as she looked over her shoulder she saw the king pursuing with his blade held high in air to strike her down she looked to right and left but no place of safety could she discover and now the gray sea was before her and the waves were at her feet i have thee now vile serpent cried the madman leaping forward then she to save herself sprang into the pitiless deep the waves closed over her and the wild eyed king looking down saw only a swimming out toward the open sea he stood a moment as if in a trance then he wiped the sword blade upon his hand and stuck it in his belt he turned and looked calmly back at the distracted crowd that had followed him fearfully to see what he would do o people he cried the curse of madness is upon me it will rest upon me and the of my house until some hero rises to make amends for the evil deeds of this day thus it is that the mighty ones deal punishment to the of wrong the golden then the wild look came again into his face and with terrible and savage gestures he drove the people back into the city with leaps and strides he returned alone to his white walled palace he closed the great gate behind him he entered the silent hall and moaning as one in terror and distress sat down upon his ivory throne and men say that he still sits there harmless to those who come to minister to him but always moaning and refusing to be comforted you will wonder what became of and and the golden ram and so did the people of the city for many and many a day the ram as you have heard flew straight out over the eastern sea then it winged its way northward many a league looking down upon pleasant islands and shores which no man of greece had ever visited and right bravely did and his little sister cling to their places on his back do not look downward said the lad but look always upward at the sky and the hopeful stars that i will do brother said the little princess and then they talked pleasantly together wondering whither the ram would carry them thus for hours they sped onward than the summer clouds when driven by the strong the curse of am as south wind but toward evening began to grow tired her arms ached with holding on to the golden and her hands were her eyes too were heavy and she felt very drowsy i wonder how soon we shall come to land she said have courage and be patient said her brother but she was not patient for how could she be so at length she leaned over a little and looked down far far below she saw the raging waters of the sea how they tumbled and tossed in wild uproar she grew dizzy as she looked yet she could not lift her eyes from the fearful scene the ram suddenly to the right and lost her balance with her hands and arms she could not regain her place she felt that she was falling o brother help she screamed he reached quickly back to save her but alas he was too late his hand grasped her as she fell it broke and like a star dropping from the dome of the sky she shot swiftly down into the sea the waves closed over her and her eyes beheld no more the light of day but the kind creatures of the sea bore up the body of the child that no rude thing the golden should touch it they carried her gently to the southern shore of that narrow sea which men call in her honor the there they laid her on the dry white beach wrapped like a king s child in her robes and there some country people found her that same day as they were wandering by the sea how sad that one so beautiful should perish thus they said they built a of sweet scented woods upon the shore and poured oil and costly wine upon it then they laid the body of fair and consumed it with fire while all wept because of her fate in the meanwhile the golden ram with still clinging between his wings flew onward past and the stream and over the great sea that lies at the rising of the sun all night he pursued his way with steady wings and in the early morning alighted near a fair rich city with strong walls and many a well built tower dizzy and with the cold joyfully set his feet once more upon the solid earth slowly through avenues of trees he walked to the city gate while like a dog the ram followed in his steps who are you and what city is this he asked of the at the gate the curse of more it would have been for us to ask who you are and whence you come was the answer for surely you must be a rare stranger not to know that this city is called and that our country is known as by the sea and now if you would enter tell us of yourself and of that strange beast that seems to love you so then told them his whole story just as i have told it to you and when the king of the city came out to sit in the gate and deal justice to those who asked for it he saw the manly lad still waiting outside and the ram standing by him and his hand ah what do i see asked the king what rare animal has this boy brought to my poor eyes it is surely a ram but so bright it is that i would almost believe it 