Far beneath them , the waves tossed themselves tumultuously in mid-sea , or rolled a white surf-line upon the long beaches , or foamed against the rocky cliffs , with a roar that was thunderous , in the lower world ; although it became a gentle murmur , like the voice of a baby half asleep , before it reached the ears of Perseus . Just then a voice spoke in the air close by him . It seemed to be a woman 's voice , and was melodious , though not exactly what might be called sweet , but grave and mild . `` Perseus , '' said the voice , `` there are the Gorgons . '' `` Where ? '' exclaimed Perseus . `` I can not see them . '' `` On the shore of that island beneath you , '' replied the voice . `` A pebble , dropped from your hand , would strike in the midst of them . '' `` I told you she would be the first to discover them , '' said Quicksilver to Perseus . `` And there they are ! '' Straight downward , two or three thousand feet below him , Perseus perceived a small island , with the sea breaking into white foam all around its rocky shore , except on one side , where there was a beach of snowy sand . He descended towards it , and , looking earnestly at a cluster or heap of brightness , at the foot of a precipice of black rocks , behold , there were the terrible Gorgons ! They lay fast asleep , soothed by the thunder of the sea ; for it required a tumult that would have deafened everybody else to lull such fierce creatures into slumber . The moonlight glistened on their steely scales , and on their golden wings , which drooped idly over the sand . Their brazen claws , horrible to look at , were thrust out , and clutched the wave-beaten fragments of rock , while the sleeping Gorgons dreamed of tearing some poor mortal all to pieces . The snakes that served them instead of hair seemed likewise to be asleep ; although , now and then , one would writhe , and lift its head , and thrust out its forked tongue , emitting a drowsy hiss , and then let itself subside among its sister snakes . The Gorgons were more like an awful , gigantic kind of insect , -- immense , golden-winged beetles , or dragon-flies , or things of that sort , -- at once ugly and beautiful , -- than like anything else ; only that they were a thousand and a million times as big . And , with all this , there was something partly human about them , too . Luckily for Perseus , their faces were completely hidden from him by the posture in which they lay ; for , had he but looked one instant at them , he would have fallen heavily out of the air , an image of senseless stone .
`` Now , '' whispered Quicksilver , as he hovered by the side XXXXX Perseus , -- `` now is your time to do the deed !
although among around below from in into of on to