an only heard the echo of his own voice from the shore. He
rushed high up on the beach and moaned aloud.

He ran into all the caves but White Cloud could not be found.

Every one had loved White Cloud, so by this time all the water was white
with the crests of the weeping sea nymphs.

A great giant was sitting upon the shore near the sea. His name was
Sisyphus. He felt sorry for the Ocean and said, "Listen, friend Ocean,
I often watch you carrying the great ships and wish that I, too, had a
great work to do.

"You see how dry it is on this side of the mountain. Few people come
this way. You are not even now as lonely as I, yet I want to help you.
Promise me that you will put a spring upon this mountain side, where all
the tired and thirsty people may drink, and I'll tell you where White
Cloud is."

[Illustration]

The Ocean said, "I cannot put a spring upon the mountain, but if you
will follow my son, River, he will take you to a spring where he was
born."

The giant told the Ocean how the Sun ran away with White Cloud. The Sun
heard him and was angry. He placed Sisyphus in the sea saying, "You are
far too strong to sit idly here upon the shore. You say you want a great
work to do; you shall have it. You shall forever use your strength to
push these stones upon the shore, and they shall forever roll back upon
you."

The giant began his work at once, and has worked faithfully every day
since that time.

Many people do not yet know what his work is. Do you? Do you know what
Sisyphus is making?

[Illustration]

THE PALACE OF ALKINOOS.

On a high plain covered with flowers once lived good King Alkinoos and
his gentle people, the Phaiakians.

They were great sailors and went about in silver ships without rudders
or sails.

These wonderful ships went slowly or very fast just as the sailors
wished.

For many years the Phaiakians were peaceful and happy.

Though they were as brave as they were gentle, they hated war.

Far below the Phaiakians, in a valley, lived a people larger, darker,
fiercer than themselves.

These dark people cared for nothing so much as war and conquest.

When they saw the silver ships with the golden prows, they wanted them
for their own.

They armed themselves and made ready for a great battle.

To be sure of victory, they borrowed the thunder and lightning from
Zeus.

The day came and all was ready for the dark people to advance.

They reached the land of the Pha