Page:The Story of the Iliad.djvu/188

158 So he spake, and slew a man, and Ulysses another; and afterwards they slew two apiece, making head against the men of Troy, and the Greeks, as they fled from Hector, gladly took breath and turned again.

Hector was quick to see what they did, and he came upon them with a cry, and the companies of Troy followed after him. But when Diomed saw him, he was afraid, and said to Ulysses, "See, mighty Hector cometh against us; let us be firm and stand against him."

And even as he spake he cast his spear, nor missed his aim. On the helmet he smote Hector; but the spear glanced from the bronze, nor wounded the flesh; for the helmet which Apollo had given him saved him. But he staggered under the blow, falling on his knee, and darkness came over his eyes. And when Diomed came after his spear, far through the foremost ranks, to where it had lighted on the ground, then Hector, breathing again, leapt upon his car, and drove into the midst of the host, avoiding death.

Then Diomed, as he rushed on, with his spear in his hand, cried aloud: "Dog, thou