`` Do not take it to heart , '' answered his companion cheerily . `` You never met with better fortune than in losing that sandal . It satisfies me that you are the very person whom the Speaking Oak has been talking about . '' There was no time , just then , to inquire what the Speaking Oak had said . But the briskness of her tone encouraged the young man ; and , besides , he had never in his life felt so vigorous and mighty as since taking this old woman on his back . Instead of being exhausted , he gathered strength as he went on ; and , struggling up against the torrent , he at last gained the opposite shore , clambered up the bank , and set down the old dame and her peacock safely on the grass . As soon as this was done , however , he could not help looking rather despondently at his bare foot , with only a remnant of the golden string of the sandal clinging round his ankle . `` You will get a handsomer pair of sandals by and by , '' said the old woman , with a kindly look out of her beautiful brown eyes . `` Only let King Pelias get a glimpse of that bare foot , and you shall see him turn as pale as ashes , I promise you . There is your path . Go along , my good Jason , and my blessing go with you . And when you sit on your throne remember the old woman whom you helped over the river . '' With these words , she hobbled away , giving him a smile over her shoulder as she departed . Whether the light of her beautiful brown eyes threw a glory round about her , or whatever the cause might be , Jason fancied that there was something very noble and majestic in her figure , after all , and that , though her gait seemed to be a rheumatic hobble , yet she moved with as much grace and dignity as any queen on earth . Her peacock , which had now fluttered down from her shoulder , strutted behind her in a prodigious pomp , and spread out its magnificent tail on purpose for Jason to admire it . When the old dame and her peacock were out of sight , Jason set forward on his journey . After traveling a pretty long distance , he came to a town situated at the foot of a mountain , and not a great way from the shore of the sea . On the outside of the town there was an immense crowd of people , not only men and women , but children too , all in their best clothes , and evidently enjoying a holiday . The crowd was thickest towards the sea-shore ; and in that direction , over the people 's heads , Jason saw a wreath of smoke curling upward to the blue sky . He inquired of one of the multitude what town it was near by , and why so many persons were here assembled together .
`` This is the kingdom of Iolchos , '' answered the man , `` and we are the subjects XXXXX King Pelias .
Whether With about after besides by of over that to