er, when he saw the
stranger. 'I pray thee, save my daughter, who even now is being led
forth to a cruel death!'

"'You make mistake,' answered the fair stranger. 'I am not one of the
gods. My name is Hercules, and like you I am mortal. Yet I may help
you in this your time of need.'

"Now, in my father's stables there were twelve fair steeds, the best
that the earth ever knew. So light of foot were they, that when they
bounded over the land, they might run upon the topmost ears of ripened
corn, and break them not; and when they bounded over the sea, not even
Poseidon's steeds could glide so lightly upon the crests of the waves.
Some say they were the steeds of North Wind given to my grandfather by
the powers above. These steeds, my father promised to give to Hercules
if he would save Hesione.

"Then the heralds led my fair sister to the shore, and chained her to
the rock, there to wait for the coming of the monster. But Hercules
stood near her, fearless in his strength. Soon the waves began to
rise; the waters were disturbed, and the beast, with hoarse bellowings,
lifted his head above the breakers, and rushed forward to seize his
prey. Then the hero sprang to meet him. With blow upon blow from his
mighty club, he felled the monster; the waters of the sea were reddened
with blood; Hesione was saved, and Troy was freed from the dreadful
curse.

"'Behold thy daughter!' said Hercules, leading her gently back to the
city, and giving her to her father. 'I have saved her from the jaws of
death, and delivered your country from the dread scourge. Give me now
my hire.'

"Shame fills my heart as I tell this story, for thanklessness was the
bane of my father's life. Ungrateful to the hero who had risked so
much and done so much that our homes and our country might be saved
from ruin, he turned coldly away from Hercules; then he shut the great
gates in his face, and barred him out of the city, and taunted him from
the walls, saying, 'I owe thee no hire! Begone from our coasts, ere I
scourge thee hence!'

"Full of wrath, the hero turned away. 'I go, but I will come again,'
he said.

"Then peace and plenty blessed once more the city of Troy, and men
forgot the perils from which they had been delivered. But ere long,
great Hercules returned, as he had promised; and with him came a fleet
of white-sailed ships and many warriors. Neither gates nor strong
walls could stand against him. Into the city he marched,