This time it went even more off
the path. Nevertheless she ran after it, returned to the race.
She laughed.
"You think to distract me? I have but begun to run. But don't
worry, I'll wait for you at the finish line."
And now they were abreast!
He tossed once more, the last of the apples.
His eyes widened. The fox imp rose from the roadside bushes,
seized the apple, and disappeared again, chortling.
Atalanta would now be concerned only with the race! How could
he possibly beat her! Ah, if only he had one more of the golden
apples. Sadly he staggered on. There was no way he could beat
her!
He had failed!
He reckoned not with Vulcan's skill!
Atalanta lost all thought of the race, ran madly after the fox
imp. The imp, looking back, saw her quick approach and dropped
the apple. It skipped sideways, dashed into the forest without a
glance behind.
Atalanta seized the last apple, returned to the race to find
herself bested. With good grace she bowed to the winner.
The nuptials were performed by a local priest. He wanted no
pay, merely the reputation of having married the mighty Atlas to
Atalanta.
As Atlas shifted the world on his shoulder Atalanta squeezed
his brawny arm. The adoration on her face brought happiness to
his eyes.
A perfect match, thought Demo.
"Give him a wife! I sent you to find the most horrible of
tortures. How dare you suggest we reward his impiety by
providing him with a wife! I've a mind to have you replace him
for just a few hours, with the burden of the world on your
shoulders!"
Zeus was, to put it kindly, miffed.
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