Hunt Back Country

Bow Hunting Tips? What is the best way to call in bucks? How and when should I rattle, bleet, etc. What scents should I use. Should I use more than one scent at a time?

Bow hunting???? G'day Im new to bow hunting and wanted a few tips..I am looking at getting a 35 lb long bow to start off with..Just to get accuracy ect.. I am looking at hunting wild pigs at close range using dogs to find the pigs and bay them till I get there with my bow..I was told at close range a 35lb would be alright?? what do you think?? Thanks in advance

bow hunting? Ok. this is the first year i could actually pull my compound bow back. (im 14) i want to go bow hunting (doubtful this year probably next) What are some good tips for practicing? Also any other tips would be appreciated. Thanx I would NEVER kill an animal for the sake of killing. I have been hunting before just not with a bow. I go muzzeloader and rifle. Also i started dove hunting this year. Also i thought i would this will be my 3rd year hunting. i turn 15 in a couple weeks.

Bow Hunting ?????? OK SO IVE BEEN BOWHUNTING FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND NOTHING EVER SEEMS TO COME IN CLOSE ENOUGH TO SHOOT WHY ??? HAVE ANY TIPS ? AND IS IT BETTER TO SHOOT FROM THE STAND STANDING OR SITTING ???

I'm interested in buying a long bow and getting into archery. Any tips on what to look for in a used bow? I've been told something around 45# draw weight is appropriate, for practicing especially. I'm 6'1'' (170 lbs) and in pretty good shape. Not sure what size bow would be best. I'm curious about what brands/makers, and what materials/style, to look for. I'd like to buy something quality that I'd be happy with for more or less a lifetime, as an heirloom, or whatever. I'm able to spend up to $300 on the bow, but obviously don't mind spending less. At this point I am more interested in target shooting than hunting, but I may progress to wanting to hunt. I am open to eventually getting another heavier-weight bow to hunt game, if necessary. I see lots of long bows on ebay. Any tips on what to look for or what to avoid? Thanks!

Plan on Bow Hunting this year? I am 15 and it would be my first time hunting..ever I plan to go with my sisters fiance I have a bow and everything but I just need some good tips to help me learn :) Thanks in advance

Bird hunters......where can I find bird hunting books, dvds and magazines? My hubby likes to go dove hunting. He has been talking about hunting pheasant and turkeys next year. I'd like to know where I can find information about this for him. Like reading material that you find for bow hunting deer. (he bow hunts and has a ton of magazines on that) I'd like to get him information about food plots and other stuff like tips for hunting. Please recommend some reading materials or dvds for me to get him as a gift.

hunting ?????????????? in 10 days it will be my first day of deer hunting i will be hunting with a bow do you guys have any good hunting tips ?

Hunting ?????????????????????????? i know im posting this again beacuse i cant have enough info so in 10 days it will be my first day of deer hunting i will be hunting with a bow do you guys have any good hunting tips ?

BOW & ARROW stats? I have just received an older(??) archery bow..... it is a wooden 44inch model. I have taken it to a local Archery service center who retightened the strings to "proper" tension. I am a total *newbie* to the art of Archery so I am researching all I can about the POSSIBILITIES of this sport. %What are the styles, types, and sorts of arrows (and tips) that are available for my newly attempted sport / hobby? I believe this bow is a HUNTING model. - What (if any) *modifications* should I use to make this a SPORTING unit?

fox hunting in Pa? Can I use a 12 gauge on fox and what are some tips on fox hunting? I plan on going out tomorrow because I don't have nothin else to do. My friend is borrowing my bow so I can't go archery. Thanks for any help!

Do you know the answers to this Archery Quiz? Archery Quiz 1. The feathers (sometimes plastic) at the non-pointed end of the arrow are called the A. Ends B. Limbs C. Fletchings 2. The preferred bow for hunting is the A. Competition bow B. Longbow C. Compound bow 3. The longbow is usually made of A. Aluminum B. Steel C. Wood 4. Which hand should be your bow hand if you are right eye dominant? A. Right hand B. Left hand C. Either hand is okay 5. In North America, bow hunting is A. Illegal B. Legal C. Used only to hunt small game animals 6. Archery equipment costs A. Are high B. Are low C. Vary a great deal 7. A finger tab A. Prevents finger chafing B. Allows the bowstring to release more freely C. Both a) and b) are correct 8. Splitting an arrow that is already in the target with another arrow is called a A. Friar Tuck B. Robin Hood C. Maid Marian 9. The bow probably originated for A. Warfare B. Target Practicing C. Hunting 10. The wide knife-like arrow tip is called a A. Broadhead B. Vane C. Lancer 11. The bullseye of the archery target is which color? A. Red B. Gold C. Black 12. The crossbow takes A. Less skill and practice than the longbow B. More skill and practice than the longbow C. About the same skill as the longbow 13. The most popular type of archery is A. Target archery B. Field archery C. Flight shooting 14. In some countries in Europe, bow hunting is illegal because A. It is considered inhumane or cruel to animals B. There are fewer animals to be hunted C. The people lack bow hunting skills 15. Archery is a sport that is A. Relatively new B. Thousands of years old C. Hundreds of years old 16. Placing the arrow on the bowstring is called A. Nocking the arrow B. Casting the arrow C. Pinching the arrow 17. What invention limited the usefulness of bows in warfare? A. Firearms(guns) B. Swords C. Shields 18. What group of people dominated the Asian steppes and Eastern Europe by becoming great horseback archers? A. Greeks B. Chinese C. Mongols 19. The anchor point when drawing the arrow back is A. Near the ear B. Near the chin C. Near the elbow 20. The tip of the arrow is called the A. Pile B. Shaft C. Cresting

Could I kill a deer using a field tip?? I have some field tipped carbon arrows and I'm going to hunting tomorrow ( first day of open season ) and I'm kinda new to the whole bow-hunting experience. I have a Mathews Mustang and I haven't taken it hunting before just used it in competitions. Would appreciate feedback much!!

Question for Turkey Hunters.? I may be going hunting for Spring Turkey in SouthWest Florida. I was wondering what type of gear should I bring? I am going bow hunting so, would a 55 pound draw weight be stong enough? What type of arrows should I use? What type of clothing? What type of calls and what is the method in which you use the calls (frequency and length of the call)? Also how can I hunt for turkey if I am not using ground blind or a tree stand? Where on the turkey should I shoot? And should I use decoys? I have never been hunting before and am strongly hoping to go sometime soon, so any info and/or tips will help a bundle. I have shot the bow before I go to the archery range alot and I am a fairly decent shot with one.

Bowhunting for whitetail, What am i missing? Alright I'm getting ready for Bow hunting in PA for Whitetails.. and i'm planning on only killing a doe unless i see a dandy buck. What i got ready so far.. Camo pants, long sleeve, arrows, broadheads, bow, camo hat, orange hat(if i have to walk around to find a wounded deer, etc.), camo head cover, cover scent, big bottle of doe estrus, wavers, foam scent dispersers, boots, binoculars, rattlin' horns.. I'm gonna go scout tomarrow(wedsnesday), Season starts saturday, I already got a permanet treestand picked out, 4 wheeler is ready, I still feel that i'm missing something? Also does anyone know any good sites for preparing or tips? Thanks.

Pain in the Butt tree stand? Public land in WI. dictates that no treestand shall be left in the tree over night and no invasive means may be used to scale a tree (ie. screw in tree steps). Last year was my first year bow hunting and found it nearly impossible to set up my stand quietly and in decent time every morning out. Any tips or advice. Also, best treestand butt pad on the market?

Broad Heads Tips? I'm not sure if I should go with fixed blades or the spring loaded blades. My bow is set up for 50lbs draw weight. I will be hunting deer and bear.

Can anyone give me some beginner archery tips? At the moment I'm not worried about the actual hunt. I'm more interested now in learning to shoot and get really good at it. I received a Fred Bear Element compound bow for Christmas set at 28" 60-70lb draw. The archery shop I got set up at set the bow at like 55lbs to start me out...Is this ok since the bow weight says 60-70? Any other advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Does anyone know the name of this parable.? Two archers chanced to meet in a meadow one day. One came from the East and carried a finely made long bow of supple yew wood. His arrows were slender and well tuned, pointed with dark obsidian, and fletched with the strong pinions of the wild turkey. The second archer was from the western mountains. He possessed a short, strongly recurved hunting bow made from Osage wood, a weapon common among the mountain hunters. His straight and sturdy arrows were tipped with flint and fletched with eagle feathers. The two archers stood discussing the relative merits of their bows for a few minutes. Finally, deciding to test their cast, the two simultaneously released their arrows into the sky. For a moment the two arrows followed separate courses, possibly due to some vagary of the wind or a slight difference in the angle of their release. Then, as if in response to some mystic force, the two shafts converged upon the same flight path and rose side-by-side into the brilliant blue heaven until they passed from the archers' sight. The first archer gasped in amazement and exclaimed, "Wouldn't it be a miracle if our two arrows were to land together when they return to earth?" The second archer hesitated for a moment and slowly replied, "The miracle we celebrate is not that our two arrows may land together at some distant point when their flight is spent, but that they have risen into the sky to fly together NOW."

Guided Black Bear Hunt...? I just booked a guided black bear hunt to go on with my bow in the heart of Maine... I was wondering if anyone had any tips for my hunt... Any and all advice is greatly appreciated... I will be going the last week in August...

