The great caves of an island, far away in the midst of the sea, were the
home of the Winds.
Eolus was ruler of the Winds. He kept them imprisoned in the caves.
Sometimes he allowed them to go free for a time, to have a frolic or
take exercise.
Although the Winds were often unruly and were fond of mischief, they
always obeyed the voice of Eolus.
North Wind was the roughest of all. He would go from his cave on the
wildest errands.
Sometimes he would pile the waves mountains high and would lash them
into a tempest. He would tear the sails and break the masts of the
vessels. He would uproot the forest trees and tear the roofs from the
houses.
But at the command of Eolus, North Wind would cease his roaring and
would go sullenly back to his cave.
"South Wind!" Eolus would call. "Send a gentle, playful breeze among the
flowers. Bring gay sunshine and soft showers. Sing a song of spring.
"West Wind! Blow steadily against the sails of the ships and speed them
on their journey.
"East Wind! Go forth in a jolly, merry mood. Whirl the leaves over the
ground and scatter the seeds far and wide.
"North Wind! Cover the earth with a blanket of snow. Freeze the waters
of the lakes and rivers."
Thus Eolus would command the Winds, and they would do his bidding.
One day a ship stopped near the island of the Winds, and anchored. The
captain of the ship and the sailors went ashore.
Eolus treated the visitors very kindly.
When the sailors discovered that they had come to the home of the Winds,
they cried, "O Eolus! Tell West Wind to blow and help us reach home
quickly:"
Then Eolus took a leather bag and put into it all the unruly Winds. He
tied the end of the bag with a silver string. Giving the bag to the
captain, he said, "Fasten the bag to the mast of your ship. Do not open
it, or trouble will follow."
Then Eolus called West Wind from his island cave.
The captain and the sailors thanked Eolus and started off in the ship.
West Wind blew gently, and the ship sailed over smooth waters day and
night. Each day found them nearer home.
At last, on the evening of the ninth day, they saw the shores of their
own land.
The captain cried, "Land, ahoy! We shall anchor in the harbor
to-morrow."
Tired with long watching, and thinking that the ship was safe, he went
to sleep.
Then the sailors began to whisper softly to each other.
"What do you suppose there is in the bag?" said one.
"It is tied with a silver cord. I am sure that it is full of gold," said
another.
Then they planned to rob the captain of his treasure.
One of the sailors untied the bag.
Out rushed the angry Winds! They raged and roared. A storm arose, and
the ship was sent far out of its course. The captain begged West Wind to
help the sailors, but he could not.
At last the ship was driven back to the home of the Winds.
Eolus was surprised when he saw the ship again.
"Why have you returned?" asked Eolus.
"The sailors untied the silver cord at the end of the bag and set the
unruly Winds free," replied the captain. "Please call them back to their
caves and help us."
"Depart!" cried Eolus angrily. "I will show you no more favors."
Sadly they sailed away, and no kind West Wind helped them.
They toiled for many days and nights, and they suffered great hardship
before they came once more in sight of their own land.