214 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



favor of throwing it into the sea, or of kindhng 

 a fire beneath it and burning it to ashes. 



The dispute would doubtless have ended in 

 blows had not Laocoon, a prince of Troy and 

 priest of Apollo, come hastily out from the city 

 with a small company of soldiers. 



" What folly is this ? " he cried. " Who wants 

 to take anything into the city that the Greeks have 

 left upon our shores? As for my part, I would 

 look with dread upon any gift that they might 

 offer us. This horse is not so harmless as he 

 looks. Either there are armed men within his 

 giant body, or he is so put together that when 

 he is taken into the city he will fly into pieces, 

 knock down our walls, and destroy our houses. 

 Throw him into the sea, burn him to ashes, do 

 anything but receive him within our walls." 



Having said this, he hurled his heavy spear at 

 the monster. The weapon struck it full in the 

 breast, where it remained quivering, and those 

 who stood nearest fancied that they heard deep 

 hollow groans issuing from the throat of the 

 beast. 



" To the sea with him ! To the sea with him ! " 

 cried a hundred voices. 



" What a fine blaze he will make ! " cried others. 



