Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/10

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2 KEY TO EASY LATIN STORIES. [part i.

ments, took his lyre and finished the song. When the song was finished, he threw himself into the sea. Then the sailors sailed to Corinth.

He is miraculously saved by a dolphin.

4.But Arion, having been taken up by a dolphin on its back, was brought (to land) at Taenarum. Having landed, he proceeded to Corinth in the same dress. There he related the deeds of the sailors. But Periander was unwilling to believe him. Arion was therefore kept by him under a guard.

The wicked sailors are detected and punished, and Arion is rewarded.

5.Meanwhile the sailors came to Corinth. They were questioned by Periander about Arion. All lied most disgracefully. Suddenly Arion appeared with the same dress (on). The astonished sailors confessed their crime. They were all slain by King Periander, and much money was given to Arion.

II.THE HABITS OF THE MASSAGETAE.

6.The Massagetae use both a dress and a way of living like those of the Scythians. They fight on horseback; they use the bow and spears. They use gold or copper for everything. For spears and for the points of their arrows they use copper; for head ornaments and belts round the loins, gold. Silver and iron are not found in their country ; but there is an immense quantity of copper and gold. Their relations kill the old men and beasts with them ; then having cooked their flesh, they feast. But they bury in the earth those that have died of disease. They sow no crops (lit. make no sowing): their food consists of cattle, fish, and milk. Alone of the gods they worship the Sun: to him they sacrifice horses.

III.BEASTS IN EGYPT AND LIBYA.

7.In Egypt there are found few animals. Therefore all are held sacred. Dogs and cats are worshipped. When a cat has