ed him up on her shoulders. Then, before he knew
what she was about to do, she had stepped into the water.

From stone to stepping-stone she went, Jason holding on to the wood
that she had drawn to her shoulders. She left him down upon the bank.
As she was lifting him down one of his feet touched the water; the
swift current swept away a sandal.

He stood on the bank knowing that she who had carried him across the
flooded river had strength from the gods. He looked upon her, and
behold! she was transformed. Instead of an old woman there stood before
him one who had on a golden robe and a shining crown. Around her was a
wondrous light--the light of the sun when it is most golden. Then Jason
knew that she who had carried him across the broad Anaurus was the
goddess whom he had seen in the ways of the forest--Hera, great Zeus's
wife.

"Go into Iolcus, Jason," said great Hera to him, "go into Iolcus, and
in whatever chance doth befall thee act as one who has the eyes of the
immortals upon him."

She spoke and she was seen no more. Then Jason went on his way to the
city that Cretheus, his grandfather, had founded and that his father
AEson had once ruled over. He came into that city, a tall, great-limbed,
unknown youth, dressed in a strange fashion, and having but one sandal
on.

II. KING PELIAS

That day King Pelias, walking through the streets of his city, saw
coming toward him a youth who was half shod. He remembered the words of
the oracle that bade him beware of a half-shod man, and straightway he
gave orders to his guards to lay hands upon the youth.

But the guards wavered when they went toward him, for there was
something about the youth that put them in awe of him. He came with the
guards, however, and he stood before the king's judgment seat.

Fearfully did Pelias look upon him. But not fearfully did the youth
look upon the king. With head lifted high he cried out, "Thou art
Pelias, but I do not salute thee as king. Know that I am Jason, the son
of AEson from whom thou hast taken the throne and scepter that were
rightfully his."

King Pelias looked to his guards. He would have given them a sign to
destroy the youth's life with their spears, but behind his guards he
saw a threatening multitude--the dwellers of the city of Iolcus; they
gathered around, and Pelias knew that he had become more and more hated
by them. And from the multitude a cry went up, "AEson, AEson! May AEson
come back to us! Jason, s