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The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum
page 8 of 269 (02%)
and get thee to the city of Iolcus, Jason, where so many things
await thee?"

Greatly was the youth astonished to hear his name spoken by this
old woman, and to hear her give the name of the city he was bound
for. "Wouldst thou cross the Anaurus?" she asked again. "Then
mount upon my back, holding on to the wood I carry, and I will
bear thee over the river."

Jason smiled. How foolish this old woman was to think that she
could bear him across the flooded river! She came near him and
she took him in her arms and lifted him up on her shoulders.
Then, before he knew what she was about to do, she had stepped
into the water.

>From stone to stepping-stone she went, Jason holding on to the
wood that she had drawn to her shoulders. She left him down upon
the bank. As she was lifting him down one of his feet touched the
water; the swift current swept away a sandal.

He stood on the bank knowing that she who had carried him across
the flooded river had strength from the gods. He looked upon her,
and behold! she was transformed. Instead of an old woman there
stood before him one who had on a golden robe and a shining
crown. Around her was a wondrous light--the light of the sun when
it is most golden. Then Jason knew that she who had carried him
across the broad Anaurus was the goddess whom he had seen in the
ways of the forest--Hera, great Zeus's wife.

"Go into Iolcus, Jason," said great Hera to him, "go into Iolcus,
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