Nature Myths and Stortes. 37

morning and King Alkinods came forward to meet
them.

They soon saw that he alone was more powerful
than their entire army.

He was dressed in armor So bright that it dazzled
their eyes to look at it. It was covered with mil-
lions of golden arrows tipped with diamonds. The
king showed the frightened people how he could
shoot the arrows in all directions at the same time.

The dark people trembled with fear, but King
Alkinods smiled at them, and then he and _ his
people sailed slowly away toward the West.

On and on they went, until they came to a great
silver Sea.

Here they stopped and built a palace for their
king.

This palace was made of silver and gold and
precious stones.

Its towers were rose color and shone with a
wonderful light.

Its steps were of pure gold.

On each side of the silver gates were huge dogs
which guarded the palace.

There were boys in the halls dressed in white,
holding burning torches.

There were girls weaving wonderful curtains and
painting pictures upon the walls.

There were mountains and fountains, and rivers
and lakes.