Good thesis statement on this essay? The first hunting courses began in New York to reduce accidents from happening. As the hunting classes spread throughout the country, they became mandatory to take. Hunting safety courses were developed to teach young adults the practice of firearms. Today, they are more involved to produce knowledgeable and involved hunters who understand the importance of applying the rules and behaving when they are in the woods. The main point of the hunter safety course is to continue the hunting tradition. It is important to know what you are doing while you are out in the woods. Hunting courses can be beneficial to hunters because they will provide safety while shooting firearms or a bow. This is a very important. Taking a variety of classes will help provide safety and prevent accidents. A knowledgeable person of the hunting classes will never be a dedicated hunter unless they have such behavior as courtesy, respect of others and of wildlife, and involvement of hunting. Responsible hunters obey the rules, hunt fairly and wait for a clean shot before shooting. How you behave and act will depend on other people around you and your attitude of hunting. There are certain steps you want to learn before you start hunting: reasonability, safety skills and involvement. Following these, you will be successful at what you do. A hunter’s education course is required for all hunting licenses. The minimum time is 10hrs and you must be at least eleven years old to take the safety course. The age for license is twelve. All students under the age of 16 are required to bring a form from their parents or guardians, giving them permission to take and complete the course. Trapper education is required for all new trappers. It covers how to trap properly and avoid unwanted species, while teaching students how to treat pelts and deal with marketable furs. No age limit is required for this course. Bow hunter education is required for shooting all deer and bears with bow and arrow. The minimum age is eleven to take this course. Wearing hunter orange make this sport a lot safer. Deer can’t see well. They have no red-sensitive cells in their eyes, which makes the orange seem green. They can’t tell orange or red from green and brown. Deer see short wave lengths such as blue colors. So, these colors look darker to big game than they do to humans. There is no law in New York that requires hunters to wear orange, but most do. Over 80 percent of people wear orange when they’re out in the woods so they can be seen by other hunters and not mistaken as an animal of some sort. It is important that you take precautions and following the rules of the course while hunting. You should know when it is the right time to take a shot, how to hold a gun, how to transport your gun, and the safe zones of fire when dealing with guns. Hunting classes are very important and beneficial to hunters. They provide safety while shooting a gun or bow. Taking precautions while using firearms prevents unwanted accidents Taking these courses and using them (or "using weapons") responsibly will provide years of hunting happiness. Not taking a Hunting safety course will cause you not to know what to expect. When you’re in the woods there are many things that can happen in a flash being able to react to certain things in the right time will secure safety for you and other while you’re in the woods. New York State offers free hunting course many times a year to ensure that you’re safe in the woods. The Hunter Education Course includes hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation and management, firearms, wildlife identification, survival and first aid, specialty hunting and tree stand safety. Knowing these tips will make you have a great experience while you’re out. Since the hunter safety course has become necessary in states hunting accidents have decreased by over 50% making this one of the safest recreational activates. The Hunting safety course is also helping continue the hunting tradition. The hunting course is a great way to get started to hunt. This tradition will also help you get together with family and perhaps meet new friends while your out in the woods. Hunting has always been a way to get food for the table. Mostly now it is a sport just for fun however, a lot of people still eat what they hunt. Hunting will be a great thing for the environment and also for the population of animals this will help keep the population down. Knowing that people are safe in the woods will make people that surround the hunting areas more comfortable. Without this course there would be many accidents in the woods and maybe outside the hunting area. Hunting takes a lot of responsibilities as you are holding a firearm that could danger a lot of living things. People being safe will also make the sport more fun and a better experience that you could tell others. In some states they will require you to take a bow course in order to get the license. In Long Island this is very important due to there are only certain seasons that you are able to hunt with guns. Having this license will let you enjoy more fun times out in the woods. New York State was the first state to begin this course due to many accidents in the woods. The Hunting safety course was developed to teach young adults the practice of firearms. Now day’s states are more involved to produce knowledgeable and involved hunters who understand the importance of applying the rules and behaving when they are in the woods. Behaving in the woods will make the course have a better effect on the communities surrounding the hunting areas. Taking this course will also help provide safety and bring many years of safety and fun hunting.

