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141 Figure 41 which depicts a mechanical monster (Fig. 41) might have had Huwawa in mind. It shows the monster, the heroic king, Enkidu (on the right) and a god (on the left), the latter repre- senting Shamash who, according to the epic tale, came at this crucial moment to the rescue. "Down from the skies divine Shamash spoke to them," revealing a weakness in Huwawa's armor and devising a strategy for the comrades' attack. Hu- wawa, the deity explained, usually protects himself with "seven cloaks," but now "only one he had donned, six are still off." They could therefore slay Huwawa with the weap- ons they had, if only they could approach him closely enough; and to make that possible, Shamash said, he would create a whirlwind that "would beat against the eyes of Hu- wawa" and neutralize his death-beam. Soon the ground began to shake; "white clouds grew black." "Shamash summoned up great tempests against Hu- wawa" from all directions, creating a massive whirlwind. "Huwawa's face grew dark; he could not charge forward, nor could he move backward." The two men attacked me incapacitated monster. ' 'Enkidu struck the guardian, Huwawa, to the ground. For two leagues the cedars resounded" with the monster's fall. Wounded but not dead, Huwawa_ spoke up, wondering why he had not slain Enkidu as soon as he had discovered his entering me forest. Turning to Gilgamesh, Huwawa offered him all me wood he wished from the luxuri- ant cedars—undoubtedly a most precious prize. But Enkidu urged Gilgamesh not to listen to me enticements. "Finish him off, slay him!" he shouted to Gilgamesh. "Do it before the leader Enlil hears it in Nippur!" And seeing Gilgamesh hesitate, "Enkidu Huwawa put to death." ons In Search of Immortality