These ugly wretches were in the habit of snatching away his dinner , and allowed him no peace of his life . Upon hearing this , the Argonauts spread a plentiful feast on the sea-shore , well knowing , from what the blind king said of their greediness , that the Harpies would snuff up the scent of the victuals , and quickly come to steal them away . And so it turned out ; for , hardly was the table set , before the three hideous vulture women came flapping their wings , seized the food in their talons , and flew off as fast as they could . But the two sons of the North Wind drew their swords , spread their pinions , and set off through the air in pursuit of the thieves , whom they at last overtook among some islands , after a chase of hundreds of miles . The two winged youths blustered terribly at the Harpies -LRB- for they had the rough temper of their father -RRB- , and so frightened them with their drawn swords , that they solemnly promised never to trouble King Phineus again . Then the Argonauts sailed onward and met with many other marvelous incidents , any one of which would make a story by itself . At one time they landed on an island , and were reposing on the grass , when they suddenly found themselves assailed by what seemed a shower of steel-headed arrows . Some of them stuck in the ground , while others hit against their shields , and several penetrated their flesh . The fifty heroes started up , and looked about them for the hidden enemy , but could find none , nor see any spot , on the whole island , where even a single archer could lie concealed . Still , however , the steel-headed arrows came whizzing among them ; and , at last , happening to look upward , they beheld a large flock of birds , hovering and wheeling aloft , and shooting their feathers down upon the Argonauts . These feathers were the steel-headed arrows that had so tormented them . There was no possibility of making any resistance ; and the fifty heroic Argonauts might all have been killed or wounded by a flock of troublesome birds , without ever setting eyes on the Golden Fleece , if Jason had not thought of asking the advice of the oaken image . So he ran to the galley as fast as his legs would carry him . `` O , daughter of the Speaking Oak , '' cried he , all out of breath , `` we need your wisdom more than ever before ! We are in great peril from a flock of birds , who are shooting us with their steel-pointed feathers . What can we do to drive them away ? '' `` Make a clatter on your shields , '' said the image . On receiving this excellent counsel , Jason hurried back to his companions -LRB- who were far more dismayed than when they fought with the six-armed giants -RRB- , and bade them strike with their swords upon their brazen shields . Forthwith the fifty heroes set heartily to work , banging with might and main , and raised such a terrible clatter , that the birds made what haste they could to get away ; and though they had shot half the feathers out of their wings , they were soon seen skimming among the clouds , a long distance off , and looking like a flock of wild geese . Orpheus celebrated this victory by playing a triumphant anthem on his harp , and sang so melodiously that Jason begged him to desist , lest , as the steel-feathered birds had been driven away by an ugly sound , they might be enticed back again by a sweet one .
While the Argonauts remained on this island , they saw a small vessel approaching the shore , in which were two young men XXXXX princely demeanor , and exceedingly handsome , as young princes generally were , in those days .
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