'It is better to die like a hero than to live like an ox in a
stall. The Immortals have lent me weapons, and they will give me
wit to use them.'

Then they sighed again and answered, 'Fair boy, if you are bent on
your own ruin, be it so. We know not the way to the Gorgon; but we
will ask the giant Atlas, above upon the mountain peak, the brother
of our father, the silver Evening Star. He sits aloft and sees
across the ocean, and far away into the Unshapen Land.'

So they went up the mountain to Atlas their uncle, and Perseus went
up with them. And they found the giant kneeling, as he held the
heavens and the earth apart.

They asked him, and he answered mildly, pointing to the sea-board
with his mighty hand, 'I can see the Gorgons lying on an island far
away, but this youth can never come near them, unless he has the
hat of darkness, which whosoever wears cannot be seen.'

Then cried Perseus, 'Where is that hat, that I may find it?'

But the giant smiled. 'No living mortal can find that hat, for it
lies in the depths of Hades, in the regions of the dead. But my
nieces are immortal, and they shall fetch it for you, if you will
promise me one thing and keep your faith.'

Then Perseus promised; and the giant said, 'When you come back with
the head of Medusa, you shall show me the beautiful horror, that I
may lose my feeling and my breathing, and become a stone for ever;