“Yes,” agreed Nikander. “But this poor stammering Hyllos cannot rebuild it. Strange it is that upon such an inefficient person the god should have laid the charge. Within a century past we have not founded so important a city.”
“The god sees that Hyllos cannot do it,” declared a third priest, Melas. “Did you note the oracle yesterday? ‘Of high choice the one who goeth with thee.’ What can that mean but that we are to choose out some real leader, some adequate, big-minded man, to found the city? He must go with Hyllos. Thus shall the oracle be fulfilled.”
“One of high choice refers to Apollo himself,” declared Glaucos. “That was said to encourage Hyllos on the enterprise.”
“That’s the way I understood it,” assented a young priest.
Akeretos brought forth the oracle tablet, and earnestly the priests reread it.
“It means another man to go with Hyllos. Melas is right,” said Nikander. “Why should the priestess refer to Apollo? Of course the god always goes.”
“A leader is of utmost importance,” urged Melas. “The god sees that and gives us the command to find a good one. It’s plain as sunlight.”
“The oracle would be futile otherwise,” put in Timon decisively.
Agreement was soon reached as to the oracle’s meaning and the urgent need of a leader. Then came the all-important choice of a man.