and in his hand he carried a trident, which is a three-pronged fork
for spearing fish, and over his shoulder was a casting net.

[Illustration: SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS.]

But Danæ could see that he was no common man by his height and his
walk, and his flowing golden hair and beard, and by the two servants
who came behind him carrying baskets for his fish.

She had hardly time to look at him, before he had laid aside his
trident and leapt down the rocks, and thrown his casting net so surely
over Danæ and the chest, that he drew it and her and the babe safe
upon a ledge of rock.

Then the fisherman took Danæ by the hand and lifted her out of the
chest and said, "O beautiful damsel, what strange chance has brought
you to this island in so frail a ship? Who are you, and whence? Surely
you are some king's daughter, and this boy belongs to the gods."
And as he spoke he pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the
morning star.

But Danæ only held down her head and sobbed out, "Tell me to what land
I have come, and among what men I have fallen."

And he said, "Polydectes is King of this isle, and he is my brother.
Men call me Dictys the Netter, because I catch the fish of the shore."

Then Danæ fell down at his feet and embraced his knees and cried, "O
Sir, have pity upon a stranger, whom cruel doom has driven to your
land, and let me live in your house as a servant. But treat me