The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21

of food, while many fountains, stream
ing down the verdant plain, gave them
sweet water for the shaking of their
thirst. Nor were wines wanting, for
from the sack of Troy and the sack
of the city of the Cicons a plentiful supply
of choicest vintages had been borne away
in the ships of Ulysses. The sailors pro-
longed their feast upon the island until
the setting sun with his rays dyed the
western waters and then, satiated, lay
them down to sleep until in saffron robes
the daughter of the dawn, the morning
star. shone over the dewy lawns.
Over across the strait, In the land of
the Cyclops, they say smoke arising
from morning fires, and Ulysses said:
MY dear associates, here indulge your
rest. I, with one ship, will go to yonder
coast and spy out what manner of peo-
pie inhabit there; whether rude bar
barians, who know not the rites of his
pitality, or such as shall give us welcome
and succor in our need" Then, going
on board his flagship, the hero bade his
rowers take him straight to the oppos-
ing land. AS he came TO the beach of
tl4t 1ylOptdn ldHu lie saw d iOhciy cave
and near by were fiocks of sheep and
goats. Choosing Il men of the crew,
Ulysses babe the others remain behind
to guard the ship, and with his IL made
his way to the cave. He took along a
plentiful supply of wine, wine old and of
priceless vintage. Such was its power
that it took u measures from the liv-
ing stream to cool it's fiertness. Also
he took along supply of provisions.
But when they reached the great cave
they found no one there. 1t was deserted,
but, in order, ranged along huge shelves,
they saw supplies of food, huge vessels
and milking pals Inside were folds
in which were penned fiocks of young
kids and lambs, with their dams, each
| in their separate pens.
| The sailors of Ulysses begged him to
loot the place, return quickly to the ships
and sail away, for by everything they saw
must be a giant whom it were not we'll to
meet. But Ulysses rejected the advice.
He was curious to see what sort of a per-
son the owner of the cavern was and to
| try what effect social rites and courtesy
would have upon a barbarian. So first
they lit a fire, and with sacrifice and
prayer prepared for the monsters return.
Then, making full repast from the load
ed shelves, they sat down and waited.
Nor did they have to wait long. Driving
his herds before him, the giant Cyclops
came. Upon his huge back he bore for
firewood half forest. He seemed a
human mountain as he entered the cav
ern and rolled against the entrance a
huge stone, so closing it up for the night
He was of savage and fearful looks and a
single eye blazed baleful from the center
of his forehead.
First the giant MIXED his flocks and
then, lighting the fire, the rising blaze
disclosed him for the first time tx
presence of the strangers. He stood as
tonished and asked them who they were,
whence they came and what they sought
Ulysses replied, boasting of his deeds in
the Trojan war and threatened that If
anything untoward befell him and his the
wrath of great Agamemnon would avenge
him. The Cyclops heard him out, and
then cunningly inquired where the rest
of his men and ships were. Ulysses told
falsely that they had been lost, and the
giant, not at all impressed by threats of
the wrath of Agamemnon nor by the
Boosting of Ulysses, for reply caught up
two of the sailors, dashed their brains out
against the side of the cave and proceeded
to devour them before the Mortified eyes
of their companions Having thus supped
the Cyclops stretched himself before the
| fire and fell into a peaceful slumber, in
duced by a clear conscience and an ex-
cellent digestion.
| Ulysses at first though to draw his
sword and kill the monster as he lay
asleep; but then he considered that If he
did so the gathered strength of himself
and his remaining companions would not
be sufficient to roll from the mouth of the
cave the huge stone which cut off their
retreat. So in hopeless grief the wan