Neptune’s barge was drawn by sea-horses with flowing manes. Their harness was of silver, crusted with pearls. Neptune himself, god of the sea, wore a rich mantle embroidered with sea anemones and shells. On his head he wore a crown of pearls and emeralds while in his right hand he held his trident, studded with precious gems gathered from the depths of ocean. Following Neptune came Penelope, spinning the web which at night she would unravel, thus representing those who always work but never accomplish anything. After Penelope rode Bellerophon on his celebrated charger, Pegasus, the winged horse. Then came Atlas bearing the globe upon his shoulders. And next, Pandora, with her fatal box. Aurora, goddess of dawn, followed, sitting in her chariot of gold drawn by pure white horses. She was clothed in garments only equaled in color and splendor by the tints of the Aurora Borealis. Following Aurora came Perseus, with Minerva’s shield, Pluto’s helmet, and Mercury’s winged shoes and wand. Then Eolus with the contrary winds tied up in the hide of an ox; followed by Somnus, god of sleep, smelling a poppy. Bacchus, the god of wine, passed with overflowing cup in hand and wreath of grapes and leaves upon his head. And now, Medusa with hair of hissing serpents; Rhea, the goddess of Earth, leading a tame tiger to show how she could tame the beasts of the forest; then Flora, the goddess of flowers, scattering a profusion of flowers and blossoms as she passed. Hercules, incarnation of strength, now appeared dressed in a lion’s skin, with its head for a helmet. In one hand he carried his knotted club, while with the other he led the Arcadian stag with golden antlers and brazen feet, which he had caught. Behind him came his wife, Hebe, goddess of youth, carrying her cup of nectar, ready to wait upon the gods, for that was her office. Last but not least came Pluto, god of the lower world and of the dead. None of the goddesses would marry him because it was such a gloomy place down in Hades where he lived, so one day he kidnapped Proserpine, the lovely daughter of Ceres, and carried her off to his kingdom. Now he came riding along in what appeared to be that same chariot drawn by spirited black horses. By his side sat the sweet-faced Proserpine, Queen of Hades, and at their feet lay Cerberus, his pet dog, a monster with three heads and a body covered with snakes in the place of hair. On his head, Pluto wore a magic helmet which gave him the power of becoming invisible at will. Thus they came, following each other in one continuous line as far as the eye could see. Our young people watched them until the last one had passed by, then they too passed on, in search of other sights and scenes. CHAPTER XVI. After the procession had passed, Mercury turned and said: “Well! What do you think of it for a spectacular pageant?” “Think of it?” exclaimed Ione, “I never even dreamed of anything so beautiful.”