Their country was inaccessible by land or sea. […] Next the disease attacked the country people, and then the dwellers in the city. […] The country behind them was speedily sunk in a lake, only their own house left standing. […] Cadmus sought long and far; then, not daring to return unsuccessful, consulted the oracle of Apollo to know what country he should settle in. […] By chance the persecuted goddess espied in the bottom of the valley a pond of clear water, where the country people were at work gathering willows and osiers.