dragged them to land for a cannibal feast.

All this time Odysseus and his crew had been helpless spectators of
this scene of massacre. But when they saw that all was over they cut
their cable, and taking to their oars rowed with might and main until
a wide space of open water divided them from that ill-fated shore,
where all their friends had found a grave.

IV

Of the thirteen vessels with which Odysseus sailed from Troy only one
was now left. Weary and broken in spirit they voyaged on over the
waste of waters; and when, after two or three days' sail, they landed
on a low-lying coast, they lay down for two days and two nights, like
men whose last hope in life was gone. On the third morning Odysseus
roused himself, and ascending a rising ground saw to his dismay that
they had landed on a small island. On all sides stretched the
boundless sea, without a trace of land on the whole horizon.

As he was descending the hill he heard a rustling in a neighbouring
thicket, and a tall stag with branching antlers stepped forth, and
began to make his way down to a little stream which skirted the foot
of the hill. From the high ground on which he stood Odysseus had a
full view of the beast's broad back, and taking steady aim he flung
his spear and pierced him through the spine. Odysseus' eyes glistened
when he saw the splendid quarry at his feet, for never had he seen so
fine a buck. Not without effort he took the carcass on his back, and
bore it down to his ship, where he found his men still lying
listlessly where he had left them. "Courage, comrades," he cried, as
he flung his heavy burden on the sand. "We shall not die before our