He resolved to tell Quicksilver all his difficulties , since he could not easily be worse off than he already was , and , very possibly , his new friend might give him some advice that would turn out well in the end . So he let the stranger know , in few words , precisely what the case was ; -- how that King Polydeetes wanted the head of Medusa with the snaky locks as a bridal gift for the beautiful Princess Hippodamia , and how that he had undertaken to get it for him , but was afraid of being turned into stone . `` And that would be a great pity , '' said Quicksilver , with his mischievous smile . `` You would make a very handsome marble statue , it is true , and it would be a considerable number of centuries before you crumbled away ; but , on the whole , one would rather be a young man for a few years , than a stone image for a great many . '' `` O , far rather ! '' exclaimed Perseus , with the tears again standing in his eyes . `` And , besides , what would my dear mother do , if her beloved son were turned into a stone ? '' `` Well , well ; let us hope that the affair will not turn out so very badly , '' replied Quicksilver , in an encouraging tone . `` I am the very person to help you , if anybody can . My sister and myself will do our utmost to bring you safe through the adventure , ugly as it now looks . '' `` Your sister ? '' repeated Perseus . `` Yes , my sister , '' said the stranger . `` She is very wise , I promise you ; and as for myself , I generally have all my wits about me , such as they are . If you show yourself bold and cautious , and follow our advice , you need not fear being a stone image yet awhile . But , first of all , you must polish your shield , till you can see your face in it as distinctly as in a mirror . '' This seemed to Perseus rather an odd beginning of the adventure ; for he thought it of far more consequence that the shield should be strong enough to defend him from the Gorgon 's brazen claws , than that it should be bright enough to show him the reflection of his face . However , concluding that Quicksilver knew better than himself , he immediately set to work , and scrubbed the shield with so much diligence and good-will , that it very quickly shone like the moon at harvest-time . Quicksilver looked at it with a smile , and nodded his approbation . Then , taking off his own short and crooked sword , he girded it about Perseus , instead of the one which he had before worn .
`` No sword but mine will answer your purpose , '' observed he ; `` the blade has a most excellent temper , and will cut through iron and brass XXXXX easily as through the slenderest twig .
So about as if in into like that till with