Poll: Did you like The Oddysey or The Iliad better? I liked the Iliad better. This was my favorite part: Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another. And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel? It was the son of Jove and Leto; for he was angry with the king and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people, because the son of Atreus had dishonoured Chryses his priest. Now Chryses had come to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and had brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo wreathed with a suppliant's wreath and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. "Sons of Atreus," he cried, "and all other Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam, and to reach your homes in safety; but free my daughter, and accept a ransom for her, in reverence to Apollo, son of Jove." On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. "Old man," said he, "let me not find you tarrying about our ships, nor yet coming hereafter. Your sceptre of the god and your wreath shall profit you nothing. I will not free her. She shall grow old in my house at Argos far from her own home, busying herself with her loom and visiting my couch; so go, and do not provoke me or it shall be the worse for you." The old man feared him and obeyed. Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of the sounding sea and prayed apart to King Apollo whom lovely Leto had borne. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla and rulest Tenedos with thy might, hear me oh thou of Sminthe. If I have ever decked your temple with garlands, or burned your thigh-bones in fat of bulls or goats, grant my prayer, and let your arrows avenge these my tears upon the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He came down furious from the summits of Olympus, with his bow and his quiver upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his back with the rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the ships with a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them. First he smote their mules and their hounds, but presently he aimed his shafts at the people themselves, and all day long the pyres of the dead were burning. For nine whole days he shot his arrows among the people, but upon the tenth day Achilles called them in assembly- moved thereto by Juno, who saw the Achaeans in their death-throes and had compassion upon them. Then, when they were got together, he rose and spoke among them. "Son of Atreus," said he, "I deem that we should now turn roving home if we would escape destruction, for we are being cut down by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some priest or prophet, or some reader of dreams (for dreams, too, are of Jove) who can tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatomb that we have not offered, and whether he will accept the savour of lambs and goats without blemish, so as to take away the plague from us." With these words he sat down, and Calchas son of Thestor, wisest of augurs, who knew things past present and to come, rose to speak. He it was who had guided the Achaeans with their fleet to Ilius, through the prophesyings with which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. With all sincerity and goodwill he addressed them thus:- "Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me tell you about the anger of King Apollo, I will therefore do so; but consider first and swear that you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, for I know that I shall offend one who rules the Argives with might, to whom all the Achaeans are in subjection. A plain man cannot stand against the anger of a king, who if he swallow his displeasure now, will yet nurse revenge till he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether or no you will protect me." And Achilles answered, "Fear not, but speak as it is borne in upon you from heaven, for by Apollo, Calchas, to whom you pray, and whose oracles you reveal to us, not a Danaan at our ships shall lay his hand upon you, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth- no, not though you name Agamemnon himself, who is by far the foremost of the Achaeans." Thereon the seer spoke boldly. "The god," he said, "is angry neither about vow nor hecatomb, but for his priest's sake, whom Agamemnon has dishonoured, in that he would not free his daughter nor take a ransom for her; therefore has he sent these evils upon us, and will yet send others. He will not deliver the Danaans from this pestilence till Agamemnon has restored the girl without fee or ransom to her father, and has sent a holy hecatomb to Chryse. Thus we may perhaps appease him." With these words he sat down, and Agamemnon rose in anger. His heart was black with rage, and his eyes flashed fire as he scowled on Calchas and said, "Seer of evil, you never yet prophesied smooth things concerning me, but have ever loved to foretell that which was evil. You have brought me neither comfort nor performance; and now you come seeing among Danaans, and saying that Apollo has plagued us because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the daughter of Chryses. I have set my heart on keeping her in my own house, for I love her better even than my own wife Clytemnestra, whose peer she is alike in form and feature, in understanding and accomplishments. Still I will give her up if I must, for I would have the people live, not die; but you must find me a prize instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be without one. This is not well; for you behold, all of you, that my prize is to go elsewhither." And Achilles answered, "Most noble son of Atreus, covetous beyond all mankind, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize? We have no common store from which to take one. Those we took from the cities have been awarded; we cannot disallow the awards that have been made already. Give this girl, therefore, to the god, and if ever Jove grants us to sack the city of Troy we will requite you three and fourfold." Then Agamemnon said, "Achilles, valiant though you be, you shall not thus outwit me. You shall not overreach and you shall not persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize, while I sit tamely under my loss and give up the girl at your bidding? Let the Achaeans find me a prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of Ulysses; and he to whomsoever I may come shall rue my coming. But of this we will take thought hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly; let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send Chryseis also; further, let some chief man among us be in command, either Ajax, or Idomeneus, or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the the anger of the god." Achilles scowled at him and answered, "You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain. With what heart can any of the Achaeans do your bidding, either on foray or in open fighting? I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me. I have no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich plains of Phthia; for between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea. We have followed you, Sir Insolence! for your pleasure, not ours- to gain satisfaction from the Trojans for your shameless self and for Menelaus. You forget this, and threaten to rob me of the prize for which I have toiled, and which the sons of the Achaeans have given me. Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you do, though it is my hands that do the better part of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your share is far the largest, and I, forsooth, must go back to my ships, take what I can get and be thankful, when my labour of fighting is done. Now, therefore, I shall go back to Phthia; it will be much better for me to return home with my ships, for I will not stay here dishonoured to gather gold and substance for you." And Agamemnon answered, "Fly if you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay you. I have others here who will do me honour, and above all Jove, the lord of counsel. There is no king here so hateful to me as you are, for you are ever quarrelsome and ill affected. What though you be brave? Was it not heaven that made you so? Go home, then, with your ships and comrades to lord it over the Myrmidons. I care neither for you nor for your anger; and thus will I do: since Phoebus Apollo is taking Chryseis from me, I shall send her with my ship and my followers, but I shall come to your tent and take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn how much stronger I am than you are, and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me." The son of Peleus was furious, and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided whether to draw his sword, push the others aside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain himself and check his anger. While he was thus in two minds, and was drawing his mighty sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down from heaven (for Juno had sent her in the love she bore to them both), and seized the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, for of the others no man could see her. Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes at once knew that she was Minerva. "Why are you here," said he, "daughter of aegis-bearing Jove? To see the pride of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you- and it shall surely be- he shall pay for this insolence with his life." And Minerva said, "I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you- and it shall surely be- that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey." "Goddess," answered Achilles, "however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them." He stayed his hand on the silver hilt of his sword, and thrust it back into the scabbard as Minerva bade him. Then she went back to Olympus among the other gods, and to the house of aegis-bearing Jove. But the son of Peleus again began railing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage. "Wine-bibber," he cried, "with the face of a dog and the heart of a hind, you never dare to go out with the host in fight, nor yet with our chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you do death itself. You had rather go round and rob his prizes from any man who contradicts you. You devour your people, for you are king over a feeble folk; otherwise, son of Atreus, henceforward you would insult no man. Therefore I say, and swear it with a great oath- nay, by this my sceptre which shalt sprout neither leaf nor shoot, nor bud anew from the day on which it left its parent stem upon the mountains- for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges and guardians of the decrees of heaven- so surely and solemnly do I swear that hereafter they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not find him. In the day of your distress, when your men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hector, you shall not know how to help them, and shall rend your heart with rage for the hour when you offered insult to the bravest of the Achaeans." With this the son of Peleus dashed his gold-bestudded sceptre on the ground and took his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning fiercely from his place upon the other side. Then uprose smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile speaker of the Pylians, and the words fell from his lips sweeter than honey. Two generations of men born and bred in Pylos had passed away under his rule, and he was now reigning over the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus:- "Of a truth," he said, "a great sorrow has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you; therefore be guided by me. Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Pirithous and Dryas shepherd of his people, or as Caeneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos, and went about among them, for they would have me come, and I fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be strong, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles; and you, Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Jove wields a sceptre has like honour with Agamemnon. You are strong, and have a goddess for your mother; but Agamemnon is stronger than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans." And Agamemnon answered, "Sir, all that you have said is true, but this fellow must needs become our lord and master: he must be lord of all, king of all, and captain of all, and this shall hardly be. Granted that the gods have made him a great warrior, have they also given him the right to speak with railing?" Achilles interrupted him. "I should be a mean coward," he cried, "were I to give in to you in all things. Order other people about, not me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I say- and lay my saying to your heart- I shall fight neither you nor any man about this girl, for those that take were those also that gave. But of all else that is at my ship you shall carry away nothing by force. Try, that others may see; if you do, my spear shall be reddened with your blood." When they had quarrelled thus angrily, they rose, and broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Peleus went back to his tents and ships with the son of Menoetius and his company, while Agamemnon drew a vessel into the water and chose a crew of twenty oarsmen. He escorted Chryseis on board and sent moreover a hecatomb for the god. And Ulysses went as captain. These, then, went on board and sailed their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus bade the people purify themselves; so they purified themselves and cast their filth into the sea. Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats without blemish on the sea-shore, and the smoke with the savour of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven. Thus did they busy themselves throughout the host. But Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles, and called his trusty messengers and squires Talthybius and Eurybates. "Go," said he, "to the tent of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the hand and bring her hither; if he will not give her I shall come with others and take her- which will press him harder." He charged them straightly further and dismissed them, whereon they went their way sorrowfully by the seaside, till they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting by his tent and his ships, and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them. They stood fearfully and reverently before him, and never a word did they speak, but he knew them and said, "Welcome, heralds, messengers of gods and men; draw near; my quarrel is not with you but with Agamemnon who has sent you for the girl Briseis. Therefore, Patroclus, bring her and give her to them, but let them be witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men, and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger, that if ever again there be need of me to save the people from ruin, they shall seek and they shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage and knows not how to look before and after that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in safety." Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him. He brought Briseis from the tent and gave her over to the heralds, who took her with them to the ships of the Achaeans- and the woman was loth to go. Then Achilles went all alone by the side of the hoar sea, weeping and looking out upon the boundless waste of waters. He raised his hands in prayer to his immortal mother, "Mother," he cried, "you bore me doomed to live but for a little season; surely Jove, who thunders from Olympus, might have made that little glorious. It is not so. Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonour, and has robbed me of my prize by force." As he spoke he wept aloud, and his mother heard him where she was sitting in the depths of the sea hard by the old man her father. Forthwith she rose as it were a grey mist out of the waves, sat down before him as he stood weeping, caressed him with her hand, and said, "My son, why are you weeping? What is it that grieves you? Keep it not from me, but tell me, that we may know it together." Achilles drew a deep sigh and said, "You know it; why tell you what you know well already? We went to Thebe the strong city of Eetion, sacked it, and brought hither the spoil. The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly among themselves, and chose lovely Chryseis as the meed of Agamemnon; but Chryses, priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the sceptre of Apollo, wreathed with a suppliant's wreath, and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus who were their chiefs. "On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. So he went back in anger, and Apollo, who loved him dearly, heard his prayer. Then the god sent a deadly dart upon the Argives, and the people died thick on one another, for the arrows went everywhither among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a seer in the fulness of his knowledge declared to us the oracles of Apollo, and I was myself first to say that we should appease him. Whereon the son of Atreus rose in anger, and threatened that which he has since done. The Achaeans are now taking the girl in a ship to Chryse, and sending gifts of sacrifice to the god; but the heralds have just taken from my tent the daughter of Briseus, whom the Achaeans had awarded to myself. "Help your brave son, therefore, if you are able. Go to Olympus, and if you have ever done him service in word or deed, implore the aid of Jove. Ofttimes in my father's house have I heard you glory in that you alone of the immortals saved the son of Saturn from ruin, when the others, with Juno, Neptune, and Pallas Minerva would have put him in bonds. It was you, goddess, who delivered him by calling to Olympus the hundred-handed monster whom gods call Briareus, but men Aegaeon, for he is stronger even than his father; when therefore he took his seat all-glorious beside the son of Saturn, the other gods were afraid, and did not bind him. Go, then, to him, remind him of all this, clasp his knees, and bid him give succour to the Trojans. Let the Achaeans be hemmed in at the sterns of their ships, and perish on the sea-shore, that they may reap what joy they may of their king, and that Agamemnon may rue his blindness in offering insult to the foremost of the Achaeans." Thetis wept and answered, "My son, woe is me that I should have borne or suckled you. Would indeed that you had lived your span free from all sorrow at your ships, for it is all too brief; alas, that you should be at once short of life and long of sorrow above your peers: woe, therefore, was the hour in which I bore you; nevertheless I will go to the snowy heights of Olympus, and tell this tale to Jove, if he will hear our prayer: meanwhile stay where you are with your ships, nurse your anger against the Achaeans, and hold aloof from fight. For Jove went yesterday to Oceanus, to a feast among the Ethiopians, and the other gods went with him. He will return to Olympus twelve days hence; I will then go to his mansion paved with bronze and will beseech him; nor do I doubt that I shall be able to persuade him." On this she left him, still furious at the loss of her that had been taken from him. Meanwhile Ulysses reached Chryse with the hecatomb. When they had come inside the harbour they furled the sails and laid them in the ship's hold; they slackened the forestays, lowered the mast into its place, and rowed the ship to the place where they would have her lie; there they cast out their mooring-stones and made fast the hawsers. They then got out upon the sea-shore and landed the hecatomb for Apollo; Chryseis also left the ship, and Ulysses led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god, who has now brought sorrow upon the Argives." So saying he gave the girl over to her father, who received her gladly, and they ranged the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of the god. They washed their hands and took up the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims, while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, that protectest Chryse and holy Cilla, and rulest Tenedos with thy might. Even as thou didst hear me aforetime when I prayed, and didst press hardly upon the Achaeans, so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering. Thus all day long the young men worshipped the god with song, hymning him and chaunting the joyous paean, and the god took pleasure in their voices; but when the sun went down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind, so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the deep blue water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she sped onward. When they reached the wide-stretching host of the Achaeans, they drew the vessel ashore, high and dry upon the sands, set her strong props beneath her, and went their ways to their own tents and ships. But Achilles abode at his ships and nursed his anger. He went not to the honourable assembly, and sallied not forth to fight, but gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and the war-cry. Now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus, and Jove led the way. Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose from under the sea and went through great heaven with early morning to Olympus, where she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges. She sat herself down before him, and with her left hand seized his knees, while with her right she caught him under the chin, and besought him, saying- "Father Jove, if I ever did you service in word or deed among the immortals, hear my prayer, and do honour to my son, whose life is to be cut short so early. King Agamemnon has dishonoured him by taking his prize and keeping her. Honour him then yourself, Olympian lord of counsel, and grant victory to the Trojans, till the Achaeans give my son his due and load him with riches in requital." Jove sat for a while silent, and without a word, but Thetis still kept firm hold of his knees, and besought him a second time. "Incline your head," said she, "and promise me surely, or else deny me- for you have nothing to fear- that I may learn how greatly you disdain me." At this Jove was much troubled and answered, "I shall have trouble if you set me quarrelling with Juno, for she will provoke me with her taunting speeches; even now she is always railing at me before the other gods and accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans. Go back now, lest she should find out. I will consider the matter, and will bring it about as wish. See, I incline my head that you believe me. This is the most solemn that I can give to any god. I never recall my word, or deceive, or fail to do what I say, when I have nodded my head." As he spoke the son of Saturn bowed his dark brows, and the ambrosial locks swayed on his immortal head, till vast Olympus reeled. When the pair had thus laid their plans, they parted- Jove to his house, while the goddess quitted the splendour of Olympus, and plunged into the depths of the sea. The gods rose from their seats, before the coming of their sire. Not one of them dared to remain sitting, but all stood up as he came among them. There, then, he took his seat. But Juno, when she saw him, knew that he and the old merman's daughter, silver-footed Thetis, had been hatching mischief, so she at once began to upbraid him. "Trickster," she cried, "which of the gods have you been taking into your counsels now? You are always settling matters in secret behind my back, and have never yet told me, if you could help it, one word of your intentions." "Juno," replied the sire of gods and men, "you must not expect to be informed of all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would find it hard to understand them. When it is proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean to keep a matter to myself, you must not pry nor ask questions." "Dread son of Saturn," answered Juno, "what are you talking about? I? Pry and ask questions? Never. I let you have your own way in everything. Still, I have a strong misgiving that the old merman's daughter Thetis has been talking you over, for she was with you and had hold of your knees this self-same morning. I believe, therefore, that you have been promising her to give glory to Achilles, and to kill much people at the ships of the Achaeans." "Wife," said Jove, "I can do nothing but you suspect me and find it out. You will take nothing by it, for I shall only dislike you the more, and it will go harder with you. Granted that it is as you say; I mean to have it so; sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you for if I once begin to lay my hands about you, though all heaven were on your side it would profit you nothing." On this Juno was frightened, so she curbed her stubborn will and sat down in silence. But the heavenly beings were disquieted throughout the house of Jove, till the cunning workman Vulcan began to try and pacify his mother Juno. "It will be intolerable," said he, "if you two fall to wrangling and setting heaven in an uproar about a pack of mortals. If such ill counsels are to prevail, we shall have no pleasure at our banquet. Let me then advise my mother- and she must herself know that it will be better- to make friends with my dear father Jove, lest he again scold her and disturb our feast. If the Olympian Thunderer wants to hurl us all from our seats, he can do so, for he is far the strongest, so give him fair words, and he will then soon be in a good humour with us." As he spoke, he took a double cup of nectar, and placed it in his mother's hand. "Cheer up, my dear mother," said he, "and make the best of it. I love you dearly, and should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing; however grieved I might be, I could not help for there is no standing against Jove. Once before when I was trying to help you, he caught me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly threshold. All day long from morn till eve, was I falling, till at sunset I came to ground in the island of Lemnos, and there I lay, with very little life left in me, till the Sintians came and tended me." Juno smiled at this, and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands. Then Vulcan drew sweet nectar from the mixing-bowl, and served it round among the gods, going from left to right; and the blessed gods laughed out a loud applause as they saw him ing bustling about the heavenly mansion. Thus through the livelong day to the going down of the sun they feasted, and every one had his full share, so that all were satisfied. Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices, calling and answering one another. But when the sun's glorious light had faded, they went home to bed, each in his own abode, which lame Vulcan with his consummate skill had fashioned for them. So Jove, the Olympian Lord of Thunder, hied him to the bed in which he always slept; and when he had got on to it he went to sleep, with Juno of the golden throne by his side. Now the other gods and the armed warriors on the plain slept soundly, but Jove was wakeful, for he was thinking how to do honour to Achilles, and destroyed much people at the ships of the Achaeans. In the end he deemed it would be best to send a lying dream to King Agamemnon; so he called one to him and said to it, "Lying Dream, go to the ships of the Achaeans, into the tent of Agamemnon, and say to him word to word as I now bid you. Tell him to get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for he shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans." The dream went when it had heard its message, and soon reached the ships of the Achaeans. It sought Agamemnon son of Atreus and found him in his tent, wrapped in a profound slumber. It hovered over his head in the likeness of Nestor, son of Neleus, whom Agamemnon honoured above all his councillors, and said:- "You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I come as a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this, and when you wake see that it does not escape you." The dream then left him, and he thought of things that were, surely not to be accomplished. He thought that on that same day he was to take the city of Priam, but he little knew what was in the mind of Jove, who had many another hard-fought fight in store alike for Danaans and Trojans. Then presently he woke, with the divine message still ringing in his ears; so he sat upright, and put on his soft shirt so fair and new, and over this his heavy cloak. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, and slung his silver-studded sword about his shoulders; then he took the imperishable staff of his father, and sallied forth to the ships of the Achaeans. The goddess Dawn now wended her way to vast Olympus that she might herald day to Jove and to the other immortals, and Agamemnon sent the criers round to call the people in assembly; so they called them and the people gathered thereon. But first he summoned a meeting of the elders at the ship of Nestor king of Pylos, and when they were assembled he laid a cunning counsel before them. "My friends," said he, "I have had a dream from heaven in the dead of night, and its face and figure resembled none but Nestor's. It hovered over my head and said, 'You are sleeping, son of Atreus; one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep. Hear me at once, for I am a messenger from Jove, who, though he be not near, yet takes thought for you and pities you. He bids you get the Achaeans instantly under arms, for you shall take Troy. There are no longer divided counsels among the gods; Juno has brought them over to her own mind, and woe betides the Trojans at the hands of Jove. Remember this.' The dream then vanished and I awoke. Let us now, therefore, arm the sons of the Achaeans. But it will be well that I should first sound them, and to this end I will tell them to fly with their ships; but do you others go about among the host and prevent their doing so." He then sat down, and Nestor the prince of Pylos with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "My friends," said he, "princes and councillors of the Argives, if any other man of the Achaeans had told us of this dream we should have declared it false, and would have had nothing to do with it. But he who has seen it is the foremost man among us; we must therefore set about getting the people under arms." With this he led the way from the assembly, and the other sceptred kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon; but the people pressed forward to hear. They swarmed like bees that sally from some hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters; even so did the mighty multitude pour from ships and tents to the assembly, and range themselves upon the wide-watered shore, while among them ran Wildfire Rumour, messenger of Jove, urging them ever to the fore. Thus they gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion, and the earth groaned under the tramp of men as the people sought their places. Nine heralds went crying about among them to stay their tumult and bid them listen to the kings, till at last they were got into their several places and ceased their clamour. Then King Agamemnon rose, holding his sceptre. This was the work of Vulcan, who gave it to Jove the son of Saturn. Jove gave it to Mercury, slayer of Argus, guide and guardian. King Mercury gave it to Pelops, the mighty charioteer, and Pelops to Atreus, shepherd of his people. Atreus, when he died, left it to Thyestes, rich in flocks, and Thyestes in his turn left it to be borne by Agamemnon, that he might be lord of all Argos and of the isles. Leaning, then, on his sceptre, he addressed the Argives. "My friends," he said, "heroes, servants of Mars, the hand of heaven has been laid heavily upon me. Cruel Jove gave me his solemn promise that I should sack the city of Priam before returning, but he has played me false, and is now bidding me go ingloriously back to Argos with the loss of much people. Such is the will of Jove, who has laid many a proud city in the dust, as he will yet lay others, for his power is above all. It will be a sorry tale hereafter that an Achaean host, at once so great and valiant, battled in vain against men fewer in number than themselves; but as yet the end is not in sight. Think that the Achaeans and Trojans have sworn to a solemn covenant, and that they have each been numbered- the Trojans by the roll of their householders, and we by companies of ten; think further that each of our companies desired to have a Trojan householder to pour out their wine; we are so greatly more in number that full many a company would have to go without its cup-bearer. But they have in the town allies from other places, and it is these that hinder me from being able to sack the rich city of Ilius. Nine of Jove years are gone; the timbers of our ships have rotted; their tackling is sound no longer. Our wives and little ones at home look anxiously for our coming, but the work that we came hither to do has not been done. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say: let us sail back to our own land, for we shall not take Troy." With these words he moved the hearts of the multitude, so many of them as knew not the cunning counsel of Agamemnon. They surged to and fro like the waves of the Icarian Sea, when the east and south winds break from heaven's clouds to lash them; or as when the west wind sweeps over a field of corn and the ears bow beneath the blast, even so were they swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the ships, and the dust from under their feet rose heavenward. They cheered each other on to draw the ships into the sea; they cleared the channels in front of them; they began taking away the stays from underneath them, and the welkin rang with their glad cries, so eager were they to return. Then surely the Argives would have returned after a fashion that was not fated. But Juno said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unweariable, shall the Argives fly home to their own land over the broad sea, and leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Minerva was not slack to do her bidding. Down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus, and in a moment she was at the ships of the Achaeans. There she found Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, standing alone. He had not as yet laid a hand upon his ship, for he was grieved and sorry; so she went close up to him and said, "Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, are you going to fling yourselves into your ships and be off home to your own land in this way? Will you leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy, far from their homes? Go about at once among the host, and speak fairly to them, man by man, that they draw not their ships into the sea." Ulysses knew the voice as that of the goddess: he flung his cloak from him and set off to run. His servant Eurybates, a man of Ithaca, who waited on him, took charge of the cloak, whereon Ulysses went straight up to Agamemnon and received from him his ancestral, imperishable staff. With this he went about among the ships of the Achaeans. Whenever he met a king or chieftain, he stood by him and spoke him fairly. "Sir," said he, "this flight is cowardly and unworthy. Stand to your post, and bid your people also keep their places. You do not yet know the full mind of Agamemnon; he was sounding us, and ere long will visit the Achaeans with his displeasure. We were not all of us at the council to hear what he then said; see to it lest he be angry and do us a mischief; for the pride of kings is great, and the hand of Jove is with them." But when he came across any common man who was making a noise, he struck him with his staff and rebuked him, saying, "Sirrah, hold your peace, and listen to better men than yourself. You are a coward and no soldier; you are nobody either in fight or council; we cannot all be kings; it is not well that there should be many masters; one man must be supreme- one king to whom the son of scheming Saturn has given the sceptre of sovereignty over you all." Thus masterfully did he go about among the host, and the people hurried back to the council from their tents and ships with a sound as the thunder of surf when it comes crashing down upon the shore, and all the sea is in an uproar. The rest now took their seats and kept to their own several places, but Thersites still went on wagging his unbridled tongue- a man of many words, and those unseemly; a monger of sedition, a railer against all who were in authority, who cared not what he said, so that he might set the Achaeans in a laugh. He was the ugliest man of all those that came before Troy- bandy-legged, lame of one foot, with his two shoulders rounded and hunched over his chest. His head ran up to a point, but there was little hair on the top of it. Achilles and Ulysses hated him worst of all, for it was with them that he was most wont to wrangle; now, however, with a shrill squeaky voice he began heaping his abuse on Agamemnon. The Achaeans were angry and disgusted, yet none the less he kept on brawling and bawling at the son of Atreus. "Agamemnon," he cried, "what ails you now, and what more do you want? Your tents are filled with bronze and with fair women, for whenever we take a town we give you the pick of them. Would you have yet more gold, which some Trojan is to give you as a ransom for his son, when I or another Achaean has taken him prisoner? or is it some young girl to hide and lie with? It is not well that you, the ruler of the Achaeans, should bring them into such misery. Weakling cowards, women rather than men, let us sail home, and leave this fellow here at Troy to stew in his own meeds of honour, and discover whether we were of any service to him or no. Achilles is a much better man than he is, and see how he has treated him- robbing him of his prize and keeping it himself. Achilles takes it meekly and shows no fight; if he did, son of Atreus, you would never again insult him." Thus railed Thersites, but Ulysses at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly. "Check your glib tongue, Thersites," said be, "and babble not a word further. Chide not with princes when you have none to back you. There is no viler creature come before Troy with the sons of Atreus. Drop this chatter about kings, and neither revile them nor keep harping about going home. We do not yet know how things are going to be, nor whether the Achaeans are to return with good success or evil. How dare you gibe at Agamemnon because the Danaans have awarded him so many prizes? I tell you, therefore- and it shall surely be- that if I again catch you talking such nonsense, I will either forfeit my own head and be no more called father of Telemachus, or I will take you, strip you stark naked, and whip you out of the assembly till you go blubbering back to the ships." On this he beat him with his staff about the back and shoulders till he dropped and fell a-weeping. The golden sceptre raised a bloody weal on his back, so he sat down frightened and in pain, looking foolish as he wiped the tears from his eyes. The people were sorry for him, yet they laughed heartily, and one would turn to his neighbour saying, "Ulysses has done many a good thing ere now in fight and council, but he never did the Argives a better turn than when he stopped this fellow's mouth from prating further. He will give the kings no more of his insolence." Thus said the people. Then Ulysses rose, sceptre in hand, and Minerva in the likeness of a herald bade the people be still, that those who were far off might hear him and consider his council. He therefore with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus:- "King Agamemnon, the Achaeans are for making you a by-word among all mankind. They forget the promise they made you when they set out from Argos, that you should not return till you had sacked the town of Troy, and, like children or widowed women, they murmur and would set off homeward. True it is that they have had toil enough to be disheartened. A man chafes at having to stay away from his wife even for a single month, when he is on shipboard, at the mercy of wind and sea, but it is now nine long years that we have been kept here; I cannot, therefore, blame the Achaeans if they turn restive; still we shall be shamed if we go home empty after so long a stay- therefore, my friends, be patient yet a little longer that we may learn whether the prophesyings of Calchas were false or true. "All who have not since perished must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before, how the ships of the Achaeans were detained in Aulis when we were on our way hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans. We were ranged round about a fountain offering hecatombs to the gods upon their holy altars, and there was a fine plane-tree from beneath which there welled a stream of pure water. Then we saw a prodigy; for Jove sent a fearful serpent out of the ground, with blood-red stains upon its back, and it darted from under the altar on to the plane-tree. Now there was a brood of young sparrows, quite small, upon the topmost bough, peeping out from under the leaves, eight in all, and their mother that hatched them made nine. The serpent ate the poor cheeping things, while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones; but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming. Then, when he had eaten both the sparrow and her young, the god who had sent him made him become a sign; for the son of scheming Saturn turned him into stone, and we stood there wondering at that which had come to pass. Seeing, then, that such a fearful portent had broken in upon our hecatombs, Calchas forthwith declared to us the oracles of heaven. 