Then , taking off his own short and crooked sword , he girded it about Perseus , instead of the one which he had before worn . `` No sword but mine will answer your purpose , '' observed he ; `` the blade has a most excellent temper , and will cut through iron and brass as easily as through the slenderest twig . And now we will set out . The next thing is to find the Three Gray Women , who will tell us where to find the Nymphs . '' `` The Three Gray Women ! '' cried Perseus , to whom this seemed only a new difficulty in the path of his adventure ; `` pray , who may the Three Gray Women be ? I never heard of them before . '' `` They are three very strange old ladies , '' said Quicksilver , laughing . `` They have but one eye among them , and only one tooth . Moreover , you must find them out by starlight , or in the dusk of the evening ; for they never show themselves by the light either of the sun or moon . '' `` But , '' said Perseus , `` why should I waste my time with these Three Gray Women ? Would it not be better to set out at once in search of the terrible Gorgons ? '' `` No , no , '' answered his friend . `` There are other things to be done , before you can find your way to the Gorgons . There is nothing for it but to hunt up these old ladies ; and when we meet with them , you may be sure that the Gorgons are not a great way off . Come , let us be stirring ! '' Perseus , by this time , felt so much confidence in his companion 's sagacity , that he made no more objections , and professed himself ready to begin the adventure immediately . They accordingly set out , and walked at a pretty brisk pace ; so brisk , indeed , that Perseus found it rather difficult to keep up with his nimble friend Quicksilver . To say the truth , he had a singular idea that Quicksilver was furnished with a pair of winged shoes , which , of course , helped him along marvellously . And then , too , when Perseus looked sideways at him , out of the corner of his eye , he seemed to see wings on the side of his head ; although , if he turned a full gaze , there were no such things to be perceived , but only an odd kind of cap .
But , at all events , the twisted staff was evidently a great convenience XXXXX Quicksilver , and enabled him to proceed so fast , that Perseus , though a remarkably active young man , began to be out of breath .
about along among as before by in that through to