But lo! the sky grew dark overhead, and there were signs as of a great storm. And Palinurus, the pilot, cried from the stern, where he stood with the rudder in his hand, "What mean these clouds? What doest thou, Father Neptune?" And he bade the men clear the decks and put out the oars to row, and shift the sails to the wind. Then he spake to Æneas, saying, "Italy we may not hope to reach with this weather. No, not though Jupiter himself promise it to us. But, if I remember me aright, the havens of Sicily are at hand, wherefore let us turn our course thither." And Æneas answered, "It is well: for I see that the winds are contrary to us. And, of a truth, there is no land whither I would more gladly go, seeing that my father Anchises is buried there." Then they shifted their course, and let their ships run before the wind, and so came with much speed to the land of Sicily. Now Acestes, who was king of the land, was the son of a woman of Troy, and, seeing them from a hilltop, he came to meet them, having the skin of a lion on his shoulders and a javelin in his hand, and refreshed them with food and drink. The next day at dawn Æneas called the men of Troy together, and spake, saying, "It is a full year since we buried my father in this land, and this, if I err not, is the very day: which I will that we keep holy with festival; for such, indeed, would I do were I wandering in the wilderness of Africa or shut up in Mycenæ itself. Now, therefore, seeing that we are in a land that is friendly to us, let us keep it with solemnity. And let us vow also that we will keep it year by year in the land of Italy, if so be that, having prosperous winds, we shall come thereunto. Likewise, King Acestes gives to us oxen, for every ship two: wherefore make merry and rejoice. And if the ninth day from this be fair, I will that there be games of running in a race, and of throwing the javelin, and of shooting with the bow, and of boxing, and the like. And now make ready for the sacrifice." Then he put upon his head a wreath of his mother's myrtle. And old Acestes did the like, and the boy Ascanius, and the others. Then he came near to the tomb of his father, and poured out two cups of wine and two of new milk, and scattered flowers, and said, "Hail to thee, my father, whom the Gods suffered not to enter with me into the land of Italy." And even as he spake there came forth a great snake from the depth of the tomb. Seven coils he had, and on his body were spots of blue and gold, and as many colours as are the colours of the rainbow in the clouds. And when Æneas stood astonied, lo! the snake passed between the altars and tasted of the sacrifice and of that which had been poured out. And Æneas, doubting what this might be, made fresh offerings, two sheep, and two swine, and two black oxen, calling on the spirit of Anchises. And the men of Troy also brought gifts, and slew oxen for sacrifice, and feasted on the flesh, roasting it with fire.