'Why, Achaeans,' said he, 'are you thus speechless? Jove has sent us this sign, long in coming, and long ere it be fulfilled, though its fame shall last for ever. As the serpent ate the eight fledglings and the sparrow that hatched them, which makes nine, so shall we fight nine years at Troy, but in the tenth shall take the town.' This was what he said, and now it is all coming true. Stay here, therefore, all of you, till we take the city of Priam." On this the Argives raised a shout, till the ships rang again with the uproar. Nestor, knight of Gerene, then addressed them. "Shame on you," he cried, "to stay talking here like children, when you should fight like men. Where are our covenants now, and where the oaths that we have taken? Shall our counsels be flung into the fire, with our drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we have put our trust? We waste our time in words, and for all our talking here shall be no further forward. Stand, therefore, son of Atreus, by your own steadfast purpose; lead the Argives on to battle, and leave this handful of men to rot, who scheme, and scheme in vain, to get back to Argos ere they have learned whether Jove be true or a liar. For the mighty son of Saturn surely promised that we should succeed, when we Argives set sail to bring death and destruction upon the Trojans. He showed us favourable signs by flashing his lightning on our right hands; therefore let none make haste to go till he has first lain with the wife of some Trojan, and avenged the toil and sorrow that he has suffered for the sake of Helen. Nevertheless, if any man is in such haste to be at home again, let him lay his hand to his ship that he may meet his doom in the sight of all. But, O king, consider and give ear to my counsel, for the word that I say may not be neglected lightly. Divide your men, Agamemnon, into their several tribes and clans, that clans and tribes may stand by and help one another. If you do this, and if the Achaeans obey you, you will find out who, both chiefs and peoples, are brave, and who are cowards; for they will vie against the other. Thus you shall also learn whether it is through the counsel of heaven or the cowardice of man that you shall fail to take the town." And Agamemnon answered, "Nestor, you have again outdone the sons of the Achaeans in counsel. Would, by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I had among them ten more such councillors, for the city of King Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands, and we should sack it. But the son of Saturn afflicts me with bootless wranglings and strife. Achilles and I are quarrelling about this girl, in which matter I was the first to offend; if we can be of one mind again, the Trojans will not stave off destruction for a day. Now, therefore, get your morning meal, that our hosts join in fight. Whet well your spears; see well to the ordering of your shields; give good feeds to your horses, and look your chariots carefully over, that we may do battle the livelong day; for we shall have no rest, not for a moment, till night falls to part us. The bands that bear your shields shall be wet with the sweat upon your shoulders, your hands shall weary upon your spears, your horses shall steam in front of your chariots, and if I see any man shirking the fight, or trying to keep out of it at the ships, there shall be no help for him, but he shall be a prey to dogs and vultures." Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans roared applause. As when the waves run high before the blast of the south wind and break on some lofty headland, dashing against it and buffeting it without ceasing, as the storms from every quarter drive them, even so did the Achaeans rise and hurry in all directions to their ships. There they lighted their fires at their tents and got dinner, offering sacrifice every man to one or other of the gods, and praying each one of them that he might live to come out of the fight. Agamemnon, king of men, sacrificed a fat five-year-old bull to the mighty son of Saturn, and invited the princes and elders of his host. First he asked Nestor and King Idomeneus, then the two Ajaxes and the son of Tydeus, and sixthly Ulysses, peer of gods in counsel; but Menelaus came of his own accord, for he knew how busy his brother then was. They stood round the bull with the barley-meal in their hands, and Agamemnon prayed, saying, "Jove, most glorious, supreme, that dwellest in heaven, and ridest upon the storm-cloud, grant that the sun may not go down, nor the night fall, till the palace of Priam is laid low, and its gates are consumed with fire. Grant that my sword may pierce the shirt of Hector about his heart, and that full many of his comrades may bite the dust as they fall dying round him." Thus he prayed, but the son of Saturn would not fulfil his prayer. He accepted the sacrifice, yet none the less increased their toil continually. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal upon the victim, they drew back its head, killed it, and then flayed it. They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, and set pieces of raw meat on the top of them. These they burned upon the split logs of firewood, but they spitted the inward meats, and held them in the flames to cook. When the thigh-bones were burned, and they had tasted the inward meats, they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off; then, when they had finished their work and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, began to speak. "King Agamemnon," said he, "let us not stay talking here, nor be slack in the work that heaven has put into our hands. Let the heralds summon the people to gather at their several ships; we will then go about among the host, that we may begin fighting at once." Thus did he speak, and Agamemnon heeded his words. He at once sent the criers round to call the people in assembly. So they called them, and the people gathered thereon. The chiefs about the son of Atreus chose their men and marshalled them, while Minerva went among them holding her priceless aegis that knows neither age nor death. From it there waved a hundred tassels of pure gold, all deftly woven, and each one of them worth a hundred oxen. With this she darted furiously everywhere among the hosts of the Achaeans, urging them forward, and putting courage into the heart of each, so that he might fight and do battle without ceasing. Thus war became sweeter in their eyes even than returning home in their ships. As when some great forest fire is raging upon a mountain top and its light is seen afar, even so as they marched the gleam of their armour flashed up into the firmament of heaven. They were like great flocks of geese, or cranes, or swans on the plain about the waters of Cayster, that wing their way hither and thither, glorying in the pride of flight, and crying as they settle till the fen is alive with their screaming. Even thus did their tribes pour from ships and tents on to the plain of the Scamander, and the ground rang as brass under the feet of men and horses. They stood as thick upon the flower-bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer. As countless swarms of flies buzz around a herdsman's homestead in the time of spring when the pails are drenched with milk, even so did the Achaeans swarm on to the plain to charge the Trojans and destroy them. The chiefs disposed their men this way and that before the fight began, drafting them out as easily as goatherds draft their flocks when they have got mixed while feeding; and among them went King Agamemnon, with a head and face like Jove the lord of thunder, a waist like Mars, and a chest like that of Neptune. As some great bull that lords it over the herds upon the plain, even so did Jove make the son of Atreus stand peerless among the multitude of heroes. And now, O Muses, dwellers in the mansions of Olympus, tell me- for you are goddesses and are in all places so that you see all things, while we know nothing but by report- who were the chiefs and princes of the Danaans? As for the common soldiers, they were so that I could not name every single one of them though I had ten tongues, and though my voice failed not and my heart were of bronze within me, unless you, O Olympian Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, were to recount them to me. Nevertheless, I will tell the captains of the ships and all the fleet together. Peneleos, Leitus, Arcesilaus, Prothoenor, and Clonius were captains of the Boeotians. These were they that dwelt in Hyria and rocky Aulis, and who held Schoenus, Scolus, and the highlands of Eteonus, with Thespeia, Graia, and the fair city of Mycalessus. They also held Harma, Eilesium, and Erythrae; and they had Eleon, Hyle, and Peteon; Ocalea and the strong fortress of Medeon; Copae, Eutresis, and Thisbe the haunt of doves; Coronea, and the pastures of Haliartus; Plataea and Glisas; the fortress of Thebes the less; holy Onchestus with its famous grove of Neptune; Arne rich in vineyards; Midea, sacred Nisa, and Anthedon upon the sea. From these there came fifty ships, and in each there were a hundred and twenty young men of the Boeotians. Ascalaphus and Ialmenus, sons of Mars, led the people that dwelt in Aspledon and Orchomenus the realm of Minyas. Astyoche a noble maiden bore them in the house of Actor son of Azeus; for she had gone with Mars secretly into an upper chamber, and he had lain with her. With these there came thirty ships. The Phoceans were led by Schedius and Epistrophus, sons of mighty Iphitus the son of Naubolus. These were they that held Cyparissus, rocky Pytho, holy Crisa, Daulis, and Panopeus; they also that dwelt in Anemorea and Hyampolis, and about the waters of the river Cephissus, and Lilaea by the springs of the Cephissus; with their chieftains came forty ships, and they marshalled the forces of the Phoceans, which were stationed next to the Boeotians, on their left. Ajax, the fleet son of Oileus, commanded the Locrians. He was not so great, nor nearly so great, as Ajax the son of Telamon. He was a little man, and his breastplate was made of linen, but in use of the spear he excelled all the Hellenes and the Achaeans. These dwelt in Cynus, Opous, Calliarus, Bessa, Scarphe, fair Augeae, Tarphe, and Thronium about the river Boagrius. With him there came forty ships of the Locrians who dwell beyond Euboea. The fierce Abantes held Euboea with its cities, Chalcis, Eretria, Histiaea rich in vines, Cerinthus upon the sea, and the rock-perched town of Dium; with them were also the men of Carystus and Styra; Elephenor of the race of Mars was in command of these; he was son of Chalcodon, and chief over all the Abantes. With him they came, fleet of foot and wearing their hair long behind, brave warriors, who would ever strive to tear open the corslets of their foes with their long ashen spears. Of these there came fifty ships. And they that held the strong city of Athens, the people of great Erechtheus, who was born of the soil itself, but Jove's daughter, Minerva, fostered him, and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary. There, year by year, the Athenian youths worship him with sacrifices of bulls and rams. These were commanded by Menestheus, son of Peteos. No man living could equal him in the marshalling of chariots and foot soldiers. Nestor could alone rival him, for he was older. With him there came fifty ships. Ajax brought twelve ships from Salamis, and stationed them alongside those of the Athenians. The men of Argos, again, and those who held the walls of Tiryns, with Hermione, and Asine upon the gulf; Troezene, Eionae, and the vineyard lands of Epidaurus; the Achaean youths, moreover, who came from Aegina and Mases; these were led by Diomed of the loud battle-cry, and Sthenelus son of famed Capaneus. With them in command was Euryalus, son of king Mecisteus, son of Talaus; but Diomed was chief over them all. With these there came eighty ships. Those who held the strong city of Mycenae, rich Corinth and Cleonae; Orneae, Araethyrea, and Licyon, where Adrastus reigned of old; Hyperesia, high Gonoessa, and Pellene; Aegium and all the coast-land round about Helice; these sent a hundred ships under the command of King Agamemnon, son of Atreus. His force was far both finest and most numerous, and in their midst was the king himself, all glorious in his armour of gleaming bronze- foremost among the heroes, for he was the greatest king, and had most men under him. And those that dwelt in Lacedaemon, lying low among the hills, Pharis, Sparta, with Messe the haunt of doves; Bryseae, Augeae, Amyclae, and Helos upon the sea; Laas, moreover, and Oetylus; these were led by Menelaus of the loud battle-cry, brother to Agamemnon, and of them there were sixty ships, drawn up apart from the others. Among them went Menelaus himself, strong in zeal, urging his men to fight; for he longed to avenge the toil and sorrow that he had suffered for the sake of Helen. The men of Pylos and Arene, and Thryum where is the ford of the river Alpheus; strong Aipy, Cyparisseis, and Amphigenea; Pteleum, Helos, and Dorium, where the Muses met Thamyris, and stilled his minstrelsy for ever. He was returning from Oechalia, where Eurytus lived and reigned, and boasted that he would surpass even the Muses, daughters of aegis-bearing Jove, if they should sing against him; whereon they were angry, and maimed him. They robbed him of his divine power of song, and thenceforth he could strike the lyre no more. These were commanded by Nestor, knight of Gerene, and with him there came ninety ships. And those that held Arcadia, under the high mountain of Cyllene, near the tomb of Aepytus, where the people fight hand to hand; the men of Pheneus also, and Orchomenus rich in flocks; of Rhipae, Stratie, and bleak Enispe; of Tegea and fair Mantinea; of Stymphelus and Parrhasia; of these King Agapenor son of Ancaeus was commander, and they had sixty ships. Many Arcadians, good soldiers, came in each one of them, but Agamemnon found them the ships in which to cross the sea, for they were not a people that occupied their business upon the waters. The men, moreover, of Buprasium and of Elis, so much of it as is enclosed between Hyrmine, Myrsinus upon the sea-shore, the rock Olene and Alesium. These had four leaders, and each of them had ten ships, with many Epeans on board. Their captains were Amphimachus and Thalpius- the one, son of Cteatus, and the other, of Eurytus- both of the race of Actor. The two others were Diores, son of Amarynces, and Polyxenus, son of King Agasthenes, son of Augeas. And those of Dulichium with the sacred Echinean islands, who dwelt beyond the sea off Elis; these were led by Meges, peer of Mars, and the son of valiant Phyleus, dear to Jove, who quarrelled with his father, and went to settle in Dulichium. With him there came forty ships. Ulysses led the brave Cephallenians, who held Ithaca, Neritum with its forests, Crocylea, rugged Aegilips, Samos and Zacynthus, with the mainland also that was over against the islands. These were led by Ulysses, peer of Jove in counsel, and with him there came twelve ships. Thoas, son of Andraemon, commanded the Aetolians, who dwelt in Pleuron, Olenus, Pylene, Chalcis by the sea, and rocky Calydon, for the great king Oeneus had now no sons living, and was himself dead, as was also golden-haired Meleager, who had been set over the Aetolians to be their king. And with Thoas there came forty ships. The famous spearsman Idomeneus led the Cretans, who held Cnossus, and the well-walled city of Gortys; Lyctus also, Miletus and Lycastus that lies upon the chalk; the populous towns of Phaestus and Rhytium, with the other peoples that dwelt in the hundred cities of Crete. All these were led by Idomeneus, and by Meriones, peer of murderous Mars. And with these there came eighty ships. Tlepolemus, son of Hercules, a man both brave and large of stature, brought nine ships of lordly warriors from Rhodes. These dwelt in Rhodes which is divided among the three cities of Lindus, Ielysus, and Cameirus, that lies upon the chalk. These were commanded by Tlepolemus, son of Hercules by Astyochea, whom he had carried off from Ephyra, on the river Selleis, after sacking many cities of valiant warriors. When Tlepolemus grew up, he killed his father's uncle Licymnius, who had been a famous warrior in his time, but was then grown old. On this he built himself a fleet, gathered a great following, and fled beyond the sea, for he was menaced by the other sons and grandsons of Hercules. After a voyage. during which he suffered great hardship, he came to Rhodes, where the people divided into three communities, according to their tribes, and were dearly loved by Jove, the lord, of gods and men; wherefore the son of Saturn showered down great riches upon them. And Nireus brought three ships from Syme- Nireus, who was the handsomest man that came up under Ilius of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus- but he was a man of no substance, and had but a small following. And those that held Nisyrus, Crapathus, and Casus, with Cos, the city of Eurypylus, and the Calydnian islands, these were commanded by Pheidippus and Antiphus, two sons of King Thessalus the son of Hercules. And with them there came thirty ships. Those again who held Pelasgic Argos, Alos, Alope, and Trachis; and those of Phthia and Hellas the land of fair women, who were called Myrmidons, Hellenes, and Achaeans; these had fifty ships, over which Achilles was in command. But they now took no part in the war, inasmuch as there was no one to marshal them; for Achilles stayed by his ships, furious about the loss of the girl Briseis, whom he had taken from Lyrnessus at his own great peril, when he had sacked Lyrnessus and Thebe, and had overthrown Mynes and Epistrophus, sons of king Evenor, son of Selepus. For her sake Achilles was s

