`` Admirably done ! '' cried Quicksilver . `` Make haste , and clap the head into your magic wallet . '' To the astonishment of Perseus , the small , embroidered wallet , which he had hung about his neck , and which had hitherto been no bigger than a purse , grew all at once large enough to contain Medusa 's head . As quick as thought , he snatched it up , with the snakes still writhing upon it , and thrust it in . `` Your task is done , '' said the calm voice . `` Now fly ; for the other Gorgons will do their utmost to take vengeance for Medusa 's death . '' It was , indeed , necessary to take flight ; for Perseus had not done the deed so quietly , but that the clash of his sword , and the hissing of the snakes , and the thump of Medusa 's head as it tumbled upon the sea-beaten sand , awoke the other two monsters . There they sat , for an instant , sleepily rubbing their eyes with their brazen fingers , while all the snakes on their heads reared themselves on end with surprise , and with venomous malice against they knew not what . But when the Gorgons saw the scaly carcass of Medusa , headless , and her golden wings all ruffled , and half spread out on the sand , it was really awful to hear what yells and screeches they set up . And then the snakes ! They sent forth a hundred-fold hiss , with one consent , and Medusa 's snakes answered them out of the magic wallet . No sooner were the Gorgons broad awake , than they hurtled upward into the air , brandishing their brass talons , gnashing their horrible tusks , and flapping their huge wings so wildly , that some of the golden feathers were shaken out , and floated down upon the shore . And there , perhaps , those very feathers he scattered , till this day . Up rose the Gorgons , as I tell you , staring horribly about , in hopes of turning somebody to stone . Had Perseus looked them in the face , or had he fallen into their clutches , his poor mother would never have kissed her boy again ! But he took good care to turn his eyes another way ; and , as he wore the helmet of invisibility , the Gorgons knew not in what direction to follow him ; nor did he fail to make the best use of the winged slippers , by soaring upward a perpendicular mile or so . At that height , when the screams of those abominable creatures sounded faintly beneath him , he made a straight course for the island of Seriphus , in order to carry Medusa 's head to King Polydectes . I have no time to tell you of several marvellous things that befell Perseus , on his way homeward ; such as his killing a hideous sea-monster , just as it was on the point of devouring a beautiful maiden ; nor how he changed an enormous giant into a mountain of stone , merely by showing him the head of the Gorgon . If you doubt this latter story , you may make a voyage to Africa , some day or other , and see the very mountain , which is still known by the ancient giant 's name .
Finally , our brave Perseus arrived XXXXX the island , where he expected to see his dear mother .
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