I do not bid you try to beat the steeds of the son of Tydeus, for Minerva has put running into them, and has covered Diomed with glory; but you must overtake the horses of the son of Atreus and not be left behind, or Aethe who is so fleet will taunt you.

Why, my good fellows, are you lagging?
I tell you, and it shall surely be--Nestor will keep neither of you, but will put both of you to the sword, if we win any the worse a prize through your carelessness.

Fly after them at your utmost speed; I will hit on a plan for passing them in a narrow part of the way, and it shall not fail me." They feared the rebuke of their master, and for a short space went quicker.

Presently Antilochus saw a narrow place where the road had sunk.

The ground was broken, for the winter's rain had gathered and had worn the road so that the whole place was deepened.