And when he saw Theseus he roared, and put his head
down, and rushed right at him.
But Theseus stept aside nimbly, and as he passed by, cut him in the
knee; and ere he could turn in the narrow path, he followed him,
and stabbed him again and again from behind, till the monster fled
bellowing wildly; for he never before had felt a wound. And
Theseus followed him at full speed, holding the clue of thread in
his left hand.
Then on, through cavern after cavern, under dark ribs of sounding
stone, and up rough glens and torrent-beds, among the sunless roots
of Ida, and to the edge of the eternal snow, went they, the hunter
and the hunted, while the hills bellowed to the monster's bellow.
And at last Theseus came up with him, where he lay panting on a
slab among the snow, and caught him by the horns, and forced his
head back, and drove the keen sword through his throat.
Then he turned, and went back limping and weary, feeling his way
down by the clue of thread, till he came to the mouth of that
doleful place and saw waiting for him, whom but Ariadne!
And he whispered 'It is done!' and showed her the sword; and she
laid her finger on her lips, and led him to the prison, and opened
the doors, and set all the prisoners free, while the guards lay
sleeping heavily; for she had silenced them with wine.
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