l82 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



The wise old Centaur changed the lad's name 

 to Achilles and fed him with the hearts of lions 

 and the marrow of bears and wild boars. And 

 the boy was taught how to use the bow and how 

 to manage horses and how to take care of his own 

 body that he might always be strong and brave. 

 He also learned what were the best ways of treat- 

 ing wounds, and what kind of herbs were good 

 for medicines ; and he became inured to exposure 

 and danger, sleeping in the open air, chasing 

 wild boars in the forest, riding barebacked on the 

 half-tamed horses of the plains, and skirmishing 

 with savage robbers in the mountain passes. He 

 was not more than nine years old when, having 

 finished his course in Cheiron's school, he went 

 back to his home in Phthia, a tall, yellow-haired, 

 sun-browned youth, very quick of temper, strong- 

 limbed, and as graceful as he was brave. His 

 fair mother wept when she saw him, for a sooth- 

 sayer had told her that his life, although a glori- 

 ous one, should be of short duration. His old 

 father was very proud of him, and took him out 

 to show him the treasures of the palace. 



" Here," said the king, " is the matchless ar- 

 mor of bronze which the gods gave me on my 

 wedding day. No man has ever yet worn it, but 



