Part 21 (2/2)

But Theseus stood in his way and pushed him back. The boastful man laid hands upon him and pulled him into the arena. He strove to throw Theseus as he had thrown the others; but he soon found that the youth from Greece was a wrestler, too, and that he would have to strive hard to overthrow him.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

More eagerly than they had watched anything else the people of the palace and the youths and maidens of Athens watched the bout between Theseus and the lordly wrestler. Those from Athens who looked upon him now thought that they had never seen Theseus look so tall and so conquering before; beside the slender, dark-haired people of Crete he looked like a statue of one of the G.o.ds.

Very adroit was the Cretan wrestler, and Theseus had to use all his strength to keep upon his feet; but soon he mastered the tricks that the wrestler was using against him. Then the Cretan left aside his tricks and began to use all his strength to throw Theseus.

Steadily Theseus stood and the Cretan wrestler was spent and gasping in the effort to throw him. Then Theseus made him feel his grip. He bent him backward, and then, using all his strength suddenly, forced him to the ground. All were filled with wonder at the strength and power of this youth from overseas.

Food and wine were given the youths and maidens of Athens, and they with Theseus were let wander through the grounds of the palace. But they could make no escape, for guards followed them and the way to the s.h.i.+ps was filled with strangers who would not let them pa.s.s. They talked to each other about the Minotaur, and there was fear in every word they said. But Theseus went from one to the other, telling them that perhaps there was a way by which he could come to the monster and destroy it. And the youths and maidens, remembering how he had overthrown the lordly wrestler, were comforted a little, thinking that Theseus might indeed be able to destroy the Minotaur and so save all of them.

IV

Theseus was awakened by some one touching him. He arose and he saw a dark-faced servant, who beckoned to him. He left the little chamber where he had been sleeping, and then he saw outside one who wore the strange dress of the Cretans.

When Theseus looked full upon her he saw that she was none other than the daughter of King Minos. ”I am Ariadne,” she said, ”and, O youth from Greece, I have come to save you from the dread Minotaur.”

He looked upon Ariadne's strange face with its long, dark eyes, and he wondered how this girl could think that she could save him and save the youths and maidens of Athens from the Minotaur. Her hand rested upon his arm, and she led him into the chamber where Minos had sat. It was lighted now by many little lamps.

”I will show the way of escape to you,” said Ariadne.

Then Theseus looked around, and he saw that none of the other youths and maidens were near them, and he looked on Ariadne again, and he saw that the strange princess had been won to help him, and to help him only.

”Who will show the way of escape to the others?” asked Theseus.

”Ah,” said the Princess Ariadne, ”for the others there is no way of escape.”

”Then,” said Theseus, ”I will not leave the youths and maidens of Athens who came with me to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur.”

”Ah, Theseus,” said Ariadne, ”they cannot escape the Minotaur. One only may escape, and I want you to be that one. I saw you when you wrestled with Deucalion, our great wrestler, and since then I have longed to save you.”

”I have come to slay the Minotaur,” said Theseus, ”and I cannot hold my life as my own until I have slain it.”

Said Ariadne, ”If you could see the Minotaur, Theseus, and if you could measure its power, you would know that you are not the one to slay it. I think that only Talos, that giant who was all of bronze, could have slain the Minotaur.”

”Princess,” said Theseus, ”can you help me to come to the Minotaur and look upon it so that I can know for certainty whether this hand of mine can slay the monster?”

”I can help you to come to the Minotaur and look upon it,” said Ariadne.

”Then help me, princess,” cried Theseus; ”help me to come to the Minotaur and look upon it, and help me, too, to get back the sword that I brought with me to Crete.”

”Your sword will not avail you against the Minotaur,” said Ariadne; ”when you look upon the monster you will know that it is not for your hand to slay.”

”Oh, but bring me my sword, princess,” cried Theseus, and his hands went out to her in supplication.

”I will bring you your sword,” said she.

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