gardener cultivate nothing but savory pot herbs to make a
stuffing for roast meat, or to flavor a stew with."

" Well said!" cried the others. "But I'll warrant you there's a
kitchen garden in the rear of the palace."

At one place they came to a crystal spring, and paused to drink
at it for want of liquor which they liked better. Looking into
its bosom, they beheld their own faces dimly reflected, but so
extravagantly distorted by the gush and motion of the water,
that each one of them appeared to be laughing at himself and
all his companions. So ridiculous were these images of
themselves, indeed, that they did really laugh aloud, and could
hardly be grave again as soon as they wished. And after they
had drank, they grew still merrier than before.

"It has a twang of the wine cask in it," said one, smacking his
lips.

"Make haste!" cried his fellows: "we'll find the wine cask
itself at the palace, and that will be better than a hundred
crystal fountains."

Then they quickened their pace, and capered for joy at the
thought of the savory banquet at which they hoped to be guests.
But Eurylochus told them that he felt as if he were walking in
a dream.

"If I am really awake," continued he, "then, in my opinion, we
are on the point of meeting with some stranger adventure than