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 of princely demeanor , and exceedingly handsome , as young princes generally were , in those days . Now , who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be ? Why , if you will believe me , they were the sons of that very Phrixus , who , in his childhood , had been carried to Colchis on the back of the golden-fleeced ram . Since that time , Phrixus had married the king 's daughter ; and the two young princes had been born and brought up at Colchis , and had spent their play-days in the outskirts of the grove , in the center of which the Golden Fleece was hanging upon a tree . They were now on their way to Greece , in hopes of getting back a kingdom that had been wrongfully taken from their father .
When the princes understood whither the Argonauts were going , they offered XXXXX turn back , and guide them to Colchis .
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