9 4, TIE GORGON’S HEAD.

with his mischievous smile. ‘ You would make a very
handsome marble statue, it is true, and it would be a
considerable number of centuries before you crumbled
away; but, on the whole, one would rather be a young
man for a few years, than a stone image for a great
many.” .

“QO, far rather!’ exclaimed Perseus, with the tears
again standing in his eyes. ‘“‘ And, besides, what would
my dear mother do, if her beloved son were turned into
a stone?”

“Well, well; let us hope that the affair will not turn
out so very badly,” replied Quicksilver, in an encour-
aging tone. ‘lam the very person to help you, if any-
body can. My sister and myself will do our utmost to
bring you safe through the adventure, ugly as it now
looks.”

“Your sister ?” repeated Perseus.

“Yes, my sister,” said the stranger. ‘“‘She is very
wise, I promise you; and as for myself, | generally have
all my wits about me, such as they are. If you show |
yourself bold and cautious, and follow our advice, you
need not fear being a stone image yet awhile. But, first
of all, you must polish your shield, till you can see your
face in it as distinctly as in a mirror.”

This seemed to Perseus rather an odd begmning of
the adventure; for he thought it of far more conse-
quence that the shield should be strong enough to defend ©
him from the Gorgon’s brazen claws, than that it should
be bright enough to show him the reflection of his face.
However, concluding that Quicksilver knew better than