consent they rose up. And when they
were come to the sea, they saw the ship trimmed to set forth, and fifty
sailors on the benches having oars in their hands ready for rowing; and
the two young men were standing unbound upon the shore near to the
stern. And other sailors were dragging the ship by the cable to the
shore that the young men might embark. Then the guards laid hold of the
rudder and sought to take it from its place, crying, "Who are ye that
carry away priestesses and the images of our gods?" Then Orestes said,
"I am Orestes, and I carry away my sister." But the guards laid hold of
Iphigenia; and when the sailors saw this they leapt from the ship; and
neither the one nor the other had swords in their hands, but they fought
with their fists and their feet also. And as the sailors were strong and
skilful, the king's men were driven back sorely bruised and wounded. And
when they fled to a bank that was hard by and cast stones at the ship,
the archers standing on the stern shot at them with arrows. Then--for
his sister feared to come farther--Orestes leapt into the sea and raised
her upon his shoulder and so lifted her into the ship, and the image of
the goddess with her. And Pylades cried, "Lay hold of your oars, ye
sailors, and smite