turn, and of how he might
bring the youths and maidens of Athens back to their own people. For
Ariadne, that strange princess, was not dear to him as Medea was dear
to Jason, or Atalanta the Huntress to young Meleagrus.

One sunset she led him to a roof of the palace and she showed him the
harbor with the ships, and she showed him the ship with the black sail
that had brought him to Knossos. She told him she would take him aboard
that ship, and that the youths and maidens of Athens could go with
them. She would bring to the master of the ship the seal of King Minos,
and the master, seeing it, would set sail for whatever place Theseus
desired to go.

Then did she become dear to Theseus because of her great kindness, and
he kissed her eyes and swore that he would not go from the palace
unless she would come with him to his own country. The strange princess
smiled and wept as if she doubted what he said. Nevertheless, she led
him from the roof and down into one of the palace gardens. He waited
there, and the youths and maidens of Athens were led into the garden,
all wearing cloaks that hid their forms and faces. Young Icarus led
them from the grounds of the palace and down to the ships. And Ariadne
went with them, bringing with her the seal of her father, King Minos.

And when they came on board of the black-sailed ship they showed the
seal to the master, Nausitheus, and the master of the ship let the sail
take the breeze of the evening, and so Theseus went away from Crete.

VII

To the Island of Naxos they sailed. And when they reached that place
the master of the ship, thinking that what had been done was not in
accordance with the will of King Minos, stayed the ship there. He
waited until other ships came from Knossos. And when they came they
brought word that Minos would not slay nor demand back Theseus nor the
youths and maidens of Athens. His daughter, Ariadne, he would have
back, to reign with him over Crete.

Then Ariadne left the black-sailed ship, and went back to Crete from
Naxos. Theseus let the princess go, although he might have struggled to
hold her. But more strange than dear did Ariadne remain to Theseus.

And all this time his father, AEgeus, stayed on the tower of his palace,
watching for the return of the ship that had sailed for Knossos. The
life of the king wasted since the departure of Theseus, and now it was
but a thread. Every day he watched for the return of the ship, hoping
against hope