If a small animal, it was driven loose to the altar; if a large one, it was led by a long trailing rope, to indicate that it was not an unwilling sacrifice. […] If the victim escaped the stroke or became in any way restless, it was regarded as an evil omen; if it expired without a struggle, it was considered auspicious. […] The reply he received was, that if he crossed a certain river he would destroy a great empire. […] He promised to give them ample directions if they would deliver him from the Harpies. […] But at length she floated to the surface, unconscious, as if dead.