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So while the rest of the fleet lay to off this island, the Athenians
cast anchor along their own coast. Immediately upon their arrival,
proclamation was made that every Athenian should save his children and
household as he best could; whereupon some sent their families to
Egina, some to Salamis, but the greater number to Troezen. This
removal was made with all possible haste, partly from a desire to obey
the advice of the oracle, but still more for another reason. The
Athenians say that they have in their Acropolis a huge serpent, which
lives in the temple, and is the guardian of the whole place. Nor do
they only say this, but, as if the serpent really dwelt there, every
month they lay out its food, which consists of a honey-cake. Up to
this time the honey-cake had always been consumed; but now it remained
untouched. So the priestess told the people what had happened;
whereupon they left Athens the more readily, since they believed that
the goddess had already abandoned the citadel. As soon as all was
removed, the Athenians sailed back to their station.
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