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multitudes of people came from great distances to put questions to the
oracle； a spacious temple of marble was erected over the spot。 But in the
days of Cadmus； as I have told you； there was only this rustic bower； with
its abundance of green foliage； and a tuft of shrubbery； that ran wild over
the mysterious hole in the hillside。
When Cadmus had thrust a passage through the tangled boughs； and
made his way into the bower； he did not at first discern the half…hidden
cavity。 But soon he felt a cold stream of air rushing out of it； with so much
force that it shook the ringlets on his cheek。 Pulling away the shrubbery
which clustered over the hole； he bent forward； and spoke in a distinct but
reverential tone； as if addressing some unseen personage inside of the
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mountain。
〃Sacred oracle of Delphi；〃 said he； 〃whither shall I go next in quest of
my dear sister Europa？〃
There was at first a deep silence； and then a rushing sound； or a noise
like a long sigh； proceeding out of the interior of the earth。 This cavity；
you must know； was looked upon as a sort of fountain of truth； which
sometimes gushed out in audible words； although； for the most part； these
words were such a riddle that they might just as well have staid at the
bottom of the hole。 But Cadmus was more fortunate than many others who
went to Delphi in search of truth。 By and by； the rushing noise began to
sound like articulate language。 It repeated； over and over again； the
following sentence； which； after all； was so like the vague whistle of a
blast of air； that Cadmus really did not quite know whether it meant
anything or not：
〃Seek her no more！ Seek her no more！ Seek her no more！〃
〃What； then； shall I do？〃 asked Cadmus。
For； ever since he was a child； you know； it had been the great object
of his life to find his sister。 From the very hour that he left following the
butterfly in the meadow； near his father's palace； he had done his best to
follow Europa； over land and sea。 And now； if he must give up the search；
he seemed to have no more business in the world。
But again the sighing gust of air grew into something like a hoarse
voice。
〃Follow the cow！〃 it said。 〃Follow the cow！ Follow the cow！〃
And when these words had been repeated until Cadmus was tired of
hearing them （especially as he could not imagine what cow it was； or why
he was to follow her）； the gusty hole gave vent to another sentence。
〃Where the stray cow lies down； there is your home。〃
These words were pronounced but a single time； and died away into a
whisper before Cadmus was fully satisfied that he had caught the meaning。
He put other questions； but received no answer； only the gust of wind
sighed continually out of the cavity； and blew the withered leaves rustling
along the ground before it。
〃Did there really come any words out of the hole？〃 thought Cadmus；
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〃or have I been dreaming all this while？〃
He turned away from the oracle； and thought himself no wiser than
when he came thither。 Caring little what might happen to him； he took the
first path that offered itself； and went along at a sluggish pace； for； having
no object in view； nor any reason to go one way more than another； it
would certainly have been foolish to make haste。 Whenever he met
anybody； the old question was at his tongue's end。
〃Have you seen a beautiful maiden； dressed like a king's daughter； and
mounted on a snow…white bull； that gallops as swiftly as the wind？〃
But； remembering what the oracle had said； he only half uttered the
words； and then mumbled the rest indistinctly； and from his confusion；
people must have imagined that this handsome young man had lost his
wits。
I know not how far Cadmus had gone； nor could he himself have told
you； when at no great distance before him； he beheld a brindled cow。 She
was lying down by the wayside； and quietly chewing her cud； nor did she
take any notice of the young man until he had approached pretty nigh。
Then； getting leisurely upon her feet； and giving her head a gentle toss； she
began to move along at a moderate pace； often pausing just long enough to
crop a mouthful of grass。 Cadmus loitered behind； whistling idly to
himself； and scarcely noticing the cow； until the thought occurred to him；
whether this could possibly be the animal which； according to the oracle's
response； was to serve him for a guide。 But he smiled at himself for
fancying such a thing。 He could not seriously think that this was the cow；
because she went along so quietly； behaving just like any other cow。
Evidently she neither knew nor cared so much as a wisp of hay about
Cadmus； and was only thinking how to get her living along the wayside；
where the herbage was green and fresh。 Perhaps she was going home to be
milked。
〃Cow； cow； cow！〃 cried Cadmus。 〃Hey； Brindle； hey！ Stop； my good
cow！〃
He wanted to come up with the cow； so as to examine her； and see if
she would appear to know him； or whether there were any peculiarities to
distinguish her from a thousand other cows； whose only business is to fill
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the milk…pail； and sometimes kick it over。 But still the brindled cow
trudged on； whisking her tail to keep the flies away； and taking as little
notice of Cadmus as she well could。 If he walked slowly； so did the cow；
and seized the opportunity to graze。 If he quickened his pace； the cow
went just so much the faster； and once； when Cadmus tried to catch her by
running； she threw out her heels； stuck her tail straight on end； and set off
at a gallop； looking as queerly as cows generally do； while putting
themselves to their speed。
When Cadmus saw that it was impossible to come up with her； he
walked on moderately； as before。 The cow； too； went leisurely on； without
looking behind。 Wherever the grass was greenest； there she nibbled a
mouthful