THE WINGED HORSE OF THE MUSES 67 



With these words, she placed a beautiful bri- 

 dle in Bellerophon's hands, and, turning about, 

 walked silently away. 



When the sun had risen and Bellerophon 

 awoke, the bridle was lying on the floor beside 

 him, and near it were a long bow with arrows 

 and a shield. It was the first bridle that he had 

 ever seen — some people say that it was the first 

 that was ever made — and the young man ex- 

 amined it with great curiosity. Then he went out 

 and quickly slipped the ribbon bit into the mouth 

 of Pegasus, and leaped upon his back. To his 

 great joy, he saw that now the horse understood 

 all his wishes. 



" Here are your bow and arrows and your 

 shield," cried the old man, handing them to him. 

 " Take them, and may Athena be with you in 

 your fight with the Chimsera ! " 



V. THE FIGHT WITH THE CHIM.ERA 



At a word from Bellerophon, Pegasus rose 

 high in the air, and then, turning, made straight 

 northward toward the great mountains. It was 

 evening when they reached Mount Climax, and 

 quite dark when they at last hovered over the spot 



