26 THE GORGON’S HEAD.

sure that the Gorgons are not a great way off. Come,
let us be stirring!”

Perseus, by this time, felt so much confidence in his
companion’s sagacity, that he made no more objections,
and professed himself ready to begin the adventure im-
mediately. They accordingly set out, and walked at a
pretty brisk pace; so brisk, indeed, that Perseus found
it rather d:fficult to keep up with his nimble friend Quick-
silver. To say the truth, he had a singular idea that
Quicksilver was furnished with a pair of winged shoes,
which, of course, helped him along marvellously. And
then, too, when Perseus looked sideways at him, out of
the corner of his eye, he seemed to see wings on the side
of his head; although, if he turned a full gaze, there
were no such things to be perceived, but only an odd
kind of cap. But, at all events, the twisted staff was
evidently a great convenience to Quicksilver, and enabled
him to proceed so fast, that Perseus, though a remark-
ably active young man, began to be out of breath.
“Here!” eried Quicksilver, at last,— for he knew well
enough, rogue that he was, how hard Perseus found it to
keep pace with him,— “take you the staff, for you need
it a great deal more than I. Are there no better walkers
than yourself, in the island of Seriphus ?”

“T could walk pretty well,” said Perseus, glancing
slyly at his companion’s feet, ‘if I had only a pair of
winged shoes.”

“We must see about getting you a pair,” answered
Quicksilver.

But the staff helped Perseus along so bravely, that he