Besides the sacrifices and other ceremonies at the tomb, there were
games and athletic exercises in honor of Anchises, this also being one
of the customs of the ancients in paying tribute to the memory of
their dead heroes. The principal event in the games was a ship race in
which the most skilful of the Trojan mariners took part. In this
contest Mnes'theus with a ship named _Pristis_, and Clo-an'-thus
commanding the _Scylla_ performed wonderful feats of seamanship. So
equally were they matched and so well did they manage their vessels
that both would probably have reached the goal or winning post
together, had it not been for the interference of the gods. The goal
was a branch of an oak tree fixed to a small rock in the bay facing
the beach on which the spectators were assembled. As the _Scylla_ was
approaching the rock on the home run, the _Pristis_, which had been
pressing close behind, shot alongside, and was almost beak to beak
with its competitor. Then Cloanthus stretching forth his arms to
heaven, prayed the gods of the sea to help him at that critical
moment, promising that he would offer sacrifices of thanksgiving on
their altars, if he should win the race. His prayer was quickly heard.
From their palaces in the deep, the Ne-re'ids, Neptune's band of
attendants and assistants, rushed to his aid, and with his mighty
hand Por-tu'nus, the god of harbors, coming behind the _Scylla_,
pushed the vessel along, speeding her forward more swiftly than the
wind.

And old Portunus with his breadth of hand,
Pushed on and sped the galley to the land,
Swift as a shaft, or winged wind, she flies,
And darting to the port, obtains the prize.
DRYDEN, _AEneid_, BOOK V.