‘THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES. 137

As soon as this happened, he knew what was to be
done; for he had not gone through so many remarkable
adventures without learning pretty well how to conduct
himself, whenever anything came to pass a little out. of
the common rule. It was just as clear as daylight that
this marvellous cup had been set adrift by some unseen
power, and guided hitherward, in order to carry Her-
cules across the sea, on his way to the garden of the
‘Hesperides. Accordingly, without a moment’s delay, he
clambered- over the brim, and slid down on the inside,
where, spreading out his lion’s skin, he proceeded to
take a little repose. He had scarcely rested, until now,
‘since he bade farewell to the damsels on the margin of
the river. The waves dashed, with a pleasant and ring-
ing sound, against the circumference of the hollow cup;
it rocked lightly to and fro, and the motion was so
soothing that. it speedily rocked Hercules into an agreea-
‘ble slumber.

His nap had probably lasted a - good while, when the
cup chanced to graze against a rock, and, in conse-
quence, Immediately resounded and reverberated through
its golden or brazen substance, a hundred times as loudly
as ever you heard a church-bell. The noise awoke Her-
cules, who instantly started up and gazed around him,
wondering whereabouts he was. He was not long in
discovering that the cup had floated across a great part
of the sea, and was approaching the shore of what
seemed to be an island. And, on that island,, what do
you think he saw ?

No; you will never guess it, not if you were to try