196 THE CHIMERA.

could see Pegasus, if anybody can, for your eyes are
very bright.”

“QOunee I thought I saw him, -eplied the maiden,
with a smile and a blush. “It was either Pegasus, or a
large white bird, a very great way up in the air. And
one other time, as I was coming to the fountain-with my
pitcher, I heard a neigh. O, such a brisk and melodious
neigh as that was! My very heart. leaped with delight
at the sound. But it startled me, nevertheless; so that
I ran home without filling my pitcher.”

“That was truly a pity !’’ said Bellerophon.

And he turned to the child, whom I mentioned at the
beginning of the story, and who was gazing at him, as
children are apt to gaze at strangers, with his rosy mouth —
wide open.

“ Well, my little fellow, ° cried Bellerophon, playfully
pulling one of his curls, “I suppose you have often seen
the winged horse.”

“That I have,” answered the child, very readily. “I
saw him yesterday, and many times before.”

“ You are a fine little man!” said Bellerophon, drawing
the child closer to him. ‘‘ Come, tell me all about it.”

“Why,” replied the child, ‘I often come here to sail
little boats in the fountain, and to gather pretty pebbles
out of its basi. And sometimes, when I look down into
the water, I see the image of the winged horse, in the
picture of the sky that is there. I wish he would come
down, and take me on his back, and let me ride him up
to the moon! But, if I so much as stir to look at him,
he flies far away out of sight.”

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