After taking leave of their fathers’ friends the two youths travelled rapidly until they reached Pylos. Then Telemachus said to Pisistratus: “I wish thou wouldst grant a request, good host. Drive me directly to my ship on the beach, so that the venerable Nestor may not detain me with his kindly hospitality; for I am in great haste.” Pisistratus agreed to this, and Telemachus’ companions were overjoyed to see him again and at once prepared for departure. When all was ready, Telemachus placed himself at the rudder and with a silent prayer poured a libation to Athene into the sea, and they rowed away into the silent night. In the meanwhile the beggar Ulysses sat in the hut of good Eumæus partaking of his humble fare. “Listen, Eumæus,” he began. “I have been a burden to thee long enough, and intend to go into town early to-morrow morning. All I ask is that thou wilt give me a guide to show me the way to Ulysses’ palace. I desire to bring tidings to Penelope and to mix with the suitors and see whether they are inclined to treat me kindly.” “What art thou thinking of, old man?” cried Eumæus angrily. “Thou wouldst fare ill shouldst thou fall among that company, whose high-handed manners are beyond belief. Thou art not in my way. Wait at least until Ulysses’ son comes back, and he will doubtless give thee a good cloak and coat and provide a vessel to take thee where thou wishest to go.” “Excellent swineherd,” answered the crafty Ulysses, “may Jupiter love thee as I do for giving me rest and shelter in thy hut after all my sorrows. If I am to stay, then tell me somewhat of the mother of the famous Ulysses; also of his aged father.” Upon this the old man began to talk of Laertes and the good mother, who had long ago succumbed to sorrow and been laid in the grave. The servants had long since betaken themselves to rest, and when midnight came the host said: “Now we too will sleep a little. But it is sweet to pour out one’s troubles, and thou art a sensible man to whom it is a pleasure to talk. There is always time enough for sleep.” During this same night the ship which carried Telemachus had approached the island in safety, having escaped the vigilance of the spies, and landed on the northern coast. With the first rays of the rising sun Telemachus disembarked with his companions and offered sacrifice. The good youth little suspected how near his father was. He bound on the shining sandals and took the heavy lance, prepared to separate from his companions whom he ordered to row to the city. He appointed a meeting the next day in his father’s palace to offer them the journey’s meed—a stately banquet of meat and wine.