although his strength was failing, he saw the goal marks near him. He
set his feet between them and then fell down on the ground.

The attendants raised him up and put the victor's wreath upon his head.
The concourse of people shouted with joy to see him victor. But he
looked around for Atalanta and he saw her standing there with the
golden apples in her hands. "He has won," he heard her say, "and I have
not to hate myself for bringing a doom upon him. Gladly, gladly do I
give up the race, and glad am I that it is this youth who has won the
victory from me."

She took his hand and brought him before the king. Then Schoeneus, in
the sight of all the rejoicing people, gave Atalanta to Hippomenes for
his bride, and he bestowed upon him also a great gift of horses. With
his dear and hard-won bride, Hippomenes went to his own country, and
the apples that she brought with her, the golden apples of Aphrodite,
were reverenced by the people.

X. THE DEPARTURE FROM LEMNOS

A day came when Heracles left the Argo and went on the Lemnian land. He
gathered the heroes about him, and they, seeing Heracles come amongst
them, clamored to go to hunt the wild bulls that were inland from the
sea.

So, for once, the heroes left the Lemnian maidens who were their
friends. Jason, too, left Hypsipyle in the palace and went with
Heracles. And as they went, Heracles spoke to each of the heroes,
saying that they were forgetting the Fleece of Gold that they had
sailed to gain.

Jason blushed to think that he had almost let go out of his mind the
quest that had brought him from Iolcus. And then he thought upon
Hypsipyle and of how her little hand would stay in his, and his own
hand became loose upon the spear so that it nearly fell from him. How
could he, he thought, leave Hypsipyle and this land of Lemnos behind?

He heard the clear voice of Atalanta as she, too, spoke to the
Argonauts. What Heracles said was brave and wise, said Atalanta.
Forgetfulness would cover their names if they stayed longer in
Lemnos--forgetfulness and shame, and they would come to despise
themselves. Leave Lemnos, she cried, and draw Argo into the sea, and
depart for Colchis.

All day the Argonauts stayed by themselves, hunting the bulls. On their
way back from the chase they were met by Lemnian maidens who carried
wreaths of flowers for them. Very silent were the heroes as the maidens
greeted them. Heracles went with Jason to the palace, and Hypsipyle,
seei