When Bellerophon returned from his battle, still harder tasks awaited him. He had first to encounter the famous Solymi and then the bold Amazons. With the aid of the gods he was victorious, but on his homeward way new danger awaited him. The king sent out a troop of his most valiant men against him and they approached the unsuspecting Bellerophon from an ambush. But it was of no avail, for after a short battle he overcame them. When he appeared before the prince, the latter said: “Surely thou art innocent and a favorite of the gods, else thou couldst not have escaped all these dangers.” He loved him from that moment and gave him his daughter to wife. Rich in possessions and honors, Bellerophon lived in Lycia. But his good fortune did not last long. He attempted to fly to heaven with Pegasus to participate in the assemblies of the gods. His efforts were useless and he lost their favor. Pegasus was frightened and threw his rider to the earth, who fell into a field called Aleius because he wandered in it blind the rest of his life. Joyless were his days and at last he died, his heart broken by sorrow. But Pegasus was placed among the stars. Chapter XI Perseus Acrisius was king in Argos. It was once foretold that he would be killed by the son of his daughter, Danaë. Thereupon he shut up his daughter and her son, Perseus by name, in a chest and threw it into a raging flood. The gods pitied the innocent ones and directed it to the island of Seriphus. The kings of the island, Dictys and Polydectes, were one day drawing a net from the sea. Great was their astonishment when they found a chest in the net and heard sorrowful moanings in its interior. They opened it and the noble Danaë stepped out with her beautiful son. Dictys took them home with him and cared for them as if they had been his own brother and sister. When Perseus reached his young manhood, he surpassed everyone in skill and dexterity in martial sports. Polydectes conceived evil designs against the innocent Danaë, and as he feared Perseus he decided to send him out of the country. He soon found the opportunity. He gave a banquet to the leading men of the island, at which he announced that he was going to take a wife. He also required each one of them to procure a beautiful horse for a wedding gift. In his youthful presumptuousness Perseus said: “Whatever you wish I promise to do. Even should you request the head of the Gorgon, I would procure it for you.” The king replied: “Bring me the Gorgon’s head, but know this: If you do not keep your word, your mother Danaë shall make compensation.”