So Meleager thought, the moment that he
saw her face.
Together they all set out for the lair of the boar, the heroes and the
men of Calydon,--Meleager and his two uncles. Phlexippus and Toxeus,
brothers of Queen Althea.
All was ready. Nets were stretched from tree to tree, and the dogs were
let loose. The heroes lay in wait. Suddenly the monster, startled by
the shouts of the company, rose hideous and unwieldy from his
hiding-place and rushed upon them. What were hounds to such as he, or
nets spread for a snare? Jason's spear missed and fell. Nestor only
saved his life by climbing the nearest tree. Several of the heroes were
gored by the tusks of the boar before they could make their escape. In
the midst of this horrible tumult, Atalanta sped an arrow at the
creature and wounded him. Meleager saw it with joy, and called upon the
others to follow. One by one they tried without success, but he, after
one false thrust, drove his spear into the side of the monster and laid
him dead.
The heroes crowded to do him honor, but he turned to Atalanta, who had
first wounded the boar, and awarded her the shaggy hide that was her
fair-won trophy. This was too much for the warriors, who had been
outdone by a girl. Phlexippus and Toxeus were so enraged that they
snatched the prize from the maiden, churlishly, and denied her victory.
Maddened at this, Meleager forgot everything but the insult offered to
Atalanta, and he fell upon the two men and stabbed them.
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