Read the details, please? I am getting a bunch of camping stuff for christmas. Does anyone know some fun thing to do while camping. Its also like hunting i am going fishing and getting a bow. And for all the smart asses yes i can shoot and ..... aim ..... and .... um.... ya ..... stuff like that. So basically i need a lot of camping hints and tips. please and thank you@@@1111............

WESTERN RIDING! Need answer quick? Ok I ride hunt seat so I wouldn't know but dressage salute by tipping their hat and bowing sort of, and hunters do a curtasy circle before jumping their course. What do western riders do?!

7.62X54R (M44) Mosin Nagant for pig huntin', what are your thoughts? I have hunted pigs with knives, spears, bows, and of course firearms. I am very well trained using bayonets as well. I am kicking around the idea of using my M44 as a pig sticker next season. I really need well founded opinions on the point bayonet provided on the M44. I know that bayonet is designed for pointing and stabbing and not cutting. It is a long cylindrical piece of steel with a nice razor tip. Would you use it in close quarters for pigs??? I don't use dogs, I just dig them out of the brush and pray for the best. Would you do it? What would you have as backup? Other than the rifle of course. I would really like informed opinions. I am risking my neck here. Thanks Come on buck, you can do better than that. Knives aren't really all that different, just never used a point bayonet. I don't intend to shoot it unless I have too. Just wondered about the pointy end. Akluis, if I decide to do it I definitely will. I am just chicken. I don't think that pointy tip will be much effect and I will be kilt dead. That pig'll bite me.... Should I aim for the point between the shoulder blades or try to get him low and in the heart???? Don't have a groove on this thing.

Anyone else deer hunt in southwest Indiana? I am looking for new things to try in the woods. I use a true talker and have been using short grunts. I use tinks scent bombs. I havent used tinks 69 yet too earley I think. I also have been rattling softly. I use a viper SS tree stand. All the scent killer stuff possible. I also use a buckmaster bow people tell me to change bows but I put deer down with it just fine. I use carbons with three bladed 100 grain muzzy's. I also use google earth to get ariel photographs. but for some reason I have only seen 1 buck so far this year it was a basket rack 6 I know there are bigger ones there any tips? I just started using the deer scents and calls because it is getting close to the rut the grunts I normaly put out 3 a hour and rattle maybe 2 times a day ive been going out since Oct 1st and started using them maybe a week ago and I did that because I havent been seeing any bucks then i used them and seen the 6 point

