Page 256 - the-odyssey

they may not kill me, for I know they are in pursuit.’
‘I will not refuse you,’ replied Telemachus, ‘if you wish
to join us. Come, therefore, and in Ithaca we will treat you
hospitably according to what we have.’
On this he received Theoclymenus’ spear and laid it
down on the deck of the ship. He went on board and sat
in the stern, bidding Theoclymenus sit beside him; then
the men let go the hawsers. Telemachus told them to catch
hold of the ropes, and they made all haste to do so. They
set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it and
made it fast with the forestays, and they hoisted their white
sails with sheets of twisted ox hide. Minerva sent them a
fair wind that blew fresh and strong to take the ship on her
course as fast as possible. Thus then they passed by Crouni
and Chalcis.
Presently the sun set and darkness was over all the land.
The vessel made a quick passage to Pheae and thence on to
Elis, where the Epeans rule. Telemachus then headed her for
the flying islands, {132} wondering within himself whether
he should escape death or should be taken prisoner.
Meanwhile Ulysses and the swineherd were eating their
supper in the hut, and the men supped with them. As soon
as they had had to eat and drink, Ulysses began trying to
prove the swineherd and see whether he would continue to
treat him kindly, and ask him to stay on at the station or
pack him off to the city; so he said:
‘Eumaeus, and all of you, to-morrow I want to go away
and begin begging about the town, so as to be no more trou-
ble to you or to your men. Give me your advice therefore,