Argos by Ralph Hardy Read Free Book Online Page A

subsides and I run down to the harbor to speak to the gulls. Surely they will know what happened to my master’s ship, I think. I find the flock standing in a circle around a fallen bird. As I draw closer, I can see it’s a small plover, a shorebird, and it is resting on the sand. Its pinfeathers are battered and one leg lies stretched out behind its body, broken and useless. The wind has nearly killed it.
    A gull leaves its flock and flies up to me.
    â€œWhat news do you have, Sir Gull? Did your family and flock survive the winds?”
    â€œAye, aye, aye, most of us, Boar Slayer. Others, caught in the storm, are just returning. And that one has a tale to tell,” hesays, pointing his beak at the plover.
    â€œA tale about what?” I ask, feeling dread wash over me.
    â€œYour master.”
    â€œCan she talk?”
    â€œYes, but her leg is broken, and she may not live long. Hurry.”
    I run up to the flock of gulls, and they part so that I can stand near the fallen plover. Up close, I can see the pink flesh beneath her damaged feathers. She opens her black-lidded eyes and regards me with a fixed stare.
    â€œSister Plover, I am Argos, loyal dog to Odysseus, sacker of cities. May the gods look down on you with benevolence.”
    â€œI know who you are,” the bird says weakly. “And the gods are not benevolent.”
    â€œYou know my master as well? And know you his fate?” I ask, ignoring her heresy.
    â€œYes. I was hatched on Ithaka, Boar Slayer, and know your master’s entire family. Now, come closer so that I may talk more ea-ea-easily. I will tell you what you wish to he-he-hear.”
    I lie down beside the wounded plover, for her voice is weak.
    â€œI normally stay close to the shore,” she says, “but when I saw your master’s ship coming ne-ne-near to the harbor I flew out to see-ee-ee if they had fish in their nets. I landed on the stern and saw your master slee-ee-eeping on the deck. I thinka god or goddess must have closed his eyes, for he-he-he was the only man aslee-ee-eep. I wondered why this should be-be-be, so I listened closely to the other sailors, and I was able to piece-piece-piece this story together from them. It seems that for the last month, your master has been on the island where Aiolos rules, along with his six sons and six daughters. There your master and his men stayed in fine houses, fea-fea-feasting on fragrant food and watching glorious dances and musicians. At night the city sacker would tell stories of the war with the Trojans, and honor and glory were heap-heap-heaped upon your master and his men. Finally, rested and restored, your master asked for conveyance back here to Ithaka, and Aiolos gave him a bag made of ox skin.”
    â€œWhat was in the bag, dear plover?” I ask. “Coins? Spices?”
    The plover shakes its small head. “Patience, Argos. I will tell the tale in full as long as I have breath. May I continue?”
    â€œPardon me, friend. Please do.”
    â€œFor nine days and nights, your master’s swift boat and his companion ships caught a steady western wind and sailed ever closer to Ithaka. Not once did his steersman even use the rudder, so straight they sailed. Then, on the tenth day, as you know, they rea-rea-reached the waters off our fair island and were see-see-seen by the harbormasters. That was when I flewto their ship. As I said, I found your master slee-ee-eeping on the deck. Then I saw one of the sailors carefully lift the ox-skin bag out of the ship’s hold. A few other men gathered around while one kept an eye on your master in case he woke.
    â€œâ€˜There must be gold or silver in this bag that Aeolus gave to the Wily One,’ the man said. ‘Why else would Odysseus guard it so closely?’
    â€œAnother man put his hand on the bag. ‘Wait!’ he whispered. ‘Surely if it is gold or other riches, then brave Odysseus will share it with us, friends.