What do you think of my story? I need a title too. Tell me what you think.? Cordovia was walking through her uncle's beautiful flower garden. Suddenly, her uncle rushes out of his beautiful house and hurried towards her. "Your father's soldiers are coming! You must go! Run! Hide! Just don't let them catch you!" he huffed as he handed Cordovia her suitcase. "Where am I supposed to go?" "Anywhere but here!" "B-but, Uncle-" "Leave! NOW!" Cordovia hurredly mounted her mare and galloped into the woods... Shortly after Cordovia had galloped off into the woods the soldiers caught her and brough her to her father's palace. When she got there her father didn't look or speak to her, not that she was expecting any different. hermother had often told her that her father was a cruel unjust leader and a lousy dad. When Cordovia was born, her father held her for a few brief seconds but hurredly passed her back to the midwife as he rushed off too take some poor farmer's field for his dungeon. Her mother said that he would never be like his father, the previous king. One of her father's spies had overheard her mother... Well, let's just say he wasn't too happy. She was taken away in the night and no one ever heard from her again. Cor assumed the worst. She had neverforgiven her father for it, she diubted that she ever would. She remained quiet as Darius, her father's right hand man, led her to her room. He pushed back the giant wood doors and motioned for her to go in. No madams, please, or anything at all escaped his lips. Cordovia entered the room and Darius slammed the door behind her. She walked over to the bed and to her surprise, there was a boy about her age lying on it. "Ahem," Cor cleared her throat "Go AWAY, Darius," came the muffled reply. "He's not here," Cordovia said sitting down on the edge of the bed. The boy carefully pulled himself up from the pillow. "Who are you?" he asked. "I-My name's Cor-" "Cordovia!" he exclaimed. "I'm Savas" "Yeah, how do you know who I am?" "I overheard Darius tell the soldiers to ex-look for you," "Execute?" Cordovia screamed. "SHHH! Yes, but I convinced them to put you in my charge, and because of that I had to face Mordred." "You mean father?" "Yes, but do not call him that," "Why not? He is our father after all." "You'll learn, now I'm going to bed," "Is this your room?" "No, it's yours, I just hide from Mordred's minion here," "D-" "Yes, now if you are smart you'll sleep while Mordred rides," "Thank you" Cordovia walked him to the door. She watched him go down the hallway and then curled up in her bed to sleep. The next morning Cordovia awoke in horror to Mordred's monstrous yells and someone's desperate screams. The screams grew louder as Cor grew closer. She turned into another hallway where she saw Mordred, two soldiers, and, to her absolute horror Savas. "STOP IT!" Cordovia screamed at the top of her lungs. She remembered what her uncle had taught her which was to remain calm no matter how terrible the situation. Mordred's fiery eyes looked up at Cordovia, along with the stern eyes of the soldiers. They all stood there with no sound other than an occasional breath from Savas. The soldiers held Savas' arms and looked simultaneously at Mordred. He nodded and the soldiers immediately released Savas' arms as they rushed up the stairs to Cordovia. Savas collapsed on the floor, he was struggling to breathe. Cor raced down the stairs to her half-brother. She knelt at his head and helped him to his feet. Savas stood barely, but didn't speak. Mordred flew into a rage. "Who are you, peasant, and what is your business here?" "I'm n-" Cordovia started her eyes daring Mordred to come a step closer. "She's one of the maid's daughters," gasped Savas as he continued struggling for breath. "I'm the daughter of Euthalia. Your daughter." "Cordovia!" Mordred glared and raised his whip. He brought it down hard on Cordovia's left shoulder. That one gruesome blow sent Cordovia crashing to the cold, black, marble floor of the palace. "Leave her alone," growled Savas. "I'm finished with her for now, but you are another story," Mordred yelled as he motioned for more guards to hold the poor boy. Cordovia rose to leave but a soldier grabbed her arm and force her to watch the nightmarish beating of her brother. The whip slashed it's fury on Savas again and again until he was nothing but a limp pile of barely breathing flesh and bones. The soldiers dropped Savas on the floor as they hurried away to follow Mordred outside. Cordovia rushed to her brother and talked to him as she fluttered about trying to find help. Finally Darius walked into the throne room. "Darius! Help me get him to his room," Cordovia pleaded, but all that scum did was smile his black and yellow toothed smile and walked by. "I'll help you," said a small voice behind Cor. Cordovia whirled around to face a red-haired maid. Together they carried Savas to his room and dressed his wounds. "How much does Mordred do this?" "Depends on what mood he's in, sometimes he beats the poor boy worse than this. Heaven knows how he survives," she said as she hurried away to get more water. Cordovia smoothed Savas' hair and kissed him gently on the cheek. She left her room to go find her father. She was going to teach him a thing or two about manners. Cor ranged the halls searching for her father. She didn't find him but she did find Darius. "Darius!" Cordovia commanded. "Where's my father?" "Who?" Darius replied as he turned to face her. "The king, Mordred, my father," Cor said her stern face not showing anything. "Oh, I think he's punishing the prisoners," came Darius' quick reply. "Stop him. Tell him he's wanted in Cordovia's room," Cordovia demanded. "GO!" "As you wish, princess," bowed Darius as he rushed off to the dungeons. Cordovia walked to her room and sat on her bed, awaiting her father. "Sire, your presence is requested in Princess Cordovia's room," Darius declared. "Why?" growled Mordred as he beat one of the prisoners. "I do not know, sire. The Princess demanded that you come to her room immediatley," "I will be up in a moment," Mordred reply as he beat the prisoner a few more times and marched up the stairs. Cordovia sat on her bed as her father burst through the door. "HOW DARE YOU REQUEST MY PRESENCE!" bellowed Mordred as he burst through the door. "Father, Mordred, I-I just wanted to say that-I don't want you to beat Savas, anymore," Cordovia shyly replied. "AND WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME TO STOP!" "I AM YOUR DAUGHTER AND I WILL NOT PUT UP WITH IT!" "DARIUS! FETCH MY SOLDIERS AND MY WHIP!" Mordred beat Cordovia so badly she passed out. Five days later Cordovia woke up. Savas was playing with a ball at the end of her bed. "Cor! Thank goodness you're okay!" He said as he gave her a hug. "Okay, Prince, don't maul her. Give her time to breathe," replied Susan, the red-haired maid who helped Cordovia move Savas. "Savas! How's Morbid?" "His usual beat-his-own-kids-up self," "Goo-er-bad" "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" asked a brown haired woman sitting with a 11-year-old boy on her lap. "Depends on who you are." "It's okay, she's Mordred's wife," "Your mother?" "No, Morcellus' mother. Raella" "Morcellus?" "Yeah, our other brother," Sabas said joyfully replied. "Oh," "I-I'm Morcellus, but you can call me Moe," Morcellus said shyly. "So...When are we getting out of here?" Cordovia said sitting up quickly. A sharp pain shot through Cordovia's back. She yelped and laid back down. "YOU are going nowhere until we have a look at that back of yours. Morcell, Savas, would you mind fetching some flowers for Cordovia?" "What are those for?" "To help get rid of some of the germs in the air. Infection's our biggest worry. Now, just relax and roll over, princess," "Fine," So, Cor did as she was told. In the following days not much hapened. Mordred had taken his horse and a few soldiers on a hunting party. Darius remained in the castle at all times. Savas could tell he was waiting for Mordred to come home so he could lie about all the wrong things Savas did when he was gone. On the third day of Mordred's absense, Cordovia's wounds started to get infected. By the eighth day, Cordovia's forehead was as hot as an iron and she was sweating like crazy. "Moe! Get Susan!" commanded Queen Raella. "Mmmmmm...." groaned Cordovia as she tossed in her bed. Susan rushed into the room, clutching a few herbs and things to try to draw out the infection. "Once she heals, we leave," Savas said sternly. His expression was dark and angry, much like his father's. This worried Raella. He was the next heir to the throne, and if he was anything like his father trouble would ensue. Savas stormed out of the room and went to find Darius. "Darius!" Savas roared angrily. "Come out you coward!" "Yes, little majesty," said Darius appearing out of nowhere. "Fetch the doctor from the village, NOW!" "Why should I?" "Because in my father's absense, I am in charge of the palace," "Yes, of course, little majesty" Darius smiled his crooked, yellow and black toothed smile and hurried off to get the doctor. What fun! Another Mordred in the family. Sire will be glad to hear this! Thoughts of the future rolled through Darius' evil mind. Now Darius wasn't smart but he knew enough not to get in the way of Mordred or Savas when they're mad. Savas, who was more like his father than he should be, hurried back to Cordovia's room. The doctor came quickly. He cleaned and stitched Cordovia's wounds. The infection left and Cor's wounds healed a few days after the doctor came. Mordred returned after a twelve day absense. Darius was ecstatic with the news of Savas' terrible temper. "Glad to see you made it back safely, Sire," Darius bowed humbly. "The eldest prince has taken a shine to following in your footsteps, your highness," "What do you mean?" grumbled Mordred. "Well, the princess, had a fever and he found me and absolutely demanded that I get the doctor. He even threatened my life, sire!" "Is that so?" Mordred said as his lightened. "Well, he might not be a total failure after all... Send him to the throneroom" "As you wish, sire. Shall I get your whip as well?" "No," "No?" "Yes! Now go before my pleasant mood decinerates!" Darius did as he was told but when he got to his little majesty's room no one was home. He checked Cordovia's then Morcellus'. The children were nowhere to be found! When Darius reported this to Mordred. Mordred flew into a rage. For six months the three kids lived in the woods and forests along the Northern Borders. "Moe! Get more firewood, please," Cordovia called as she put the last bits of wood in the fire. "Stop yelling! Do you want to be found?" Savas whispered. "No, but we're miles away from civilization!" "Maybe so, but even the trees have ears if you know what I mean," "Spies?" "Yes, and the soldiers that Mordred would've sent out!" "Oh... He'd miss us that badly?" "No, he just wants to beat us for running off..." "Right. I-I'm just not used to-to-" "Torture?" "Yeah, I grew up in Silver City. I lived with my uncle, our uncle and my mother." "Oh, I never knew mine. Mordred killed her when I was a baby." "I'm sorry," "Don't be. It's not your fault." "Why don't you call Mordred father?" "Because! Because.." Tears welled up in Savas' eyes. Cordovia saw how obviously painful the subject was to him so she quietly stoked the fire. "What's Silver City like?" Moe asked. "It's beautiful. There are gardens filled with beautiful flowers everywhere. It was always so clean and well kept," Cordovia told many wonderous stories of the beautiful city. The boys fell asleep listening to her tales of Silver City. Morcellus jolted awake as a sharp pain hit his shoulder. He screamed and woke Cordovia and Savas. The three stunned children awoke stareing directly into the face of their father. Beside him stood a man chained and bruised. Savas and Morcellus didn't recognize him, but Cordovia did. "Uncle!" she screeched. "SILENCE!" commanded Mordred. "Let him go!" she exclaimed histerically. "Shh," comforted Savas as he put his arm around her. Savas glared at his father. "Take them and follow me," commanded Mordred to his soldiers. The soldiers' horses reared as a soldier hopped off his horse. He grabbed Morcellus and Cordovia as another soldier grabbed Savas from behind. Savas struggled for a fiew brief moments before the soldier holding him bashed him on the head with the handle of his sword. Then Moe and Cor were taken to the palace and thrown in the dark filthy dungeon. "Uncle..." Cordovia cried in her sleep. Moe walked over to Cor's bunk and sat down. "It's gonna be okay, Cor," he said reasuringly. "It's gonna be okay..." The next morning the soldiers threw Savas into the cold cell. He landed in a limp heap on the rock-solid floor. Morcellus immediately moved him to the other bunk. Even though both bunks were just as hard as the floor, they weren't as cold in the morning. "Owwww," groaned Savas as he sat up. "Yeah, Mordred beat you up pretty good this time," Morcellus said as he sat on his bunk. "I don't have herbs or anything so I can't do anything for the pain." "S'OK. Doesn't hurt much really," Savas lied. "You're lying," Cor mumbled from her bunk. "Yeah and you're depressed," Savas argued "So-" "Come on you three. Get up!" yelled the guard. "Mordred wants you present at the execution," "What execution," retorted Cordovia. "Surprise," mumbled the guard collecting all three of the kids. He pushed them with the tip of his sword as they walked to the execution room. When they got there Moe gasped in horror. Cordovia looked to the stand and saw two people. One was a stocky man, her uncle, the other a bruised young man with a guard at his back. Savas' eyes welled up with tears as he looked up at the young man. The young man was his brother, Haithourus, the son of his mother's first husband. "LET HIM GO MORDRED!" screamed Cordovia. A guard knocked her to the floor. "Leave her alone," growled Haithourus. "SILENCE, SCUM!" demanded Darius. "The executions will now take place, if there are any objections him or her may say them now," read the executioner. "On what charges have you arrested this farmer," Raella demanded. "I am not at liberty to discuss that, my queen," mumbled the executioner. "LET HIM GO!" cried Cordovia again as multiple tears ran down both cheeks. "Please, just let him go. He's all I have left!" "I take his place," declared the queen. "My queen, you're aware this means death!" "yes," Raella said fiercly as she marched towards the platform. "I WILL NOT HAVE IT!" Mordred opposed as he grabbed his wife and pulled her away from the stand. "A treachorus wife is no good to me!" "MOM!" cried Morcellus. It was too late. Mordred had stabbed her in the chest with his sword. Her scream echoed through the hall as Mordred withdrew his blood-stained sword. Morcellus was crying uncontrollably as he watched his mother's limp body fall to the floor. Cordovia wrapped her arms around Morcellus. Her eyes glared at her father. Smiling, he threw the sword at Cordovia's feet. Savas dived for it.He grabbed the sword before the guard had time to think. Immediately he rushed to his brother's side. He cut the rope on both Haith and Cordovia's uncle. "Thanks Sav," whispered Haith taking the sword from Savas. "TRAITOR!" Mordred screamed. "I was never loyal to you!" Savas retorted. A fierce battle broke out between Haith and an ill-trained soldier. Haithourus easily knocked him to the floor. Cordovia drug Morcellus away from his mother's body. "LET ME GO, COR," he screamed, but no one paid him much attention. Cor gently kissed Moe's mother on the cheek unfastened her locket. "No, we have to go. If we stay we'll die," Cordovia said softle placing the locket around her neck. "I DON'T CARE!" "You will. Moe, I-I know what you're going through. Please, trust me," The two of them made it out safely, and rushed towards the forests. They climbed a tree and waited for Haith and Savas. Inside, the boys were making their way to the door, fighting the ill-trained guards as they went. Finally, they made it to the door, only to find Darius was blocking thier way. "So you return, young rebel." stated Darius. "Yes, and if you would be so kind as to move I would highly appreciate it," "Never!" replied Darius. "Then I shall use force," "So be it," "Savas leave," "b-But Haith," "Now! Find your brother and whoever he was with. Find a girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes." "no," "NOW!" Haith commanded striking at Darius. Savas fled. He ran through the forest searching silently for Cordovia and Moe. Finally, as he stopped to rest he heard a feint sound coming from one of the trees. "Psst, Sav, look up" said the voice. "Hmm? Who said that?" Savas asked picking up his father's sword. "Look up, you idiot!" repeated the voice. "huh?" Savas looked up and sure enough, it was Cor. Right beside her sat Moe, his eyes red from morning for his mother. "So, where do we go from here?" Cor asked jumping down from the tree. "Haith said something about 'a girl with long blond hair and blue eyes'" Savas replied. "Could she be his girlfriend?" "No, he never said anything about any village girls before..." "What about---" Hoofbeats pounded through the trees. The two kids scrambled up a nearby tree. A snow-white horse slowed and stopped. A person, decidedly friendly, climbed down. It spoke a few words that the kids didn't understand. Shortly after a sharp scream pierced the midnight air. It didn't sound human or like any animal the kids had ever heard. "Haithus!" called the person. "Haithus!" "Is she the?" whispered Cordovia. "Whose there?" asked the girl. "M-me." Cor replied. "If I come down will you hurt me?" "No," came the short reply. The girl mumbled a few more words in her strange language. A flash of light followed. Cordovia jumped down from the tree. The girl turned to face Cordovia. "Do you know of Haithus?" "Y-Yeah, he helped us escape." "You should've come down sooner. There's three of you, correct? Savas, Morcellus, and you. Am I right?" "That's amazing! How did you know?" "The trees told me. Are you familiar with Valour?" "N-no." "You're cold?" "A l-little." "Here." She handed Cor a wrap. "We must go now. Savas, Morcellus, I'm a friend. You can come down. <\ /|/ [\ [\ |<" "What did you say your name was?" "I'm Raysonna. For now sleep, my little majesties." When the kids awoke, they were in a place better than anything any of them had ever seen. It was a beautiful marble city surrounded by mountains. Through the city of marble was a crystal clear river. Flowers grew amongst weeping willows. One would think that it was filled with people, until you looked closer. "\/ |\ |\ \[ >|\ |\ >< \> |/ \> \/, /|/ |/ /| /| /|/ [\ >|\ \< :\ [\ <> |/ [\ <>," greeted a black haired maid as she drew the curtains. "Excuse me?" asked Cordovia. "She said 'good morning, little majesties'," translated Raysonna. "Oh...Does everyone around here speak funny?" asked Cordovia. "Most elves, but some speak English," "Elves?" "Yes, elves. I'm one, Sistine, your maid, is one as well as everyone in Valour City," "No offense but I thought elves didn't exist anymore." "According to Mordred, we don't. We've worked hard to keep it that way." "Raysonna! Why have you brought these-these |/ \> /| >< )> \[ [\>< <> here!" roared a man-er-elf walking through the door. "/> \< /| <\ [\ ><!" "We will talk without the little |/ \> /| >< )> \[ [\>< <>." "What did he say?" "Nothing." "He said something!" shouted Savas. "I-It was the Elfin word for 'intruder'," quietly replied Morcellus. "How did you know?" asked Rasonna. "M-My mother w-was-" "Raella!" exclaimed Rasonna. "Poor little |< >< |/ \> \] [\ ..." "Was she elfin?" "Yes, 10 years ago Mordred's soldiers attacked Valour. The city was ravaged, and would have stayed that way if elves weren't such magicians." "That's when he took Raella from here..." finished Savas. "Yes, little prince. Don't worry about my father. I'm going back for Haithus, I'll be gone for a few days, so do try to be good." "Are you leaving now?" "Yes, farewell little majesties." "Bye, Raysonna," Chorused the trio of highnesses. After Raysonna dissapeared, the trio went for a walk. They were just about to enter the palace door when a guard grabbed them. "Sir, what do we do with these?" "Put the girl in Raysonna's spare chamber. The half-elf stays. As for Savas, lock him up" "No!" screamed Cordovia. "It's okay Cor." said Savas as he allowed the guards to lead him to the dungeon. "What do we do with this one?" "Register him, then assign him chambers in the village." "Yes, sir," Meanwhile at Mordred's castle "<\ \< |/ /| <\ )> <>!" Raysonna called. A scream came from in the castle, Raysonna knew immediately that it was Haithus. "|/ \> (| |/ <> |/ |\| /|/ [\" Ray vanished, or so it would seem to anyone who was unaware of the magic that lurked in the woods. She entered through the open door of the prison and walked right passed the guards. A shadow lurked in her way. It was Darius, he was standing in the middle of the hall staring directly at the invisible Raysonna. "Hello, Raysonna," greeted Darius. "(| |/ <> |/ |\| /|/ [\" "<\ [\ /|/ /|/ |\" replied Raysonna, who was now visible. "You speak my language so fluently, [\ (| |/ /|/ |\ \> [\" "You are too kind miss," said Darius grabbing Raysonna's arm. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm sure Sire would love to hear of your presence." "And I should be obliged to follow, why?" "Haithus would be very dissapointed if you didn't get to see him one last time before he dies," "I'll follow, but keep in mind I can vanish anytime I want," "I know, mistress," \< |\| \] \[ [\ /> \/ <\ |/ :\ \.\ /|/ >|\ \> |\ |< >| >< A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R <> /| )> (| (} ||) |} {|| S T U V W X Y Z the alphabet above this is for my elfish language. k, Thanx but I think I'm gonna keep the Cordovia name I know it's a little rushed, and I have alot of editing to do. No, I'm not really worried that someone might steal my idea. If they do as long as they don't enter it in a writing contest or post it on the internet I'm happy. (keep in mind I'm only 13.)

