THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES. 141

holding up the sky, I would make hal a dozen steps
across the sea, and get them for you.”

“You are very kind,” replied Hercules. .“‘ And can-
not you rest the sky upon a mountain ?” :

“None of them are quite high enough,” said Atlas,
shaking his head. ‘ But, if you were to take your stand
on the summit of that nearest one, your head would be
pretty nearly on a level with mine. You seem to be a
fellow of some strength. What if you should take my
burden on your shoulders, while I do your errand lor
vou?”

Hercules, as you must be careful to remember, was a
remarkably strong man; and though it certainly requires
a great deal of muscular power to uphold the sky, yet, if
any mortal could be supposed capable of such an exploit,
he was the one. Nevertheless, it seemed so difficult an
undertaking, that, for the first time in his life, he hesi-
tated.

“Ts the sky very heavy ?” he inquired.

“Why, not particularly so, at first,’ answered the
giant, shrugging his shoulders. “ But it gets to be a
little burdensome, after a thousand years!”

‘* And how long a time,” asked the hero, “ will it take
you to get the golden apples ? ”

“QO, that will be done in a few moments,” cried Atlas.

~ T shall take ten or fifteen miles at a stride, and be at

the garden and bi ick again before your shoulders begin
to ache.”

‘Well, then,” answered Hercules, “I will climb the
mountain behind you there, and relieve you of your
burden.”