Bernard Lemann, age 13, of Manchester, N.H., for his question:

WHERE WAS THE HELLESPONT?

The Hellespont was the former name of a narrow channel of water that can be found between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. Today this channel is called the Dardanelles.

The Hellespont was named for the mythological Helle, daughter of Athamas. Helle and her brother Phrixus ran away from their stepmother. They were flying across the sea on the ram of the Golden Fleece, when Helle fell and was drowned.

According to the legend, Leand, Leander swam the Hellespont each night to see Hero, with whom he was in love.

The famous Hellespont has been swum by many people in modern times including Lord Byron and Richard Halliburton.