66 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



in need of help Athena often comes in dreams to 

 give good advice. Perhaps she will favor you 

 with her counsel and aid, if you only show that 

 you have faith in her." 



Bellerophon went at once to the little temple 

 and stretched himself out on the floor close to the 

 shrine of the goddess. The winged horse, who 

 had been feeding on the grass, followed him to 

 the door, and then lay down on the ground out- 

 side. 



It was nearly morning when Bellerophon 

 dreamed that a tall and stately lady, with large 

 round eyes, and long hair that fell in ringlets 

 upon her shoulders, came into the temple and 

 stood beside him. 



" Do you know who the winged steed is that 

 waits outside the door for you ? " she asked. 



" Truly, I do not," answered Bellerophon. 

 " But if I had some means of making him under- 

 stand me, he might be my best friend and helper." 



" His name is Pegasus," said the lady, " and 

 he was born near the shore of the great western 

 ocean. He has come to help you in your fight 

 with the Chimsera, and you can guide him any- 

 where you wish if you will only put this ribbon 

 into his mouth, holding on to the ends yourself." 



