94 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



climbed the steep pathways and entered within 

 the walls unseen by the guards. The man, dark- 

 haired, huge-limbed and strong, bore as his only 

 weapon a trident, or three-pronged harpoon, 

 made of bronze. The woman was tall and stately, 

 with large, round eyes and long hair that fell in 

 ringlets about her shoulders, and she wore a 

 gleaming helmet upon her head, and carried a 

 bright, round shield upon her arm. 



"What is the name of this city?" asked the 

 man, speaking to the wondering people in the 

 market-place. 



" It has no name," answered one of the wisest 

 among them ; " but we sometimes call it Cecropia, 

 or the city of Cecrops, the king who founded it 

 and is its ruler. The country round about us is 

 called Attica, because it is bounded on three sides 

 by the sea." 



" But where is your temple ? " asked the 

 woman. " And which of the gods is your city's 

 patron and guardian? " 



" Truly, we have but lately learned that there 

 are any gods," was the answer ; " and we render 

 homage unto them all. If we knew which one of 

 them would bless our people with the richest 

 gifts, that one should be our patron and guardian., 