whaty do u think of this story?

what r all ur bow hunting tips?

Could you help me plan a hunting trip? I am going on a bow hunt on July 7th for wild hog in north florida. I was wondering, could you help me prepare for it, I am a first time hunter so I don't know if I have everything I need for the trip, here is my current list of supplies: 1)"Indian Stalker" bow with a draw weight of 50 pounds (1). 2)"Gold Tip Expedition Hunter 5575" weight tol. +/- 2 grains Straightness +/- 0.006 (1/2 dz.) 3)3 broadheads of various brands that look like these: http://www.shopping.com/xPO-New-Archery-Products-Archery-Products-Nwa-Thunderhead-Xp-Repl-Blades 4)3 "Eastman Firstcut EXP Magnum 1 3/8" Cutting Diameter .047" Lead Blade Thickness 125 gr Weight Expandable cut on contact Broadhead" 5)Long sleeve camo shirt: Mossy Oak Obsession design. http://www.mossyoak.com/content/tmpltThumbsArticle.aspx?articleid=11&zoneid=1 6)A mesh mask. 7)Camo gloves. 8)Archery glove, and Arm guard. And I know I need to get camo pants. Link to hunting guide: http://pjosceolaguideservices.com Thanks.

What song is this? There's a song my friend used to sing all the time that goes something like this: (imagine a cajun accent) "Met a opossum on the road asked him where he's gwine (going) tipped his hat and bowed his head, i'm hunting muskrat wine...." does anyone know how to play this on the piano?? THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Bow Hunting.? I was offered a free hunt by a hunting guide in North Florida and am accepting, he says that there is a local farm where hogs are terring up the land badly and there is a hog that is 400 pounds or more and I was wondering do you have any tips you can give me before I go for my first ever hunt? Is a 400 pound hog good for a first time hunter (if I get it, I know I may not get anything). I will be hunting with an Indian Stalker bow with 50 pounds of draw weight and gold tip hunter expedition arrows with broadheads. Is this good enough?

I'm going to be bow hunting soon and I was wondering if anyone had some tips? You know like bow type of arrow type of broad head and such. Actullay im am going bow hunting in Illinois. I have a bow my arrows and everything I was just wondering what people would put. I went a few times last year but didnt see anything. I have shotgun nhunted for 4-5 years and got about 7 or 8 deer. As for a deputy sherif you should make assumptions that fast. You should know that of all people. Sounds a bit like Barney Fife. (Just saying no affence intended) He made assumption and stuck to them till someone proved him wrong I use a PSE bow with carbon arrows. The broadhead is a cut on contact i think and I dont remember what brand. I dont use a release so i have the three fingered glove to protect my fingers. I am a good shot and do have busness bessing with archery equiptment. So anyone think that is good equptment? Oh and it has a whisker bisket too.

Help, new bow hunter!? I am about to go bow hunting for my first time, this year and hunt for deer. I have been shooting my bow for the past few months now and im getting just about where i think im comfortable with my bow. I am looking for any tips and so on that people can give me that might make me better on the first day out. I have been reading up, I hink i am going to go with a blind instead of a stand. Any tips, hints, or a little bit of old wisdom would be great!! thx!!

Deer hunting in a tree stand? Hey there, I am for the first time going to go hunting with a bow for deer this season. Also I have decided that I am going to do so out of a tree stand. Are there any tips you guys can give me that will make my first hunt a good one?!

i need info from a lady who bow hunts. contact me at roadrunner2_3@yahoo.com. i need stuff for my girl.? i need to know what kinda bow to get her and where to get it just some extra tip would be nice. thanks.

Whisper Jaguar compound bow At 50 lb, 27" draw 24.5" arrow what shaft would give best performance for the $$$? I need broad heads as well, probably 100 grain, and I'm shooting for a 300 grain arrow when done (hunting regulations have that at minimum). I was thinking about a Razorback broad head. The speed is not great so I need max penetration through bone or whatever along with as close an accuracy variant as possible from a field tip. As close as I can figure the fps would be around 260 to 270. If something is absolutely great and expensive I'd like to hear about it, but if something else is close and inexpensive that would be extremely interesting as I'm not to flush these days and just bought a bow and stuff.

How long should the bowstring be? Arrows? I have a longbow which is made out of wood. The string is leather so I can't shoot from it. It's Indian made like 3 years ago. I have no idea how long the bowstring should be and where I could buy one online for cheap. Outside rim is 46.5 inches long and the leather bowstring is about 43 inches long. The circle loops at the ends of the leather strings are an inch or inch and a half around. What size arrows should I lso get and where could I get them cheap. I'm not gonna go hunt with this bow. It's just for fun so I don't need the hard tips on them.

I need to make an arrow head?? I recently built my own bow and arrow set, it works well but what can I use to make a tip for my arrows? Something that might be able to kill very small game while hunting, or even large birds.

Bow hunting--any tips for a (soon-to-be) beginner? I've been interested in purchasing a bow for hunting in the future. I didn't know if I should look into compound or regular. I'm going for something medium price range, nothing fancy, but I don't want a piece of crap. Any advice on tips/arrows would also be appreciated.

archey bow help. how to acheve distance? Ok I have been bow hunting for years. Right now im trying for distance like 70 80 yards im doing this for my self not for hunting my goal is to make 100 yards hand hit a 5x6 card its a long shot but its some thing that I want to do any help. I can hit the 5x6 card at 55 yards but after that the arrow is kinda shaky. The arrows im using are gold tips with 100grain fild points the arrow weight is around 360 grain. Oh and im using my fred bear blacktaile hunter at 70 lbs and 28inch draw I forgot im pushing 283 feet per second. With up stage round cams fast flite string and cable leed custom steel 10 oz front stablelizer and my custom string glide is 5.6 oz so the bows is about 6 lbs. Im at 6 foot 1 inch 245 lbs. It fits me. Ya im makeing it to the target that's a 6x4 3/4 inch plywood with a hips target with a 5x6 card on it I hit the hips boad about 6 inchs around the card if I can fix the tuning on it i might be able to get it. The arrow is almost going in wide spins of about 2 inch around the 40 yard mark and then fixing its self. Oh and I have two arrows with 2inch blazers and two with the true feather that are what 4 inches long.

archery?????????????????? how many of yall are actually into archery? i have looked at the hunting ?s and its all about guns! who shoots archery? what kinda bow? i have been shooting for 3 or 4 years and im getting pretty accurate and i have a good set up (gold tip arrows, bowtech diamond edge, cobra sight, and other stuff i don't recall at the moment but they are good i know that haha) but i have problems with being stable in my stance. and i have a sablizer but its mostly there to absorb the shock. i want to try a longer one. do you think that would help? (im 14 and shooting a 35 lb. bow but fixing to get stronger limbs at christmas) thanx steven r and the carv