24 CURIOUS CREATURES. 



the Amazons, sailed away in three ships, taking with them 

 as many Amazons, as they had been able to capture alive 

 but, when fairly out at sea, the ladies arose, stood up 

 for women's rights, and cut all the Greeks in pieces. 

 But they had not reckoned on one little thing, and that 

 was, that none among them had the slightest idea of 

 navigation ; they couldn't even steer or row so they 

 had to drift about, until they came to Cremni (supposed 

 to be near Taganrog), which was Scythian territory. 

 They signalised their landing by horse-stealing, and the 

 Scythians, not appreciating the joke, gave them battle, 

 thinking they were men ; but an examination of the 

 dead proved them to be of the other sex. On learning 

 this, the Scythians were far too gentlemanly to continue 

 the strife, and, little by little, they established the most 

 friendly relations with the Amazons. These ladies, 

 however, objected to go to the Scythians' homes, for, 

 as they pertinently put it, " We never could live with 

 the women of your countty, because we have not the 

 same customs with them. We shoot with the bow, 

 throw the javelin, and ride on horseback, and have 

 never learnt the employments of women. But your 

 women do none of the things we have mentioned, 

 but are engaged in women's work, remaining in their 

 wagons, and do not go out to hunt, or anywhere else ; 

 we could not therefore consort with them. If, then, you 

 desire to have us for your wives, and to prove your- 

 selves honest men, go to your parents, claim your 

 share of their property, then return, and let us live 

 by ourselves." 



This the young Scythians did, but, when they returned, 

 the Amazons said they were afraid to stop where they 

 were, for they had deprived parents of their sons, and 



