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the bull's throat； turned angrily about； and fixed his eyes on Jason。 The
people had now withdrawn from around him； so that the youth stood in an
open space； near the smoking altar； front to front with the angry King
Pelias。
〃Who are you？〃 cried the king； with a terrible frown。 〃And how dare
you make this disturbance； while I am sacrificing a black bull to my father
Neptune？〃
〃It is no fault of mine；〃 answered Jason。 〃Your majesty must blame the
rudeness of your subjects； who have raised all this tumult because one of
my feet happens to be bare。〃
When Jason said this； the king gave a quick startled glance down at his
feet。
〃Ha！〃 muttered he； 〃here is the one…sandaled fellow； sure enough！
What can I do with him？〃
And he clutched more closely the great knife in his hand； as if he were
half a mind to slay Jason； instead of the black bull。 The people round
about caught up the king's words； indistinctly as they were uttered； and
first there was a murmur amongst them； and then a loud shout。
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〃The one…sandaled man has come！ The prophecy must be fulfilled！〃
For you are to know； that； many years before； King Pelias had been
told by the Speaking Oak of Dodona； that a man with one sandal should
cast him down from his throne。 On this account； he had given strict orders
that nobody should ever come into his presence； unless both sandals were
securely tied upon his feet； and he kept an officer in his palace； whose sole
business it was to examine people's sandals； and to supply them with a
new pair； at the expense of the royal treasury； as soon as the old ones
began to wear out。 In the whole course of the king's reign； he had never
been thrown into such a fright and agitation as by the spectacle of poor
Jason's bare foot。 But； as he was naturally a bold and hard…hearted man； he
soon took courage； and began to consider in what way he might rid
himself of this terrible one…sandaled stranger。
〃My good young man；〃 said King Pelias； taking the softest tone
imaginable； in order to throw Jason off his guard； 〃you are excessively
welcome to my kingdom。 Judging by your dress； you must have traveled a
long distance； for it is not the fashion to wear leopard skins in this part of
the world。 Pray what may I call your name？ and where did you receive
your education？〃
〃My name is Jason；〃 answered the young stranger。 〃Ever since my
infancy； I have dwelt in the cave of Chiron the Centaur。 He was my
instructor； and taught me music； and horsemanship； and how to cure
wounds； and likewise how to inflict wounds with my weapons！〃
〃I have heard of Chiron the schoolmaster；〃 replied King Pelias； 〃and
how that there is an immense deal of learning and wisdom in his head；
although it happens to be set on a horse's body。 It gives me great delight to
see one of his scholars at my court。 But to test how much you have
profited under so excellent a teacher； will you allow me to ask you a single
question？〃
〃I do not pretend to be very wise；〃 said Jason。 〃But ask me what you
please； and I will answer to the best of my ability。〃
Now King Pelias meant cunningly to entrap the young man； and to
make him say something that should be the cause of mischief and
distraction to himself。 So； with a crafty and evil smile upon his face； he
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spoke as follows：
〃What would you do； brave Jason；〃 asked he； 〃if there were a man in
the world； by whom； as you had reason to believe； you were doomed to be
ruined and slainwhat would you do； I say； if that man stood before you；
and in your power？〃
When Jason saw the malice and wickedness which King Pelias could
not prevent from gleaming out of his eyes； he probably guessed that the
king had discovered what he came for； and that he intended to turn his
own words against himself。 Still he scorned to tell a falsehood。 Like an
upright and honorable prince as he was； he determined to speak out the
real truth。 Since the king had chosen to ask him the question； and since
Jason had promised him an answer； there was no right way save to tell him
precisely what would be the most prudent thing to do； if he had his worst
enemy in his power。
Therefore； after a moment's consideration； he spoke up； with a firm
and manly voice。
〃I would send such a man；〃 said he； 〃in quest of the Golden Fleece！〃
This enterprise； you will understand； was； of all others； the most
difficult and dangerous in the world。 In the first place it would be
necessary to make a long voyage through unknown seas。 There was hardly
a hope； or a possibility； that any young man who should undertake this
voyage would either succeed in obtaining the Golden Fleece； or would
survive to return home； and tell of the perils he had run。 The eyes of King
Pelias sparkled with joy； therefore； when he heard Jason's reply。
〃Well said； wise man with the one sandal！〃 cried he。 〃Go； then； and at
the peril of your life； bring me back the Golden Fleece。〃
〃I go；〃 answered Jason； composedly。 〃If I fail； you need not fear that I
will ever come back to trouble you again。 But if I return to Iolchos with
the prize； then； King Pelias； you must hasten down from your lofty throne；
and give me your crown and sceptre。〃
〃That I will；〃 said the king； with a sneer。 〃Meantime； I will keep them
very safely for you。〃
The first thing that Jason thought of doing； after he left the king's
presence； was to go to Dodona； and inquire of the Talking Oak what
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course it was best to pursue。 This wonderful tree stood in the center of an
ancient wood。 Its stately trunk rose up a hundred feet into the air； and
threw a broad and dense shadow over more than an acre of ground。
Standing beneath it； Jason looked up among the kno