204 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



" Who is it that rides unchallenged toward our 

 door ? " asked Swift. 



" Methinks," answered Old-Gold, " that it is 

 old King Priam of Troy, coming in his sorrow 

 to beg the body bf his son Hector, which lies un- 

 cared for in our courtyard. I see in front a 

 smooth-running wagon drawn by the two strong 

 mules which the Mysians gave to the king in his 

 happier days. All the world knows those mules, 

 for they have never been matched in strength and 

 endurance. On the wagon I see chests of gold 

 and much fine bronze, which I suppose the old 

 man is bringing to offer as a ransom for his dead 

 son. And yoked to the king's light car that fol- 

 lows behind are two sad steeds with drooping ears 

 and lifeless gait. If I am not mistaken, the dull- 

 coated creatures are ^thon and Galathe, the once 

 proud creatures that drew Prince Hector into 

 the battle." 



Soon the wagon and the chariot drew up before 

 the door, and the king and his groom dismounted. 

 With them was also a herald, whose armor shone 

 brightly amid the gloom, and whom neither Swift 

 nor Old-Gold had ever seen before. The great 

 door was barred with a huge bolt made of a log 

 of pine, so heavy that three stout Greeks could 



