Disappointed, he rose to his feet, determined to leave the place and abandon the whole idea of seeking Daedalus in the Underworld.
But he had taken no more than a few steps when the longing to finish what he had started grew strong again. I’ll climb the tree, he thought. I’ll make sure.
He returned to the oak and worked his way around it carefully until he could see a possible way up. It took him three attempts before at last he gripped the lowest branch. He climbed with difficulty, pausing from time to time to catch his breath and plan his next move. He soon lost sight of the ground. Halfway up the difficulty of progressing further was so discouraging and the conviction that he had been mistaken in thinking he had seen the magical wand so great, he almost turned back. Just one more bran
