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 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 savoury 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 any that befell us in the cave of Polyphemus, or among the gigantic man-eating Læstrygons, or in the windy palace of King Æolus, which stands on a brazen-walled island. This kind of dreamy feeling always comes over me before any wonderful occurrence. If you take my advice, you will turn back.'

'No, no,' answered his comrades, snuffing the air, in which the scent from the palace kitchen was now very perceptible. 'We would not turn back, though we were certain that the king of the Læstrygons, as big as a mountain, 125