e looked across the sandy course now deserted by the throng,
he saw one move across it, coming toward him with feet that did not
seem to touch the ground. She was a woman of wonderful presence. As
Hippomenes looked upon her he knew that she was Aphrodite, the goddess
of beauty and of love.

"Hippomenes," said the immortal goddess, "the gods are mindful of you
who are sprung from one of the gods, and I am mindful of you because of
your own worth. I have come to help you in your race with Atalanta, for
I would not have you slain, nor would I have that maiden go unwed. Give
your greatest strength and your greatest swiftness to the race, and
behold! here are wonders that will prevent the fleet-footed Atalanta
from putting all her spirit into the race."

And then the immortal goddess held out to Hippomenes a branch that had
upon it three apples of shining gold.

"In Cyprus," said the goddess, "where I have come from, there is a tree
on which these golden apples grow. Only I may pluck them. I have
brought them to you, Hippomenes. Keep them in your girdle, and in the
race you will find out what to do with them, I think."

So Aphrodite said, and then she vanished, leaving a fragrance in the
air and the three shining apples in the hands of Hippomenes. Long he
looked upon their brightness. They were beside him that night, and when
he arose in the dawn he put them in his girdle. Then, before the
throng, he went to the place of the race.

When he showed himself beside Atalanta, all around the course were
silent, for they all admired Hippomenes for his beauty and for the
spirit that was in his face; they were silent out of compassion, for
they knew the doom that befell the youths who raced with Atalanta.

And now Schoeneus, the black-bearded king, stood up, and he spoke to
the throng, saying, "Hear me all, both young and old: this youth,
Hippomenes, seeks to win the race from my daughter, winning her for his
bride. Now, if he be victorious and escape death I will give him my
dear child, Atalanta, and many fleet horses besides as gifts from me,
and in honor he shall go back to his native land. But if he fail in the
race, then he will have to share the doom that has been meted out to
the other youths who raced with Atalanta hoping to win her for a bride."

Then Hippomenes and Atalanta crouched for the start. The trumpets were
sounded and they darted off.

Side by side with Atalanta, Hippomenes went. Her flying hair touched
hi